My heart dropped into my stomach. We'd spent nights before together, why was this any different? Did nobody want me anymore?
I blinked severally, trying to keep the tears gathering in my eyes at bay.
"There's no other option for us right now," the Matron said, looking at me like I was nothing more than a nuisance she had to deal with. "I'll leave it to you as her teacher. I need to help the girls settle in."
I watched the matron leave. "But we've shared your bed before. Why can't we do it now?"
Shhh! She hushed me.
"Nobody must find out about that." Ms. Duval wouldn't even look me in the eyes. "You don't have to worry about where you'll sleep. You can take my room, I'll find a hotel that's close enough to spend the night. We're only staying here for a day before we continue the trip."
She reached into her back pocket and pulled out a key. She dropped it into my palm. "Go and freshen up. You'll be called out soon."
