Page 168 of The Examiner

She’ll say she’s lost weight. Been ill. Changed her hair. They’re old pics. Whatever. Suzie can walk, talk and bullshit her way out of anything, and Alyson will make sure she doesn’t appear online for the year of the course. Not difficult – she hasn’t had any press for the best part of ten years.

Gela

OK. Well, you’re all strangers who meet for the first time on the first day. If we keep our nerve, no one should suspect a thing.

WhatsApp chat between Gela Nathaniel and Cameron Wesley, 4 September 2023:

Gela

I’ve been speaking to a Ludya Parak. The Danners want her on the course because she’s their techy. I only know she’s a single mother and really does work as a freelance graphic designer.

Cameron

Makes sense. They’ll need help for what we think they’re planning. She’s got no criminal record and, from her website, looks like an art student.

Gela

So will you ‘look like an art student’?

Cameron

Not getting a tattoo! No, I’ll look like the washed-up and haggard husk I was when I walked into your art class at The Sanctuary.

Gela

When all the time you’ll be watching them.

Cameron

Watching, listening and feeding back to RD8 for Operation Kiss-kiss.

Gela

Kiss-kiss!

RH WhatsApp group, members Ludya Parak, Suzie Danners, Jonathan Danners and Gela Nathaniel, 26 September 2023:

Gela

I need you all to put your phones in the tray for the first few weeks at least.

Ludya

Like I said on Doodle, I’ve got kids. Phone stays with me.

Suzie

If we want to risk our phones it’s up to us.

Gela

But the other three are putting their phones in the tray religiously. Everyone knows the rule is flouted after the first few weeks, but that’s all the college needs for their insurance. If an accident happens and Royal Hastings is slapped with a claim, they can say, ‘Phones went in the tray for the first few weeks and then the student decided to take the risk.’ A few weeks. That’s all.

Jonathan

Don’t students rebel any more?

Gela