Something Quite Beautiful Read Online Free

wisely as the chance to ask a question again might not occur for a very long time, maybe years. Is that clear so far?’
    ‘Yep.’ Keegan answered.
    ‘Crystal.’ Henry responded as he drummed the desk with his fingers.
    ‘For the record, gentlemen, if ever I speak to you or ask you a question, you will respond in full sentences followed by Principal or Ma’am and without finger drumming or other distraction. So ‘crystal’ and ‘yep’ would not be acceptable. You weren’t to know, but now you do. Please sit up straight.’
    Warren Binns was the only one not to have to readjust his posture. The Principal picked up a marker pen and approached the white board.
    ‘Glenculloch is run on sound principles. The system is straight forward, designed to punish those that deserve it and rehabilitate those that don’t. It’s quite simple really. There are six rules and only six rules. I expect you to learn and live by them. No more, no less. By following the rules, you will carve a path of discovery for yourself, break them and you will find that pathway blocked by a whole heap of trouble. Is that clear?’
    She scanned the three and pointed at Warren. ‘Is that clear?’
    Warren remembered the earlier instruction, ‘Yes, that’s clear, Ma’am.’
    The Principal nodded, satisfied. She removed the lid from the marker pen and starting writing on the white board.
    1. Always tell the truth.
    2. Always display good manners.
    3. Never swear.
    4. Work hard.
    5. Respect yourself.
    6. Respect others.
    She turned to the group and watched as the boys read each rule. ‘If anyone is unclear on what any of these rules mean, then please raise your hand now so that I may offer further explanation.’ No-one raised their hand. She waited for a further second, looking at each man in turn, before interpreting their silence as understanding.
    ‘Excellent. May I remind you that these are not optional, they are mandatory.’ She paused again, allowing this information to sink in as each one read and re-read the six rules by which they were expected to live. ‘I would now like to take your questions. You first, Mr Lomax.’
    Keegan coughed and shifted in his seat, he hadn’t wanted to go first; he felt embarrassed, awkward and didn’t want to be judged. This setting reminded him of school, an environment in which he had far from flourished. He tried to ask the question that was battering the inside of his lips as though he could care less about the answer. ‘I’m personally not fussed, but I’ve heard that we don’t get any visitors here, that no one gets any visitors, ever, and I was just wondering if that’s true, but as I say, I’m not really bothered about it, Ma’am?’
    ‘Thank you for that, Mr Lomax; it’s a source of great debate. The answer to your question is yes, that is true. There are no visitors to Glenculloch, we are an invisible site. I believe it’s for the best, no distractions and no disappointments. This is to allow a clear, focussed and uncomplicated rehabilitation programme that is open to all who reside here.’
    Keegan shook his head and wiped invisible sweat from his forehead. He raised his top lip and eyebrow simultaneously, a look that said whatever... An image of he and Joanna crept into his mind, sat side by side on the sofa, their thighs touching, her hand sat inside his, her beautiful fingers interlaced with his own and the feel of her nails against his palm. He would have to think very carefully about exactly how that felt and catalogue every minute detail storing it away for recollection whenever he needed it.
    Edwina Justice turned to Henry. ‘May I have your question please?’
    The boy was agitated, edgy; his tone antagonistic. ‘Hi, I was just wondering, what would happen if we did kick off? I mean, you’ve taken off our restraints, which is really cool, but there’s three of us and only two of you. And not being sexist or anything, but I fancy my chances against you, even on a bad day.’