A Song in the Night

by Julie Maria Peace

  Ed shook his head. “She’s fast on, bless her. That massage thing must have done somethin’. She’s not been sleepin’ right for months. This must be the latest she’s stayed in bed for as long as I can remember. She wanted to get up and see you off this morning, but I thought I’d leave her asleep. You don’t mind, I hope?”

  Rosie smiled. “Not at all. I’ll catch up with her later. I’ll have more to tell her then.”

  At quarter to eight, Rosie found herself standing outside Saint Edwin’s. Five minutes later, a silver BMW drew up at the side of the road. The driver opened the electric window.

  “Rosie Maconochie? I’m Bev Carradine – Paddock Hill Primary.” The woman looked to be in her early fifties, smartly dressed with short, well-cut dark hair.

  Rosie presented her best smile as she opened the passenger door. Suddenly, she felt nervous.

  The older woman extended a hand and Rosie shook it. “We can have a little chat as we drive, Rosie,” Bev said cheerfully, pulling out onto the road. “Tell me about yourself.”

  Rosie told her about her work at the nursery and the qualifications she’d obtained whilst working there.

  “What made you decide to move up to Yorkshire?”

  Rosie could tell from the innocence of Bev’s tone that Paulette Sharp had not filled her in with any of the details about Beth. She explained the situation as briefly as she could. “It seemed the best thing to do,” she concluded. “To be near my brother while he gets over things. Besides, I was getting ready for a change.” She decided not to mention the fact that just before her move she’d felt close to cracking up, and that Cassie’s invitation had been something of a lifesaver.

  Bev was sympathetic. “I’m sorry to hear that, Rosie. It’s very sad with someone so young.”

  An awkward silence filled the car for a moment or two. Rosie decided to change the subject. “I hope your member of staff’s recovering from their accident?”

  Bev groaned. “Yes. Yes, she is. But it’s going to be a while before she’s fit for very much. Parachute jump … need I say more?”

  Rosie winced. “Ouch. She’ll make a full recovery, I hope?”

  Bev nodded with a smile. “Oh yes. You can’t keep a good woman down. Lydia always manages to bounce back.”

  Rosie suspected this wasn’t the first of Lydia’s mishaps. “Pity she didn’t manage to bounce on this occasion, eh? She’d have saved herself a few broken bones.”

  Bev threw her head back and laughed. “Good one, Rosie.”

  The atmosphere was relaxed as they travelled the rest of the way. Bev explained the situation in Helen Walker’s class. “It’s a Year Three group – a class of twenty-four. Unusual in a village school. Our class sizes are generally smaller. Must have been something in the water the year that little lot came along.”

  Rosie smiled to herself. She was already warming to Bev Carradine.

  “Anyway,” Bev continued, “as if that wasn’t bad enough, we have a new child in class that needs more or less constant supervision.”

  “Statemented?” Rosie interjected.

  Bev shook her head. “No. Apparently she was fine at her last school. But her parents recently divorced. Six weeks ago the mother moved up here with her new partner and it seems the child has been very unsettled since. Refusing to talk, bouts of crying, a couple of aggressive behaviour incidents – one day she even tried to run away from school. Since that episode, Lydia Vardy hasn’t let her out of her sight. Until now of course, with the accident and everything. Poor old Helen Walker’s had an awful time of it this week. I’ve had to move one of our volunteer parent helpers into that class. But she can’t be there full time. It’s a difficult situation.”

  Rosie nodded. It certainly sounded it. But it sounded like a challenge too. She’d spent the last few years playworking with preschoolers and caring for little babies. It had been fun, but she was ready for something new. And as Bev pulled into her parking spot at the front of Paddock Hill Primary, Rosie knew she wanted this job very much.

  Bev called Helen Walker into her office to meet Rosie. As Bev made coffee for the three of them, Helen and Rosie chatted together, covering much the same ground as had been discussed in the car. At just before half past eight, Rosie noticed the other two women exchange glances as if in a secret understanding. Then Bev leaned forward at her desk. “If you’ve nothing else arranged, Rosie, how would you like to spend some time in Helen’s class this morning? Just sit in and observe for a while. It might give you a better feel of the place – help you get to know the children a bit. Perhaps let you see what you’d be letting yourself in for if you join us.”

  Inwardly Rosie glowed. This was looking positive. “Thanks. I’d like that very much.”

  Bev gave a satisfied smile. “Good. That’s settled then. Registration’s at eight forty-five. We don’t have assembly until after lunch on Thursdays, so Helen will be getting straight into teaching this morning.” She checked her watch. “Eight thirty – go to it, ladies!”

  Rosie took a seat in a back corner of the classroom. It wasn’t long before earlycomers began to drift in. Some of the boys eyed her with slight suspicion, discussing the intruder in low, conspiratorial whispers as they made their way to a small cloakroom which adjoined the front end of the classroom. The girls seemed a little more welcoming. Some of them viewed her with wide, curious eyes, while others smiled at her shyly. Rosie found the experience rather amusing, if slightly disconcerting. These children might only be seven or eight, but they were a whole lot different from the age group she was used to working with. She was glad when Helen called the class to attention.

  “Right, Class Three! This morning we have a visitor. She’s going to be spending some time with us and watching how well we do our work. So I want you all to try very hard to show her what a lovely class we have here. Now we’re going to say good morning to her. Her name is Miss Maconochie.” Helen flashed a quick grin at Rosie, then signalled the children to stand to their feet.

  “G-o-o-d m-o-r-n-i-n-g, M-i-s-s M-a-c-o-n-o-c-h-i-e!” Their slow, singsong voices made Rosie smile. But she was impressed that they’d actually managed to get their tongues around her name. That had to be a good start. She stood to her feet and greeted them in return.

  The day began with Literacy Hour. As Helen taught the first part of the lesson from the front, Rosie discreetly looked round at the children. So far, there was no obvious indication of the problem child. She suspected one or two of the boys might be a handful, but Helen didn’t let situations develop. At one point, she stopped teaching and turned to a chubby boy with sandy hair. “Josh – I was hoping we might have a better day than yesterday. Now I won’t have you spoiling lessons for everyone else. If I have to tell you off again, I’ll send you to Mrs Carradine.” There wasn’t another murmur from Josh for the rest of the morning.

  After Literacy came Science. Helen invited Rosie to walk about the classroom and look at the models the children had been making. It was on her way round that Rosie spotted a small, pale-faced girl who seemed very much cut off from the children around her. Rosie stopped at her table and smiled. “Is this your model? It’s very good.”

  The child stared up at her, and Rosie couldn’t help noticing a dark emptiness in her eyes. The chair next to the little girl was vacant so she sat down at her side. Suddenly there was no doubt in her mind that this was the pupil causing much concern in Helen’s class right now. But she could see that helping her wasn’t going to be an easy task; in the half-hour that followed, not a single word passed the child’s lips. The other children on the table came to Rosie’s rescue, chattering enthusiastically and showing off their models with pride. By breaktime, Rosie felt as though she’d been accepted. But she was also beginning to recognise the challenge ahead of her. This little girl was going to be a hard nut to crack.

  When the bell went, the children filed out of the classroom and disappeared into the playground. All except for one. Helen came over to Rosie. “Well sussed,” she sa
id in a low voice. “Thanks for watching her.” Then in a louder tone she added, “Miss Maconochie – this is Molly.”

  Rosie put a hand gently on Molly’s shoulder. “Hello, Molly. We’ve been getting to know each other already, haven’t we?”

  The little girl flinched slightly. Helen shot Rosie a sympathetic glance. It was then that Bev Carradine appeared in the doorway. “Coming to the staffroom for a drink, Rosie?”

  Helen nodded encouragingly. “You go. I’ll stay here and keep an eye on her. One of the staff will bring me a drink in a bit.”

  As they walked along the corridor, Bev enquired as to how the morning had gone. Rosie said it had gone well, but she could understand the problems they were having with Molly.

  “So …” Bev asked as they entered the staffroom, “d’you think you can help us out?”

  Rosie felt confident that she could.

  “Well, there’s one thing, Rosie –” Bev’s voice was cheerful as she flicked on the kettle and pulled two mugs from a rack. “We break up tomorrow for Easter. That would give you two weeks’ grace before we throw you in.”

  Rosie grinned. “Sounds good to me.”

  The staffroom was already half full and buzzing with conversation. There were various nods and smiles in Rosie’s direction. It felt like a friendly place. At that moment, the door swung open again and laughing voices made Rosie spin round.

  “Oh dear,” Bev groaned in mock despair. “Our fragile peace is shattered.”

  But Rosie was completely shocked. “Jonathon …!”

  The grin on Jonathon’s face turned to a look of astonishment. “Rosie? What on earth are you doing here?”

  Chapter 25

  “So … you two know each other then?” Bev didn’t try to hide her surprise as she looked from one to the other. Rosie was too taken aback to reply. She felt her face colouring up and wanted to kick herself. Her cheeks burned hot as though in silent admission of some secret guilt. Why did he have this ridiculous effect on her?

  Thankfully, Jonathon came to the rescue. “We met just before Christmas. But I’ve had connections with Rosie’s family for years – through church.” He smiled at Rosie, his blue eyes filled with an expression she couldn’t quite fathom. She rolled his words around in her mind. Rosie’s family … it sounded strange to her ears. Perhaps this was the first time she’d heard the two words together in the same sentence. She shot him a grateful smile and lowered her head, willing her face to cool down.

  “Rosie’s come to see if she can help us out in Helen’s class.” Bev spoke matter-of-factly as she turned back to the task of making coffee.

  “Excellent!” Jonathon sounded genuinely pleased at the disclosure. “She’d be ideal for it.”

  But Rosie suddenly had doubts. Hadn’t Jonathon blanked her last two e-mails? Short of some technological explanation, his behaviour didn’t make sense. And now here she was, about to take up a job in the same school as him. Uncomfortable seemed an understatement.

  At that moment the door opened again and one of the receptionists came over with a message for Bev. Bev turned to Rosie apologetically. “Sorry, Rosie. I’m wanted on the phone by someone from the LEA. Will you be alright for a few minutes?”

  Before Rosie had time to respond, Jonathon interjected. “I’ll look after her. We’ve some catching up to do anyway.”

  Bev threw Rosie a wry smile as she turned to the door. “I can always rely on Mr Kirkbride. One of my most dedicated teachers.”

  They moved to a corner of the staffroom and sat down. Jonathon leaned forward and spoke in a low voice. “I need to say sorry, Rosie – for not getting back to you.”

  Rosie shrugged. “No worries.” Despite her best efforts to appear cool about it, she felt a sudden awkwardness. “I don’t have to take the job. Nothing’s been decided yet.”

  Jonathon frowned. “Why, don’t you want it? It’s a good school, Rosie. You’d be happy here, I’m sure.”

  “No, it’s not that. It’s just that –” She broke off, her face beginning to redden again. “I had no idea you worked here. I’d have probably thought twice about coming today if I’d known.”

  Jonathon frowned again, a half-smile playing around his mouth. “Am I that bad?”

  Inwardly Rosie groaned. This was all coming out wrong. “No … that’s not what I meant.” Swallowing her pride, she went straight to the point. “I was beginning to think you weren’t talking to me. I wondered if I’d managed to upset you or something.” She gave a slight laugh to hide her embarrassment.

  Jonathon nodded slowly. “I really am sorry, Rosie. Believe it or not, I was actually going to get in touch with you this evening.”

  If it had been anyone else, Rosie knew she wouldn’t have believed it. But somehow, she found it hard to imagine that Jonathon would lie to her.

  “I’ve had an awful lot on … and I don’t just mean school work.” He grinned and rolled his eyes theatrically.

  Rosie understood that she was meant to read between the lines. “Not woman trouble, I hope?”

  He smiled evasively. “You could say that.”

  “All sorted now?” She tried to sound bright, but it was strangely difficult.

  “Getting there. Lauren’s staying up in Durham till Thursday, so I’m going to see her this weekend.”

  Rosie did her best to ignore the disconcerting feelings of disappointment that were pricking her mind. “Taking her Easter egg, eh?”

  Jonathon smiled but said nothing. It was an awkward moment and Rosie was horrified to feel her cheeks beginning to tingle with heat again. Before she could think of anything to change the subject, the door opened and Bev walked back in. She quickly bent her face towards Jonathon. “So you’ve no objections if I take the job then?”

  “Rosie, I’ll object very strongly if you don’t.”

  She smiled gratefully and stood to her feet. “I’ll see you later.”

  The rest of the morning passed uneventfully and by the time Bev invited Rosie into her office at lunchtime, both sides knew that she was right for the position.

  “Are you okay for this afternoon?” Rosie was ready to offer her services.

  Bev nodded. “We’ve a parent volunteer covering for this afternoon and all of tomorrow, Rosie. But we’ll start you straight after the holidays. We should have got your CRB clearance through by then.”

  Back at Oak Lodge, Cassie was delighted with the news. “That’ll put you on nicely for now, love. You never know – if they like you, you might find yourself with something permanent.”

  And later that night, there was a message from Jonathon.

  Hi Rosie –

  Welcome to the team! I talked briefly with Bev this afternoon and she was pretty chuffed with you. Needless to say, I dropped in a few good words on your behalf …! You’ll enjoy your time at Paddock Hill – we’re like a big family. The kids are great and we have some really decent staff. I’m sure you’re gonna fit in well. Bev says you’re starting after Easter. You can travel in with me if you’d like to – and home again of course.

  Good on you for coming up here, Rosie. It was a brave move, but you’ve done the right thing (even if it means you get to be pestered by me every day).

  Probably won’t see you till I get back from Durham, but feel free to e-mail. I promise I’ll get back to you.

  Luv Jonathon.

  Rosie shook her head and smiled sadly to herself. A brave move? Yeah, right. She scanned through the e-mail again. There was nothing she particularly needed to reply to, and somehow the word ‘Durham’ seemed to dry up any inspiration she might otherwise have felt. She shut the laptop down and got ready for bed. Two weeks until she was due to start work. What on earth would she do with herself until then?

  The next few days passed slowly. Over the course of the weekend, both of Beth’s brothers called at Oak Lodge with their families. Everyone seemed genuinely happy at Rosie’s decision to move north. Meg and Tammy made no secret of their approval.

  “Does that mea
n you’ll stay here forever, Rosie?” Tammy’s eyes were wide with expectancy.

  “Course she will, silly,” Meg jumped in. “Grandma’s adopted her now – haven’t you, Grandma?”

  Feeling slightly embarrassed, Rosie shot Cassie a glance.

  Cassie smiled reassuringly. “Rosie knows she can stay here as long as she wants to, sweetheart. She and Uncle Ciaran are part of the family – this is their home. And we’re all glad they’re here, aren’t we?”

  The children nodded enthusiastically in reply, and Rosie felt an enormous sense of relief. Rosie’s family. Jonathon’s words came back to her. Rosie’s family … . What a warmth there was in those few, small syllables.

  Later on, she thought about her brother shut away in his room, locked in his own devastating grief. Did he realise he’d been ‘adopted’? Did he know how much Beth’s family cared for him, for both of them? She doubted it. Yet suddenly, she very much wanted him to know. Making her way down the landing to his room, she was surprised to hear the sound of a violin playing. Knocking softly at his door, she half wondered if he would answer and was pleased when he opened it. He motioned her to enter, then closed the door after her. She noticed he had put his violin and bow on the bed.

  “Heard you playing, Kitch.”

  Collapsing into a chair, Ciaran threw back his head and stared at the ceiling. “Playing?” He spat the word with frustration. “That wasn’t playing. I can hardly get a decent note out of it. Everything’s discordant –” His voice tailed off, full of quiet despair.

  Rosie eyed him with concern. There was something wild about his appearance these days. His dark, curly hair fell almost to his shoulders now, and there was a haunted agony in his handsome features that worried her. She went over to the bed and picked up the instrument. “Course you can, Kitch. Come on. Play something – anything.”

  But Ciaran shook his head. “No. It’s over, Rosie.” He clenched his fists as he spoke. “When she went, the music went with her. I don’t care if I never play again.”