It belonged to Great-Uncle Edward, head of the Southern Sanctuary High Council. Instead she kept her back rigid, her focus straight ahead, fixed upon the awards and diplomas hanging behind Headmistress Dickens’ desk. Her words continued to echo around the room. Seemingly determined to have her kicked out of school and enrolled at the nearest military academy for young ladies forthwith. Next thing she knew, her out of control mouth – the one that had gotten her into all this trouble to begin with – had once again taken over. But as soon as she heard the door behind her open, righteous anger had flooded through her. Sitting there waiting, Eli had determined her best course of action was to apologise, beg for mercy. Would they suspend her? Expel her? Just how angry would her parents be? She’d definitely be grounded for sure, lucky if she saw daylight again before her ninth birthday.

All the while fear causing her stomach to roil and bubble as increasingly dire outcomes flickered through her head. She’d spent the last twenty minutes mentally devising an effusive and heartfelt apology for her actions. She’d planned to grovel, plead and be extremely contrite when the door behind her opened and Headmistress Dickens entered. That was not what she’d intended to say at all. “I’m not sorry, and I won’t apologise!” Eli Stevens fought the urge to clap a hand over her mouth in horror. I have no doubt you will one day set the world on fire. Who shares my Buffy fixation and is a force to be reckoned with, on or off, the hockey field.

To Thrill A Thief by Jane Cousins