When she arrived at Training Room One that night, the room was already filling, but it was less crowded than it had been the night before. She didn’t see Carter or Sylvain anywhere.
She dropped on to the mat and stared off into the distance, thinking about her conversation with Sylvain; she was so lost in thought when Zoe walked up she hardly noticed.
‘I can’t believe you saw Gabe at dinner. You’re so lucky.’
Allie snorted in disbelief. ‘I don’t feel lucky.’
‘You should.’ Zoe dropped down beside her and stretched. Allie had to admire her flexibility as she easily lowered her head to one knee, her hands wrapped around the arch of her tiny foot. ‘Everyone’s looking for him and you’re the first one to see him. That’s awesome.’ She moved over the other leg, bending lithely. ‘Some senior students are out with Raj’s team searching the grounds now.’
That was news to Allie.
Raj stepped to the centre of the room. ‘We’re going to start with the same flip-and-drop move we practised last night. Please stand with your training partners.’
Allie liked how his quiet voice carried authority. He didn’t need to shout in order to be respected. And he didn’t seem shaken by what had happened earlier. It was just business as usual.
‘Left side attack first.’
Zoe stepped towards Allie. ‘We should go over this first. I did some things wrong last night.’
‘It’s OK.’ Allie cut her off. She hadn’t forgiven her yet. ‘I practised last night. I think I’ve got it.’
‘Are you sure?’ Zoe sounded doubtful. ‘We could go over it from the beginning. I could show you …’
‘Let’s just try it first.’ Allie kept her expression blank. She didn’t want Zoe to know how much she was looking forward to this.
Zoe shrugged. ‘It’s your funeral.’
‘Ready,’ Raj called.
Zoe stepped out of Allie’s sightline.
‘Now!’
As she had with Sylvain last night, Allie sensed rather than saw Zoe’s flying approach. She planted her feet. When Zoe’s hands gripped her arm she flipped her on to her back with ease.
‘Crikey,’ Zoe gasped as Allie helped her up. ‘That was brilliant! Who taught you that?’
‘Let’s just say I had a private tutor.’ Allie couldn’t suppress a triumphant smile.
‘Switch,’ Raj called.
Allie prepared as Sylvain had shown her – standing straight with her knees slightly bent, arms at her side. But ready – like a coiled spring. She tried not to be cocky, but the success of her first move had filled her with confidence.
She knew could do this.
‘Now!’
Grabbing the younger girl by the arm, she used the moves Sylvain had shown her but Zoe stayed solidly on her feet, crouching low and resisting all Allie’s efforts.
‘Good.’ Raj stood nearby, watching them. ‘Well done, Zoe. Allie, your moves were perfect but Zoe is well trained; what would you have done next in a real situation?’
‘A chokehold,’ she replied without hesitating.
‘Correct.’ He looked pleased, and she beamed. ‘Great progress, Allie.’
For the next hour they practised self-defence moves until Allie’s muscles ached.
At the end of the session, Zoe studied her appraisingly. ‘Huh. Maybe you aren’t completely crap after all.’
‘Thanks … I think, anyway.’ Realising she should praise Zoe, too, Allie added, ‘You’re very good at this.’
‘I know.’ Zoe seemed puzzled that Allie felt it necessary to say something so obvious.
Allie was still smiling as she turned away to see Carter standing in the doorway watching her, his expression dark. She hurried over to him.
‘Hey.’
‘Hey back,’ he said, but his voice wasn’t warm.
She tilted her head at the door. ‘Any luck out there?’
He shook his head, his lips set in a thin line.
With all that was going on, their fight seemed so petty. Allie shot him a glare. ‘Oh for God’s sake, Carter, enough with the moody act.’ She grabbed his hand, pulling him through the door. ‘Come on. Let’s sort this.’
She was afraid he’d refuse, but he followed her outside to the terraced garden behind the school. At the very back, hidden amid the boxwood hedge, Allie sat on an old bench, tugging at his hand until he sat down beside her. The wood was cold and clammy from the earlier rain. ‘OK,’ she said. ‘Talk to me.’
His eyes narrowed. ‘Why should I? You won’t listen.’
‘Hey!’ He’d practically spat the words at her, and she recoiled from his vehemence. ‘Carter, bloody hell. This isn’t like you. Talk to me.’
‘I’m sorry. That was …’ Leaning away from her, he ran his fingers through his hair. ‘But sometimes it’s like you think this is all a game.’
‘That’s not fair.’ She fought to stay calm. ‘I wasn’t “playing games” with Sylvain, I was learning to fight. And I’m sorry you were worried about me. I was upset and I wasn’t thinking straight. But I was safe the whole time. I mean, I was with Sylvain, after all.’
‘Do you think that makes me feel better?’ He nearly shouted the words, and Allie winced. He lowered his voice. ‘Jesus, Allie. You’re hanging out with Sylvain again after everything that happened.’ A muscle worked in his jaw, and his wounded eyes met hers. ‘You’re supposed to be with me.’