Old School, New Lessons

A quietly powerful short novel about voice, accountability, and the long shadows of our actions. Edward, a retired teacher with an uncompromising outlook, hosts a podcast that challenges modern sensitivities with brutal honesty. Behind the scenes, Ellie, recovering from illness and managing the technical side, keeps the show afloat.

When anonymous messages cross the line from trolling into personal intrusion, Ellie's investigation begins to uncover not just the source, but the unseen consequences of authority, influence, and past decisions. Edward, so confident on-air, is forced to confront the gap between his intentions and their real-world impact and the humility needed to make amends.

Meanwhile, Poppy worries that her long-time friend Jess, might still resent her complicating their bond.

Blending humour, tension, and human reflection, Old School Rules examines how we communicate, how we hurt, and how the quiet moments of reckoning can redefine understanding, empathy, and connection in a noisy world.