03.25: Ayala

“If you want to take what I just said as meaning no more questions, when I just pointed out the very place you can go for advice, so be it. I have no time to waste on sulkers. Come. I will show you your room.”
They passed up a wide staircase to the first floor, adjacent to the landing was a small but comfortable office, it actually looked more like a sitting room
“Ah, Bernice,” said Frost curtly, Ayala would have got the impression that there was little love lost between the two women. “I have a new arrival for you, needs a room. This is Ayala. Ayala this is Ms Summerfield. She is already in the system.”
Summerfield stood and offered her hand in greeting.
When Emma Frost had departed Bernice’s smile broadened a little. “Come in and sit for a moment, my name is Bernice or Benny, I am a teacher here, history and archaeology. But, as we are a bit thin for staff I also double as one of the Pastoral Care team. I look after this part of the building which is where the girls have their rooms. You can come to me any time, or if I am in class leave me a message.”
As she had been speaking her fingers had been moving over a tablet. Ayala would have already seen these devices in her few days here. She placed it down on a small table and gave her attention to Ayala, gesturing her to a chair. “Can I get you a drink? I have juices, tea, coffee, water?”