NB All characters are over 18.
Zara had had plenty of time to work on her plan. He had avoided her during the rest of the trip to Switzerland, as a result of her accusing him of rape. That evening as he stood at her door, she could see it in his eyes, his new found confidence, rapidly melt into the throes of fear. Now back home, it was time to turn the screw on him.
All it needed was to set a little trap. One that he would willingly fall into. He couldn't help himself, poor boy. She needed him in a position of weakness, alone. And then a short sharp shock of humiliation. She'd be doing him a service, really. A bit of education about consent and consequences. Already, she had noticed his demeanour was more nervy, and his work in her French lessons was deteriorating. It was almost as if he could not concentrate, the poor love!
*
For Leo, the invitation by Zara Williams to her room was the start of his problems. He had, admittedly let go, and had forced himself on her after her initial kiss. But now she was claiming rape, and he knew that she could very easily act on her threat to get him arrested. But she had enticed him, all the same, and whatever she might do it would not look good for Leo. After getting back from the Swiss trip he had found it hard to engage with his work and it seemed as if all the staff were watching him intently. The atmosphere at school seemed to have changed, there was an air of suspicion and he felt others were talking about him.
At least there was one friendly face in the form of Chloe Hardaker. She was in his French class too, and had sat alongside him. She was a petite blonde girl, quiet and unassuming in her nature. Although she was very shy, she was increasingly prone to giving him the odd admiring glance when she spoke to him and this gave him a warm glow. Zara Williams seemed to notice, however, and glared at them if they began to talk in class. Zara seemed to be watching him constantly, and this was making him nervous.
It was a relief when finally Zara Williams called in a favour. Maybe normality was returning, he began to hope. It was after his French lesson, and just before Geography.
"Leo, can I ask you to stay back for a minute?"
"Yes, Miss."
The others left the class and Leo noticed that Ralph, the class wise guy, had a knowing smirk on his face as he walked past.
"Leo, I have some new textbooks just delivered, and I need to take them to the store, they are pretty heavy, and would you mind giving me a hand?"
"No, not at all, Miss."
"You won't be late for your next lesson?" They both knew that he would be.
"No, I am sure I can help, Miss Williams." Maybe she would ease up on him if he was helpful to her, despite his lack of time.
Zara motioned to a large cardboard box by her desk. "Ok, can you get hold of that, and I'll take this smaller box. The store is on the next floor."
Leo got a grip of the heavy box and followed Zara along the corridor, and up the stairs. She went down to the end of the next corridor and unlocked a small storeroom.
"Great thanks."
"Is that it?"
"Well, I need to separate out the books on the shelves." She looked firmly at Leo straight in the eye. He sighed. He was going to be late.
"It won't take long. Can you take Series 1 out... oh and yes, get the plastic wrapper off." Leo obeyed and realised that Zara was in mind to makes things awkward. Mr Thomas his Geography teacher, would be less than amused. After sorting out five series of the books on the shelf, Leo looked at Zara.
"Can I go now? I really should be in Geography."
"You should have said! Yes, off you go!"
Leo picked up his school bag and ran back down the corridor, down the stair and out to the next building to his Geography lesson. Inevitably Mr Thomas was irritated as he walked into class.
"Oh, and where 'ave you been?"
"I was ask to help by Miss Williams."
"Couldn't it wait? After this class maybe?" Leo stayed silent. "And I hope you have completed your assignment at least."
"Assignment?" A cold sick dread spread over him.
"Yes, on urban planning. Two examples from the UK."
"Ah."
"Ok, Leo, detention!" barked Mr Thomas dismissively. "Now can I get on with the lesson?"
*
Leo was fuming. Up until now he had had a perfect record with no detentions from school. Until Zara had decided to wield her influence. He made his way up to the staff room later that day to take instruction from whoever was on detention duty. He was quite surprised to see Chloe Hardaker there, she never put a step wrong. Alongside her was Bryony Watson, ah, well, less surprising.
"Afternoon, what do they put you in for?" he asked them.
Bryony looked bored with the question. "Miss Williams decided that I was being cheeky. You know, not answering back when she is talking," she gave a sardonic false smile. Leo nodded. And probably being sarcastic to her as well, he thought. He turned to Chloe.
"I was writing up the report from the Swiss trip, and Zara Williams decided that I needed close supervision for some reason. She kept expecting updates very few days and I got fed up of it, and I told her so."
Leo breathed out from the corner of his mouth. "Sounds like she's losing it," he remarked.
"Losing what?" The door had opened and Zara Williams was at the door of the staff room.
"Chloe's friend," lied Leo.
"Oh," Zara gave him a look with her lips pressed together in manner which indicated the depth of her disbelief. "Well you know I am staffing detention today, and we have some special tasks for you." She surveyed her three charges.
"Leo, the caretaker has said the cellars are filthy because some of your schoolmates have taken it upon themselves to have little smoking parties there. Someone made a copy of the key presumably. Anyway, the Head is keen to see that area cleaned up. Ok? I have a key from the caretaker and I expect it to be thoroughly clean, I will show you the cleaning cupboard. Girls. We are going to sort out books in the library, and I will be there to keep an eye on you."
With that she led them past the cleaning cupboard, ordered Leo to take out a broom and a dustpan and motioned him in the direction of the cellar. She took the two girls to the library got them to retrieve the books which had been returned or were lying loose around the room.
"So, you know why you are here?"
"Yes, Miss." The girls nodded.
"So..." Zara continued more slowly. "You know about Leo Tempest?"
"What, Miss?" Bryony sounded bored, even when intrigued.
"There is good reason you are separated from him. You need to know this. I know of a girl who he took advantage of, and she refuses to disclose it. She just indicated to me that he had forced himself on her."
Bryony turned in anger. "Really, Leo?... The bastard!" Zara turned her gaze to Chloe. Oh, Chloe, who made little puppy dog eyes at Leo. How would she react to her hero's fall from grace? Chloe looked puzzled and doubtful. Of course she would.
"I can't say who, naturally. And she was really upset and unsure of who to turn to. But she doesn't want to press charges. So, what can I do?" Zara looked meaningfully at the girls.
"Get him dobbed in, Miss!"
"I would," Zara replied "only, she needs to be a witness."
"So, she is reluctant?" asked Chloe.
"Absolutely. Seems to be thrall to the monster." Zara had them where she wanted. "So, listen to me. I didn't know I'd be on duty with you lot today. Mr Fell was ill. But it does give the opportunity to, let's say... put things right?"
"How, Miss?" Bryony was now much more alert at the prospect of some drama.
"Ok, so let's present the facts. Leo thinks he can get away with assault. It's awful and humiliating for the girl. How about if something humiliating, not, I assure you, painful ... happens to him?"
"Why not painful, Miss?" asked Bryony angrily. Oh, she could count on Bryony. Bryony was physically imposing and had that permanent air of intimidation about her.
"Well we could induce pain," Zara began slowly. She waited for a reaction. Chloe looked troubled.
