“I hate to have to remind you again, but you do take all the work yourself. At some point, you’ll have to say ‘no’ when someone asks you to do something for them.”

Tina rolled her eyes. “I know that. Doesn’t make it any easier, tough.”

“So – what were you doing outside?”

“Just taking a small break, watched some kids playing basketball during gym.” Tina looked at Helena in envy: “Do you ever have to get up for work?”

“Jodi did me a great favour this year. I never have to work before ten and on Tuesdays, I only have the last two hours to teach.”

“How did you manage to get that done?”

“Let’s say that our dearest principal is sensitive for… female charmes.”

Tina laughed out loud. “You’re so evil, Helena. Anyway, I wouldn’t be able to get that done, she knows I’m straight.”

“Do you honestly think she’d care? Wear a nice top, bat your eyelashes, use your sexy voice and she’ll be drooling all over you.”

“Tim would kill me if I did that. He hates her and her arrogance.”

“I would believe the feeling’s mutual. He was lucky that he applied in Paul’s last year as principal – no way in hell would Jodi have hired him.”

“You’re right. Anyway – what are we still doing outside? I have a lot of work to do and I’m sure you need to prepare your class.”

“Yes, you’re right.” Helena opened the door and waited until Tina had come in to close it. “So, what class did you watch?”

“Bette Porter’s.”

“I have them next hour – I’m not counting on a very active lesson. Tim always wears them out, they look like rags when they get in.”

“Well, good luck with that! I’m not looking forward to next hour – I have that class with Josh Breckner, Taylor Martin, Cassie Cassidy – I still wonder if her parents were drunk when they gave her her name – Eric Anderson. They’re all a pain in the arse.”

“I had them last year, I asked Jodi not to have to teach them again.”

“I really should try that top-batting eyelashes-sexy voice thing.”

“You should! Anyway, I have to go now. Bye!”

“Bye.”