He knew there was no point in seeing him anyway as it was unlikely the mark
would be altered. Max hated Finch for all the humiliation and frustration he
caused him. He hoped tomorrow would be better. The following day Mr Finch was
not there to take Legal Studies. The school Principal, Mr Sampson, took the
class instead. He addressed the class. ‘Mr Finch is unable to come to school
today,’ Sampson explained. ‘He was involved in a brutal hit and run accident
last night when walking home from school. He suffered severe head injuries and
is currently lying in hospital in a coma. I know his family would appreciate any
thoughts and prayers you might have for him in this time of grief.’ The class
sat in stunned silence. Clare proffered her hand, ‘Will Mr Finch be alright
Sir?’ ‘The doctors can’t be sure at this time Clare. It’s unlikely he’ll be able
to teach again if he ever wakes up because he may have sustained brain damage. I
don’t want you all to dwell on this tragedy too much. I think it’s best you
concentrate on your studies because your final year is very important.
I’ll take you for Legal Studies for the remainder of the year.’ Mr
Sampson seemed quite uneasy. He was obviously still coming to terms with the
news of Finch’s accident. Max noticed there was something else bothering him as
he looked out the window - the same window Finch had caught him gazing out many
times before. He noticed a police car parked in front of the school office. Mr
Sampson continued, ‘The police are aware of threats that have been made to Mr
Finch in the past by some of his former students. I’m also aware that his
popularity among the student body leaves something to be desired. I pray that
his accident was not an attack by a past or present pupil of this school. It’s
very likely that the police will want to ask some of you questions regarding the
incident.’ Max was feeling very uncomfortable. It was good news that they had Mr
Sampson for the rest of the year. He liked Mr Sampson as he was quite friendly
to Max. He couldn’t remember him ever trying to humiliate him in any way like
Finch used to. Max didn’t, however, like the fact that the police were around
asking questions. If they were looking for students with personal vendettas
against Finch, he was a prime suspect. Everyone knew Max hated Finch and they
knew how Finch treated Max. ‘I understand all of you are stunned and upset to
hear of this tragedy. I’m going to let you all go home for the rest of the day.’
The class remained silent as it moved out of the classroom. There were quiet
discussions between some of the students, still shocked by the news. Max walked
to his car. He was one of the few students who drove to school. On many
occasions he would give one of his friends a lift home. Not today. He looked at
the dints in the fender and the bonnet of his clapped-out, rusty-brown Sigma. He
examined a smaller dint closer to the windscreen and noticed a trace of blood
that he had failed to hose off last night in the dark. Max smiled and began
walking to the door of the car.
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