Chapter Nineteen. The End Of Term

Chetwood slides into its end-of-term rhythm as Christmas approaches, with lessons disrupted by concerts, sports, and a student pantomime. Walden notes families departing early and the logistical churn of December. Among her students, Aneeta forgoes a family trip to India to revise; Will and, surprisingly, Mathias join the school ski trip; Nikki and Aneeta plan a post-Christmas Kensington revision sleepover.

Walden closes teaching with encouragement and practice papers, planning mocks after the break to cement theory first. She reads a confident mood in the class and feels proud as they begin to think beyond syllabus scaffolding. The Phoenix stirs with a cryptic murmur, and Walden overhears Will pressing Nikki for contact, which she promises.

Final assembly stretches long with colours and music scholars, followed by the school hymn and “Jingle Bells.” Dismissal turns chaotic in the rain; Walden helps shepherd students and parents as security manages traffic.

Back in the staffroom, prosecco and mince pies mark relief. Mark jokes about freeloading on the staff social and confirms he’ll attend the London party. Walden, keenly aware of his interest, decides to go.

Preparing in her room, Walden consciously sheds her usual reserve, choosing a vintage black dress, bold jewellery, and heavier eyeliner. She discards her cardigan, revealing her spellwriting tattoos—the Phoenix rippling along her arm—resolving to stop overthinking and to own her work and self-image. She heads out into the cold night to catch the train to London and the staff party.