by Griff Hosker
The weekend flew by and he found himself a little wary and nervous about returning to school on Monday. Should he play ill and get a day off? No. That just delayed the inevitable; better to go in and take his medicine.
Anna arrived bright and early. “Well Wayne all ready?”
“As ready as I ever will be Miss.” They climbed into her car and set off. “Miss, is Michael Roberts back in school?”
She had been dreading the question for she had spoken about it with Dave when they discussed the case at Larpool Hall. “Yes Wayne but he knows he can’t go near you.”
“He wasn’t near me last week but Johnno was. Nana said that they were a big family and a bad lot. Perhaps it would be better if I went to another school. It would cause less trouble.”
“No! Then he would have won.”
“How do I win in all this? The best I can hope for is that I don’t get beaten up on a daily basis if I stay at Spion Kop. There are other schools, St. Hild’s, Dykey, Tunny, Manor. Anyway it’ll only be until mum is better and go back to London.”
Anna was amazed. He had already picked up the slang names for the other schools in the town and even knew which were nearer to his home. “No Wayne Mr Campbell has promised me that you will come to no harm while you are in his school.”
“That’s all right then isn’t it? I just spend the rest of my time in the foster home. There’s a word for that it’s called prison. I am being punished for something Michael Roberts did.”
They had arrived at school and Anna knew that they would have to see the head. “You might have a point Wayne. There’s the head’s car. We’ll go and see him and get this sorted out today.”
Chapter 15
“Wayne thinks he wants to go to another school.”
“What? What’s wrong? Has something happened over the weekend?”
“He thinks something will happen to him, Mr Campbell.”
He leaned over to look at Wayne. “Is that what you think Wayne?”
“Yes Sir. I mean we went to Whitby away from the bullies and they still found me with three teachers looking after just fifteen of us. How will you keep me safe in a school with over a thousand? And Miss Tozer says I will be in ordinary classes. I mean, I am happy about being in the classes but Michael has a lot of friends.”
The head spread his hands in an exasperated gesture. “What should I do? Expel Michael?”
“You can’t do that can you? In hackney I can’t remember any body being expelled and they were much worse behaved than in Spion Kop. Besides that would make it worse, his mates would blame me and I would get hurt. I have thought it through Sir. It is the only solution.”
Dave slumped dejectedly in his chair; in many ways the boy was right but he felt angry with himself and his staff. He felt like a failure. “So you don’t like it here?”
“I love it. One or two teachers apart, it is the best school I have ever been to and you have some really nice kids. But if I stay I will only end up causing trouble or getting hurt or both.”
The head wandered over to a filter coffee machine. “Drink either of you…?”
“I’ll have a black coffee Dave.”
Wayne shook his head.
“I can’t say I’m not disappointed because I am but if you are decided then I won’t stand in your way. It will take at least ten days for the paper work to go through.” Wayne looked at Anna who nodded. “I’ll get in touch with the other heads and set up a new place for you but, for me, just try and stick it out this week and then on Friday when nothing bad has happened…”
“If nothing bad has happened Sir.”
“When nothing bad has happened you can have this same conversation with me and start a new school next week. How’s that?”
“Okay Sir.”
The head put out his hand, “It’s a deal then?”
Smiling he said, “It’s a deal and I hope you are right or I’ll be the one paying the price.”
The comment hit Dave in the pit of the stomach. It was as though Wayne had struck him. It would be a test of the school, its values and, most importantly, his leadership. “Are you going up to the library then?”
“Yes Sir. The school is almost empty and I saw Mrs Macmillan’s car in the car park.”
When he had left Dave turned to Anna. “He constantly surprises you that one.”
“He is right though isn’t he? You can’t protect him.”
“Actually I think I can. I think I have got a staff that would be so angry if they thought a vulnerable child; a child at risk had to leave because of our failures. I will talk to them during briefing.”
Anna shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “One of the things one of my other cases mentioned to me about Spion Kop was the briefing session. Do all the staff attend the briefing?”
“Yes.”
“Well anarchy apparently rules the corridors. If there are no staff, then the more boisterous ones run around.” The head looked shocked. “Sorry Dave but the kids talk to me in confidence and they tend to tell me the truth. It could well be that Wayne suffers while you are making plans to prevent him suffering.”
“Well you are bringing me a bag full of problems this morning aren’t you?” She shrugged. “I will talk to the staff and while I am doing so my leadership team can patrol the corridors. Good enough?”
“Good enough but I think I will stay in the library with Wayne. No offence but I am not taking any chances. “
Although Dave was angry he did not show it, merely nodded.
“… so, I want everyone on their toes this week. Not just in Wayne’s classes, although it goes without saying that they are crucial, but in every lesson. I want you all on duty in the right place at the right time. I want you all at your classroom before the children arrive and if you have to travel between classrooms then the head of department should ensure that there is order not anarchy. I want the young people supervising in all the public places. I want there to be nowhere for any child to get hurt.” Anna’s words had struck a nerve and, once they had got through this week, he intended to have a serious review of the systems they had in place. “Finally this is a measure of us as a school; how far we have come. Ask yourself, as I have, the question, ‘Can we keep a child safe?’ If we can’t then we all ought to look for other jobs.”
Although there were some sour faces as they left, notably from the Tony Lancaster led group of teachers; the ones who wanted it the way it was- cane and silence, the majority had a positive and determined look. Wayne Johnson had been a wake up call for the school and as such Dave Campbell would do all in his power to protect the boy; partly because he wanted to prove to the world that his systems worked but mainly because the child deserved it.
Craig was impressed by the improvement in Wayne’s abilities at chess. “You have really come on in the past week. Have you been practising?”
Wayne grinned a little bit,” and I have just ordered myself a new chess set. Soldiers from France and Britain.”
“The Napoleonic one.”
“Yeah.”
“Cool. I’d love that one. Would it be all right if I came around for a game?”
“”I’ll have to ask Mrs Woodward but yes.”
“Tell you what, there is a competition at the Sixth Form in a couple of weeks. Why don’t you enter it? I intend to.”
“I dunno besides I might be at another school by then.”
Craig looked disappointed. “Another school? Why?”
“It’s complicated. I can’t really say.”
They played for a while and then Craig said, “Well it doesn’t matter which school you are at. The competition is for all students from Hartlepool schools so you could still play.”
“I suppose.” Just then the bell went.
Craig called over to Mrs Macmillan who was talking to Anna, “Can we leave it set up Miss? We’ll finish it at break.”
“Very well but don’t blame me if any pieces are moved. I can’t watch it all morning.” The two boys l
eft. She turned to Anna. “He is fitting in very well you know. He is bright, he loves books and enjoys the mundane jobs like tidying shelves and putting them in the right order. And the other librarians like him. Craig was a lonely Y9 until Wayne came along. He had had a little bullying, not in Wayne’s league of course, but enough that he stayed off a little more than usual. Since Wayne has been here his attendance has improved and he looks, well happier.”
“I know. When I visited them at Larpool the staff told me how much he fitted in there too. I understand Dave’s problems. He is between a rock and a hard place. If Wayne does manage to stay here it will be nothing short of a miracle. He is a very determined young man and has become more so in the last week.”
Wayne spent his first morning in Mr Campbell’s outer office, not for protection but sitting the latest battery of SATS. Ros Jarvis had said that it was the best way to test his ability. They had the mark schemes and, although they had been set for Y6 students, they would give a better picture of his true ability. Wayne found it quite easy and quite peaceful. He had no distractions, he had plenty of time and every time he looked up the head’s secretary, Caroline gave him an enormous smile.
At lunchtime, as he ate in the unit, for Mrs Macmillan did not allow food near her books, Mrs Harper asked him about the tests.
“Don’t you mind having to take them again?”
He shrugged, “I only took half of them last time , the teachers weren’t that interested in me and my mind wasn’t on them. Mum wasn’t well. It’s like being given a second chance.”
Stephen, as usual, had finished eating first. “I didn’t do very well the first time but I don’t want a second chance. I hate tests.”
Wayne looked at Mrs Harper and shrugged. “I don’t mind them.”
When Anna took him home that night she asked how he thought he had done. “I seemed to know most of the answers but it doesn’t mean I‘ll have got them right does it? But they did tire me out.”
“Anna change of mind about the school yet?”
“Couldn’t judge today. I never went near anyone. Tomorrow will be different.” He looked at her meaningfully, “It’s PE tomorrow.”
“Oh.”
As soon as he went in he ran up to Mrs Woodward. “Any parcels?”
“Sorry Wayne luv no, but tomorrow, like I said.”
“Mrs Woodward?”
“When I get my new chess set can one of the lads from school come here and play a game with me. He’s a really nice lad, he’s a librarian.”
“It’s your home pet. You invite any friends you like. Just not too many at once.”
“I only have two friends so that won’t be a problem.”
PE wasn’t until the afternoon and, until his tests had been marked, he was still in the same classes. Mr Lancaster was back to his obnoxious self. In fact, Wayne thought, even worse in his attitude towards Wayne. He kept making sarcastic comments throughout the lesson.
“I suppose I had better give a merit to keep everyone happy.”
“Oh sorry did I speak a little too loudly there. Did I nearly upset a sensitive someone?” The comments were all obviously aimed at Wayne.
Wayne just tuned him out and concentrated on the maths. He was finding the maths much easier and he was racing through the work. Not that he would have been able to, but he didn’t even need to ask a question. He wondered if the chess was helping him. Certainly he understood how to read and use the notations on the chess board. Whatever the reason maths was a lot easier.
No matter how well he was doing in the lessons he still had the spectre that was PE looming large. He still had the Michael Roberts and his cronies’ problem to deal with. He still had Mr Jennings, whom he assumed had got into trouble from Mr Campbell to deal with. Whichever way you looked at it, it wasn’t going to be fun.
As he lined up outside he was gratified to see not only Mr Jennings there but Miss Welsh the head of PE. Although they didn’t look in his direction he knew that he was their focus. Michael Roberts and his friends were right at the front and Wayne was grateful that Stephen was standing behind him, giving him a little protection at least. The other boys were somewhat confused by this new regime. They were walked into the changing rooms and Mr Jennings stood by the door while they did so.
“Michael ventured, “Football Sir?”
“Not today.”
“One of his mates, Spud, a very tall boy said cheerfully, “Great is it basketball in the gym then Sir?” Mr Jennings shook his head.
They were all confused now. The only sports they ever did from September to April were basketball or football. “We are going to do some running. A little cross country. There is a town cross country race and we are going to hold trials.”
A lone voice cried out, “Why don’t you just pick ‘em like you usually do? It’s how most of the teams are picked.”
Ignoring the jibe he added, “And Miss Welsh is going to accompany us as we will be off site.”
They all looked at each other the day was getting stranger and stranger. They never went off site and Miss Welsh was a serious triathlete as well as being the most feared member of the PE staff. Michael and his mafia glared daggers at Wayne who just winced in the anticipation of the pain which he knew would inevitably follow. His decision to change schools was the right one.
When they arrived at the field Miss Welsh was ready with her red AAA tracksuit top and serious looking trainers. Her reputation was such that none of the boys dared chance a comment. “Right lads we’re running up past Steetley’s and down onto the beach. Should be a good test of stamina.” She pointed to Mrs Robinson. Mrs Robinson won’t be running with us but she will record the time of the first past here.” She paused significantly, “when we have completed each lap.”
Michael went white and then red. Unable to contain himself he burst out, “You’re having a laugh, aren’t you?”
“Having a laugh…?”
“Miss.”
“That’s better.” She went close to him and lowered her voice. “No Michael I am not having a laugh and if you try to be cheeky with me you will see just how unpleasant I can be. Now move!”
They set off, Miss Welsh at the front. More to protect himself, especially with the beach and water coming up, Wayne ran next to Miss Welsh. When she felt him come next to her she lengthened her stride. Wayne matched her by running quicker. Soon they were a good forty metres in front of the rest. She slowed down but Wayne edged ahead of her; he was really enjoying the activity. It was like chess for the legs. You had to plan where to put your feet, your route and your speed. The head of girl’s PE soon caught up with him and resigned herself to leading for the rest of the run. Wayne, however, kept on pushing ahead and Miss Welsh became alarmed. She had omitted to mark the route so confident was she that she would be leading up to the turn. “Wayne, we are turning at that big rock and then running back along the beach to the school.”
“Right Miss,” he said cheerfully and once again began to run away from her. Going up the sand dunes he began to extend his lead as his low centre of gravity and shorter stride helped him.
As he turned after the first lap Mrs Robinson gave him a wave and a cheerful, “Go on son. You show ‘em.” He noticed Mr Campbell who nodded a greeting. Miss Welsh grimaced as she passed and then put on a spurt to overtake Wayne.
To Wayne’s delight, as they ran back on to the beach, he saw Spud labouring at the back along with two others who had beaten him up. He increased his speed and he and the PE teacher overtook them and began to plough their way through the field. Glancing at her watch Miss Welsh said to Wayne,” When we get to Mrs Robinson you can stop.”
“Do we have to Miss?”
Grinning she said, “Yes son. It is nearly the end of the school day.”
As they ran up to the head and Mrs Robinson, finishing the second lap, Wayne could see both teachers grinning and glancing at the stopwatch. Miss Welsh was breathing normally but Wayne knew he had had a good run. She put her arm around Wa
yne’s shoulder. “Well headmaster I think we have the first member of the under 14 cross country team.”
Just then the next few boys struggled in breathing heavily. Dave said, “I think so Miss Welsh, I think so.”
Anna was waiting nervously for Wayne as the school day had ended ten minutes earlier. It was a PE day and she dreaded what might have happened. It was with some relief that she saw him walk into the entrance hall with Mr Campbell and they were both smiling.
“Sorry we are late Miss Allen.”
“Is there a problem?” She scanned every inch of Wayne to detect an injury.
“Problem? No. Young Wayne here just made the school cross country team and gave Miss Welsh a really good work out. I think we can say it has been a good day eh Wayne?”
“Yes Sir,” he paused, “my tests marked yet Sir?”
“Yes, Wayne if you come to my office when you arrive tomorrow I will give you the results and tell you,” he added, “which sets you will be in.”
“I did better then Sir?”
“Oh yes you did better Wayne but we’ll discus that in the morning.”
Once in the car Anna looked at Wayne. “Are you happy about being in the cross country team?”
“Oh yes Miss. I love running.” He gave her a superior smile and went on, “I beat them all but I absolutely hammered Roberts and his gang. I was getting showered by the time they had finished.” He knew he might pay for his victory but it was worth it just to prove to the bully that he was better than him at least one sport.
Had he been a fly on the wall of the changing room he might have felt even better. Mr Jennings had Michael and the rest of the bullies sat sullenly before him. “How did it feel to trail in so far behind the boy you beat up Michael?”
Ignoring the question he said sulkily, “I did my suspension. It’s supposed to be over. The governor’s and Willy… Mr Campbell said I was to have a clean start.”
“You are having a clean start. I am asking you, as captain of the Y8 football team what it felt like losing to Wayne Johnson?”