章 39: Chapter 39

Leigh staggered in the door and collapsed in the chair. She was exhausted, but she'd made it through the first day. Ryley hadn't said a word through the entire time, but neither had he caused any trouble.

She had a bad moment in the hall after recess and dozens of children ran inside at the bell. With the cold outside most of them wore scarves and hats. What saved her was they were peeling them off as they came.

"How did your day go?" Jim went to the oven to check on something and delicious smells wafted out of it. "I looked up a recipe for roast rabbit. I didn't want you telling Steve we hadn't eaten it yet.

"It smells divine." Leigh took a deep breath. "Just let me sit here for a week or two."

"Tough day?"

"Not too bad actually," Leigh said, "Some families moved away and one came back. This Ryley kid is infamous it seems. He's built like a tank, but so far he's just sat there and said nothing."

"Any suspicious absences?"