School Run Read Online Free Page A

could trust her to share a regular run.
    ‘OK, out, everyone,’ she instructed, and slid into the tight space, which was partially over a double yellow. ‘Don’t forget your PE stuff in the boot. And peel that chewing gum off the seat.’
    She shuddered. When she had been a child, her father’s beat-up Cortina, which he drove at weekends when he was not in the cab, had been festooned with garage freebies like Tiger Tails and always reeked of fags. That was why Evie kept an air freshener in hers and a Gucci carrier bag in which she deposited illicit sweet packets. When she’d first started doing the school run, she had forbidden eating in the car but the girls had complained to Robin and he had pointed out to Evie that he wanted them to feel at home when they were with him. Reluctantly she had given in but it didn’t stop her feeling furious when they treated the Discovery with the disdain they normally reserved for her.
    Natalie swung her long legs out of the back and stood up, tossing back her hair, then sauntered off without a goodbye.
    ‘Bye-bye.’ Jack flapped his chubby little fist.
    Leonora looked back and leaned into the car to plant a kiss on his soft cheek. As she did so, she glanced guiltily at Evie. ‘She didn’t mean it.’ Leonora was the softer of the two, if there was such a thing. ‘She didn’t mean to tell you Mum said you were a dangerous driver. And I don’t think Mum meant it either.’
    ‘Well, she shouldn’t have said it.’ To her horror, Evie felt her eyes prickle with tears. She looked away hastily, so that Leonora couldn’t see, and watched the Fiesta squeeze past her, almost scraping the Discovery’s side. ‘That’s what you call dangerous driving,’ she said angrily. ‘Not mine. Well, go on, then, aren’t you going to be late?’
    Leonora hesitated. ‘Mrs Foster wants to see Mum. This morning. She was meant to come in last week but she didn’t. Mrs Foster says that if she doesn’t see her this morning, she’s going to write to Dad and . . .’
    Evie sighed. This wasn’t the first time it had happened but Robin usually sorted out these problems. ‘What have you been doing now?’
    ‘Nothing. I just called this girl something I shouldn’t because she said something nasty to me and then I hit her so she hit me and . . . Oh, God, Evie, I’m really in trouble this time. Please help me. I didn’t dare tell Dad.’
    Evie was torn between anger and pleasure that Leonora had chosen to confide in her. Despite herself, she also felt sorry for her. The anxiety on Leonora’s face reminded her of the problems she’d had at school. Not that the girls would understand that .
    She looked coldly at her step-daughter, who was waiting for an answer. ‘I can’t come in now. I’m on a double yellow.’
    ‘Please, Evie. I’m really going to be in the shit if you don’t.’
    ‘Don’t use words like that.’ Evie glanced around to see if there were any traffic wardens. If she was quick, she could explain to Mrs Foster that Rachel would come in to sort this out when she got home.
    ‘Stay there,’ she instructed Jack. ‘Don’t move. I won’t be a second.’
    She didn’t like leaving him but Jack was getting too heavy to carry and his dawdling would slow her down. ‘Come on, then. Quick.’
    They walked briskly past a child in a scruffy black blazer.
    ‘But it’s non-uniform day,’ he was saying, into his mobile. ‘Please bring in my jeans, Mum, or I’ll be the only one like this.’
    Poor boy, thought Evie. Kids hated being different – like many an adult. To her relief, Mrs Foster was in the staffroom.
    Evie explained the situation, awkwardly conscious that Leonora was near enough to hear. ‘My step-daughter’s mother is away at the moment but she’ll come in as soon as she’s back. I’d be really grateful if you could make allowances. Leonora has been through a difficult time recently.’ She gave the woman a warm smile, the kind that said, ‘I know your job’s