Chloe Hadjimatheou

In May, it's Gareth's birthday. He remembers Miss Bowen being really pleased about it.

In May, it's Gareth's birthday. He remembers Miss Bowen being really pleased about it.

As in, it doesn't sound as bad for a woman of almost 30 to be having sex with a 15-year-old. Even so, it's clear she has some awareness that this is still not acceptable, because she's careful. Just before 6pm every evening, she makes him leave her place.

As in, it doesn't sound as bad for a woman of almost 30 to be having sex with a 15-year-old. Even so, it's clear she has some awareness that this is still not acceptable, because she's careful. Just before 6pm every evening, she makes him leave her place.

When Gareth's mum asks where he's been, he tells her he was with friends near his old house where he lived with his dad in Hendon. His best mate lives on an estate there. The friend's the only person Gareth's confided in. He hasn't told a single mate at Christ College School. And actually, it isn't that hard because Gareth's a misfit. He doesn't have a lot of friends at the school.

When Gareth's mum asks where he's been, he tells her he was with friends near his old house where he lived with his dad in Hendon. His best mate lives on an estate there. The friend's the only person Gareth's confided in. He hasn't told a single mate at Christ College School. And actually, it isn't that hard because Gareth's a misfit. He doesn't have a lot of friends at the school.

Perhaps that's one of the reasons Miss Bowen might have picked him out of the hundreds of boys there.

Perhaps that's one of the reasons Miss Bowen might have picked him out of the hundreds of boys there.

But it's only a matter of time before they slip up.

But it's only a matter of time before they slip up.

that wild kid from Christ's College who nicked the porno mags. Not the ideal person for them to slip up in front of. Gareth isn't in any of Miss Bowen's chemistry classes, so the two of them only really come face to face during the school day if they happen to pass each other in the corridor, which is exactly what happens on this particular occasion.

that wild kid from Christ's College who nicked the porno mags. Not the ideal person for them to slip up in front of. Gareth isn't in any of Miss Bowen's chemistry classes, so the two of them only really come face to face during the school day if they happen to pass each other in the corridor, which is exactly what happens on this particular occasion.

Right then, Ben appears out of nowhere.

Right then, Ben appears out of nowhere.

And even though they're always so careful not to give anything away, Gareth and Miss Bowen look up at each other for a second. A quick eye roll, a kind of, isn't Ben an idiot? He's got no idea about us. It's just a tiny intimate glance that passes between them.

And even though they're always so careful not to give anything away, Gareth and Miss Bowen look up at each other for a second. A quick eye roll, a kind of, isn't Ben an idiot? He's got no idea about us. It's just a tiny intimate glance that passes between them.

He isn't sure who Ben tells, but over time, Gareth's convinced that rumours have spread to other pupils and even the teachers, although no-one actually confronts him about it.

He isn't sure who Ben tells, but over time, Gareth's convinced that rumours have spread to other pupils and even the teachers, although no-one actually confronts him about it.

Until this one day when someone breaks the silence. And the thing that really freaks him out is that it's a teacher and a good friend of Miss Bowen's at the school, Heather MacIsaac.

Until this one day when someone breaks the silence. And the thing that really freaks him out is that it's a teacher and a good friend of Miss Bowen's at the school, Heather MacIsaac.