Howard Granger read the letter, looked up sharply at Kayla, then at her parents, and then re-read the letter for a second time.
He put the letter down, looking first at Kayla and then at her parents in turn.
“Am I to understand that this young lady is, in fact, your son, Kyle?”
“This is Kayla, our daughter. According to the doctor, at any rate.”
“This is most unusual. Indeed, it is quite extraordinary. I can honestly say that this is almost the most exceptional event to occur in my career. Tell me, Kayla, how do you feel about all this?”
Surprised at being spoken to directly, she reddened again and smiled.
“It is all happening so fast. All I know is, I feel the real me for the first time in my life.”
Mr Granger nodded. He regarded her very critically. He took in her figure, including the movement within her blouse of her very realistic breasts. Try as he could, he could not see anything of the young man he knew as Kyle. This was a very attractive young woman, who exuded one hundred percent femininity and charm.
Her face distracted him the most. Although wearing the barest of makeup, he thought she was fortunate enough to have natural beauty, and she looked so like her mother, that they could be sisters.
“All right, I accept, this one has me stumped. How on earth do we deal with this?” he asked the family.
“Sir, I think we may have the answer. I, um, I was seen, like this by some boys from the sixth form, and , um, well, I was introduced as a Swedish girl. They believed me and still think I am Swedish.”
“I’d better tell you that my mother is Swedish, and Kayla does speak a little of the language,” Rebecca interrupted her daughter.
“I see, go on, Kayla,” Mr Granger said.
Kayla frowned, and then continued.
“I believe I could pretend to be a Swedish exchange student, just until the end of term. We could say that Kyle has gone to Sweden, and I am here in his place. We could be cousins, so I can stay with my Gran, and there we would speak only Swedish. I can do my assignments, and they could be handed in as if sent by courier or post. And I’m sure I could sit my exams in a private room somewhere, so no one ever need know.”
Howard laughed.
“My goodness, you have put a lot of thought into this? Tell me, Jacob, do you go along with this amazing story?”
Jake nodded, slightly reluctantly.
“Howard, I appreciate that it is a deception of sorts. However, one has to look at three aspects. Firstly, there is Kayla. She could become a pariah, her life made unbearable, if this was dealt with openly. Then she would have to leave, probably failing her exams due to the stress. This is primarily a medical condition, which has enormous social implications.
“Secondly, there is the family. This could ruin us, destroying many relationships. If the press get wind of it, then my job and our position in the community would be undermined.
“Lastly, as far as we are concerned, and yet your main concern, is the school. It is imperative that the press never get wind of this. Look at her - a girl that pretty is front-page material! Journalists would sell their grandmothers to get this story, and I for one do not relish the backlash if this story ever reaches the public domain.
“Imagine the repercussions on the school should this leak out!”
Howard was doing just that.
“I accept everything you say, but what if the deception is exposed? What kind of backlash would we all suffer if we are seen to try to cover up the truth?”
“Then we can say we did it for the best reasons. You know me, Howard. I am not one for cover-ups, as I am firmly of the opinion that no good comes from lies. In this case, I have to say, it makes better sense, for all the reasons given.”
“How many people know about this?” Howard asked.
“Us, the doctor, my mother and Kayla’s friend, Sally Crawford,” Rebecca said.
“Can you trust her?” he asked, meaning Sally.
“Yes,” Kayla said, without hesitation.
Howard stood up and walked to the window. He stared out, without actually seeing anything. He clasped his hands behind his back, mulling over options in his mind. He turned round and looked at Kayla. It was then he noticed her unusual blue eyes. He wasn’t aware that they were enhanced by her new contact lenses.
“I agree with your father, I am opposed to any form of deception. I have a responsibility for everyone who attends this school. I can see that parents, rightly or wrongly, could cause enormous problems if your situation was to become generally known. In this case, I fully appreciate all the concerns raised, and agree with them. The only alternative to what you propose would be for you to remain outside the school, undertaking classes and exams by private appointment and courier. That is clearly unacceptable from both your and my point of view, and so this compromise is both practical and achievable.
“However, I need the family’s assurance that this is adhered to, and that should any breach in the security of the information occur, then the whole thing is called off, and we will have to meet again to discuss our options. As you rightly pointed out, the school is my main concern, so I will fight hard to keep the press from harming us. I will protect all who attend the school, whether they are staff, pupil or associates such as parents or ancillary workers.
“I will ask you, young lady, one question. Can you maintain this for the next three months?”
“Yes sir. I already speak the language and, if my Gran helps, I will get better. I have loads of cousins over there, so I can bone up on any background stuff, like schools and that sort of thing,” Kayla said without hesitation.
“Then we need to discuss exactly how this will work,” Howard, said, before calling Maria for a pot of coffee.
It was eleven thirty and Sally had just finished French. She was collecting her books together when the headmaster’s secretary popped her head around the door, calling her to see the Mr Granger.
As she walked with Maria, she frowned, wondering what had happened. She knew Kayla and her parents had an appointment to see him at ten, so she was worried that she was in trouble for something to do with that.
“Isn’t this fun?” Maria asked.
“Sorry?” Sally asked, baffled.
“Having a Swedish exchange student at the school. We have never had one before. I understand you’ve already met her?”
Sally’s mind was in a whirl. This meant…shit! They were going along with it! WICKED!
“Yeah, it’s brilliant. She’s really nice,” she said, as they arrived at the Head’s study.
Sally was shown in, and she locked eyes with a grinning Kayla.
“Well Sally, how does it feel to be the creator of such a great masquerade?” Mr Granger asked.
“I didn’t mean to, sir. It was a spur of the moment thing.”
“Well, I actually think you unwittingly stumbled onto a possible solution to a very tricky problem. It needs, however, the strictest confidence. At present, with the exception of the doctor and Mrs Manning’s mother, everyone who is in the know, is in this room. It is my intention that this is how it will remain. In fact, it is most imperative that it remains so. I will inform the Art and French teachers that Kyle’s assignments will be sent in, as he will be undertaking his A levels in Sweden by special correspondence. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes sir,” Sally said.
“Right, take Miss Olsen out, and show her round. Both of you, be constantly vigilant, very careful, and play this for real. This will only work if we are all careful. Good luck, the pair of you.”
The girls left the Manning’s with the Head.
They smiled sweetly at Maria, who called them over.
“How do you do, Miss Olsen. I am so happy that you are joining us for the rest of this term. If there is anything we can do, please don’t hesitate to ask. I hope your time with us will be useful,”