‘But why are youhere? We saw you off the premises last week with cards and a baby shower. Shouldn’t you be sitting with your feet up, eating curry and knitting?’
‘Curry at seven thirty in the morning?’ Petra pulled a retching face.
‘Isn’t it supposed to bring on labour? Or sex, if you’d rather?’
‘Wash your mouth out,’ Petra growled. ‘Don’t mention the “S” word to me! That’s what got me here, unable to even reach the bloody biscuits. Look, just throw over the tin, would you?’
‘But why are youhere?’
‘I just wanted to tie up a few ends for Joel.’
‘Joel? Joel Sinclair?’
Petra nodded. ‘He’s been home-tutored since January when he was bailed over to his aunt in Castleford. You know, as well as I do, what a bright kid he is. Anyway, I’ve been sorting it so that he can sit his GCSEs back here at St Mede’s. Just wanted to finalise details.’
‘Oh, thank you!’ Robyn leaned in to hug Petra. ‘I didn’t realise that’s what you’d been doing. Sorrel will be so pleased.’
‘Well, we didn’t know what was going to be the outcome of the court case. I gather you were there on Friday?’
Robyn nodded. ‘I still think he’s in danger of being manipulated again. I’m not convinced coming back to the area will be the best way forward…’ She broke off as Mason popped his head around the staff room door.
‘Petra, go home and look after yourself and that baby,’ he ordered. ‘And, Robyn, the meeting’s about to start.’
* * *
‘…and so, we come to the last item on the agenda. Robyn?’ Mason put down his papers, removed his glasses and raised an eye in her direction.
‘Yes?’ Robyn’s head shot up. Mulling over both Jess’s little performance at Kamran’s place as well as the surprise at Lisa about to marry one of the Sattars, she’d switched off from league tables, the problem of vaping behind the bike sheds (where were these mythical bike sheds?) and the debate as to whether Tampax machines should be installed in the boys’ toilets.
‘I didn’t know we even had bike sheds,’ she started. ‘Do any of our kids actually own bikes…?’
‘Number eight on the list.’ Dave Mallinson, Head of English, nudged her arm none too gently. ‘We’re onto your bit.’
‘Ah, right. OK, sorry, sorry.’ Robyn quickly scanned the paper in front of her. ‘So, as you’re all aware,’ she started, ‘the school production ofGreasewas scheduled for the last week of this term, just before Easter…’
‘Was? Ha!’ John Vaughn, Head of Maths’ tone was sneerily triumphant. ‘Didn’t think you’d be able pull it off with this lot. Despite all the rehearsals you’ve been calling lately in the middle of my maths lessons.’
‘We’re still on track,’ Robyn put in, smiling at the man. He was such a wanker; it was hard to remain polite. ‘But the track needs to bea little longer. Mason, Petra, Dave and I have discussed it and, before we start printing promotional leaflets, we need the staff on board to agree to move the performances to the penultimate week of the summer term.’
‘You can’t do that,’ John Vaughn said smugly. ‘Half the kids will have left. You do realise Year 11 leave at Easter to go off on revision leave?’
‘We’re aware of that, John,’ Mason interjected smoothly. ‘We just need to be sure they’re willing to come back and get stuck in again once their exams are over. And to be fair, it only involves four or five of Year 11.’
‘I thought your Sorrel was off to some fancy theatre school at Easter. You can’t put on a production ofGreasewithout Sandy?’ John glanced round at the staff, obviously vindicated that quite a few were nodding in agreement. ‘Don’t tell me you’re looking for another Sandy now?’
‘Isla Boothroyd’s more than capable of taking over the part…’ Robyn started.
‘It’s all falling apart, isn’t it? You’re fishing around in panic…’
‘…but’ – and here Robyn shot the maths man a triumphant look of her own – ‘the Susan Yates school where Sorrel starts next term has no problem with Sorrel coming back to take the part. She already knows it inside out, every song, every move, every word. And their term finishes before ours. Sorrel will be back home at the beginning of July.’
‘It just means we can relax somewhat,’ Mason went on. ‘Gives us a bit more time and we can finish the school year with a great performance.’
‘You sure the school won’t be closed and pulled down by then?’
‘Quite sure, John, thank you.’
‘Actually, Mason, while we’re on that subject, whatishappening on that score? It’s all gone very quiet and we need to know what the Frozen lot are up to.’ Jo Cooper, Head of History and now promoted to acting deputy head while Petra was on maternity leave, left her seat. ‘The staff need to know if they should be looking for new jobs…’
