‘Hi, boys and girls, my name is Cassie Kearney and I’ll be taking you for class today.’
In fact, it wasn’t the children who were intimidating, it was the parents, particularly a small group of women who were eyeing her sceptically. Just keep moving, she reminded herself, never make yourself a stationary target. Modelling herself on the other teachers, she stood at the head of her class and followed the long crocodile into the building.
‘Miss, Miss, we’re supposed to change tables today, can myself and Liam sit together?’ Suddenly, there was chaos, as everyone saw an opportunity to buck the system and sit beside their pals. She realised one good decision she’d made was to wear platform boots. Feck teaching theory, at least be the tallest person in the room.
‘Now .?.?. hold on, boys and girls. Just for today we’re all going to stay in our old seats.’
Hanging on to control and being the adult was at least half the job, that much was clear.
‘Miss, would you like me to hand out the copybooks?’ A tall girl with a smooth ponytail was looking at her expectantly.
‘And you’re .?.?.?’
‘Sophie.’
‘Excellent, thank you, Sophie.’
It was important to spot the allies.
‘Now, everyone, as I told you, I’m Miss Kearney and you’ll have me for today. Take out your reading books and I’ll start reading, then all of you can carry on.’
A small squat boy with a scattering of freckles, who reminded her of a baked bean in a hoodie, piped up, ‘Is Miss Upton very sick? Is she ever coming back?’
‘I’m sure she will be back, but we won’t worry about that just for now, OK? Let’s begin—’
‘Miss, Miss! Could we make her a card? Like one that said, “Get well soon, but not too soon” – in case she has a relapse like my granda did.’
His voice had the natural croaky tone of a comedian. A titter rippled around the class, but this wasn’t Cassie’s first time in front of a tough crowd.
‘What a lovely idea .?.?.’
‘Rowley.’
‘Rowley. So thoughtful, and we mustabsolutelydo that.’
Rule one: always keep the comedian occupied, and never take it personally. (Easier said than done.) But public life was full of class show-offs, so don’t underestimate them.
Ten thirty and time for SPHE. She felt a surge of hope. Break time was in sight!
‘Now, boys and girls, I want you to divide into groups and make up a little scene where one of you is the odd one out. Maybe you’re new, maybe you’re different in some way, but I would like you to show how you can include the new person. OK?’
She smiled broadly, conscious of projecting a massive amount of energy towards the doubtful children. As expected, the ‘good girls’ group organised themselves straight away and began assigning roles to each other with great enthusiasm.
The lads’ group, with Rowley at the centre, had already started guffawing and kicking each other, which seemed to be part of the preparation. Oh Lord.
‘Now, boys, keep the noise down, please, we don’t want to disturb the other classes.’
They glanced at her momentarily then carried on exactly as before. She should’ve got everyone sorted out before dreaming of letting them leave their desks, that was obvious.
To her horror the noise from Rowley’s group had reached the approximate decibel level of a cup final. She dodged her way to the top of the classroom and had just raised her arms in a desperate attempt to reclaim some order, when the door was flung open.
A silence fell on the room.
Roger Newcombe stood glaring at them like a high court judge ready to pass sentence. Cassie’s heart sank.
‘Do you realise that you can be heard at the other end of the school?’
‘Yes, yes, sorry. We’ll be quieter from now on, won’t we, everyone?’
