11: EmbarkationEliza was still in her empty classroom, the children having departed for their dinner break. When Jack walked in she rushed over to embrace him, but he held at her arm’s length.
‘What’s wrong, Jack?’
‘You need to come with me to see Sister.’
‘Jack?’
He took her by the arm and led her out of the room, ignoring her protests. He was so frightened he could barely breathe, terrified that once she knew what had happened she would want no more to do with him.
Sister Callista was waiting for them.
‘We have no time to spare. I know what Thomas MacBride is like when he’s set his mind to something,’ she said.
‘What’s going on? What’s happened?’ said Eliza.
Jack threw a plaintive look at the headmistress. He couldn’t bear to break the news to Eliza. He prayed that she would real
