Read The Pact for Free Online Page B

developed such a hatred of many of the books she used to love, all she can read at the moment are Russian classics.”
    “That’s a bit of a shame,” said Parva as she gave Denise a thin smile.
    “Oh it’ll pass - she’ll be onto Balzac or Proust or someone by next week - just you see.” Amanda pointed at the younger woman opposite who was engrossed in something by Dan Brown.
    “Ruth Watkins - geography and art. You might think it’s another odd combination but I’ll tell you she can paint bloody good maps.” She shouted across: “Can’t you, Ruth?”
    “Fuck off,” said Ruth, causing Denise to harumph loudly from behind the cover picture of old Fyodor.
    “No love lost there, as you can probably tell,” Amanda whispered again before picking up a snooker cue. “I don’t suppose you play?”
    “Not for some time,” Parva replied. “Although I used to be pretty good.” Amanda beamed and Parva realised she might have suddenly made a new best friend. “Fancy a game, then?”
    Parva smiled. “Perhaps later,” she said. “I thought it would be worth me getting all the introductions out of the way today. Is there anyone else I should meet?”
    “Well old Arby - that’s Miss Arbuthnot - teaches the classics and has been trying to cover some basic science; Rachel Tamerlain teaches languages - French, Spanish, and a smattering of German - you know, enough to get you lager, sausages and a room for the night but that’s about it - you’ll like her, she’s a real hoot; and then there’s old Metal Mickey.”
    “Who?”
    “Michaela Struthers - gym and games. And yes, she’s exactly like the image you’ve got in your head right now. She never comes in here. Spends most of her time out on the playing fields or swinging weights around.” Amanda looked wistful. “It must be nice when your job also happens to be your addiction. Anyway, you’ll know her when you meet her. No idea where Rachel’s got to. After all, it isn’t as if the common room doesn’t cater to her needs.”
    Amanda opened the lid of what Parva had assumed was just a free standing globe of the world to reveal a well-stocked drinks cabinet. “If you don’t fancy a game perhaps I can interest you in something? I make a mean gin sling.”
    “I’m sure you do,” said Parva, trying to stifle a giggle. “But it wouldn’t look good if I got drunk on my first night here, now would it?”
    Amanda closed the lid. “You’re probably right,” she said. “Has Arby put you in Pelham House?”
    “If that’s the one that looks like it should have bats flying around the roof, then yes,” Parva grinned.
    “That’s the one.” Amanda nodded. “We’ve all got rooms in there. Quite a nice set up, actually - a bit like a studio apartment. The bed’s in one corner, main area for living in, and then a tiny kitchenette where, if you’re feeling ambitious, you can probably make toast.”
    “I only saw it briefly when I dumped my bags there,” said Parva. “I didn’t notice any kitchen area.” She paused to allow Amanda to think the next question, the one she had been harbouring for the last couple of hours, had only just occurred to her.
    “I haven’t seen many of the pupils around?”
    “That’s because there aren’t that many,” came the reply. “Arby might have given you some grand tale about the school having gone from strength to strength over the years, but the truth is numbers have declined recently. There just aren’t that many parents cruel enough to want to lock their children away in the past and forget about them anymore. I suppose we should feel glad for all the little dears who’ve managed to escape this place.”
    “You don’t like it then?”
    “Me?” Amanda looked shocked. “I love it. Suits me down to the ground. But I’m not institutionalised enough to think everyone would like to stay here. In fact I can’t imagine most people wanting to stay.” She looked at Parva. “Including you.”
    Parva ignored