Turn a Blind Eye. Vicky Newham

– Maya

Thursday – Steve

       Thursday – Maya

       Thursday – Dan

       Thursday – Maya

       Thursday – Steve

       Mile End High School, 1995 – Maya

       Thursday – Maya

       Thursday – Maya

       Thursday – Maya

       Thursday – Maya

       Limehouse Police Station, 2005 – Maya

       Thursday – Maya

       Thursday – Maya

       Thursday – Maya

       Thursday – Dan

       Thursday

       Thursday – Maya

       Thursday – Dan

       Thursday – Maya

       Mile End High School, 1991 – Maya

       Friday – Maya

       Friday – Steve

       Friday – Steve

       Friday – Maya

       Friday – Maya

       Friday – Steve

       Friday – Maya

       Friday – Maya

       Friday – Steve

       Friday – Maya

       Friday – Steve

       Saturday – Maya

       Saturday – Dan

       Saturday – Maya

       Saturday – Maya

       Sunday – Maya

       Monday – Steve

       Monday – Steve

       Monday – Maya

       Monday – Steve

       Monday – Maya

       Monday – Maya

       Monday – Maya

       Monday – Maya

       Tuesday

       Tuesday – Steve

       Tuesday – Maya

       Tuesday

       Tuesday – Maya

       Tuesday – Maya

       Tuesday – Maya

       Tuesday – Maya

       Tuesday – Maya

       Tuesday – Maya

       Tuesday – Maya

       Tuesday – Maya

       Tuesday – Steve

       Tuesday – Maya

       Tuesday

       Tuesday – Steve

       Tuesday – Maya

       Tuesday – Maya

       Wednesday – Maya

       Acknowledgements

       Extract - Out of the Ashes

       Q&A with Vicky Newham

       About the Publisher

Wednesday, 3 January 2018 – Steve

      Steve sat back in the plastic chair, squashed between two colleagues. Today was the start of the spring term at Mile End High School and he’d managed to turn up for the first day of his new job with a hangover.

      ‘Good morning, everyone. Welcome back.’ Linda Gibson, the petite head teacher, stood at the rostrum and surveyed the hall with an infectious grin. Her blue eyes danced with energy. ‘First of all, apologies for the lack of heating. I believe the engineers are fixing the boiler as I speak.’ She raised crossed fingers. ‘They’ve promised to perform miracles so we can all get warm and have lunch.’

      Laughter ricocheted round the hall where the hundred-strong staff sat in coats and scarves, the room colder than the chilled aisles at the supermarket.

      ‘I hope you all had a lovely holiday,’ she continued. ‘I’m delighted to share good news: Amir Hussain, the year ten boy who was stabbed on Christmas Eve, is out of intensive care and doing well. In the sixth form, offers of university places have begun to trickle in.’ She paused. ‘Two final updates. Kevin Hall sadly had a stroke on Boxing Day, and Talcott Lawrence will step in as chair of governors until the end of term. Lastly, OFSTED notification could arrive any day.’

      Nervous chatter skittered round the room.

      ‘There’s no cause for concern.’ Linda quickly raised her hand to reassure. ‘The inspectors will quickly see what a brilliant school we are.’ She gestured to the awards that hung proudly on the walls of the school hall.

      Linda’s words floated over Steve’s head. All he’d been able to think about since arriving at the school that morning was when he’d be able to get to a shop for some Nurofen – but, despite his befuddled mental state, optimism began to tickle at him for the first time in months. After his last school in sleepy Sussex, he’d longed to escape mud and meadows and return to the vibrancy of East London, where he’d grown up. Hearing Linda speak, he felt sure he’d made the right decision – even though his head was swimming with information and everyone’s names were a blur. What an idiot he’d been to start drinking last night. After the long flight home from New York, the plan had been to have an early night. Why the hell hadn’t he stuck to it? To add to his regrets this morning, he’d read through his drunken texts to Lucy while he waited for the bus and cringed. What a twat. Hadn’t he promised himself he wouldn’t plead?

      Linda was still talking. ‘We were all devastated by the suicide of Haniya Patel last term, and her parents have asked me to convey their thanks for our support.’

      Steve’s phone vibrated in his pocket. His heart leaped at the thought it might be Lucy replying – and then sank. That was never going to happen. He had to focus on getting through today without making a prat of himself. This job was the new start he needed.

      ‘It’s a tragedy we’re all still coming to terms with.’ Linda’s voice was solemn. ‘In your e-mail you’ll find details of her memorial ser—’

      A loud click sounded and a cloak of darkness fell on the hall. Stunned, the room was silent for a second, followed by whispered questions and nervous speculation.

      ‘We seem to have hit another problem.’ Linda’s voice came from the front of the room. ‘Can I suggest we all reconvene to the staffroom? I’ll find the caretakers.’

       *

      An