Chapter 2

“You don’t have the right to gloat,” grumbled Alea as they headed back from court three, breathing out clouds of frost as they went, “you were third seed in junior Wimbledon. I can’t top that!”

“Okay, I’ll stop teasing you – but only because it’s your birthday.”

“Thank you. Victory at last,” she hissed the last word under her breath so he wouldn’t hear her.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“Man, you are like a freakin’ bat!” He took a bow, acknowledging her ‘compliment’ and continuing with the gallantry, opened the door to the main building, holding it for her.

“Thank you, my Lord.”

“Not at all, milady.” They entered together, immediately removing in total about six layers of clothing as soon as the door shut. It was a relief to be out of the cold. Soup time, thought Aly with satisfaction, hearing the cheerful buzz of chatter coming from the staff room as they walked in together.

Rubbing her hands together in anticipation, they walked through into the school canteen, grabbing trays, cutlery and food before heading back to the staff room and grabbing a couple of empty plush seats around a small desk.

“So,” began William between mouthfuls, “you got anything planned for today?” She looked confused. “It’s your birthday,” he reminded her.

“I knew that,” she snapped at him earning only a knowing smile. “And no, no I am not.”

“Aly, why don’t you come down to the pub with us? You never do,” butted in Michael, who to her had until very recently been known as Mr Richards.

“I have to-”

“Don’t even pull the ‘I have to study’ card on me, young missy,” countered David, also overhearing. “You work too much anyway.”

“I’m trying to take a course, it isn’t like I have much choice,” she said with raised eyebrows and disbelief.

“Come on, it’s not like one night makes a difference. Besides, you’re a genius as it is.” She didn’t even try to argue with that one – it wasn’t for lack of modesty, simply that she knew David would threaten to produce all of her old essays, tests and grades. And that would be bad news.

“Fine. But you have to leave me alone afterwards, okay?”

“Alright,” came the less than enthusiastic chorus of response from her colleagues who had gathered around to see the ‘mini-argument’ develop. Satisfied that she had been defeated, most of them retreated back to the sofa or their own tables.

“Thanks, William,” she muttered sullenly.

“I told you, stop calling me William. It makes you sound like you’re mad at me.”

“I am mad at you, idiot.” As an afterthought, she added “fine. I’ll just call you Coxy then.” William’s outraged cries of ‘what’ went unnoticed as she swept up her tray to take it to back to the kitchens.

“Hey Aly,” came a cheesy sounding voice from behind her to the left as she re entered the staff room.

“What?” She whirled around to fine Marie and David carrying the cake. Andrew, head of the music department was conducting though nobody was actually watching him as almost everyone launched into an extremely out of tune rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’. Again.

“Again?” she cried in mock despair, throwing her hands up above her head and gesticulating at the cake-carriers.

“You didn’t cut it last time. So we had to do it again.”

“Whatever. So what, do I blow out the candles?”

“Yep,” responded Marie. “I bet your cake has the least amount of candles anybody to ever have a celebration in this staff room has ever had.”

“What she means,” continued Andrew for Marie who trailed off looking slightly confused at what she had just said, “Is that you’re the youngest teacher ever to have a birthday here. Nineteen. Even William here is already twenty one, and he was hired on last year.”

Aly failed to see the point in this, so just shrugged as a response. She grabbed the knife and prepared to cut the cake; some of the crowd’s excitement had flooded into her, and her grumpy mood was greatly improved by the fact that she was now warm and fed.

“Alright, who wants cake?”

“I do,” came just about everybody’s voice from around her.

“Well help yourselves then. Marie? Want to cut the rest?”

“Sure I do. You go get a seat on that couch before they’re all taken. Go on.” She went and sat, munching thoughtfully on the excellent sponge cake, saving a place for William.

“Penny for your thoughts?” He had spoken straight into her ear and she jumped, spilling crumbs everywhere.

“Just thinking about how much I hate you! Nah, just kidding. I couldn’t resist.”

“I know – I’m not as gullible as you think Aly.” He pinched her nose fondly and they sat together in a comfortable silence. Which was promptly broken by a loud squeak from William.

“That,” grinned Aly, “was for pinching me.”

“I’m cold again, doesn’t your car have heating or something?” Whined Aly as William started up the engine and backed out of his parking space. They had gone home so that she could change straight after school finished and were now heading to her ‘surprise party celebration’, as David and Marie had aptly put it. Marie wasn’t going to be there, her reasoning being that only the young ones – under 25s, would feel at least semi-comfortable in such a ‘young persons atmosphere’.

“It does but I only just started it up. Stop complaining or you’ll have to walk.”

“And then I won’t have to go out clubbing with y’all. What a shame,” she sighed almost wistfully, but not quite convincing William. “Where are we actually going?” She continued after a full minute of listening to William attempt to find a suitable radio channel.

“That, my dear, is for me to know, and you to find out.”

“Argh, stop being all mysterious.”

“Oh, it’s just a small club.” She left it at that.

It was crazy. Through the flashing lights and tired eyes, Aly managed to spot William sitting at the bar, and wandered over to him.

“Okay, do not tell me you come here often!” She punched him playfully on the arm, stumbling over the words somewhat.

“Nah, we just said that to get you to come. Only for you sweetheart.” He pulled out a stool for her to sit on and she plonked herself down, feet aching all of a sudden.

“Thank god you haven’t been drinking much else I’d have no way to get home,” she murmured through the curtain of hair that hid her face partially.

“Yeah, on that note, I think you’ve had enough,” he beckoned to the bartender and asked for two bottles of still water. “To clear your head,” he explained as he handed Aly the bottle. She twisted the lid off slowly before sipping thoughtfully at the water.

“Y’know, it’s almost midnight,” she observed absent mindedly, the party animal in her slightly worn out.

“Well you’d better make a wish now then.” Closing her eyes, and screwing up her nose, Aly made a wish with all her might, or tried at any rate. When she opened her eyes again, she found William staring at her.

“Well?” He leant forwards eagerly. “What’d you wish for?”

“That,” she replied, tapping her own nose, “is for me to know and you never to find out!”

“So unfair.”

“Whatever. So can we clear out of here?”

“Sure we can, if you want.” The drink was starting to wear off her system, leaving her instead with a pretty dull headache. Glancing at the dance floor and seeing that none of her other colleagues were really in the position or mood to stop her, she nodded.

“Let’s go then!” He exclaimed, with way too much energy in Aly’s opinion and grabbed her hand dragging her out of the club. It was absolutely freezing outside and she pulled her coat around her, tightening her grip on William’s hand, which was surprisingly warm.

Fumbling for the keys in his coat pocket, William unlocked the car, and with a gentleman like flourish, even opened the door on Aly’s side for her, not that she noticed much. It was way too cold to be lingering outside and her feet ached.

They drove back in silence, Aly’s headache putting her in an increasingly bad mood, until she finally fell asleep with her cheek resting on the window. She looked sweet, William thought, driving along with a small smile on his face.

When they finally arrived at Aly’s apartment, he woke her up regretfully, shaking her gently on the shoulder until she groaned and yawned, eyes fluttering open.

“Wakey wakey sunshine,” he said brightly, only to be shot down with a glare from slightly bloodshot eyes.

“I’m tired. I don’t want to wake up.” He fixed her with a stern stare and eventually, she stretched before getting out of the car. Gentleman that he was, he walked her to the door of the apartment building.

“Thanks for bringing me home,” she faltered, typing in the code with fumbling fingers to get in. “I’d invite you in but…” she trailed off as he nodded with understanding.

“I know, it’s okay. Take care, okay? I’ll see you tomorrow.” He leant forward and kissed her forward before embracing her with a warm hug.

“You too William. Thank you.”

“No no no, thank you. And happy birthday. I really hope your wish comes true,” he finished sincerely, before pushing her inside and walking back to his car, sighing to himself. Tomorrow was going to be a really long day, and a tiring one too. He could already feel it. There would be a lot of staff calling in sick, that much was a certainty.