‘Truth. Sweet as she is, it does seem the only thing she can do efficiently.’
‘Ouch! That’s not like you.’
‘Oh, trust me, I’ve had a morning of it. Do you know she emailed the parents’ newsletter to the school nurse, and printed out a hundred copies of Jade James’s medical notesfor the PTA to put in the trays. Then made me a cup of coffee as a peace offering once she heard Sarah from the PTA asking what she should do, but put salt in it by mistake, so we now have a hundred copies of Jade’s confidential notes covered in coffee needing to be shredded, and a dry-cleaning bill for Sarah Sutton’s white dress.’
‘Hahahahaha, brilliant. I mean, oh dear. That’s some morning. Ooh, that reminds me, you’ll never guess what Pippa and I overheard this morning, the juiciest titbit! I know you do the whole disapprove-of-gossip thingbutin your role as head youdoneed to know what’s going on.’
Rosy raised an eyebrow and smirked. ‘In my role as head Ishouldknow what’s happening across the school – go on.’
‘Well, we heard Marion talking to Sarah. Marion was telling her all about her plans.’
‘No, please, not another one! She has been awfully quiet of late. Go on.’
‘She is determined to keep Ellie’s dad in Penmenna, something about cachet, good looks and a media profile. Anyway, apparently she has decided the way to do it is to get him married within the village. The poor man doesn’t stand a chance.’ Lynne’s face was alight with delight.
‘No, she hasn’t! And you’re right, he doesn’t. I feel we should warn him?’
‘You have no duty of care, he’s not a pupil. I say he’s an adult who can sort himself out and you have always refused to get caught up in parent politics.’
‘True.’
‘Apparently, she’s already tried to push Jenny on him but, and I quote – “I did try and guide him Jenny’s way, but he’s a man of such good taste he clearly saw her as a pale imitation.” However, she’s not giving up. She reckons she’ll have him married by next summer!’
‘She probably will. Poor man. You’re right that I shouldn’t get involved, it’s got nothing to do with Penmenna School as such, but thanks for telling me. At least whilst she’s playing Cupid she’s not trying to mess with school policy. Now, let’s talk about you, and mini-you. Tell me all you know!’
‘OK, it’s very early days and I guess most women wouldn’t be telling anyone yet, and you know the history here, Rosy, that is the only reason I’m telling you. I think I’m only about eight weeks, but I did a test last night and have an appointment booked in with the GP this afternoon after class. I’m going to ask for an early pregnancy scan, just to rule out… well, you know, just to make sure everything is OK this time.’
‘Of course. Let me take class this afternoon so you can get off.’
‘Bless you, no. It’s not until five and I want to keep busy so I don’t overthink and start to worry. Let’s just keep everything normal for now. And between us. But obviously if everything is OK then I’m going do my utmost…’
‘Lynne, you don’t need to explain. I will do everything I can to help you. Starting with stopping you doing all of Amanda’s PE work.’
‘I’m sure it will probably be fine, it’s not the nineteenth century. I can probably carry my own shopping as well.’
‘Ha! As if Dave is going to let you do that.’
‘He insisted on carrying my morning tea to the table for me this morning. I mean, I know I should be grateful, and it’s cute and all, but really. And then he stood over me and made me eat porridge. And I found he’d put my Nutella in the bin.’
‘Oh, I think that’s going to get worse. I can’t control what goes on at home but you and I both know working with young kids is hard physical work. The whole point of this new PE curriculum is that it’s very, very physical both for the kids and the staff. I can’t force anything on you but I would feel better knowing you were as protected as you can be. Anyone else who was expecting,then of course PE is fine but Lynne, with your history, if I were to have my way you’d be on bed rest for the next seven months. I’m on Dave’s side, I’m afraid.’
‘I think that’s the first time you and he have agreed on anything,’ Lynne giggled.
‘It’s not my fault he has abominable music taste, but exactly, and Marion Marksharp has rubbed off on me. Don’t think I’ll have any qualms about becoming the next school Machiavelli and finding all sorts of methods of getting my own way on this. It would be so much easier if you just played along.’
‘OK. Although I’d like to point out that in Dave’s defence his medieval music helped bring you and Matt together.’ Her friend sighed and smiled, but Rosy knew her well enough to know that Lynne was relieved to be let off the hook. The loss of her other pregnancies had absolutely devastated Lynne, who had been plunged into a deep depression after the last failed pregnancy a year and a half ago. Dave had proved an enormous support throughout it all and the two had loudly declared that they had made their peace with not being parents and talked hyper-loudly about cruises and sports cars. But it had taken Lynne a long time to recover, to return to her usual zestful self, and Rosy couldn’t blame her for wanting to be cautious this time around.
‘So he may claim. There’s an argument we would have been dating quicker if Matt hadn’t butchered “Greensleeves” in my garden.’ Rosy knew this was utterly untrue but it was fun to tease. There were lots of reasons her and Matt hadn’t got together as quickly as he had wanted and Dave certainly wasn’t one of them. That, Rosy had to take full responsibility for. ‘Anyway, no more PE, I’ll find someone to cover. I understand you don’t want it being public knowledge and I understand why, but how about we let Pippa know? What do you think? Then she can jump in in any class situations that look like they’re going to get tricksy.’
Pippa was the TA for Class One and both Rosy and Lynne trusted her utterly. Teaching young children was not as simple as standing at the front and barking at them, especially the young ones. Most of the time you’d be getting down on the floor with them, and interacting, not just teaching them a love of learning to help shape their whole future school career – for many it was also about teaching behaviour in school, setting firm boundaries and seeing them through. Of course, schools should be a haven of peace and calm, where a tranquil absorption of facts and the ability to critically think took place. But the truth was that every year group would have children who would struggle with this, especially as they were first settling in and usually through no fault of their own. In Rosy’s teaching career she had been kicked, hit, punched, bit, and even walloped with a chair. This was what she was determined Lynne could not engage in. Admittedly, there were fewer of these incidences in Penmenna than some of the schools she had worked in before, and she and Lynne were highly skilled at heading off this sort of behaviour before it escalated but still, she needed to be prepared and protect Lynne at all costs. Pippa needed to be in on that team.
‘I think that may be a good idea. Little Harry has a habit of running into people at full tilt and whilst I think we’ve managed to stop that, it’s early days and he is still very unpredictable. And Ellie, as cute as she is, can be quite tempestuous. I think we may have more to see from her yet.’
‘Right, consider it done. Pippa can ensure you’re good in the classroom, I’ll get cover for the new PE curriculum. Lynne, your news is so amazing. I couldn’t be happier for you. Let me know what the doctor says every step of the way. You’ve got this!’ And standing again she enveloped her friend in another great big hug and pretended to ignore the single tear of relief that trickled down Lynne’s cheek.
Chapter Ten
Sylvie walked back into her mother’s room for one last time. It smelt fresh again and she had managed to condense the things she held most dear into one large box that she could take with her when she actually managed to move out, although that felt like a fast-fading dream at present.
