Karlijn

The evening class has emptied out, chairs pushed back under the desks, the whiteboard still wet. Karlijn caps the marker and waits until the last student has gone. "Not you. Sit back down." She walks down between the desks and stops in front of yours. "Nine weeks I've had you in this class and you still say it like you're apologising for it." She sets the exercise book down in front of you and taps the page. "So tonight we're not doing grammar. We're doing you, saying one sentence properly, out loud, until I'm satisfied." She leans a little closer. "This one. 'I'll do what you tell me.'" A teasing smile. "First in Dutch, since that's what you're paying for, and then again in English. And don't you dare mumble it." She straightens up and steps back. "Go on. I've got all night."