AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is a direct sequel to 'Taken By Strangers'. I you haven't read that story, then this one won't make much sense (although it's still a sordid tale!). All characters are fictional and although some scenes take place in a school, all the erotic exchanges are between adults over the age of 18.
"How dare you!" Lucy screamed down the phone. "Not only have you embarrassed me but you've jeopardised my whole fucking career! Oh, and conveniently omitted to mention the fact that you're actually MARRIED!"
Tom remained calm at the other end of the line.
"I'm sorry, truly I am, but I had no idea you were my son's teacher. You responded to my message, remember? You agreed to meet. We knew nothing about each other. And I checked with you from start to finish. You consented to everything."
Lucy was silent, still shaking with rage, but red-faced with guilt. Fuck!
She'd managed to muddle through Parents Evening, her tummy churning with anger and fear in equal measure. Fretting over every dad that sat in front of her. 'Is he one of them?' She'd tried to remain calm but had seethed inside all evening, sick to her stomach.
"And for your information, Marie and I are separated," he continued when she didn't respond. "We go to school events together, for Christopher's sake, but that's all."
Lucy tried to calm herself. He was, annoyingly, right. She'd brought this on herself. Now she had to find a way out.
"Who were they? I need to speak to them all. Immediately!"
Tom paused. "I can't tell you that. Sorry. I have a reputation too. And it would get very complicated if you start barrelling into other people's lives. Sorry."
"You're fucking kidding me, aren't you?" Her anger was rising again. "You're telling me five grown men can't face up to discussing their sordid evening out? How am I supposed to handle that? Sports Days. Concert Nights. Open Evenings. I'm not going to become the bloody laughing stock of a bunch of..."
"Stop! Calm down!"
Lucy couldn't help herself but instinctively obey his commanding voice. She shivered and her pussy twitched, much to her annoyance.
"Look," he continued softly. "They're all married men. None of them are going to say anything. Or out you to the headmaster. Why would they do that? Just... try and forget it."
As soon as he said it, he knew that sounded lame.
"What I mean is, you're just going to have to move forward..."
"Fuck you!" She screamed. "I never want to see you or hear from you again. Stay out of my life. Your wif...ex... will have to attend school events on her own."
"Sorry, but that's going to be diffi..."
"Well tough. I'm sure you can come up with an excuse. Use your smooth, sexy voice to convince her... or something. I don't want to see you again."
Tom sighed. "As you wish," he murmured. "And again, I'm sorry. It was a really fun evening and I..."
And with that she punched the disconnect button with her finger.
***
She cried for a bit, then calmed and tried to pull herself together. She was still shaking with anger but he was right. Chances are, nothing will ever be said. And it's just their word against hers. One night of stupidity. She was as angry with herself as much as she was with Tom and his...'friends'.
She fretted for a couple of weeks. Tried to stay calm, sticking to her usual routines, ignoring the fear gnawing away inside. But it was tough. She discovered just how often she came into contact with her students' fathers. Drop offs and pick ups at the school gates were the worst. 'Maybe him?' She'd think at every smile or furtive glance. 'Oh God, surely not him! I hope to Christ he didn't put his...' It was agonizing, but it faded and she learned to ignore it.
She found Thomas Clifton sobbing in the corridor one afternoon. She took him aside and calmed him. It was a clear case of bullying.
"I'd rather not say, Miss," he muttered.
"If you don't give me a name, Thomas, I can't help make it stop."
But he wouldn't budge, so she sent him off to class, picked up the phone and called the parents into school with a sigh.
"It's not the first time," said Thomas's Mother, June, wearily. "It was the same last week. Tears in his bedroom."
"Bloody Carter," mumbled Ray, the Father, under his breath.
"I'm sorry?" said Lucy.
"Peter Carter, he's a troublemaker. I don't know the boy, but I've seen him and his mates pushing kids around in the playground. Pretty sure he's the ringleader."
There was little Lucy could do. "I'll monitor the situation. I assure you that if we find any evidence we'll take action. Please encourage Thomas to come forward. It's really the only way we can act." She smiled sympathetically and Ray returned the grin. They were lovely people and she felt their pain.
"Thanks. Appreciate it," he said abruptly, holding her gaze for a moment, then rose to leave. Showing his wife through the door he turned back and spoke in a low voice.
"You're doing a great job. I don't supposed you recognise me, do you?"
Lucy froze. "Er... should I?" she murmured guiltily.
He paused briefly as June carried on down the corridor.
"No I guess not. You look very professional...um...with your clothes on," he finished and winked. Then he turned and hurried after his wife.
Lucy stood in shock and silence, her legs turning to jelly.
****
Sports Day was a nightmare. One of those events where almost every father turns out to cheer on their child. Lucy wrapped herself in a baggy tracksuit, despite the sunshine, but she still felt exposed. Naked in the glare of a hundred parents. As Assistant Head she was officiating on the field most of the afternoon, and could feel the collective gaze of dozens of men boring through her clothing.
She couldn't help but scan the sea of faces every now and then, looking for signs. A furtive look, or wicked grin or prolonged stare. Anything that might give some indication. Tom was nowhere to be seen but she spotted Ray Clifton and her face reddened but he seemed to be ignoring her. 'Thank God for some decency and discretion,' she thought.
Jonathan, the Head of Phys Ed, was directing the children through each event. He barked instructions, giving them all encouragement, cheering for the winners and offering a few words of consolation for those at the back. 'Such a lovely young man,' thought Lucy absentmindedly as the afternoon dragged on, catching a glance of his sizable biceps and taught bum.
"Well done, Clare," Jonathan called to one of the girls puffing across the finish line. She was a podgy little thing and sweating like a pig.
"Wow, you're really wet!" He exclaimed and handed her a towel.
Something went ping in the back of Lucy's mind. A spark of recognition. Almost the exact words that one of her mysterious lovers had said. 'Oh. My. God!' She thought in a moment of panic. 'Surely not? Not another teacher!' She'd been so pre-occupied with watching for signs from her pupils' fathers that she hadn't even imagined...
Jonathan turned and smiled, walking across. Lucy's legs almost buckled.
"Gotta give them some hope, eh," he giggled. Lucy stared at him for a second too long.
"You OK?" He said, breaking the moment.
"Yes! Er...fine!" She blurted quickly.
Jonathan grinned and leaned in. "You look hot. It's 25 degrees you know. You're allowed to take off the tracksuit. You're going to dehydrate in that."
Lucy laughed hesitantly, looking for a sign, but Jonathan just turned back to the sports field and the moment passed. 'This is ridiculous,' she berated herself.
"Jonathan! I'm going to change. Back in ten."
Heading back to the office, she heard a commotion from behind the drama block. As she rounded the corner, there was Thomas Clifton, cowering on the ground, surrounded by three boys.
"I said give them to me!" shouted one of the boys. Then they sensed her presence and turned.
"What's going on?" said Lucy firmly, although she could see exactly what was happening. The boys stepped back.
"Nuffin, Miss." It was Carter. The little shit from year 13. As predicted. "Tommy fell over, Miss,' he continued, trying to look angelic and failing miserably.
"All three of you to my office, now," said Lucy. "I know your names so don't even try to scarper."
They trudged away and she picked Thomas off the ground, consoling him and straightening him up. After re-uniting him with his parents, she headed back to the office where the three miscreants were waiting forlornly in the waiting area.
"Don't move," she said sharply and they jumped. She strode past into her office and picked up the phone.
She dealt with them one at a time, bringing in the parents who obviously weren't far away. Just a warning for the child and a quiet word with the parents for now. She left Peter Carter till last.
Roger Carter strode into her office. He was tall, towering over her, imposing and clearly miffed to have been called to the office. He almost sneered at her when she explained the situation.
"Come on, it's just a bit of rough and tumble. Boys will be boys," he grunted dismissively.
"I'm sorry but this kind of behaviour just isn't acceptable in our school," said Lucy patiently.
"Oh really?" He replied. He stood up and walked to the door and she thought he was going to leave, but he closed the door firmly, leaving his son sitting out in the waiting area. Then he turned and strode over, leaning ominously across the desk.
"You can hardly preach about acceptable behaviour, can you... Lucy."
Lucy's heart sank. She knew instantly. The memory of his gravelly voice crashed into her head. She flushed red and swallowed hard.