Paparazzi by Jo Fenton (best free e reader .txt) 📕

saw this and interfered?” Matt’s face is scarlet. I can see he’s working himself into a state. I agree in principle, but it’s so recently that he was in hospital, I need to defuse the situation.

“I assume you got away from her?”

“Yeah, I stamped on her foot, moved away, and ran inside. I popped into the loos and cleaned my face and then went back to class.”

“Didn’t the teacher say anything?” Matt still sounds angry. I glance at him, but he seems otherwise fine.

“I slipped in when she was busy with one of the other girls. I don’t know how, but she didn’t see me come in late. The other pupils in my class kept quiet. Karen and Elaine aren’t in my stream, and the rest of the girls are okay when they’re away from them.”

“So what are you going to do about those girls? Do you want me or your mum to go up to school and get this sorted?”

“No way! I’m already terrified about what they might be preparing to send round.”

“How about a counter-attack? Are you friendly with any of the other girls who are perhaps in that crowd, but not so under the leader’s thumb?” I have an idea forming, but need to hear that my daughter has some backup first.

“Yeah, a few. But some were giving me dirty looks on the tram home today.”

“What about the ones in your stream? And how about the boys?”

“There are three or four girls in my stream who are on the edge of that gang, but gave me kind of friendly smiles when I got back to class. The boys are in my stream are mostly okay. A bit geeky some of them.”

“Perfect. I think there might be a way out of this.”

An hour later, the seeds are sown. Several of Cheryl’s classmates have agreed to back her up, and are now in a WhatsApp group, and we’ve got several parents involved, who are furious at the attempts to draw their offspring into criminal activities, and eager to wipe out the impending evil. With the scene set, and a large tub of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream devoured, we all head upstairs for an early night. It’s not quite ten, but I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s exhausted.

***

On Tuesday morning I borrow Matt’s car to drive Cheryl into school. We’re both insured on both cars, but as Matt’s not driving at the moment, it will be good for the engine for me to give his a run. Mine is still outside Joanna’s.

As agreed the previous evening, I park the car after dropping Cheryl at the side of the road, and walk back to see her meet a few of her classmates at the school gates. They walk in together. Danielle is amongst them. One of the mums stops me as I turn and head back to the car. She’s sitting in a 4x4 watching her son join Cheryl’s crowd.

“Becky White, isn’t it?” She puts her hand out through the wound-down window. “I’m Lesley Goldstein, Joel’s mum. We liaised last night.”

“Hi Lesley,” I shake the proffered hand. “Lovely to meet you. Thanks for offering to help. Cheryl says Joel’s a nice lad.”

“You’re welcome. And thanks. I think I recognise you, and I’m not sure it’s from school.”

Damn. I think I recognise her too, although I’m not used to seeing her without a wig.

“You’re a barrister, aren’t you? I think I’ve seen you in court.” There shouldn’t be any harm in admitting my past to her, although I’m still trying to keep a low profile. “I was in the police force until last year. I do private detective work now.” Out of habit, I survey the area, but there’s no one within earshot now. Most of the cars have cleared, and the kids have gone into school.

“Of course. And your name came up, at least I think it was you, in connection with a recent case. Didn’t one of your colleagues get killed? I think you were Becky Wiseman previously?”

“Yes. One problem with my line of work is that it’s impossible not to make enemies. When I left the force, I decided it would be better to change my name. Cheryl’s stayed as she was for the sake of school and to reduce questions.”

“It’s fine; you don’t need to justify anything to me. I’ve got a late start today. Do you fancy a coffee? We can get a quiet one at M&S in the Fort.”

“That sounds good. I’ll follow you down there.”

We agree to meet there as soon the traffic permits, as we both know the Manchester Fort shopping precinct well. I text Matt to let him know what’s going on, as far as I can, but I’m very curious to hear what Lesley has to say.

Fifteen minutes later, we’re seated with a large cappuccino each, in the corner of M&S café, as far away from the checkout as possible. It’s quiet, and there’s no one around us. Lesley looks around with a satisfied grin.

“This is perfect. Thanks Becky. So we’re going to bring down those bitches Elaine and Karen? They used to pick on Joel so badly in primary school, and they still make nasty comments when they see him. So I’ve got a slight grudge, you could say.”

“They’re both in a lower stream, I believe.”

“Yes, they couldn’t get into Solomon, although I believe Elaine is clever enough if she applied herself. Her dad works in Chambers – not in my firm, I’m relieved to say – but he’s a vicious bastard, and not above taking bribes in certain areas.” She seems to notice my raised eyebrows. “Obviously nothing I can prove, otherwise I’d bring him down too, but it would be my great pleasure getting his daughter charged, or at the very least expelled. And I think we can do this between us.”

I appear to have made a powerful and useful ally. Further conversation enables me to understand a bit more about the background. For a talented