Oh, for God’s sake. She could feel the whole edifice wobbling like when you slide the last Jenga block out from the bottom .?.?.
‘Don’t worry, Rowley, that’s quite understandable, these things happen. Martin knows the lines and can easily step into your part,’ Marisha purred.
Cassie was horrified. Poor Martin had forgotten the few lines he ever knew. He was prepared to dress in the green costume his mother had made, and his only job was to give people a leg up onto a raised platform, which was supposed to be in the clouds. More than that, he couldn’t do it: he couldn’t sing, he wasn’t funny, he’d be a disaster. But Marisha really didn’t seem to care about the impact this would have on him.
Cassie knew some people would say she was being fanatical, and illnesses happened – or maybe it was the soothing tone of Marisha’s voice, exuding satisfaction, that she couldn’t stomach, but something had to be done.
Break time came and, without a word, she slipped out and made her way to the office. To her relief, there was no sign of Roger Newcombe. Helen, the secretary, was sitting listlessly on the swivel chair, which was patched with masking tape, dunking a custard cream in her coffee. She jumped guiltily when she saw Cassie.
‘Helen, I need your help, it’s an emergency,’ she hissed. She explained the situation and how she needed Rowley’s mam’s phone number; at the prospect of a bit of intrigue, the secretary looked more energised than Cassie had ever seen her. Strictly speaking, Cassie explained, this was an educational call for a student’s benefit. She copied down the number and address, and slipped out to her car. It was a long shot, but she was past caring.
‘Mrs Adams? I’m so sorry to bother you. This is Cassie, Rowley’s substitute teacher, I don’t believe we’ve met. The thing is, I don’t know if you’re aware of this or not, but your son is an extremely talented performer,’ Cassie began.
In that moment, Rowley’s mam’s voice rose an octave. ‘That’s what I always said. I’veseenthat in him as a little tot.’
‘Mrs Adams, if he doesn’t take his place on this show, it could alter the whole course of his life.’
She was giving it welly but if there was ever a time to speak up, it was now.
‘I know, love .?.?. but what am I to do? I have to work. My father can’t be left alone.’
‘We’ll collect him.’
‘What?’
‘I’m sure your father would love to see his grandson on stage. We’ll pick him up with his wheelchair before the show and pop him in the front row. He’ll have the best seat in the house. I give you my word I’ll keep an eye on him myself to make sure he’s all right and, afterwards, I’ll drop them both home.’
The voice sounded quite emotional. ‘You’d do that for us?’
‘It’d be my pleasure.’
‘You really think he’s that good?’
‘Mrs Adams, I know it. He’s a natural. I only wish you were there to see him.’
‘His daddy passed away three years ago and since then it’s been hard.’
She could hear the tough facade cracking.
‘I’m so sorry to hear that and I understand.’
‘But if you’d do that for my son .?.?. that’d mean the world to me.’
And so, it was settled. Rowley would go home as usual, and Cassie would pick him and his granda up at six.
* * *
Marisha wasn’t impressed. She’d been busy rustling together a costume made out of several sacks tied with a curtain cord for Martin, who looked wretched.
‘You’ve just violated GDPR with that call. This is a disciplinary offence. I hope you realise that.’
She’d never come closer to telling Marisha to fuck off. Don’t give her the ammunition, she reminded herself.
That lunchtime the staffroom was buzzing. A second microwave had been purchased following a whip-round and there was intense controversy around who’d contributed and who hadn’t, and therefore wasn’t entitled to use it.
Further down the pecking order was gossip about tonight’s show. This included opinions ranging from ‘Well, at least that racket will be over’ to ‘Isn’t it great that such a young class are doing something so ambitious? Let’s hope they don’t fall flat on their faces.’
Nonetheless, they were all going to turn up to support. Babs and Denise had organised their Fifth and Sixth Classes to help out and serve refreshments.
