Chloe Hadjimatheou

This is happening around the spring of 1988, when he's in his fourth year at school. Year 10, we call it these days, or ninth grade in the US. While other boys are at cadets club or practising with the cricket team, Miss Bowen and Gareth get the bus together outside Christ College at 3.30. And then they walk up from the stop to the house she shares with other young professionals.

Did you tell her you loved her again?

Did you tell her you loved her again?

It's difficult to know what Miss Bowen was thinking in moments like this and whether she meant it when she told a 14-year-old boy she loved him. And of course she's on my list of witnesses too. I want to ask her directly. But first, I want to hear the whole story from Gareth's perspective. Was she always the one in control? Was she the one...

It's difficult to know what Miss Bowen was thinking in moments like this and whether she meant it when she told a 14-year-old boy she loved him. And of course she's on my list of witnesses too. I want to ask her directly. But first, I want to hear the whole story from Gareth's perspective. Was she always the one in control? Was she the one...

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.