Nancy sat outside Miss Young’s classroom waiting for her allotted ten minutes to discuss anything and everything about her child. Lara was sitting beside her, playing a game on Nancy’s phone.
Ten minutes for parents’ evening, thought Nancy. It was laughable really. Ten minutes wasn’t going to solve anything. For the bullying and the tormenting was still going on, Nancy was certain of it. Lara had stopped talking about it so much; she’d become more quiet and withdrawn, seemingly accepting of the fact she’d been selected to be Rosie’s punchbag.
‘Oh, hi, Nancy,’ called a voice from down the corridor. It was Lorna, walking towards her with a large white envelope clutched in her hands.
‘Teacher collection for Christmas,’ Lorna whispered theatrically, even though Miss Young’s door was closed and there was no way she could hear. Lorna shook the envelope and there was a jangle of coins and the muffled sound of several notes. ‘Mums are putting in a tenner – no pressure, of course– but I know I like to know what the going rate is!’ She laughed.
Nancy got out her purse, pulled out a ten-pound note and posted it into the held-out envelope.
‘What are you going to get her?’ she asked.
‘We usually do one of those voucher cards, you know, the ones you can spend in a number of shops.’
‘Sounds great.’
‘Christmas, eh. Can’t believe it’s coming so soon. And the fair’s only two weeks away! Everything OK?’ asked Lorna.
‘Yes, fine.’ In fact, it had been fairly straightforward. The Christmas fair happened every year and was a well-oiled machine. ‘You’re organizing the floats, right?’
‘Yes. I’ll get them from the treasurer and hand them around as we set up Saturday morning. I’ll collect as we go too, take some of the notes and put them in the safe.’
‘OK, great.’
Lorna hesitated, clearly wanting to say something else. ‘Did you get a place? At Kingsgate?’
Nancy nodded. She knew it was a good school and liked the idea of Lara being near Beth. ‘We did.’
Lorna squealed. ‘Oh, how fantastic! Phoenix too. And he got a scholarship,’ she said, faux casually and Nancy knew she was waiting for a suitable response to her boast.
‘Congratulations.’
‘Aw, thanks. Yeah, we’re pleased,’ she said, shrugging modestly, obviously beside herself with delight. ‘We didn’t put any pressure on him, you know, I think it’s so awfulwhen parents do that, always pushing their kids to achieve. It can be so damaging to their mental health, don’t you think? Kids should be kids, no one should rob them of their childhood.’
Through the window of the classroom, Nancy saw Miss Young and the mother she was with stand up. She gathered her coat and bag. ‘I think it’s me,’ she said to Lorna.
‘Oh yes. Well, I won’t keep you. Lovely to chat.’ Lorna gave a little wave and went on her way.
‘Mrs Miller,’ said Miss Young, holding the door open. Nancy went into the classroom and took a seat on one of the undersized chairs. The room was bright and cheery, hung with Christmas paintings and decorations that the children had made.
Miss Young consulted the pile of flash cards in front of her, holding them upwards so Nancy couldn’t see anyone else’s notes. ‘Lara is extremely bright and capable,’ she said. ‘She’s working at the level we’d expect for her age in all three core subjects: reading, writing and maths.’ Miss Young looked up and smiled, having delivered the good news.
Nancy focused on the teacher’s face. ‘Is she happy?’
It wasn’t the response Miss Young was expecting. Her eyes sparked with alarm and, Nancy thought, a flash of guilt.
‘Mostly, I’d say. There have been a few run-ins as you know—’
‘I think it’s a bit more than that,’ said Nancy coolly. ‘You are aware of what happened at Halloween? I’m assuming Mr Whitman told you?’
‘He did.’
‘And despite his assurances the school are dealing with it, I know Lara is not her usual upbeat self and I strongly suspect Rosie is still not being very nice. What’s she like in class?’
‘You mean Rosie?’
‘Of course Rosie.’
‘I can’t really discuss another—’
