‘I did. I remembered how much you enjoyed our space story when you came in before, so I thought you’d like it. I’ll let you into a secret if you like.’ Sam edged closer. ‘I’m going to read it again later, I love it too!’
Sam beamed at her and showed her the jigsaw he had completed in super-quick time. She grinned back in response and said she had some terribly hard ones if he was up to the challenge. His little face took on its worried expression so Sylvie mouthed, ‘Grab the moment,’ at him, their little code to reassure each other that the time was now and they had each other’s backs. He nodded and Rosy pointed to a drawer nearby and suggested he went and had a look.
‘Hello, Sylvie, lovely to see you.’ She quickly assessed Sylvie’s face. ‘It’s going to be fine. It’s always such a big day this, and I always think it’s far worse for the mums and dads, but I promise Sam is going to have a fab time. You wait and see.’
‘I’m sure he will, Miss Winter, he seems settled already. I’ll just stay a minute or two and then slide on out.’ She didn’t understand why – she wasn’t normally an overly emotional person – but seeing her son rootling through the classroom drawers, all grown up and in his uniform, was beginning to make her feel a bit tearful.
‘You’re welcome to stay as long as you feel necessary, but you’re right, the quicker they adjust to being independent the better for them. How are you doing, anyway?’ Rosy smiled sympathetically and touched her on the arm. Sylvie, determined not to let the tears well up any further, tightened her lips and nodded in movements she felt were a little too jerky. She remembered how Rosy had come to her mum’s funeral, alongwith a huge number of people from the village, and how much she had appreciated it. She knew her mother would have been so touched and felt very humbled, the turnout being evidence of her popularity amongst all in the community.
‘And are you still teaching?’ Rosy changed the subject quickly.
‘Yes, um… yeah. Still doing the adult self-defence twice a week at Roscarrock leisure centre. And a couple of ballet classes on a Saturday for little ones. Once I’ve got Sam settled though, now Mum is gone, I’m going to see if there’s any way I can do some more, ideally set something up locally in the village, so it’s less of a trek.’
‘That’s a great idea. I’d forgotten you were a professional ballet dancer. The parents here would bite your hand off if they had local access to your talent. If you want, I can hook you up with the head of our PTA. I’m sure she could help drum up some support. I loved doing self-defence with you, you were a natural. But you know, until then, if you do have a few hours spare we’re always looking for parent helpers. Come in and read with the children once we’re all in full-time and settled.’
‘Really? I’d love to do…’
‘Sam! Sam!’ A whirling dervish of black braids and huge pink bags came hurling her way to the jigsaw table. ‘Oh yeah, I knew I was going to like it here! Angileeena said school was boring but sometimes she’s wrong. I’m so pleased you’re here.’ She spoke so rapidly, the words falling over themselves to get out before she threw her whole body into a hug, nearly knocking a beaming Sam to the floor.
No, surely not! She thought they had been on holiday? Whilst half of Sylvie was overjoyed at the look of sheer bliss on Sam’s face, the thought of having to meet Alex again was too mortifying. Especially right this second and with no warning.
Talk of the devil.
‘Oh, wow. Hi. Nice to see you again. Ellie hasn’t stopped talking about Sam.’ And yup, there he was, all six-foot-plus of him, looking absolutely freaking gorgeous, broad shoulders to match his grin. Oh, bloody hell, and – oh, great, yes – now she was blushing too.
‘Oh, do you know each other?’
‘Oh, hi, Rosy, thank you so much for the other night. I’m so glad you talked me around. I think this will be a great fit for Ellie. I can’t thank you enough. And yeah, we met on the beach, didn’t we, Sylvie? It was quite a day.’ The amused lilt in his voice reminded her of Sam’s suggestion.
‘Uh… guh…’ Great – blushing and speechless. Clearly an even better second impression than the first. And the great news was she’d be seeing him every day now, probably twice. Perhaps this afternoon she could tuck her skirt into her knickers and fall over in the playground and make a tit of herself that way – make it a full three strikes!
‘Oh, wow, that’s great. Ellie will have a friend straight away, oops, yes, she certainly has.’ Rosy jumped in to spare her Sylvie’s sudden inability to form words. They all looked over as Ellie was dragging Sam at speed to the water tray, having hurled her bags to the floor. Sylvie tried super-hard to control the strangled sounds that still seemed to be emitting from her throat.
Alex arched an eyebrow at her before he noticed his daughter’s bags on the floor. She wasn’t sure if it was his way of checking if she was all right, or if it was because he was a little freaked out.
‘Oh, I’ll just pick those up. Where should I put them?’ he asked Rosy.
‘Oh no, that’s OK.’ The teacher called across the room, ‘Ellie, in school we put our things on their pegs before we play. Sam might be able to help you. You’ve got a dolphin by your peg.’
‘Thanks, Rosy. Oh, I should call you, what was it? Miss Winter?’ Alex smiled at Rosy and as she started to respond Sylvie looked over at Sam and decided now might be a good time to leave, whilst he was happily occupied with Ellie.
Raising her arm, she waved a high wave. ‘Bye, Sam.’ At least her voice was back. But would it work? Was it really going to be this easy?
Sam glanced up.
‘Bye, Mum, see you in a bit.’ It seemed it was.
She smiled briefly at Alex and Rosy, who were in full stream of chatter about reading levels, and nodded her goodbye.
She couldn’t believe Sam had gone in so smoothly, this was fabulous. She had been dreading him becoming upset. He was so grown up. She gulped. Oh, for goodness’ sake, what was happening to her? This was ridiculous.
She was nearly out the door, fighting for a bit of self-control and reminding herself that there was nothing wrong in being so proud of your son on his first day of school that you got a little choked, when she heard Alex’s voice calling her.
‘Hey, Sylvie. Wait up.’
She blinked her eyes, ready to turn, but something stopped her; she didn’t think she could bear to embarrass herself again. Could she just keep walking and pretend she hadn’t heard? She speeded up. There was only one way to find out.
Chapter Four
