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Prologue

~Nora~

“I’m not Mrs Shaw”

The receptionist frowns up at me She’s new

“I’m on the approved list to pick Gabby up from school, if her father is unavailable,” I elaborate and hile the woman before me taps on her keyboard, then nods her head

“Here you are Okay then, Gabby is in Mrs Flynn’s office You’re free to go on in”

“Thanks” My heels click on the floor as I march into the principal’s office Gabby’s dark head is bowed, and Mrs Flynn’s hands are folded on her desk, waiting patiently for me

“Hello, Nora,” she says politely “Thank you for co”

“You’re welcome Carter’s been in court all afternoon I’m sorry you couldn’t reach him”

“Dad’s always in court,” Gabby mutters

“What’s this all about?”

Mrs Flynn looks over to Gabby “Would you like to explain it to her?”

“Not really”

I sigh Since Gabby’s reached the preteen years, she’s been more and more difficult

“What’s up, Gabby?”

My boss’s daughter shrugs one shoulder “I was sticking up for my friend That’s all”

I blink at Mrs Flynn and raise an eyebrow “I suspect that’s not all”

“Another student, Claire, clai out of her ear”

“Gabby!”

“She’s mean,” Gabby insists “Like, reallyto her bully Lily”

“Our school has a zero tolerance policy when it cos,” Mrs Flynn says patiently “I’ll be speaking with Claire, the girl whose ear is now bandaged up, but Gabby, you’re suspended until Monday”

“What?” Gabby demands “But it’s only Thursday”

“That’s the policy,” Mrs Flynn says “I’ll make an appointment to speak with your father about this further”

“Let’s go,” I say as Gabby stands and reaches for her bookbag To the principal I say, “Thanks for everything”

The principal nods as Gabby and I leave her office and I ioes to voice e since I received the call from the school

“Me again I have Gabby Will tell you more when I see you, but she’s not hurt”

I hang up and Gabby and I cli as she puts her seat belt on