Mrs. Craig’s classroom was as if all the nation's libraries had packed their books into one little room. Thick and thin novels of all topics stacked in pillars of written wisdom from hundreds of minds, up to the ceiling. And they had all been read and loved. Kim had seen Mrs. Craig reading some of the fattest binders she had only seen at the top, squished against the high ceiling. She had always wanted to ask exactly how this was achieved. Next to the window was a shelf, also stuffed with books and an assortment of plants. The whole room had the pleasant scent of old pages and fresh coffee. 

Kim sat at her desk and took out her books, looking out the window. The classroom was on the second floor so she could see the tops of buildings and the patchwork quilt of fields stretching over the hills. This room was a comfort to her, it had a sense of security despite the noise of other students tumbling through the doors. Kim loved everything about it, even how Mrs. Craig’s desk was an old piece of furniture of redwood with plenty of scuffs and scratches. It was a very well used desk and added to the wise and secure aura of the room. As she glanced at the others coming in, there was no sign of Beth, she must have paused to harass a first year over the colour of her hairband or socks. Even without her here, Kim could already feel the stares and hear the goose-like hisses. She could only hope to get through this period and retreat to a nice quiet corner at lunch. As the bell shrilly rang, Kim heard the classroom door open and shut and everyone went quiet as Mrs. Craig strode to her desk. 

Mrs. Craig had a motherly face and kind eyes. She wore a light-yellow dress and always seemed to have a book tucked under her arm. She could light up a street during a power cut with her disposition. Kim felt herself relax in her presence. Mrs. Craig put down her books and stood at the front of the room. 

“Good afternoon, everyone!” she spoke in her melodic voice. 

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Craig.” The class chanted monotonously. 

“I hope we’ve all had a, well, tolerable Monday,” the teacher continued. Kim noticed her giving her a quick gaze, as if speaking to her directly, “I thought, since we’re all looking forward to the October week, we would take it a wee bit easier today, no new work. You’ll have your module test on the Tuesday we return, so feel free to study at your pace. If we behave, I will bring in the television and we can watch the first half hour of ‘Braveheart’. How does that sound?”

There were mutters of agreement throughout the classroom. Mrs. Craig smiled, even though Kim knew she had a severe dislike for ‘Braveheart’. Too inaccurate for her tastes apparently. But regardless, she seemed to realise that others enjoyed it. Besides, they were currently studying the Wars of Independence, so it seemed as good an excuse as any.

“Excellent,” Mrs. Craig sat at her desk and opened one of her binders to start working, “No further talk please, if you have any questions please raise-”

Mrs. Craig stopped as the door swung open, causing everyone to jump. Beth strode in, without a word. Mrs. Craig lifted her head and her eyes grew hard, like a mother who had seen her child steal from the cookie jar. 

“Beth, you’re late, what kept you?” she never beat around the bush when it came to rules, something Kim admired, not that she would admit it. Other teachers might have been inclined to ignore the Bonnies’ misdeeds but not Mrs. Craig. Even her favourite students would not get away with something like this.

“Had trouble getting to my locker.” Beth answered lazily, “didn’t leave it till a minute ago.” 

Now, Kim did not know what made her say this, to speak out with this social faux pas that would surely get her in deeper trouble with the Bonnies. Maybe it was because she had finally gotten her chance to give Beth some retribution or maybe, or the cramp in her lower stomach was coming back with a vengeance. Perhaps it was both. Whatever the reason, she sat up in her seat and spoke up.

“Beth,” she said in a louder voice than she expected, “We left our lockers at the same time and I got here on time so shut up!”

There was an uproar of “Oh!” and laughs from the other students and Beth’s face turned from smug to shocked as if someone had just slapped her. Mrs. Craig, on the other hand, kept her composure and just raised a hand.

"Okay okay, that's enough!" She barked, and a sense of quiet washed back over the class. She turned to Beth and then Kim, "Beth, this isn't the first time. Come in late again and it's lines. Kim, just... why don't you stick around after class and we'll have a talk about that?"  With that, Mrs. Craig sat at her desk. Kim's sense of accomplishment was drained away and replaced with shame. Out of all the classrooms this had to happen in, it just had to be Mrs. Craig's? Some cosmic force really did not like her. Kim sat in her chair and opened one of her books as Beth sat next to her. To Kim's shock, she stayed relatively quiet. However, Kim doubted this was due to any kind of shame on her part. Knowing the Bonnies... some kind of plan was being hatched. Maybe that talk with Mrs. Craig would be a good idea after all.