She knew why she was there and was in the process of shutting herself down – something which had the unnerving effect of making people think she’d literally vacated herself. First her eyes went dead then all expression left her face, and finally she let her body sink in on itself. Even Miss Pearson’s professional brightness lost its glow at the sight of her. ‘Martha,’ she exhaled, her long earrings shaking. Sally Pearson was the school’s educational psychologist. They were sitting opposite each other at a table with a vase of stargazer lilies and an arrangement of sea shells between them. The room smelt of flowers, perfume, dust, nail varnish and futility. Martha stared at the sea shells while Miss Pearson worked hard at maintaining her bright smile. Out the corner of her eye, Martha saw her splay out her hands, check her nails then quickly curl her fingers back together. She was wearing an engagement ring she hadn’t been wearing the last time Martha saw her. ‘Is it too hot in here?
