He was sitting in Rosy’s office now, trying to unclench his hands from the side of the chair and waiting for her to get to the bit where she told him off and then he would know how bad things were going to be. So far, she had spent the time discussing what he had found out in class about all of the individual children and reconfirmed the best way to deal with each one. She laughed, the affection clear on her face as she discussed some of the more challenging ones: the very loud Billy; the whiny and mischievous Ashleigh; Harry and Alfie who were still very boisterous; the over-confident Ellie.
Rosy had also laughed when she heard that Sophie had stolen Sir Squeaks-a-lot because her sister’s hamster had recently died, and Sophie had felt desperately sorry for her and tried to remedy the situation as best she could. Rosy explained Sophie had a big heart but didn’t always think her plans through. Kam couldn’t help but agree.
Was he going to get out of this meeting unscathed? He couldn’t believe his luck. He had heard that Rosy was not a woman who supported or engaged in gossip but surely she’d have something to say about the brief scene she had witnessed? It wasn’t exactly gold-standard Ofsted– worthy teaching!
‘So, you’ve been here a week now and it looks as if you’ve settled in brilliantly. The kids are clearly already fond of you and you’ve dealt well with some of the more unusual aspects of teaching.’ She smiled.
He tried to relax but was still having to use all his self-control not to drum on the side of the chair with his now unclenched fingers, a nervous habit he had started as a child. He wished she’d hurry up and get on with the bollocking, get it over.
‘I want to see how you’re settling in, invite you to let me know if there are any aspects of Penmenna you’re not so happy with, that you’d change if you could?’
Kam looked at her, his brow furrowed and the surprise was clear on his face.
‘There’s nothing I’d change. I think you have the most amazing school. I’ve absolutely loved this first week.’
‘Thank you, although of course you couldn’t say much else with me sitting here.’ Kam laughed in agreement. It was true: no one would be fool enough to challenge their boss on the first week about things they may or may not like. As he approached the end of his thought he looked up at Rosy. Oh of course, she might look all sweet and butter not melty but she was wilier than he had given her credit for.
‘I try and run Penmenna as openly as possible. We value all members of staff equally here, regardless of job title. However, there are some things that, no matter how flexible and open you wish to be, are sort of ingrained. Hierarchies are one of them. I can be as welcoming as I want, but you know that ultimately, I’m the head and you want to keep me happy. Hence you might be wary of being completely honest, you’d be more politic, weigh your words carefully or hold them in entirely.’
‘Yes. I think I understand the point you’re making. You are quite right.’ And he did. She was making the point that no matter how friendly he was with Pippa, there was a power dynamic at play as long as he was the teacher and she was the TA in his class.
‘Good. I would add that this is a very small community, and there is not much that anyone can do here that doesn’t get discussed, dissected and amplified. Such is the nature of rural life and particularly in a community-minded village like Penmenna. For example, I know that on Monday you, with Pippa, became acquainted with the regulars in The Smuggler’s Curse, and so does the rest of the village…’
Kam took a long breath. It was very warm in here.
‘…and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s actually a real bonus that you are keen to interact with and become part of our community. It’s something I feel strongly about. I am friends with many of the staff here and seeing them outside of school is only something that strengthens us as a team. However, they do tend not to kiss me, and especially not in front of the pupils.’
There was nothing he could say, although he could feel the warmth of his blush. Even though he hadn’t instigated – or minded – the kiss, it did indicate that he had created a less than professional environment in the classroom.
‘Okay. I did want to talk to you about that time—’
‘Mr Choudhury, Kam, I don’t think you do. I wanted to mention power dynamics and imbalances in the friendliest way possible and remind you that for this term, you will be working alongside Miss Parkin. I think both of you have a natural energy and lively spirit that work very well together indeed and the children in the class are very lucky to have that. I know from experience how Pippa’s vivacity really helps create a strong foundation in developing a love of school, which is why I have always kept her in the reception class. It would be a shame for that working relationship to become more complex than perhaps it should be at this point. We’re only a week into term.’
Kam nodded silently. He knew everything she said was true and fair, and he couldn’t blame her at all for feeling the need for this very awkward conversation. She would be within her rights to be concerned about full-blown fornication in the sensory garden by mid-May at this rate. There was nothing he could say here to make it better; just acknowledge that he understood and would try not to stick his tongue down Pippa’s throat, or elsewhere, for the time he was working alongside her. July wasn’t that far away; by which point Pippa would know him a lot better and probably wouldn’t want her lips anywhere near him. All of which would be very sensible.
‘And I also felt it only fair to warn you that there will be a position opening up here next academic year with Sarah Fielding, the Class Two teacher, retiring. I am currently keeping my eyes peeled for outstanding teachers who I can ask to come for an interview. I want you to know that if the rest of the term goes as well as this week then I shall be asking you to interview as well.’
‘Wow. Thank you. I didn’t expect that.’
‘As I said, you’ve dealt with a couple of tricky situations, and taken a lot in your stride. It has been noted. From my point of view, and others who have been only too happy to pass judgement, you have settled in very quickly and your enthusiasm and cheerfulness is good for us all.’
‘Thank you, Miss Winter.’ He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. This was fantastic. He was not going to do anything that could risk his chance of a permanent position here. That would be beyond perfect, and would mean he could shave a full twelve months from his five-year plan. In his heart he knew his decision to go into teaching had been the right one; he just wished everyone he loved agreed with him. A permanent teaching job would go a long way to make that happen.
‘Rosy, please. And don’t misunderstand me: your private life is your private life and absolutely none of my business. It really isn’t. But as a potential friend as well as a colleague, I felt I should warn you that things do get talked about. Trust me. You may want to tread very carefully.’
Kam wasn’t quite sure what to do with his face, his hands, his feet. In fact, his whole body shifted awkwardly in the chair. He knew this was a gentle warning rather than an out and out reprimand, a reminder that, as the teacher, it would be both unfair and unprofessional to try and take his friendship with Pippa any further. And that he was being watched. And that what he did could well impact on whether or not he was considered for the permanent position soon available.
‘Now, let’s talk about the assessments we need to start next week.’
Kam had never been so relieved to hear such mundane words in his life.
Chapter Fourteen
At the end of the week Pippa and Kam took the class to Penmenna Hall to see how the vegetables were growing in their absence. It was a long-term project and last term the children had sown all their seeds and were hoping to see that their shoots had grown into proper plants.
Rosy had told Kam and Pippa before they left that the rocket and the radishes should be ready to harvest now and, if they were lucky, the rhubarb in its most glorious, pinkest state could also be ready to pull. This meant that even the littlest pair of hands should be able to do some harvesting if they really tugged hard, and the whole outing would tie in beautifully withThe Enormous Turnip, their literacy topic for the week.
Normally Pippa would stay in school during the Penmenna Hall trips to care for the children who remained, the classes being split into two. But this morning Rosy wanted her to go along with Kam so that the children had a familiar face alongside their new teacher. Plus, it would be unfair to leave him entirely at the mercy of the parent helpers, which Pippa took as code to mean Marion.
