May, After the Storm
Miss Bevan said her story was lurid. Gwyn thought that was a good thing, but the teacher’s face told her it wasn’t. She looked it up later. Lurid means shocking and sensational. Gwyn still thought that was a good thing.
‘I applaud your imagination, Gwyn, but the assignment was to write a story that showed the true nature of the Scilly Isles,’ said Miss Bevan.
‘It does!’ insisted the child.
‘I’m pretty sure there’s no evidence of werewolves here.’
Tamar Searle laughed, and Miss Bevan did that head-cocked-to-the-side thing, as if Gwyn was simple. It felt worse when Miss Bevan pretended to be kind.
‘It’s a metaphor. Obviously!’ said Gwyn.
Tamar Searle rolled her eyes. 138
‘The werewolf only attacks women, like those who were attacked on Tresco, and I bet the one who’s still missing was attacked too and—’
‘In that case, the story is simply in bad taste,’ said Miss Bevan.
‘But—’
‘No. That’s enough. Please sit down, Gwyn.’
Gwyn hates Miss Bevan.