Taking Charge

by Bridgitte Lesley

  “This is what I need. A nice cuddle.” Joy smiled as he put his arms around her and pulled her to his body. He looked down.

  “And tomorrow is a big day for you.” Joy looked up and kissed Jordan.

  “It is the make and break. Tomorrow is my only chance to win them over. They are all going to be shocked. It is going to be a bit of an eye opener for some.” Jordan smiled.

  “And what is the strategy. Don’t they have assembly on a Monday morning?”

  “They do. And the minute they have done what they do then I will be on that stage.”

  “And what will you be wearing?” Joy chuckled.

  “Oh I go suited up. You won’t recognize me.” Jordan chuckled as he held Joy in his arms.

  “So today a biker. Tomorrow a lady.”

  “Exactly that. Face and all.” Jordan looked at Joy and smiled.

  “You don’t need make up. You are beautiful without.” Joy smiled and looked at Jordan.

  “This is not like me. Not at all. Jordan there is something about you.” Jordan smiled.

  “And you. You have turned my world upside down.” Joy smiled. He pulled her closer to his body and leaned down and kissed Joy.

  “Once you get to know everyone there will be rumors about me. And you will wonder if I am the same man.”

  “Good or bad? These rumors.” Jordan chuckled.

  “I will leave it up to the gossips. No. Nothing bad at all. All good for sure.” Joy smiled.

  “You need an early night. I can see you are tired.” Jordan smiled.

  “I am so tired because this has been the longest day in my life. I wanted to come up here the whole time.” Joy chuckled.

  “Must be the Banana loaf.” Jordan smiled.

  “This is the first time I have had anyone here. Ever. No one has ever made me a meal in my kitchen. No one has ever baked for me.” Joy smiled.

  “Get used to it.” Jordan nodded.

  “I like this.” Joy nodded.

  “I do too.” Jordan smiled and Joy looked at him.

  “Take a seat.” Jordan took a seat and took his coffee. He sighed. Joy sat next to him and he pulled her into his arms.

  “An early night for you young lady. Big day tomorrow.” Joy nodded.

  “Go and have a nice soak in the bath and hop straight in to bed.” Joy smiled. She kissed Jordan and got up and walked down the passage.

  Jordan smiled. It was so nice to come home to someone. Not just anyone. But someone who was concerned. Someone who took an interest in him. Jordan smiled as he lay on the couch and took his shoes off. He listened as she ran her bath water. He closed his eyes and smiled. He felt his jeans straining and he suddenly sat up. That was the first time that he had ever felt himself come alive just by thinking of someone. He lay and listened. He couldn’t hear a thing through the walls. But he could imagine her getting out of the bath and getting dressed. Jordan took a deep breath. Joy came through dressed in her pajamas. It was a nice warm pair of pajamas with a pair of pants and a top.

  “And are you ready for bed?” Jordan got up and nodded.

  “I think I am.” Joy smiled.

  “Do you shower or bath before you go to bed?” Jordan smiled.

  “Generally I shower. But sometimes I soak.” Joy smiled.

  “I am going to turn in as well. Sleep tight.” Jordan smiled and pulled her in to his arms. He held her body against his.

  “And sleep tight you too.” Joy smiled and kissed Jordan.

  “See you in the morning. I might be very early and miss you. Where do I find the key for the back door?” Jordan pointed.

  “The one with the red tag.” Joy smiled and nodded.

  “Remember. It will be open when you get downstairs.” Jordan smiled and nodded. He kissed her and held her in his arms.

  “Have a lovely day tomorrow.” Joy smiled.

  “And you.” He let her go and she walked down the passage.

  Joy hopped in to bed. She felt tired but she lay in the bed for hours. She could not get to sleep. She tossed and turned. All she could think of was Jordan. And when she had heard the water when he was in the shower her whole body reacted. She imagined Jordan standing in the shower with the water cascading down and over his body. Joy punched the pillows and closed her eyes. She got out of the bed and walked over to the door and opened it up. She walked to the kitchen and took a glass of water and stood at the sink. She put her glass down and put her hands on the sink and held her head over the basin.

  “You okay?” Joy whipped around and looked at Jordan. Joy nodded and looked at her feet.

  “What is bothering you?” Joy looked up and sighed.

  “You.” Jordan stepped closer and took her in to his arms. He leaned down and kissed Joy. He took possession of her mouth and kissed her properly. Joy’s hands worked their way up to his neck as she pulled him closer. Jordan put his hand beneath her top and held her back. He pulled her closer. They slowly pulled apart. Joy smiled.

  “Wow!” Jordan ginned and nodded.

  “You can say that again.” Joy smiled.

  Jordan looked at Joy. He pulled his fingers through her hair.

  “Joy.” She smiled.

  “I am fine. Honest.” Jordan nodded.

  “Tossing and turning. Joy?” She nodded.

  “Nerves. I think.” Jordan nodded and smiled.

  “I wanted to do things differently. I wanted to be organized. I wanted to surprise them. This is all just so rushed.”

  “Well then you go in there tomorrow and plod for the week. Do the things you want and get organized.”

  “But they are expecting something.”

  “They don’t know what to expect. So go in there and get organized. Do this properly. Don’t rush in to anything. This is very important.” Joy nodded and whispered.

  “Thanks.” Jordan smiled.

  “Now go and put that head down and sleep.” Joy nodded and walked to the bedroom.

  Joy hopped in to bed. She put her head on the pillow and fell asleep. Jordan got in to bed. He smiled and closed his eyes. He needed to hold Joy. He sighed and smiled as he drifted off to sleep.

  CHAPTER 6

  Joy got up early. She dressed in her suit and sat in front of the mirror and applied her make up. She put all her paperwork in her briefcase. Joy sighed. She was ready. She looked the part in her suit and her heels. She quietly walked over to the keys. The key with the red tag was missing. She smiled to herself. Jordan had probably opened the door for her. Joy walked down the stairs and walked to the back door. Jordan smiled as he opened the door. Joy smiled.

  “Oh Jordan.” He gently kissed her.

  “And this is your lunch.” She smiled as she took her lunch box.

  “See you later. Take it easy today. You look beautiful!” Joy smiled and sighed.

  “My nerves are shot.” Jordan kissed her.

  “Relax.” Joy nodded and smiled as she walked out. She turned and smiled.

  “Oh Jordan.” He smiled and blew a kiss at Joy. She smiled and walked to her van. Jordan had reversed her van out and turned it so that she climbed straight in.

  Joy headed for school. She walked through to her office. The reception desk was empty. She could hear the teachers in the staff room. She put her briefcase on her desk and looked around. She looked at the time. Assembly should have started. It was already time. She walked out. She walked to the staff room and looked around.

  “And what time do you start work then?” Everyone stood up and stared at Joy.

  “What time would that be then?”

  Thomas roared with laughter.

  “Oh what? You a wanna be teeny boy?” Thomas shook his head. He pointed at her hair.

  “What? You had a dare. Well they sure as heck won.” Joy waited.

  “And you are?”

  “Thomas.”

  “Thomas who?”

  “Thomas Carter.” Joy nodded.

  “I would take that as a Mister Carter then?” Thomas grinned.

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sp; “Yes Ma’am.” Joy looked at everyone.

  “And you are?”

  “Wayne Reid Ma’am.”

  “And you?”

  “Paul Green at your service. How can we help young lady. I know just what you need. I can sure as heck help.” Joy looked at him and looked at the woman who was giggling.

  “Penny Rose.” Joy smiled and looked from Penny to Thomas.

  “Going to miss the assembly. Best you move.” Thomas roared with laughter.

  “No need. Someone has it covered.” Joy nodded.

  “You don’t seem to understand Mister Carter. You. And each of you better be in that hall in the next five minutes. Or your jobs will be terminated within the next five minutes. Do you get my drift?” They all stared at her as she walked out of the staff room and made her way to the assembly.

  Paul groaned.

  “Oh my gosh! That is our new Principal!” Wayne stared at Penny with huge eyes.

  “Scramble. Back route!” They literally sprinted. Penny grabbed her shoes and sprinted with the men. They reached the assembly hall and slowly walked inside and took their places.

  The assembly was noisy. The pupils seemed to chat and talk while the teacher stood on stage. Joy walked to the door and looked around. The teacher stepped off of the stage. Joy put her fingers to her mouth and let out the loudest whistle. It was suddenly quiet as Joy walked down the center of the hall. She walked up to the stage and looked around.

  “In future. On a Monday. This is how it is going to be. You will keep quiet. And you will behave.” One of the boys let out a loud rip roaring laugh.

  “Stand up young man.” He quietly stood up.

  “And your name is?”

  “Barry Gibb.”

  “Barry Gibb, Ma’am.”

  “Barry Gibb, Ma’am.” Everyone looked at Joy.

  “Mister Gibb. If you could head straight to the office and call either one or both of your parents. I will see the three of you in my office in half an hour.”

  Barry stood rooted to the spot.

  “Now Mister Gibb. Head for reception and use the phone. At my expense.” Barry slowly walked out. Joy looked around.

  “Anyone else that would like to comment. Now is the time.” She looked around.

  “Well. Let me tell you how this is going to work. You will be here at assembly on a Monday morning. On time. Your teachers.” She looked at every single teacher. She looked at Tanya and winked. She looked at Thomas, Wayne and Paul.

  “Your teachers will be seated in their chairs. And if someone is on this stage you will not open your mouth.” It was quiet as she spoke. She walked down the stairs and picked up the little bin.

  “You, young lady.” Jane looked at her.

  “What is your name?”

  “Jane.”

  “Jane who?”

  “Jane Smith Ma’am.”

  “Miss Smith spit out that gum. And you can walk up and down and collect gum from every single person who is chewing.” Jane stepped out and slowly took her gum out of her mouth and put it in the bin. Joy held out the bin.

  “Here we go.”

  “I won’t.” Joy smiled.

  “No problem. Kindly remove yourself from this assembly and join our Mister Gibb and give your parents a call Miss Smith.” Jane stared.

  “Ma’am.” Jane whispered.

  “I am sorry.” Joy nodded and Jane took the bin and walked up and down.

  Joy walked back up the stairs to the stage. All you heard was pieces of gum hitting the bin. She waited a few minutes until Jane stood at the back.

  “Thank you Jane. If you can deposit the bin here on the stage. We will save that for next Monday. If you are chewing gum next Monday you will be exchanging with what we have in the bin. Clear?” It was very quiet.

  Joy nodded.

  “Right. On to business. If you could all stand up please.” Everyone stood up.

  “Ladies please roll your little waistbands down. And once you have done that could I ask you to please pull up your socks.” The movements were swift. And if you could make sure the top button is done up or we will resort to polar necks. Gents. If you could roll your sleeves down. Neaten your ties and if you have to, fasten the shoe laces.” Joy nodded.

  “Now that we are dressed you can sit down and we can start this assembly properly.” Everyone sat down.

  “I am Miss Sheridan. I am your new Principal. From now on we will be doing things a little differently.” They all looked up as Henry, Dorothy and Barry Gibb stormed in to the assembly hall. He pointed and yelled.

  “I have something to say to you.” Joy nodded.

  “Mister and Mrs. Gibb. Welcome! If you could take a seat. Barry resume your seat.” They all sat down right in front.

  “Welcome to the Gibb family. Thank you for being here today. As I was saying. We are going to be doing things a lot different from now on. Your classes will all be changed. I will let you know by Monday what will be changed. This school has a very low pass rate. We are going to be changing that. And we will start working on that today. You will get your weekly newsletter.” Penny cleared her throat and shook her head. Joy nodded.

  “You will get your weekly newsletter from next week. Everything will be included. When you get to school you will be given your newsletter as a handout in this assembly.” She looked at everyone.

  “In future. You will be on time for school. The school gates will be locked at exactly seven forty five. School will end on time. I expect to see you at school every day. There will be incentives. Look forward to those. There will no longer be detention classes. I will keep you busy if you step out of line. My office is open. I work on an open door policy. If your parents would like to see me you can make an appointment with Miss Rose. I am free in the afternoons and the evenings.”

  They all watched as she took her laptop and wired it up to a projector. She shone it against the wall. There was a little hum in the hall.

  “What do you think of these sneakers?” Everyone nodded and smiled.

  “As of today I have a wall of fame in reception. Your name is going up there. Three strikes ladies and gents and your sneakers have gone. Never to be worn. But if you toe the line and you play by the rules each of you in this hall will be walking out of this school the last day of this term. Wearing a pair of those.” Everyone cheered. Joy smiled and looked at Barry.

  “I see we do not have Prefects in this school. What a pity. You will be handpicked. By me. I will make my selection by Friday and you will be called in. But the announcement will be made on Monday. You might get a call on the weekend so that your parents are here for that important day.” It was quiet.

  “I have noticed that everyone has a cell phone. Your parents as well.” There was a silent nod from everyone.

  “Miss Rose will be punching your cell numbers and your parents numbers into my cell phone during the week. I make calls on Saturday’s and Sundays and in the evening if need be.” It was all quiet.

  “My number is not listed.” Everyone roared with laughter.

  “But the office number is.” Joy smiled.

  She walked off the stage.

  “Can you all hear me?” There was a little whisper of a ‘yes’. Joy walked up and down. She stood in front.

  “At the end of this term. If we can all get the grades up. And if I see an improvement. This hall will be turned into a rave.” There was loud shrieking. Joy smiled.

  “That is a big if ladies and gents. Mister and Mrs. Gibb could I ask you to arrange four more couples to head up the end of the term function?” Dorothy smiled and nodded. Joy walked back up the stairs.

  “If we could all stand up and let’s sing the school hymn.” Penny shook her head.

  “We don’t have a school hymn?” Everyone shook their heads. Joy smiled.

  “Right. That will be remedied. I have a little something that we can all sing. Give me a second to get the lyrics up on the wall.” Joy fiddled with her laptop and put the lyrics of a song on the wal
l through the projector. She started playing the backup music. She took the microphone.

  “Everyone on their feet!” They all started to clap and sing Queen’s We Will Rock You. Dorothy and Henry stood up and joined in. Joy stood and sang and stomped her foot as she sang. Tanya stared and grinned. She could feel her heart beating. She felt excited.

  The end of the song came up. Joy smiled.

  “I think that is going to be the school hymn!” Everyone cheered.

  “Parting words. Sneakers. Changes will be made and you will know by Monday what they are. Your parents are welcome to join us on a Monday morning for assembly. My door is open. The first change we are going to make. We will sing our hymn once. I will say my parting speech. The teachers will all get up.” She nodded as all the teachers got up.

  “We will start the hymn again and they will walk out to their classes. You will slowly start moving. From the front row. And you will head to your class. By the time we have finished our hymn the assembly hall will be cleared and you will be at your first class.” Joy nodded.

  “Are you with me?” There was a loud chorus of ‘yes’.

  Joy started the song again and the teachers all slowly walked out of the hall. The pupils sang as loud as they could. Joy nodded and the pupils from the front row started walking out in two rows. They sang on top of their voices as they slowly walked out of the hall. Joy stood on the stage and sang and watched. The song came to an end and Joy smiled. The last pupil had walked out just in time. Joy took her laptop and packed everything away.

  “Mister and Mrs. Gibb. Join me up here for a few seconds.” They both walked up to the stage and took a look.

  “Rather frightening isn’t it?” Harry grinned and nodded. Dorothy smiled.

  “Actually I would like to apologize.” Harry nodded.

  “So would I.” Joy smiled.

  “Any chance of a rave?” Dorothy grinned.

  “I don’t know what a rave is.”

  “A very noisy discotheque. Mirror balls. Bright lights. And one loud singer.” Harry roared with laughter.

  “We can do our best.” Joy nodded.

  “Get the other parents involved. Give the orders. I am making you two in charge. But the meetings take place behind closed doors. No children allowed.” Dorothy chuckled and nodded.