Chapter One – September/Back to School.
Although the best of the summer flowers were over, the hanging baskets and tubs at the entrance to Tanglewood County Primary School were still a bright splash of colour, glorying in the warm sunshine of early September. Pupils and staff had joined together to make the school bright and cheerful to all those approaching and had been rewarded with the second place in the Schools in Bloom competition. Next summer they were determined to win first place and already plans were in hand for woodwork classes to be arranged and tubs and wheelbarrows were to be made for an even more impressive show.
Helen North stopped as she went through the main entrance. Was it her imagination or was there something different about the school on the first day of term? Perhaps it was the fresh smell of polish, or the feeling that the very air in the school building held it’s breath, awaiting the arrival of its life force, nearly 400 children whose noise, sights and smells were about to fill it and make the school building become a school body, almost with a life of it’s own. Maybe it was just something she felt within herself, a new term, some new children and staff, almost a new beginning that came around every September as another school year began.
She smiled and dialled in the security code,
“Hello, Helen!” came a bright voice behind her, it was Janice, her secretary and the school bursar. Helen liked Janice a lot, she didn’t know if there was a typical “school secretary”, but she was sure Janice wouldn’t be it! Having just mucked out and fed her horse and dropped her twin 14-year-old boys off at their school Janice still appeared fresh and tidy and ready for a days work, come-what-may, in the school office.
“Hello, Janice, had a good break?”
“Ooh, yes thanks,” she replied with a broad smile, “although I sometimes wonder how I find time for work during term-time. I swear I haven’t stopped this holiday! How about you? Did you get away at all?”
They made their way through to the main office as they chatted. Helen hadn’t, in fact, been able to go away on holiday, due to her husband Ian’s leave being changed, he had to fly off to Bangkok for important meetings. Helen would have loved to join him for a while but they were unable to get her a flight in economy and they couldn’t afford for her to join him in Club Class.
“Oh, you would have thought the firm might have paid the difference, if they were too stingy to buy you a whole ticket.” Janice said. Helen agreed with a shrug of her shoulders,
“Ah well, that’s life I suppose. Still it gave me the chance for peace and quiet, I had some books to catch up on, not to say paperwork just begging to be sorted before the new school year!” Helen turned and went into her office, calling back over her shoulder, “Coffee would be nice I’ll put the machine on shall I?” Janice smiled, she liked her boss, never one to expect other people to do all the running around for coffee’s and the like and often bringing one to her staff when she could see they were up to their ears in budget’s or some other tedious task.
Tanglewood was a relatively new primary school, opened only four years previously. It had been designed and built as a primary school for the local area and was lucky, at present, not to require any of the dreaded mobile classrooms some schools acquired shortly after opening. The offices, medical room and staff room formed the heart of the school, alongside the main school hall, which served as gym, dinner hall and assembly hall giving it the feel of a large community room where all the school met at least once a week. From this area the classrooms branched off, like spokes to a wheel, the year groups being located for infant and junior sections of the school. The library was another communal area shared by everyone and a part of the school Helen was particularly proud of; they had built up their stock of books ensuring an excellent choice available for all levels of reader.
Soon all the staff were passing Janice’s reception window, with a cheery “Good morning!” or maybe stopping for a brief exchange about their holidays and coming back to the grindstone. Janice was just turning from taking a phone call regarding a new pupil when she looked up and into the most startling blue eyes she had ever seen. The corners crinkled and Joe Hemsley introduced himself to her,
“Hi! You must be Mrs. Parker, I don’t know if you remember me, Joe Hemsley, latest recruit for year five,” he joked. Janice felt herself begin to blush; she certainly did remember him now,
“Please, call me Janice. It’s only official titles in front of the children. Of course I remember you, just a minute and I’ll let you through. I’ve got your security badge and the code number for you here, do you know your way to your classroom?” She was gabbling, she knew, but was unable to stop herself. She pressed the button to open the door for Joe and took hold of herself mentally, ‘No need to go to pieces, it’s only a man’ she told herself, ‘Yes, but he’s not bad looking!’ a voice came back at her from within.
Joe came into the office, he was a tall man, about 6 foot, with black, wavy hair, beneath which his gorgeous blue eyes gazed at her, he also had a beard, which Janice didn’t remember from the interviews. He saw her studying his chin and rubbed it thoughtfully,
“Ah, yes! Do you think it’ll be all right? I hadn’t planned to grow a beard, but somehow with everything that happened during the summer I didn’t get around to shaving! Will Mrs. North object strongly do you think?”
“Will Mrs. North object to what?” came Helen’s voice as she came around the corner from her office, “Hello, Joe. My word quite piratical!” She held out her hand to him and they shook, “No, I don’t think anyone should object, at least it’s been growing long enough not to look like you’ve just fallen out of bed late! Now, I shall take you up to your classroom, the children won’t be here for another half hour or so, that will give you a chance to settle in and I’ll be with you and will introduce you to them before assembly at 9.15, will that be okay with you?” Joe nodded and smiled, Helen noticed the twinkling eyes too, but didn’t give anything away as Janice had, “Janice can you make sure the Sally is aware when Natalie arrives, I would like her to do the same in year one.”
“That would be great.” Joe said, “I wish I could have met them before they broke up for the summer, but I don’t think we shall have too many problems. Will I be in the classroom that you showed me in July?” Helen nodded and they left the office in the direction of the main staircase.
Most of the staff had now made their way into school and it was approaching 8.45 when Janice saw a very flustered young girl pull into the parking area and leap out of her car, dragging bags and books from the back seat as she came. ‘Must be Miss Fox’ she murmured under her breath, ‘cutting it fine for a first morning.’ However she smiled a welcome as Natalie struggled through the door, blond hair flying loose from its clips,
“I am so sorry,” Natalie burst out, “the traffic was really bad and I did want to get here early for my first morning. I think there has been an accident or something, or is the traffic always as bad as this from the M23?” Janice assured her that it was, and helped her through with her belongings, picking up a security badge she went in the direction of the year one area and gestured for Natalie to follow.
“If you’d like to come with me I’ll show you to your classroom and Sally Arnold, our deputy head, will be along to you shortly. Mrs. North is with the new, year five teacher at the moment, but she will be in to see you during the morning. I’m Janice parker, secretary and bursar, if there’s anything you need or anything I can do for you please give me a shout.”
“Ooh, a cup of coffee would be great!” said Natalie, as she put her books down in the classroom and took a look around, she wrinkled her nose, “We’ll have to get some work done soon to brighten up those walls, not a bit like the classroom I was in at my last school. Still, I suppose it is the beginning of term isn’t it!” Janice fumed, ‘A cup of coffee? Her last school’! Well, she would let her settle in, after all she was probably nervous and being late hadn’t helped , but an attitude change might be beneficial to all concerned. Luckily Sally’s round and beaming face appeared at the door and Janice left them and returned to her office, Natalie could have her coffee at break time, with the rest of the staff.
***
By 10.30 Viv Edmunds was ready for a break, but as the teaching assistant for year six she would be on playground duty first and would grab five minutes for coffee afterwards. As she pulled on her fleece and made her way outside she looked about to see which members of the teaching staff were joining her. Julia Adams was at the far end of the playground, that was good, not that she disliked Julia it was just easier to settle back into the school routine before being subjected to the latest grouse from the Adams household, there was always something for her to moan about. Viv turned and started to walk along the edge of the playing field, it was still quite dry, perhaps they would be able to allow the children on there at lunch time, it did them good to have the extra space to make use of for as long as possible.
“Good morning, Viv,” it was Kate Appleby, one of Viv's favourite teachers, a pleasure to work with; Kate would always make her assistant feel part of the class and involved in everything they did. “It’s nice to be enjoying some late summer weather for a change.” Viv nodded her agreement and the two women talked over their summer holidays together as they strolled around the playground. Occasionally a child would come up with a minor problem, usually a petty argument, easily sorted and sent on their way, there were rarely the scrapes and grazes that would be reported on the infant playground, not enough time to fuss when you’re in the junior playground. If they did have a first aid incident it usually involved a lot of blood, more than two people and a lot of drama from those concerned. Fortunately there were no such problems that morning and it seemed quite a short break before the bell rang to return to classes.
“Have you met Joe Hemsley yet?” Kate asked Viv. She shook her head,
“No, I haven’t had that honour. What’s he like? Janice said he was quite a looker.” Kate laughed,
“I don’t know about that. He has a beard and I’ve never really been one for beards, but he seemed very pleasant. We didn’t have much time for more than a quick ‘hello’ this morning. Oh, here are the others, lets get the little darlings in shall we?”
The other teachers had come to collect their classes and lead them in, Viv went on her way to the staff room, promising to bring a cup of coffee for Kate on her way back.
***
Break time in the staff room had been a busy affair. Everyone arriving at once caused a queue for drinks and the coffee machine was working overtime. Joe found a corner to sit in and a few of the staff nearby introduced themselves to him and welcomed him to Tanglewood. Suddenly the door burst open and Natalie threw herself into the nearest chair.
“My goodness I’m shattered!” She exclaimed, to the amazement of most of the staff present, “I never thought break time would come around. Sorry everyone, I’m Natalie Fox and I’m gasping for a cup of tea, do we have to pay or is it automatic?”
“Hello, Natalie,” Sally Arnold turned from the drinks machine, “I’ll get you a cup of tea. Do always help yourself though, it is free.” Holding out a cup of tea for Natalie she addressed everyone, “Natalie has just joined us in year one as you know and I think most of you have met and have been introducing yourselves to Joe over there. Welcome both of you,” she continued smiling at them both in turn, “do make yourselves at home and if you need any help, or you get lost around the school please feel free to ask anyone for help.” Quite a few of the staff smiled and nodded agreement, most of them looking in Joe’s direction. Natalie went over to Sally and took her tea.
“Sorry,” she spoke quietly, “I think I’ve just leapt in with both feet as usual.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Sally soothed “most of them will be fine. It will be easier to get to know everyone gradually and they can get to know you better too.” Natalie hoped so, but decided to take her drink back to her classroom anyway. No one noticed her leave.
***
By the second week everyone was beginning to settle down, children were getting to know their teachers and all their particular ways and the teachers were learning all about their pupils and all their interesting ways too! Corners were being smoothed off and a general feeling of the school year getting under way was felt throughout. Summer holidays seemed a long way off already and everyone was already counting the days to the first half term break.
“Staff meeting tonight,” Sally reminded Natalie, as they went through to their classrooms on the Thursday morning, “I hope you aren’t in a rush, Helen always seems to have more to say at the first and last meetings of term. Just when everyone else wants to get home and grab five minutes peace it seems that she needs to spend more time with us. Still, I believe there are some biscuits for tonight.” Natalie smiled,
“Yes, call me a creep, but I thought it might help oil a few wheels if I brought a ‘little something’ and anyway by 4 o’clock I’ll definitely be needing some sugar to keep me going!”
“Oh, it was you that brought them in, bless you. It’s always appreciated, but don’t feel you have to bribe the staff.” She paused, frowning, “You’re not having any problems are you?” Since her rather brash beginning Natalie had tried to keep a low profile in the staff room, now she was worried that people thought she might be a bit standoffish.
“No, nothing really. I just think I could do with starting again with some people.” Natalie grinned sheepishly, but Sally looked more serious,
“Tell me if there is anything. We don’t have any atmospheres at Tanglewood and Helen would be very upset if any one felt uncomfortable working here. I’m sure you’re right though and once we’ve had tonight’s meeting everyone will feel a lot better and will begin to get to know you.” With this they parted company and went to their respective classrooms to prepare for the day ahead.
Natalie’s classroom was beginning to gain its own identity, pictures and work from the children were displayed on various areas along with some bright posters and drapes arranged for further development as the terms topics got underway. Already the children were bringing in examples of autumn and harvest for their displays, all proudly produced and labelled carefully in their own handwriting.
“Good morning, Miss Fox,” a small voice came from behind; as Natalie turned she found a huge bunch of dahlias with a small pair of legs, coming towards her.
“Oh! What a surprise,” she said, looking over the top of the flowers to discover the owner of the legs, “Alex, how lovely. Are they from your garden?” Alex handed over the bouquet with a huge grin,
“Yes, Miss Fox, Mummy and I picked them this morning. I told her it was your birthday!” Natalie looked up at Mrs. Fenny, a little confused, it wasn’t her birthday for another three months and she certainly hadn’t mentioned it to the class,
“Well, that’s very kind of you,” she said, “it’s not quite my birthday yet, but I’m sure these flowers will make me feel just as if it is! You say bye-bye to mummy now and we’ll go and see if we can find a vase to put these into. Thank you so much Mrs. Fenny, they are lovely.” Alex’s mum laughed, she was used to her daughters imagination and was quite happy to let her bring flowers for her new and favourite teacher. As she left Alex and Natalie were sorting through the art cupboard and more children were filing into the room.
“Good morning, Miss Fox, good morning children,” it was Suzi Eames, Natalie’s teaching assistant. Tanglewood were very lucky to have a strong team of teaching assistants and year one were blessed with two part-time staff covering the two classes, “can I give Alex a hand with that Miss Fox?” Natalie willingly handed over the flowers and Suzi helped the youngster to fill the vase and put the flowers in carefully, whilst the rest of the class settled down on the carpet ready for registration.
***
The late summer weather was holding well and the staff were relieved to have the children outside for play as much as possible, PE lessons were also still taking place on the hard playground areas and the playing fields rather than in the hall. Helen liked to encourage everyone to get out into the fresh air whenever the weather allowed and this late warmth was a bonus for them all, not to be wasted, the rain and cold would come soon enough. Tanglewood was blessed with a lot of open space for recreation and games, with young trees and shrubs beginning to fill the garden areas and the gardening club, run by Julia Adams and Charlotte Moore, were able to plant their own flower borders and had even had a vegetable plot this year!
At four o’clock the staff were all convened in the staff room, cups of tea and coffee in hand and the biscuits opened and vanishing fast.
“Mmm, chocolate digestives, my favourite,” exclaimed Sally, “thank you Natalie, this is a treat.” Natalie smiled at Sally, she knew she was trying to ease things for her; a few others looked over to her and thanked her for her contribution.
“We don’t often get treats, everyone is too busy to think about it, much appreciated,” Kate Appleby also thanked Natalie as she took her place beside her, “how are you getting along? Year one being good to you are they?” Natalie and Kate had a brief conversation before Helen came into the room and the meeting was brought to order. There was a brief welcome, again, to Joe and Natalie and then Helen ran through the odds and ends that needed to be covered before bringing up the main item on her agenda for this meeting.
“Well, everyone, we have been advised that our OFSTED inspection will be taking place this school year, we will be given five weeks notice of the actual date, so we need to start our preparations now.” A few people groaned, knowing the pressure everyone would feel at the thought of the forthcoming inspection, some had undergone inspections at other schools, and this would be the first one for Tanglewood. “I don’t want you all to start getting uptight about it, or worrying in anyway. We aren’t perfect, I would argue with anyone who reckoned they were, but we’re not bad. We will, however, have to start compiling some portfolios of children’s work, a cross-section of abilities from each year group, plus some of the artwork we already have displayed, also anything that is produced over the next few of terms that you may think exceptional or particularly outstanding please let Julia know, as art co-ordinator she will be organising our displays around the school.”
“What is it that the inspectors will be looking for in particular?” Natalie queried, she knew, of course, the basic idea behind the OSTED inspections but was worried that, as an NQT she would be subject to extra pressure to ‘perform’. Helen grimaced,
“Well, it’s everything really. Teaching standards, obviously, and how the children are progressing at all levels. Our resources, facilities and the way we make use of them, how we operate as a team, staff morale and turnover, all aspects of our school life. As I said I don’t think we have too many worries and I certainly hope that anyone with a problem would feel able to come to me, or Sally, and discuss it and I feel we do all work as a team, supporting each other and keeping the school running well. This inspection is really to reassure the government and the parents that we are up to standard and help us identify any areas that may need improving, either by ourselves or, taking the amount of IT equipment we have for example, by help from outside sources. We know most of our weaknesses and, I think I can safely say, it won’t be in our staffing, I have every faith in all of you.” She smiled at Natalie and looked around her staff, they all looked apprehensive. Kate Appleby leaned forward, half raising a hand,
“I don’t know if it might help, but would you like me to act as mentor for Natalie? With OFSTED to think about I’m sure Sally could do with the extra time. That is if Natalie and Sally wouldn’t mind.”
“That would be a great idea, Kate,” Sally replied, “if that’s okay with Natalie and you Helen, I would be very grateful.”
“Fine with me,” Natalie agreed.
“Okay, that’s settled, thank you Kate. I don’t think it should cause problems.” Helen confirmed, “Now I don’t want you all working yourselves into a frenzy over this, it is just something else we will need to work through and manage together, we have been given plenty of notice let’s not waste it by causing ourselves problems with stress!” Shortly after Helen called the meeting to a close, with a reminder that the following week Sue Morrison would be taking the meeting as English co-ordinator and that notes would be passed out before hand for an idea of points to be covered.
Everyone eventually went home, leaving Helen, Sally and Janice in the main office.
“Is Natalie managing alright?” Helen asked Sally, she was concerned that the young teacher felt out of her depth,
“Oh, yes. I think she will be fine, she’s just settling in and finding her feet. I’m keeping an eye on her and she is great with the children, also Kate seemed to be getting on well with her in the staff room, but then Kate gets on with everybody doesn’t she?” Helen agreed,
“We’re lucky there, Kate is a gem. What about Joe Hemsley, he seems to be fitting right in doesn’t he? From what I’ve heard he has his class eating out of his hand!”
“Well, Viv was telling me he has most of years five and six eating out of his hand! He hasn’t been heard to raise his voice yet, but beware when the novelty wears off.” Janice laughed,
“Quite,” Helen smiled, “he is a novelty to them at the moment, but as long as the work gets done long may it last. I like him though, don’t you?”
“Ooh, yes! He’s lovely,” Janice replied, then realising what she had said she blushed scarlet, “I mean, as a teacher. Oh, look at the time, I must go and get the boys,” she blustered, scooping up her bag and rushing from the office without looking at either of the other women.
Helen and Sally exchanged glances and grinned; Joe seemed to be having an effect in their school office that was for sure.
***
Joe Hemsley’s class streamed back in from the playground, snack boxes were put back in the cloakroom, queues formed at the drinking fountain and slowly they all returned to their classroom.
“Okay everyone, settle down,” Joe’s deep voice carried over the general hubbub of after break activity, “maths books on your tables and everyone in their seats please.” The class took their places; legs stretched under tables the odd conversation still being whispered but finally finished and all eyes turned to the teacher. “Thank you, I would rather not be kept waiting again, I’m sure you will feel the same if I have to keep you waiting for your break this afternoon.” The children groaned, a few eyes rolled to the ceiling, but, at last, the maths session got underway.
Viv quietly slipped in at the back of the classroom. She didn’t have a group to work with yet, but there were always odds and ends to be sorted whilst Joe was doing the main input of the lesson, if she listened whilst she filed some work she would be ready to assist whichever children needed support for this session. A few heads turned to watch her, but with a raised eyebrow and a stern look she persuaded them to concentrate on Joe for a little while longer.
It was as Joe was explaining the work sheet that Viv noticed him frowning at Melissa. One of the more sensible girls normally, but today she appeared to be daydreaming, pulling at her shirt collar and staring out of the window.
“Melissa!” Joe called to her, but she continued to stare straight ahead, mumbling now, Viv started to go across to her when she suddenly stood up and pushed her chair back, Joe looked worriedly at Viv, “Melissa what’s the matter?”
“She can’t hear you, Mr. Hemsley” Viv told him, “I think …” with that Melissa suddenly fell to the floor and her whole body went rigid. A couple of girls screamed, Viv was at Melissa’s side, moving the chairs away from her,
“I think she’s having a fit, Mr. Hemsley. Don’t panic anyone, Melissa will be all right. If everyone can just stay calm and quiet.” By this time Melissa was twitching and shaking all over,
“What shall I do?” Joe asked quietly, Viv shook her head,
“All we can do for now is this, she should come out of it in a minute. Give her space and some air and move the others away. Perhaps someone could pop down and get Janice, she could help me getting her to the medical room afterwards and call her parents.” Joe dispatched one of the boys. He turned to Jenny, Melissa’s best friend,
“Has this happened to Melissa before, Jenny?” Jenny was wide-eyed and frightened, like the rest of her class,
“I don’t think so, Sir, at least not that she’s ever told me.”
Melissa’s body had calmed down now; just as Janice arrived she tried to sit up.
“Gently dear,” Janice knelt down beside Viv and slipped a pillow under Melissa’s head, “just take a few minutes. You’ll be fine you’ve just had a bit of a funny turn.” After a while Melissa was able to look around her and started to cry,
“What happened?” she whispered, Viv explained that she had probably had an epileptic fit and asked if she had had one before, “No, no, I don’t think so” she said, a look of panic coming into her eyes, “I’m not ill am I? I won’t die!” Viv reassured her that she would be okay.
“Let’s get you down to the medical room where you can rest for a while and I’ll call Mum,” Janice suggested. The two women helped her up but she was still quite wobbly and nearly collapsed between them,
“Let me,” Joe stepped up and swept Melissa into his arms, he turned to walk through the door, “Mrs. Edmunds, can you stay with my class, I’ll come straight back. Please all do as you are told and sit quietly until I return.” With that he strode away with Janice, looking quite amazed, trying to keep up behind him and leaving most of the female members of his class feeling quite faint and mildly jealous of their classmate.
***
By the end of the day everyone had heard of the ‘Melissa incident’. The children, having recovered from the shock of seeing one of their classmates in such a frightening situation, were enjoying the drama of reporting to everyone what had happened and how Mr. Hemsley had carried Melissa off and saved the day!
At four o’clock Joe made his way down to the main office,
“Have you heard from Melissa’s parents, Janice?” he asked, Janice turned to him,
“Yes, just.” She replied, “Her mum rang to say they had seen the doctor and Melissa is fine, although she will be going for further tests. It’s been a bit of a shock to everyone, I think. Were your class alright afterwards?” Joe still looked very solemn, the incident had shaken them all and he would be glad to get home tonight,
“Yes, you know what children are like, it’s the latest gossip now, poor Melissa. A couple of her close friends were a bit shaky, but I’ve had a word and they are going to phone her over the weekend.” Janice sighed,
“It’s something we don’t see too often, luckily you had Viv Edmunds with you. Have you come across anyone with epilepsy before?” Joe shook his head,
“No, I’ve heard about it of course. I’m glad Viv knew what to do, at first I just thought Melissa was playing me up, then, well it was obvious that wasn’t the case. I think it would really help if we could all get a bit more training in first aid, would that be possible do you think?”
“I’m sure it would,” Janice agreed, “leave it with me and I’ll see what I can sort out. In the meantime you look as if you could do with a sit down and a nice cup of tea. Would you like me to make you one, or are you going home now?” Joe smiled; he liked the feeling that someone might look after him too,
“No, thank you. I think I will get home early, I don’t think Helen will mind will she? I’ve got plenty to keep me going over the weekend. By the way, has Viv gone? I didn’t get the chance to thank her properly for her assistance today.”
“Yes, Viv leaves at three, and you did thank her, three times she told me.” Janice laughed, “ I don’t think you realised quite how much the whole thing effected you. Go home and get some rest! I’ll tell Helen when she finishes her meeting, I know she won’t mind at all, it’s what she would tell you to do as well!” With that Janice almost shooed him out of the door.
Joe walked wearily towards the staff car park. It had certainly been one of those days. He must admit he was surprised to find how tired he was feeling, he didn’t think that he would be so affected by what had happened to Melissa, but he had never experienced such an event at close quarters before. As he turned along beside the school hall he heard shouting and, looking up, saw a man holding onto a young child and angrily waving his fist at someone. It was Natalie Fox with what appeared to be, an angry parent. Joe hurried over, his fatigue temporarily forgotten.
“Excuse me,” he interrupted loudly, “can I help?” The irate man stopped his tirade and turned towards Joe.
“Who are you?” he barked, his face reddened with anger, Natalie stepped back and towards Joe,
“This is Mr. Hemsley. He also teaches here.” She turned an anxious face to Joe, “Mr. Lewis is upset because I haven’t changed Greg’s reading book,” she began. Mr. Lewis immediately took up his case again, this time directing his anger at both teachers. Joe held up both hands to the man,
“Please, Mr. Lewis. I can see that you are upset, but this isn’t going to help and young Greg is getting frightened.” Mr. Lewis looked down at his son standing behind him and clutching his book bag, his bottom lip quivering as tears threatened to overflow. Mr. Lewis picked him up and soothed him.
“Look, I’m sorry,” his voice quieter and less aggressive, “but ‘e says Miss Fox ‘ere ‘as told ‘im that ‘e can’t ‘ave a new book until ‘e’s read this one again. ‘E’s ‘ad it all week!” Natalie shook her head,
“I didn’t actually say that, Mr. Lewis,” she began cautiously, “Greg said that he hadn’t been able to read his book at home, so I suggested he keep it over the weekend and we’ll be changing books again on Monday.”
“Are you saying I’m not doing it right with my son?” Mr. Lewis exploded again, “I just ‘aven’t been able to sit down with him. And his mum ain’t been well,” he paused for breath, but Joe stepped in again,
“This is getting us no-where and I think there has been a misunderstanding. No-one is accusing you of not doing your best for Greg, Mr. Lewis,” he soothed “but this really isn’t the time, or the place to discuss it. Perhaps you could make an appointment with Miss Fox and you and Greg’s mum can sort everything out next week.” Joe’s calm manner seemed to work and Mr. Lewis finally settled down. After apologising to Natalie and arranging a meeting for the Monday evening he left them.
“Phew! What an excitable man,” Joe said quietly, as Mr. Lewis and Greg went through the gate. He looked down at Natalie, she was shaking and looking as near to tears as Greg had been, he took her arm and led her back into school. “Come on, you need a nice cup of tea – as Janice seems to recommend.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, “I really thought he was going to get violent then. I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t come along.”
“Nothing probably, you would have coped,” Joe tried to reassure her and bolster her confidence a little, “he didn’t mean to harm you, he had just got the wrong idea and is obviously over stressed, which leads to the wrong reactions. I’m not excusing his behaviour, you shouldn’t be subjected to that sort of abuse, but it’s their little darlings we’re dealing with and, at that age, the darlings don’t always get the facts clear. Come on, I could do with a cuppa and a chat too, have you heard about my day?” With that he told Natalie all about the ‘Melissa incident’ and successfully took her mind off the ‘Mr. Lewis incident’ for a little while.
***
At last the school was peaceful, all the staff had gone home, the caretaker and his cleaning staff were almost finished in their various classrooms and Helen had the place to herself. She stretched her arms above her head and sat back in her chair. What a term this was becoming, she thought the forthcoming OFSTED inspection might be all they had to think about for a while, but now she had irate parents to deal with and a child with possible epilepsy to support. She would have to see if they could get some more information available for the staff on both first aid matters and also re-introduce the self-defence classes they had run a couple of years ago. Not that she wanted Natalie, or any of the others tackling violent parents or other people, but it would help just to know how to try and diffuse a situation, as Joe had done. He was certainly a lucky find, Helen congratulated herself on persuading the governors to take him on, not that they would actually discriminate against him because of his sex, but they had wondered about taking on a male member of staff amongst all these women. As far as she was concerned, and Janice too by all accounts, he was most welcome here and seemed to be more than up to the standard required.
Just then Jack Warren, the premises manager as their caretaker liked to be called, popped his head around the door.
“Just off now, Mrs. North, anything more you needed doing tonight?” Helen shook her head,
“No, thank you, Jack, you get off home now. I won’t be much longer myself, just a bit of paper work to be finished.”
“Alright then,” Jack replied, cheerfully, “mind you don’t stay too late though, I don’t like to think of you on your own in this big, empty building. Do you want to lock the door behind me?” Helen smiled at him; she knew he thought of himself as a father figure to her, he was nearing retirement age,
“No, I’ll be fine. The security lock is still on the internal door and that will be in place when you leave. I really won’t be too long, promise.” Jack left, mumbling to himself about the hours they expected people to work these days and finally Helen was alone again.
Helen worked on until the light faded, then she made herself some coffee and sat reading some papers in her office until, finally she gave in, yawning, turned off her computer and made her way out through the silent building. There was no hurry, Ian was away again and she had finished her latest reading book last night. At least if she went back for a light supper and a glass of wine now, she might get off to sleep before midnight for a change. As she got into her car Jack Warren walked passed the school, taking his dog for a last turn around the block before turning in, she waved to him and he returned the wave, neither of them noticed a third person watching from the shadows. That person waited until they had both left the lane before walking silently away.
***
