Untouchable

By Danielle Mosley

Alex McDonald, a fifteen-year-old pupil at the William Blake Academy, pursues her teacher, twenty-five-year-old Leanne McIntyre, in what tells to be a twisted love story. A forbidden love between a teacher and student hurled into the public eye, looked upon in a judgmental light with hatred and discrimination. A burning passion destined to rise or fall through the countless obstacles thrown in their path.

Can their love really conquer all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Aug 10, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477218198

Danielle Mosley

Danielle Marie Mosley, aged twenty, born and raised in a small town named South Shields in the Northeast of England. Grew up on Biddick Hall Council Estate most of her life. Studied music at South Tyneside College for three years and graduated with a BTEC National Award in Music Performance and a BTEC National Award in Music Technology. Trained in renal treatment at Sunderland Royal Hospital to be a full-time carer for her mother who will undergo permanent hemodialysis in the comfort of her own home.

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Beginning

September and the new first years were about to embark on a new school journey from primary school to comprehensive. I’ve been working in this school for 5 years now teaching music and I still get excited every year when new students arrive. This term I was teaching 4 new classes and was asked to run an after school jazz club. I had learnt from prior experience that new students are more willing to join new clubs rather than those that have already developed their own sense of direction within school time. That term I approached my new classes with a letter to send home to their parents about my after school jazz club on Thursday nights until 4:30 pm, the reply I got was outstanding, 65% began attending. The talent within my club was unbelievable, within weeks most knew their scales and most chords on the schools keyboards, However one student in particular really caught my attention, she had attended the school for 4 years now and showed a lot of enthusiasm in my after school class, when she played I could see how much she enjoyed music, the passion in her eyes reminded me of myself when I was her age, being 25 now though gives me an advantage on how to approach these struggling teens.

I watched this student named Alex McDonald over a period of 11 weeks bud into an amazingly talented pianist; however my life took a turn for the worst, my partner of 3 year, Dean Hills left me for another woman, despite being heartbroken I still arrived at school with a smile and put aside my home life while I taught. That day I was teaching Alex and she seemed to see straight through my act she looked at me and there was a connection. I can’t describe it, she seemed to understand and feel exactly how I was feeling and she let me know, all in one look, like pure magic, like she could see how hurt I was. After class she stayed behind and approached me.

Miss, if you don’t mind me asking. Are you okay? she asked.

I’m fine Alex I replied.

You just seemed a bit distant today, like your head was somewhere else she continued.

Just boy trouble pet, nothing I won’t bounce back from I reassured her.

I don’t bother with them… too much hassle she smiled.

Even though I felt like I couldn’t be happy, like I knew I should be shattered into a thousand pieces her smile brightened up my day. I smiled back and even let out a little laugh.

Too true honey, too true indeed. Will you be at jazz club tomorrow night? I tried to change the subject.

I’m not sure I think I might have an appointment she replied.

A part of me was very disappointed, she has been missing a lot of my club lately and she was my star pupil, however I couldn’t help but think maybe it ran deeper. I had come to the conclusion maybe I was getting too attached to this student that I should step back and pass her to another music teacher. The following day after school I approached Mrs Lawson.

Jill, can I speak to you about a student? I asked.

Of course, is somebody giving you trouble? she pressed.

No, not at all, Alex McDonald, is there any room to move her into your class? I went on to ask.

I’ll check her timetable and see if I have any free spaces to fit her lessons she replied as she walked towards her computer.

Thank you I replied.

She sat at her desk and pulled up Alex’s file, she checked her time table and her class lists. I couldn’t help but notice that she has been absent a lot over the past 4 weeks and that she had a lot of detentions for those days she did attend.

Why do you want her moved Mrs Lawson asked.

I just feel she has reached her full potential with me, maybe she could learn more with you

None sense Leanne, listen to me, you are the best music teacher in this school, the kids adore you she spoke proudly you have so much more you can teach her, plus your classes change in the next few weeks with Alex going up a year.

Yeah I suppose, thank you anyway I said politely and turned to leave.

If she’s causing you trouble Leanne let me know she assured me.

She’s no trouble Jill, I best get to my jazz club I said as I left.

I made my way back to my classroom where my jazz club was waiting for me. When I entered I scanned the room looking for Alex but I couldn’t see her. I began my lesson filled with disappointment at the fact Alex didn’t turn up. However, half an hour into the lesson Alex knocked on my door and popped her head in.

Sorry I’m late miss I just got back from my appointment she apologized.

As soon as I heard her voice I almost burst with joy, I was relieved she had turned up, I was so happy to see her although I knew it was wrong, I composed myself and turned round slowly.

Come in Alex, find a seat and see me after class I said strictly.

The class looked at me shocked, as I had never kept anybody back after class I was never that type of teacher. Alex sat and I could see the worry on her face. At the end of class and everybody had left I approached Alex.

Miss I didn’t mean to be late I just enjoy this class so much I didn’t want to miss it she tried to explain frantic.

Alex I didn’t keep you behind for that reason, I’m concerned about you and your absences you’re not here a lot, I’m not here to tell you off I just want to understand and maybe try and help, if you’re having any problems that’s what I’m here for I reassured her. Alex began to cry. I felt like it was my fault, like it was me that had upset her I felt terrible, I didn’t know what to do, my heart sank. I had to fight back tears of my own just at the shear thought of me hurting her. I’m so sorry Alex I didn’t mean to upset you I apologized quickly.

No miss it’s not you, I’m struggling with the rest of my classes and everybody else thinks I’m stupid she explained still crying.

I was relieved that it wasn’t me that had upset her yet a new feeling overcome me I was angry, no I take that back, I was furious that somebody had upset her this much, I wanted to protect her I wanted to march up to her bullies and give them a piece of my mind. Defend her to the best of my ability but as what role I wasn’t entirely sure.

Are you getting bullied? Who off? What lesson? I pushed.

No Miss… she said concerned.

I know you don’t want me to do anything Alex but I can’t allow them to do that to you I assured her.

But miss I don’t want to make it worse she said worried.

How bout I make sure I hear them? Then you haven’t told I suggested.

I suppose she began to come round thank you.

Then that’s what I’ll do, you don’t have to thank me I smiled.

She smiled back and hugged me, my heart skipped a beat my smile turned into a grin and I couldn’t stop it. Her touch she was so soft, this may sound stupid but she made me feel safe, complete. I knew then that it was something deeper and that it was wrong and that it had to stop. She got up to leave and she looked at me.

Can we go for a coffee? she asked.

. . . I don’t… I stuttered.

Please? she persisted.

When? I asked knowing I shouldn’t.

Now she stated.

Um… I stood silent for a second or 2 as the repercussions raced through my head, I knew it was wrong but she looked like she could really do with a friend, I think she was just desperate for someone to listen Will your parents be ok? I asked.

I’ll just tell them I stayed longer at jazz club… if that’s ok? she asked.

I never liked the idea of lying to her parent’s it’s not the right image to set for a 15 year old but when I had thought about it, what would they think if they knew a teacher was taking their daughter to coffee. I nodded

But Alex don’t do it often, lying isn’t right I said trying to put her right.

I know Miss I Don’t she assured me.

Call me Leanne I said smiling.

She smiled as I walked towards my desk to get my keys to lock up my class room. We left my classroom together, I pointed out my car in the car park as I locked up my classroom. We began walking towards my car. I unlocked my car door and opened the front passenger door so Alex could get in. Alex slid in the car and I closed the door behind her. I walked round and got in the driver’s side and passed my mobile phone to Alex.

Call your parents please Alex let them know your safe I insisted.

Alex looked at me and smiled, she typed in her home number and rang home.

Hello mom is it ok if I stay behind longer at jazz club? she said talking to her mom on the other side of the phone. It when quiet and she looked at me. My heart sunk because deep down I knew this was all wrong, and I as the teacher needed to put a stop to this I needed to let this all go.

I don’t know how I’ll get home mom, it’s ok I’ll just come home normal time she said disappointed.

It’s probably for the best I whispered.

Fine mom I’m coming home! Happy?! Alex shouted furiously before she hung up.

I’m sorry Alex, I just don’t think it’s a good idea you don’t want to hang out with your teacher, your bullying will just get worse I tried to steer her right.

Yeah whatever she said angry and disappointed.

I tell you what Knowing it was wrong how about I still drop you off at home, that way we can still talk on the way I said trying to put the smile back on her face.

Yeah I guess so she said still disappointment in her voice.

I started the engine and we were off. So where do you live Alex? I asked.

Beside New Green Street she replied with a hint of sadness in her voice.

I nodded and continued to drive her home. My head was racing, thinking of ways to get out of this situation.

Are you okay Miss? she asked concerned.

So deep in thought I was startled by her interruption. Huh? Sorry Alex my head just isn’t here today I apologized.

Are you okay Miss? she asked again.

I’m fine pet. Right we’re here what number? I said relieved that this situation would be over soon.

25. Just here miss she said.

I pulled up to a house with people arguing at the front door.

Well, Miss this is me, I’ll see you at school tomorrow she said as she opened the door to get out.

Confused while I watched what I assume to be her parents at each other’s throats in the front garden. I watched Alex walk up the path with her head hung low like she was hoping they wouldn’t notice her. I don’t know exactly what they were arguing about but it looked serious. Her dad was stood half way down the path with a suitcase, looking like he was about to leave them. Her mother stood at the door cursing and calling him unspeakable things. Alex tried to slide past her mother but her mother stood tall in her way. Alex looked up at her I don’t know what was said but her mother grabbed her and threw her in the house by the scruff of her neck and yelled get in this house you inconsiderate bitch. I lowered my head and thought to myself no wonder she wanted to go for coffee, she didn’t want to come home, and I brought her back to this hell hole.

Chapter 2

‘Beware the fury of a patient man’

I started the engine and drove home feeling so guilty on the way, I felt like I should have done something. As I pulled into my drive I realized I have my own problems to deal with. Dean’s car was parked outside my house. I parked my car and went into the house to find Dean sitting in my living room.

What are you doing here I asked startled.

Leanne I’ve come to apologize, I’ve been stupid. I don’t want anybody but you he spoke so soft.

Dean… I was interrupted.

Shhh, just hear me out please he spoke like a victim.

I grew angry inside as he spoke, like none of it was his fault, like he was misled and hard done to.

I love you Leanne he said with a smile.

I paused for a moment or two, long enough for him to repeat himself.

Leanne I said I love you

I looked up at him and almost like an out of body experience I stood tall and proud and I opened my mouth, unsure of what I was about to say.

I don’t love you… you have no idea what kind of day I’ve had, I don’t want you in my life get the rest of your stuff, get out. I don’t need you and it took today for me to realize I never did.

Astonished by my inner strength he looked to be taken back by my words. He stood silent as I continued to speak. Shock prominent on his face.

"When you left I felt like my life had fallen to pieces but today, today I realized it’s all been a lie, I