After he had showered, quiffed his hair, shaved lightly and dressed into a plain white shirt and jeans; Martin emerged into the living room where the others were sitting on one of the sofas which was perpendicular to the large glass wall. This main room was an L shape, around the corner was the kitchen area, which was largely sized with marbled white countertops and polished cupboards.
Ollie, Ryan and Jemma were sitting on the sofas, they were talking to each other with light conversation, avoiding anything regarding Ryan's health.
"Hey." Martin said as he emerged from his bedroom, closing the door behind him and for whatever reason, asked in a posh British accent, "Where is Her Majesty?"
"Her Majesty would be over in the kitchen." Ryan responded in a comparative dialect as Ollie pointed towards the corner where the kitchen was.
"Thanks chaps." Martin replied, walking over to the kitchen, hearing a faint chuckle from Jemma.

Zoe had her back facing Martin and was leaning her arms on the counter looking at her phone.
Martin quietly crept up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist,
"What you doing?" He asked her, chuckling as she gasped before kissing her neck.
Zoe giggled and leaned against the wall, facing him as he put his hands on her hips.
"What's got you all dressed up today?" She asked him, biting her lip and smiling as she placed her hands on his chest.
"Tryin' to impress a girl." He whispered, his face moving closer to hers.
"You're so fit." She breathed as she brought one of her arms around his neck and kissed him slowly, their breathing in sync as he placed his hands on her cheeks.
"Are you two actually snogging?!" Called Ollie from the living room.
They both pulled apart almost immediately,
"No?!" Martin Replied, sounding quite convincing.
"Why were you both so quiet?"
"Why were you listening?!" Zoë exclaimed, walking around the corner with Martin behind her, "right I'm gonna do my hair or something because this guy is making me feel underdressed." She opened up her door and walked inside while Martin flopped onto one of the sofas opposite the three teenagers.
"Go on, spill the tea, why're you all dressed up?" Chuckled Ollie.
"She's keeping something from me and I'm trying to flirt my way to get her to tell me." Martin told them.
"W-well then!" Laughed Ryan, "I was not expecting an honest answer there!"
Martin broke into a smile and rolled onto his side, looking over at the three of them, thinking about what Cloda said; Ryan was the backbone of the friendship. And Martin wanted to savour every little moment with them all together.
"How're you feeling today, Ryan?" He asked, sitting up, his gaze turning sincere.
"Actually, I'm alright.. I'm sorry about last night I don't know what happened." Ryan replied, biting his lip.
"I don't think Mr McCafferson does either, Natasha really scarred him!" Joked Ollie, making everyone laugh in response.
Martin leaned back against the sofa, "oh guys.. I'm always halfway between laughing and crying with you lot." He sighed, feeling himself go again.
"Why would you be crying?" Ryan asked, oblivious to their conversations about his life expectancy last night.
Martin gave a huge exhale and opened his eyes wide, "I dunno."
He stood up and walked towards the kitchen again before his phone began to ring in his pocket. He took it out and saw the contact of Rustrike High calling.
"Shit... shit-shit-shit-shit.." he hissed, debating on whether to answer or not.
"Who is it?" Asked Jemma, looking around.
"It's the school." Martin Replied before giving in and answering the call.
"Hello?" He spoke, feeling unbearably anxious due to the fact that Mrs Watson was dead, and nobody knew where he and a few older students had gone.
"Martin McCafferson, is that you?" Answered a high pitched female voice.
"Speaking, yes. May I ask who..."
"It's Lottie, at reception. I- I really wasn't expecting an answer.."
Lottie was a kind lady of around sixty years, she was in many's opinion the heart and soul of Rustrike High, and knew every pupil's name by heart, greeting them from day to day as they entered.
"Oh- Hi Lottie... how are you? How is everything?" Martin asked,  knowing rightfully that a positive answer was not proceeding.
"Eh- not the best, if I'm honest- where are you? What's happening? When are you coming back?" She asked him.
"Two days time we'll be back." Said Martin, seeing the others glance over at him with wide and confused eyes. He took a deep breath, "we're on our way back from Italy. Needed a few days to settle, you heard about Bronagh I assume?"
"Yes; dreadful, absolutely dreadful- do you know how it happened?" Lottie asked.
"I know as much as you do, I'm afraid." Martin lied, knowing Lottie loved the gossip and would tell the whole school what he told her.
"Oh well.. how's you? How's Zoë? And the kids?"
"Oh we're all well here; they've played very well; I'm sure they're all dying to come home." Martin said that quietly, knowing that that was not the case in any circumstance.
"Martin- I'm so sorry about your wife and your daughter, this just be a very hard time for you and you're very good to go on that trip." Lottie spoke quietly and with pathos.
"Oh, Lottie.. it's okay, I'm alright. Y'know, I needed this break, actually. It's been good." He told her, looking out the window at the cityscape and the long river meandering through the streets.
"Okay, Okay- um, bit of a weird one, but Bronagh said this the day before she passed away. In fact she wrote it and signed it also-"
"Oh yes, I was going to ask; who is taking the role as principle?" Martin Interrupted,
"That's what I was going to say; she appointed you." Lottie told him.
"Sorry, What?" Martin Asked, certain he had misheard her.
"She wrote 'Regarding my resignation I will trust my colleague Mr C. M. McCafferson with the temporary or permanent role of Principle of Rustrike High with soon or immediate effect." She goes on and talks about how she trusts you; you've done well, Martin."
"W-wh- I- I-" Martin just stuttered, unable to find the words or comprehend what had just happened until he just said, "really?!"
"Really." Lottie confirmed.
"I- I don't know what to say.. I.. I don't think I'm qualified, I mean, she never spoke to me about this at all." He told her.
"Oh you're definitely qualified." Lottie told him.
"B-but I'm a music teacher, that's my job, I like my job." Martin added, one hand behind his neck.
"And you can still be a music teacher; that's why they've made Zoë a permanent teacher, so that you can have fewer classes and have more time for arranging and extending the departments."
Martin went outside on the balcony and sat down on the seat, wiping his brow.
"It's a significant pay rise.. just saying.." Lottie added, "go on, we'd love you here."
"Okay, Okay I'll do it." He said, at last.
"Good man!" Lottie replied, "I now baptise you Mr McCafferson, Head of Rustrike High."
Martin laughed, "oh god, that'll be a hard one to get used to... what have I just signed up for?"
"You'll be amazing, I believe in you." Lottie giggled.
Martin shook his head, "Okay.. okay- right, Lotsy, gotta run, but.. oh my god, I'll see you on Friday afternoon probably."

After hanging up, Martin remained outside, laughing to himself, "what have I done..?"