Robert and I lean forward in our chairs, eager to hear what she’s going to say.
‘Eva’s standard of work has really leapt up a gear. She’s focused, she’s engaged and her homework last week was really excellent.’
‘That’s great news,’ Robert says. He glances across at me and I know what he’s thinking – Sadie. Her input is probably already having a positive effect.
‘I’m expecting that she’ll do brilliantly in the SATs next May, as long as she keeps up this level of enthusiasm and commitment to her schoolwork.’
‘I’m so pleased,’ I say, feeling a little tearful. Perhaps this is the reason Suri was emotional when she came out of the classroom. There’s nothing like hearing your kids are doing well for bringing a tear to the eye.
‘Now,’ Mrs Slade says, chewing the side of her lip. ‘Unfortunately, I also have some less positive news to give you.’
My heart dips and I frown, wondering what on earth she’s about to say. Robert gives my hand a quick squeeze.
‘Eva has recently developed quite a lot of new-found confidence,’ Mrs Slade says.
‘That’s good news, surely,’ Robert says.
‘Ordinarily, yes. But this last week she’s been buddying up with some of the more forceful characters. And, well, I’ve had a couple of parents contact me to say that their child is being… now I hesitate to use the word bullied… but…’
It takes a moment for Mrs Slade’s words to sink in. ‘You think Eva is being abully?’ I just can’t imagine it. There’s no way my daughter would behave like that. ‘Are you sure it isn’t the other way round? I mean, that time she hit Lauren, you know it was purely in retaliation for being bullied herself. All the girls were ganging up on her. Maybe that’s what’s been happening again—’
‘Please, Mr and Mrs Ballantine, I really don’t think it’s anything to get too worried about. Like I said, it’s only been happening in the last week. And it’s very out of character.’
‘Whathasactually been happening?’ I snap. ‘Can you give me specific examples?’ Somehow, this feels even worse than when Eva was the victim. ‘I really cannot believe she would be mean to another child!’
Robert places a calming hand on my shoulder.
‘Okay, well, for example…’ Mrs Slade’s voice is maddeningly measured and calm, making me sound like a deranged banshee. ‘Eva and a couple of the other girls were saying things to Maya earlier today about her size.’
‘What! No way. No way would Eva ever say anything like that.’
‘Look, Mrs Ballantine, I didn’t hear it first hand, but a few of the other children did. And it’s not something we can tolerate.’
‘Of course not. But was it Eva who actually said it? Or was it the other children she was hanging around with?’
‘Apparently it was all three of them. They were chanting it.’
No wonder Suri was upset.No wonder she didn’t catch my eye coming out of the classroom earlier. I’ll have to call her. Apologise. Get Eva to apologise. What a horrible, horrible situation.
‘Who were the other children doing the chanting?’ Robert asks.
‘It doesn’t actually matter, about those children,’ Mrs Slade says. ‘Let’s keep the conversation about Eva.’
‘I’m so sorry,’ I say. ‘You know this is totally out of character for her. She’s usually a sweet, kind girl.’
‘I know,’ Mrs Slade replies, nodding sympathetically. ‘Sometimes they get carried away trying to show off in front of their friends. I’ve spoken to her and she assures me she’s sorry and won’t do it again. We would have called you about it, but I knew you were coming in this evening, so thought it best to wait and speak to you both face to face.’
Finally, Robert and I leave the classroom and make our way out of the school and back to the car. We don’t speak, shell-shocked by what we’ve just heard.
‘I don’t think I’m in the mood to go for a drink now,’ I say to Robert once we’re inside the car, my shoulders slumping.
‘Me neither. We’re going to have to go home and have a serious chat with Eva before she goes to bed.’
‘Do you think Sadie knows about it?’ I ask.
‘No. She’d have said something to us.’ Robert turns on the engine.
‘I suppose so…’ I stare unseeing out of the window. ‘Do you think we should tell Sadie about it?’