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It’s me.
Only it’s not.
It can’t be.
I’ve never laid on satin sheets in my life and I’ve certainly never taken sexy photos of myself, let alone sent them to someone.
I glance at Charles Snr and his face is aflame, eyes averted, ever the perfect gentleman refusing to look at something so tawdry.
“This was found on your work email server this morning, Charles, sent over a week ago from Ms McLintock’s email.”
“That’s not possible!” I cry.
“I’ve never seen that image before in my life,” Charles adds quietly.
“And yet it was marked as ‘read’ in your inbox,” The dean replies.
“It’s not even me!” I blurt out.
“Pardon? Ms. McLintock, unless you are claiming to have a twin sister,” he chortles humourlessly at his joke, unaware just how in poor taste it is. “I am very much certain this is you in the photo,” the dean replies firmly.
“The face is, but the body isn’t. It’s been photoshopped, look,” I insist, pointing to where ‘my’ head meets the shoulders. “The skin tones are completely different for one and…”
“That could just be the lighting,” the dean dismisses. I feel like he’s gunning for me, like no matter what I say he has already made up his mind that I’m guilty. Why?
“AND,” I continue loudly, hating his interruption, “I don’t have a vine tattoo trailing down my side.”
I point to the torso of the woman where the hint of a tattoo can just be seen along her right left side. I jump to my feet, raise my shirt to show my own ink-free abdomen and sides.
“See?”
“I…I…” the dean stammers. “Put that away Ms. McLintock! Your behaviour is entirely inappropriate!”
“I’m assuming this matter is dealt with now, Walter?” Charles asks, getting to his feet in an attempt to leave.
“Actually, it’s not,” I declare.
“Ms. McLintock, please accept my sincerest-”
“Revenge porn is a crime,” I cut him off. “I want this reported to the authorities and investigated. I’d say it’s blindingly obvious who’s responsible, so why don’t you drag him in here and read him the riot act?”
“Well, Ms. McLintock, there’s no need to overreact. Students do play harmless pranks on one another from time to time.” The dean simpers.
“I will take this to the police and I will press charges if the university doesn’t take serious action on this,” I refuse to back down. “You have until Friday. Until then, I’ll leave this in your incompetent hands.”
I stand up from my chair and turn to Charles on my way out. He offered no apology. He knows his son is responsible and hasn’t made a move against him. My blood boils.
“Sort your son out, Charles, before I do.” With that ominous promise, I walk out of the dean’s office, slamming the door shut behind me.
Too angry to go back to class, I stomp across campus - thankfully avoiding all people - and climb into my new car. A few deep breaths later, I’m no calmer.
Yeah, it’s time to make Charlie Cox pay.
Only...how?
Charlotte’s Diary
25/02/20
Today was so hard, I wouldn’t have survived without Baxter by my side. We took Phoenix to meet Cordelia. I didn’t want to stay and be around her, but I wouldn’t leave Phoenix with her either. Thankfully, Bax acted as a buffer between us and we kept the conversation completely focused on him or Phoenix. Cordelia even managed to keep almost all criticisms to herself.
It was strained. But she seemed quite taken with Phoenix. It would be impossible not to be; the girl is an angel.
Every time I look at her, I find myself assessing her features, trying to work out who she looks like. At the moment she’s not giving any clues away as to who her daddy might be; she’s a little mini-me. White blonde hair and huge green eyes that are way too old for her. Perhaps she’ll change later. Or maybe the paternal genes will show in her personality or other traits…I guess only time will tell.
