Taking Charge

by Bridgitte Lesley

  “Are you sure the marks are going to go up?” Joy smiled.

  “What do you think?” Dorothy grinned.

  “I think so.” Joy nodded. She shook their hands.

  “Sorry. I am Joy Sheridan.” They both shook her hand.

  “Nice to meet you.” Joy smiled.

  “I need to dash.” They all walked out of the hall together. Dorothy and Harry waved. Joy smiled as she headed for her office.

  CHAPTER 7

  “Miss Rose. Divert your phone and head to my office please.” Penny scrambled to find her notepad. She put the phone on divert and walked through to Joy’s office.

  “Take a seat.” Penny sat down. She could feel her palms sweating. She was nervous. She knew she was going to be reprimanded.

  “Miss Rose. I need you to do a few things for me please.” Penny nodded.

  “I need a name plate made. For each teacher. The name will read Mister, Miss or Mrs., their full initials, and their surname. A name plate made out of Perspex. And the name to be engraved. The Perspex to be clear and the names in black. The letters at least fifteen centimeters high. Each name plate must be the same size. Whatever the size the plates must be the same size and the letters the same.” Penny nodded.

  “I need a name plate for your desk. One that says reception and one with your name.” Penny nodded.

  “I want the dead flowers removed from your desk.” Penny nodded and lowered her head.

  “Put in an order for a fresh bouquet of flowers to be delivered every single Monday morning.” Penny nodded.

  “The name plates need to have a hole drilled on either side and ask them to have a set of screws with each name plate.” Penny nodded.

  “All for now.” Penny smiled.

  “Thank you Miss Sheridan.” Joy nodded and smiled as Penny walked out.

  Joy picked up her cell phone as it rang.

  “Miss Sheridan this is Garth from the wholesalers.”

  “Hi Garth. Have they arrived?”

  “Yes Ma’am. They sure have.”

  “Can you wait till school breaks up and I will be over and collect and pay.”

  “Certainly. Would you like me to deliver?” Joy chuckled.

  “No. That won’t be necessary. But did they send another brochure?”

  “They did.”

  “Pack it in with the goods please Garth. I will see you this afternoon.”

  “Thank you Ma’am.” Joy smiled as she cut the call.

  She took out her notepad and marked off sneakers. She marked off rave. Joy smiled to herself. The assembly had worked better than she thought. She chuckled and made a note.

  “Hymn.” She shook her head. If there was one thing that would make a difference it would be music. And if she had to get to the children through music she would. Joy created a file on her desktop and saved the lyrics of the song in the file. She took out all the rosters and started working. Normally she would get the receptionist to do it but this she needed to do herself. She started working.

  Penny walked through.

  “Miss Sheridan. Is there anything else before I leave for home?” Joy stared at her watch.

  “Gosh no Penny. Did you manage with those name plates?” Penny nodded.

  “I did. I told them they have to be put up on the weekend. And to be delivered by Thursday.” Joy smiled.

  “Thank you.” Penny smiled.

  “About this morning.” Joy put up her hand.

  “That was this morning. History.” Joy smiled.

  “Thank you.” Penny smiled.

  “Have a good afternoon.”

  “And you.”

  Joy’s phone rang and she answered.

  “Sheridan.”

  “What happened to the Miss?” Joy chuckled.

  “And how are you handsome?” Jordan smiled.

  “Well. I was wondering about you. The first lunch time wave has been in. What am I hearing?” Joy chuckled.

  “And what are you hearing?”

  “I am hearing that this town is so lucky to have you! The Principal who takes no nonsense!” Joy giggled.

  “Oh Jordan it was such a shambles.”

  “Somehow I don’t think so. I had Dorothy and Henry in here just after nine. They were so impressed. I have been asked to play the Queen song over and over again!” Joy roared with laughter.

  “Tony at the hardware is raving about something that is highly confidential and he can’t mention what it is. But that he was asked to arranged whatever it is. And he can’t say. He says it is such a nice order that he is going to offer to put whatever it is up on the weekend.” Joy roared with laughter.

  “Oh my!”

  “Oh my is right! When are you going to get out of that office?”

  “Right now. I have to head over to Garth and collect my goodies. I am so excited. They arrived! Already!” Jordan roared with laughter.

  “And then you are parking in your bay. I have moved a desk in to your bedroom.”

  “Oh Jordan!” Jordan chuckled.

  “See you when I sneak upstairs.” Joy giggled.

  “See you then.”

  “See you then sweetheart.” Joy smiled and saved his number. She got up and packed her briefcase. She walked out of her office and looked at the reception area. It looked a lot neater than when she had walked in early in the morning. The dead flowers were nowhere to be found and a lovely new bunch of flowers were in the vase.

  Joy smiled as she closed the door and walked out. She walked up the path and looked at the weeds and the long grass. She stood and stared.

  “Right.” She headed over to Garth and had everything loaded in the back of her van. She smiled as she walked inside and wrote a cheque.

  “Cheque okay?” Garth smiled and nodded.

  “Garth I will look through the brochure and let you know what I need.”

  “More?” Joy giggled and nodded. Garth smiled.

  “Miss Sheridan. You did a good job today. My boy is in your school. Thank you.” Joy smiled.

  “My pleasure Garth. My pleasure.” Joy walked out and smiled. She drove over to the hardware. Tony almost puffed up his chest he felt so proud that she had walked in.

  “Miss Sheridan. How can I help?” Joy chuckled.

  “You are?”

  “Tony.”

  “Tony. I need a chain about a meter long with an enormous padlock.” Tony stared and grinned.

  “Oh I heard about that.” He walked over and showed her the different chains. Joy nodded.

  “That one. A meter.” Tony had the chain cut and they found the biggest padlock that would fit. Tony chuckled. Joy grinned as she paid and walked out with her chain and padlock.

  Joy drove up to the pub. She parked out front. She walked in and Jordan looked at her.

  “Could I have a coffee please?” Craig smiled.

  “Yes Miss Sheridan. Take a seat please.” Joy smiled as she took a seat. She put the chain and the padlock on the table. Craig walked off and smiled. He whispered.

  “Miss Sheridan is here!” Jordan smiled. He walked up to Joy.

  “And how are you today Miss Sheridan?” Joy smiled.

  “Never better!” Jordan smiled as Craig walked over with two cups of coffee.

  “Thank you Craig.” Craig looked at the chain.

  “Oh right. Seven forty five.” Joy nodded. Jordan smiled.

  “Serious?” Joy nodded.

  “Oh very serious! Does it look scary enough?” They all roared with laughter.

  Craig walked off.

  “This is nice. Out in the open.”

  “I thought I might stop in for a cup of coffee. I forgot to buy shears. So I need to go back to the hardware.” Jordan smiled.

  “And then.”

  “And then.” Jordan smiled. He looked around. There was not a person in sight. He held her hand and leaned over and kissed Joy. Joy smiled and winked.

  “Awesome day. You were right. Do it properly.”

  “Going to hear in detail late
r.” Joy chuckled and nodded.

  She had her coffee. They both got up and Joy took her purse out. Craig put up his hand.

  “No Ma’am. I am going to get that for you.” Joy smiled.

  “Thank you Craig.” Craig smiled as she walked out. Jordan spotted the chain and padlock and put them behind the bar for later. Joy smiled as she walked out. She drove back to the hardware. Tony smiled.

  “I need five sets of shears. Those that you cut the lawn with.”

  “Hand shears?” Joy nodded.

  “Big ones. As big as possible.” Tony roared with laughter.

  “They going to be doing a spot of gardening?”

  “Oh yes! Have you seen my garden!” Tony roared with laughter as she walked out with the garden shears.

  CHAPTER 8

  Joy headed to the pub and parked at the back beneath the building. She slowly opened the door and checked to see that no one was there. She crept through the office and Jordan looked up. She waved and ran up the stairs. Jordan smiled as he watched her walking up the stairs. Joy walked into the lounge and walked through to the bedroom. She smiled as she looked at her desk. It was at the window overlooking the street. Joy smiled.

  “Oh Jordan.” She put her briefcase down and changed into her jeans and her boots and walked out of her bedroom. She opened the fridge and took a few ingredients out. She took a few things out of the cupboard. But she needed meat. Joy smiled and sent an SMS.

  “Need mince please. MWAH.” She grinned as she sent the SMS. Jordan smiled as he received the SMS. He got up and walked to the kitchen and took out the pack of mince. Sarah folded her arms and looked at Jordan.

  “Supper.” Jordan smiled as he walked out.

  He ran up the stairs. He smiled as he held the pack of mince out to Joy. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her properly. Joy smiled.

  “Hey handsome.” Jordan smiled.

  “Mince has arrived. Joy you are not here to cook and do everything.” Joy smiled.

  “I wouldn’t if I didn’t want to.” Jordan smiled. He handed her the mince.

  “You are so special Joy Sheridan.” Joy smiled.

  “Thank you.” Jordan kissed her and ran down the stairs. He ran back up.

  “What is for supper?” Joy smiled.

  “Spaghetti Bolognese. At six.” Jordan chuckled and ran down the stairs.

  He walked through to the pub and greeted everyone and walked through to Frank.

  “I am looking for something.”

  “And what would that be?”

  “Something I left behind.”

  “That would be in your office. Are you going kinky or what?” Jordan roared with laughter.

  “Thanks.” He smiled as he walked back to his office. Jordan smiled. He needed a bottle of champagne. He looked up and Tanya smiled.

  “Oh what an awesome day!”

  “Now before you tell me. Go to Frank and buy a bottle of champagne.” Jordan took out his wallet and handed her a few notes. Tanya giggled. She walked out and smiled. She came back with the bottle of champagne. Tanya put it on the desk and sat down.

  “You should have seen her Jordan. She was amazing. She had those kids eating out of the palm of her hands. They got such a fright. But when they sang. Every single person sang. The teachers. The Gibbs. Every single one of them. Every teacher was at assembly. Even Thomas and Wayne. And we are going to have a weekly newsletter. Everything is going to change. There are things going on that are going to be amazing. We don’t know what they are yet. But it all looks good.” Jordan smiled.

  “What is it with the chain?”

  “The gate will be locked at seven forty five. And no one will be allowed in.” Jordan chuckled.

  “They like her Jordan. They like her a lot. Those kids need her. Those teachers. We need her. I walked in to reception and there were fresh flowers. I helped Penny and we quickly tidied that reception area up. Emptied all the bins. It looks a whole lot better. Penny is overjoyed. Joy asked her to do things. Things that she can’t discuss. She even arranged fresh flowers. Told Penny that she has to arrange fresh flowers to be delivered every Monday morning.” Jordan smiled.

  “And the Gibbs family. She got Henry and Dorothy involved. They have to arrange an end of the term rave!” Jordan roared with laughter.

  “That is not all Jordan.”

  “There is more?” Tanya nodded.

  “If we get the grades up each of those kids is going to get a pair of sneakers. Not just tennis shoes or sneakers. They are top of the range sneakers. Brand name.” Jordan stared.

  “What does Joy get if the grades go up?” Tanya shook her head.

  “Nothing.”

  “But you will see to it that she does.” Tanya nodded.

  “Yes.” Jordan smiled.

  Jordan reached for the floor and picked up the chain and the padlock. Tanya giggled and shook her head.

  “Oh my word!”

  “How does Spaghetti Bolognese sound?” He put the chain back on the floor. They both looked up.

  “Mum!” Zeba looked at Jordan and then at Tanya.

  “Tanya had a fantastic day. Did you tell Jordan?” Tanya nodded. She giggled.

  “They walked out of that assembly dressed properly. Not one person chewed gum. Not one.”

  “She got rid of the gum?”

  “In a little bin. Told them that if they are found chewing gum next week they will be swapping.” Jordan groaned and Zeba giggled.

  “And did Tanya tell you who she is?” Jordan smiled and nodded.

  “I knew that at nine when Henry and Dorothy walked in.” Zeba smiled.

  “That hymn is appropriate.” Tanya nodded.

  “Sure is. When I walked out there. Oh! The teachers walk out first and they go to their class. Then the pupils file out from the front while they sing the hymn for the second time. Oh it was awesome. I felt so good. When I got to class I was so excited. It was like I had an adrenalin rush. Oh it was awesome!” Jordan grinned and nodded. Zeba chuckled.

  “Well. See you at home Tanya. What time should we expect you?” Tanya smiled.

  “Later. I might stick around a bit.” Zeba smiled and nodded.

  “See you later.” Tanya nodded and smiled. Jordan smiled. Zeba looked at Jordan.

  “Nice to see you smiling like that.” Jordan chuckled.

  “Night Mum.”

  “Night.”

  Tanya smiled.

  “Soooooo.” Tanya checked out of the door.

  “Spaghetti Bolognese?” Jordan roared with laughter and nodded. They both looked up. Dalton grinned.

  “Guess you heard the news. The Principal is none other than that young lady that was here.” Jordan nodded.

  “Yes. The news has hit town.” Dalton smiled.

  “This town needs to be shaken up. I think I like it. You should hear the buzz through town. Do you know the parents can go to the assembly on a Monday morning? I bet you there are going to be a lot of parents there.” Jordan chuckled.

  “They can attend?” Dalton nodded.

  “And they are going to have Prefects. Prefects Jordan!” Jordan chuckled.

  “Serious?” Anne walked through.

  “Isn’t it amazing!” Jordan smiled.

  “Hello Anne.” Anne grinned.

  “Hey Jordan. Isn’t it amazing! Lock out at seven forty five. Oh we are going to go and check that out!” Tanya roared with laughter. Tanya held her face in her hands.

  “You should have heard her whistle!” They all roared with laughter. Jordan shook his head.

  “Sure as heck she is not subtle.” They all chuckled. Anne smiled.

  “This has brought everyone out of their hidey holes. Everyone is chatting. It is nice. Good news is good. And it isn’t gossip. It is all fact.” Dalton grinned.

  “Oh I believe she dresses in a suit with heels.” Tanya nodded.

  “Very smart!” Dalton chuckled.

  “See you later. We might pop over later for a bite.” Jordan smiled and n
odded.

  Tanya smiled.

  “The news is all good. Very good.” Jordan nodded and smiled and looked at his watch.

  “Going upstairs?” Tanya nodded. He handed her the champagne bottle.

  “Fridge. See you in ten minutes.” Tanya smiled and nodded. He took the bottle back.

  “I will bring it upstairs.” Tanya smiled and nodded.

  She ran up the stairs. Joy smiled.

  “I am sorry I couldn’t tell you. I wanted it to be a surprise.” Tanya grinned.

  “Oh wow. When you whistled and I turned and saw you. I stared. I was flabbergasted.” Joy smiled and nodded.

  “Oh I heard the sudden silence. Wow was that an eerie silence!” Tanya roared with laughter.

  “My heart was in my throat.” Tanya giggled and shook her head.

  “Lots of changes coming?” Joy nodded.

  “Better for the teachers. First off. You need to be respected. You have degrees. People need to start looking up to you.” Tanya smiled and nodded.

  “How are you going to afford those sneakers?” Joy smiled.

  “I haven’t a clue!” Tanya roared with laughter.

  Tanya shook her head. Jordan ran up the stairs with the bottle of champagne.

  “Sweetheart I put the chain and padlock in your boot.” Tanya smiled as she watched Jordan kiss Joy. Joy smiled.

  “Thanks. Are you ready for supper?” Jordan smiled and nodded. Tanya smiled as Joy dished up. She put the little bowl out with the cheese. Jordan smiled.

  “Parmesan!” Joy smiled.

  “Yes Sir!” Jordan smiled. He knew she had been shopping. Jordan had noticed the full fridge. They all sat and ate. Tanya sighed.

  “This is so nice. Last night the Salmon salad. Tonight Spaghetti Bolognese.” Joy chuckled.

  “Well we are busy people. Busy people need to eat properly.” Joy gasped.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean.” Tanya and Jordan roared with laughter. He took her hand in his.

  “No you are right. And this is perfect. Yes we need meals like this. And pasta is not fattening. But it sure is tasty!” Tanya giggled and nodded.

  “I guess you are going to be swamped this week.” Joy nodded.

  “A lot to do by Monday.”

  “I thought as much!” Joy chuckled and nodded.

  Jordan stood up.