Say Her Name by James Dawson Page A

blocked her windpipe and only a strangled gasp emerged. Naya wrapped her arm around Bobbie. ‘Bobbie was really freaked out about Sadie. I thought it might make her feel better if she rang her mom.’
    ‘Oh for crying out loud, Miss Sanchez. I would expect better from Lowers, never mind Uppers. Furthermore, Mr Carlos informs me that you left Spanish this morning, apparently at my say so?’
    Bobbie decided to try something radical – the truth. ‘I’m really sorry, Dr Price. I was freaking out about Sadie. It’s my fault. I asked Naya to sit out Drama because I had a study session.’ She made her eyes go as wide as they possibly would.
    It worked a charm. ‘I have to say, Roberta, this is
most
unlike you. In six years you’ve never been a moment’s trouble, and this is the second time in two days I find you in the wrong place.’
    More Rowe doe eyes. ‘I’m sorry. I … I just … I’m really worried about Sadie.’
    Dr Price pursed her lips. ‘We all are, which is why I
need
the Uppers to set an example to the younger girls.’
    Bobbie nodded solemnly, feeling a little guilty. Then Naya asked a question and Bobbie swore the floor tipped like the world had been punched off its axis. ‘Was this what happened when those girls vanished thirteen years ago?’
    Boom. Dr Price actually flinched. Even the robot-headmistress-with-no-soul reacted to that bombshell. Her jaw clenched and her eyes flickered with what could easily be panic before she regained control and replied. ‘How do you know about that? That was a very long time ago.’
    ‘Everyone knows,’ Naya said casually, like it was no big deal.
    ‘I very much doubt that’s the case.’ Her voice became ever so slightly shrill before she cooled herself. Bobbie could tell she was trying to downplay the past. But why? For the first time Bobbie questioned if the event had been somehow covered up. ‘Do I really have to explain the effects a bit of gossip and hysteria could have on the school at this time, Naya?’
    Bobbie felt her cheeks blaze, ashamed. Her primary-school need to please the teacher had never faded.
    ‘Now you both listen to me, and listen carefully. Those girls both vanished miles and miles away from Piper’s Hall. Clearly what happened, although most upsetting, had nothing to do with the school. Is that clear? I want no further mention of this or you’ll both be in isolation.’
    Neither girl argued. Bobbie dared not even look into her eyes for fear of turning to stone. In six years at Piper’s, Bobbie had only ever known one girl be placed in the Isolation Room – a girl who tried to hurt another girl with a knife in a dining-room brawl. Dr Price was deadly serious if she was even threatening it.
    ‘Bobbie. If you want to call your mother you have five minutes. I’ll be waiting outside the door. Naya, I want you in class immediately with a written apology to your teacher for your poor punctuality. Go!’
    Naya said nothing, slinking past the Principal, her head heavy with shame. Bobbie picked up the phone and dialled her mother’s number – with Price lurking outside she’d
have
to call her now. Bobbie calculated it was about eight in the morning in New York; hopefully her mum wouldn’t be at rehearsals yet. She answered on the second ring and Bobbie greeted her. ‘Bobbie, darling!’ Her mum sounded husky, like she’d just woken up.
    ‘Hi, Mum.’
    ‘Oh, darling, you sound dreadful – whatever’s the matter?’
    ‘Did I wake you up?’
    ‘Yes, but that’s all right. There was this ridiculous party last night, sweetie – you would have died. Rooftop swimming pool at Soho House. Private party for Jared’s fortieth. Utter decadence like you wouldn’t believe!’
    Bobbie tasted tears at the back of her throat. She didn’t even know why – something to do with the familiarity of her mum’s voice. She could see her now – the bird’s nest of expertly bleached hair on the pillow. Last night’s lashes still attached to