The contractor came to Briar Glen on the Monday after winter break.
I didn't see him. The school sent the Hawthorn students to class while he examined the heating system, and the office would not share his report with students. Headmistress Dyer said the assessment was "routine" and the building remained safe.
That evening, the west corridor radiator knocked twice.
Then once more.
I sat up in bed. June lifted her head from the pillow.
"Did you hear it?"
"Yes."
"Should we tell Mrs. Bell?"
"She's on duty. I'll tell her."
June pulled on her robe. I reached for my notebook.
"Do you need to write it down first?" she asked.
I stopped with my hand over the cover. "No."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want the notebook to come before telling someone."
June nodded once. We walked to Mrs.
