Wind Across the Playground

by Ross Richdale

  "But it's not your decision," Kate protested. "Perhaps I shouldn't try for George's job, then."

  "Someone else will get it, I'm sure," Noel said. "So you won't help George at all."

  "And your job?" Kate asked. "It's advertised too, you know."

  "It's in the lap of the gods, Sweetheart," Noel replied. "If either of us miss out, we go on priority rights to other jobs in town at our old grading level."

  "But I doubt if we'll get in the same school," Kate replied with a pout.

  "As I said, the lap of the gods," Noel said and brought some blank application forms out of his satchel. "Want me to full it in for you."

  "No way," Kate snapped. "I'm perfectly capable of filling in my own form, Mr. Overworth."

  NOEL'S TALK TO GEORGE wasn't as difficult as he had imagined.

  George listened to Noel's explanation and shrugged. "So if I apply for only the deputy principal's job, I'll probably miss it," he said. "However, I may get the assistant principal's position if I'm lucky. Is Kate applying for both?"

  "The inspectorate advised her to," Noel replied. "I'm sorry, George but if she didn't, there would still be no guarantee you'd win it."

  Eyes met. Nothing was said but they both knew Kate's grading mark was higher than George's.

  "Kate deserves it," George added in a hushed voice. "That's not just because she's your wife, Noel so don't feel bad. It's not your choice anyway. Someone from Southland might win either job."

  "True but I don't want you to think I'm favouring Kate over you."

  "Oh, well," said George. "I've only got about five years to go but I wouldn't want to take the junior classes if I become AP."

  "There is no problem, there, George. That is one thing I can guarantee. If you stay here you can remain in charge of West Block. That's a promise. The AP can be placed anywhere in the school."

  "But what will happen to the Form One and Two children?" George asked.

  "In the third term of next year we might revert back to senior, middle and junior syndicates. If that happened West Block would become a middle syndicate." Noel grinned. "Of course my job is coming up, too, you know. I mightn't even be here."

  "You will and so will Kate," George said. "I'm not too sure about myself, though. However, I will include the applying for both positions phrase in my application form."

  ONLY A WEEK AFTER THE positions closed, four brown envelopes arrived at Kent Drive School, one addressed to Noel, one Kate and the third for George. The last letter and the first Noel opened, was addressed to The Principal.

  He read it in silence and didn't even notice Sarah standing at the door watching him

  Dear Mr. Overworth, The following appointments have been made to your school but still have to be confirmed..." Noel's eyes skipped further beyond the usual official stuff and read... Principal (G4 Salary), Mr. Noel Overworth; Deputy Principal (G2 salary). Mrs. Kate Overworth; Assistant Principal (G2 Salary) Mr. George Trinder

  "Oh my God," Noel gasped and ripped open his personal letter that told of his reappointment as principal of Kent Drive School.

  "Okay, what's the news?" Sarah interrupted.

  "I'm still here," Noel replied modestly.

  "And Kate?"

  "She's still here, too."

  "Noel!" Sarah snapped. "What position?"

  Noel never had the heart not to tell her so he showed her his first letter. "It's confidential, Sarah," he warned.

  "Damn," Sarah replied. "So it looks as if I'll be a nanny again, doesn't it?"

  "If you don't mind," Noel replied.

  Sarah smiled, reached up and placed a kiss on Noel's cheek. "No," she said in a hushed voice. "Not one little bit." She smiled. "Can I take Kate's letter across to the pavilion?"

  "Sure," Noel replied. "I'll go and relieve George of his worry. He knew he wouldn't get the DP job but had convinced himself he'd miss the other one, too. I'm glad he won it."

  "I am, too," Sarah replied. "Poor old George has a heart of gold."

  "He has," Noel replied and headed towards West Block.

  George's eyes looked apprehensive when Noel walked in. "The little green rejection slip is it, Noel?" he asked.

  "No, a letter actually," Noel replied and handed his deputy the long brown envelope. "I'll leave you to open it in private."

  "There's no need," George replied. He turned to the children he'd been taking for math and asked them to do their set work as headed up on the board. It was only when the ten-year-olds were all settled that he walked over to his desk and slit the envelope open.

  "Damn," he replied a moment later and broke into a nervous grin. "I told my wife I had no chance in hell on either job, Noel. She'll be thrilled." He stopped. "Are you allowed to say who got the other positions?" he asked.

  "Kate and myself," Noel replied. "I'm sorry, George."

  "Why?" the other teacher said. "I'm satisfied. Both AP and DP are paid the same salary, anyway." He smiled and held his hand out to his principal. "I didn't want to leave here, Noel and now I don't have to. Thanks for everything."

  Noel grasped George's hand. "And I'm glad you're staying," he said. "We've got this school going well. I'd hate to have a stranger move in."

  When he walked out, Noel felt strangely satisfied and was glad George would remain with them. He headed out the back towards Kent Park but was only half way across to the pavilion when he noticed Kate come rushing out with a letter firmly grasped in her hand.

  They met mid-field and Kate flung her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately on he lips. "Sarah said you got your job, Sweetheart," she panted after her lips managed to move away enough so she could speak. "I love you Noel."

  "And I love you, too, Deputy Principal Overworth," Noel replied. "But out here in the middle of the park..."

  "Oh don't be a snob," Kate retorted and kissed him again. "Pregnant women are allowed to get emotional, you know."

  His wife's words made memories flood Noel's mind. He'd heard them before, a decade ago. Lisa had said almost the same thing! It was strange how the vision of Alexia's mother burst into his memory. He hadn't though of her in months except perhaps when his daughter did some fleeting movement that reflected her birth mother.

  "Noel!" Kate said with her eyes wide. "What's wrong? Is it something I said?"

  "No," Noel lied and kissed Kate back. "Everything is so perfect, I can't believe it is happening to us. That is all."

  "And we all go out tonight and celebrate," Kate said. "I'll phone the flashiest restaurant in town to make a booking."

  "Okay," Noel smiled and Lisa disappeared back into the back recesses of his mind.

  CHAPTER 21

  Wendy's stay at Summerhill Heights School proved to be interesting and she enjoyed some of the aspects once a routine had been established and her children settled in. The first difference was that she had to work alone in a single cell room. The children soon adapted and, in fact, enjoyed the twice daily bus trip so much, several children insisted on being at Kent Drive School every morning to catch the Big Blue Bus, as they called it, even though their homes were actually closer to Summerhill Heights. A few others were in walking distance of their new room and were met after school by their mothers. It was in many ways like having her own little school with even her parents who dropped in, physically staying apart from the Summerhill ones.

  As one of the parents, Glenda Wright, said to Wendy one afternoon. "We made a choice to send our Peter to Kent Drive School even though we're a block closer to here. To us all, we're still part of our school, though physically here." She was one of those bright chatty parents Wendy found a great supporter.

  "Well, we go back for our Friday assemblies and I also have those two hours a week back there when I take the school choir and help with the operetta," Wendy replied. "Patty seems to enjoy her time here."

  Patty was Kent Drive's part time teacher who took Wendy's class on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from two o'clock during the operetta practices.

  "Yes,"
Glenda replied, "By the way, how's your neighbour?"

  Wendy flushed. She shared the two classroom prefabricated block with Max Whitten a young guy who took a Standard Two class. They had becomes friends from the very start with Max's cheerful face appearing three or four times a day. Now, after three weeks in the temporary room he had plucked up the courage to ask her out that weekend.

  "He's okay," she replied and laughed at Glenda's quizzical expression. "Okay, he's a nice guy and he's taking me out to the movies on Saturday. But that's all."

  "Sure," Glenda replied. "Now you see you have a great time. There's more to life than just schoolwork, you know."

  "That's what Kate says." Wendy laughed.

  She almost turned Max's invite down and it was really only on Kate's advice that she had encouraged him at all. Since her abortion, she had stayed away from all males and had dated nobody, even though Yvonne and Kate had encouraged her to lead a more social life. The Overworths and Sarah had been wonderful and Wendy received an enormous amount of companionship from Alexia. Wendy accompanied her young friend to the swimming club twice a week and had joined in the club activities. She took a learners group on the evenings Alexia swam. Weekends were spent at school or visiting the Overworths so, even without male company, she led a full and happy life.

  After Glenda gathered up her son and left she made a frantic rush out to line her children up for the bus where Leroy, their regular driver, stuck his head out the driver's door.

  "You're late again Miss McEwen," he called and the six-year-olds all giggled when he turned to them and said. "Is she this naughty in school?"

  "No," they chorused.

  "She's not naughty," one little girl said in a stubborn voice. "She's our teacher."

  Leroy grinned at Wendy. "That answers everything, doesn't it?"

  "They are loyal at this age," Wendy replied.

  "Yeah. Better than the high school kids I pick up after I drop your class off. Some of them are diabolical. I still don't know how you manage kids all day. I take my hat off to you."

  Wendy gazed at Leroy's thick crop of hair and laughed. He'd hardly fit a hat on that lot. "See you tomorrow," she said and acknowledged the dozens of little hands waving at her through the vehicle's windows.

  "He's not too bad either, is he," a voice interrupted Wendy as she walked back in the gate. It was Glenda.

  "What do you mean?" she asked.

  "That young bus driver. Now if I wasn't an old married woman..."

  "Oh Glenda," Wendy laughed. She doubted if the mother was more than a couple of years older than herself.

  THE DATE WITH MAX WENT very well with a visit to a small coffee bar after the movie and a pleasant drive back home over the harbour bridge. It was only when they were a few blocks from Wendy's flat that she became nervous. She found herself shaking as a sudden memory of the way Adrian had gripped her mind. What would Max expect?

  Her companion, though, seemed to sense her nervousness for he gazed across the front of the car and smiled. "It's been fun, hasn't it," he said in a quiet voice.

  "Yes," Wendy replied quite honestly. Max was great company and had been such a perfect gentleman she had felt embarrassed. He had insisted on paying for everything, had held the car door open for her and their conversation had been stimulating.

  At the flat Wendy gulped. This was as bad as those very first dates she had had. She didn't want to appear a prude but neither did she want to rush into a heavy petting session. Damn! Wendy opened her door and stepped out. She did not want Max to run around and open it for her. They walked up the darkened path and a hand slipped into hers and squeezed it. At the door they swung in towards each other and eyes met.

  "Would you like a cup of coffee," Wendy whispered. She could smell his after shave and found her own body reacting to this quite husky man beside her.

  "Sure, thanks." Max smiled and followed her inside.

  As usual, Yvonne was out and Wendy began to lose her nervousness. Thoughts rushed through her mind. What if... Damn, she chastised herself. Cut it out girl.

  They did kiss and cuddle but that was it.

  "I must be off," he said, kissed her again with more passion than the first time, squeezed her arms but never ventured under her clothes or up the inside of her leg like Adrian had done that first time. Wendy cuddled into him for one last embrace at the door and he was gone

  She turned and walked back inside, glad that he hadn't tried to go further. However, she realized she missed the stimulation of a male body. She smiled and went to have a long hot shower. Overall, it had been an enjoyable time and she was sure there would be more times together.

  WENDY'S FRIENDSHIP with Max blossomed into a full romance. Petting sessions became more urgent with Wendy gasping and wanting more than Max provided. So the romance continued without the ultimate of sexual intercourse but as Wendy confessed to Kate one evening, this was better than the other alternative.

  "Yes," Kate replied. "Sometimes the girl has to take the initiative, Wendy. I did with Noel, you know."

  "Did you?"

  "Yes. It was not long after we rescued you from the swamp, Noel was still getting over Lisa's death but I was crazy about him." She smiled and rubbed her slightly bulging tummy. "Look where it led me."

  "Yeah, a decade later." Wendy sniggered.

  IT WAS MONDAY, MID afternoon and one of the days Wendy stayed at Summerhill right through until home bell. An art lesson was in progress and the six year-olds were immersed in paint as they dabbled and painted their individual masterpieces. Newspaper covered everything and the children all wore tiny aprons that were a necessary precaution, as more paint seemed to miss the art paper than went on it.

  Wendy was on her knees helping one little fellow mix colours without everything turning to purple when a knock tapped on the classroom door. She answered it and noticed Richard standing there.

  This was unusual in that Summerhill's principal never came near her room. She had been made welcome to the school but had been left alone with her class.

  "Hello Richard," she said with hesitancy in her voice. She knew him quite well, mainly from the weekends when he was at Overworth's place picking up Sarah for an afternoon together. It was then that she noticed two other people step into sight. The uniformed police officer was obvious but the grim looking man in a brown suit and cold piercing eyes sent an immediate chill down Wendy's back.

  "This is Detective Sergeant Mortland," Richard said in a flustered voice. "He wishes to speak to you." The principal flashed a stern eye on the visitor. "I told him he could only interrupt you if it was necessary and with your permission." He flushed slightly. "That is the procedure I adopt with my own staff."

  A hand pumped Wendy's as the burly sergeant almost forced Richard aside. "We need to talk in private, Miss McEwen," he almost commanded and Wendy noticed the uniformed police officer's embarrassed flush. This made her angry and determined not to be intimidated.

  "I can take the class, Wendy," Richard offered. "You can use my office."

  "No," Wendy replied and turned to the detective. "I shall be free in an hour, Sergeant Mortland. It is not convenient at the moment."

  The man scowled. "I am a busy person, Miss McEwen," he snorted as if he wasn't used to having his orders rebuffed.

  "So am I, Sergeant Mortland," Wendy replied in her own determined voice. She stepped aside so the classroom could be viewed. "I am in the middle of an art lesson with my thirty children and cannot leave them at the moment." The overbearing man annoyed her. "I shall be free at three twenty if you wish to return."

  Their eyes met, held and Richard interrupted.

  "I am afraid you will have to come back, Detective Sergeant Mortland," he said. "You're welcome to wait in the staffroom and have a cup of tea until Miss McEwen is ready."

  A crack appeared across Mortland's face and the steely eyes softened. "No, thank you Mr. Green. We shall return at three thirty. Come on constable." He spun around and the two disappeared.

&n
bsp; Wendy sighed and glanced at Richard. "Thanks for your support," she said quietly. "I just don't like being bossed around, that's all."

  "It's no problem," Richard said with a grin. "I've had words with that gentleman before. He's comes across quite bluntly, doesn't he?"

  "He does," Wendy replied and returned to her class.

  The art lesson she had been so enthusiastic about had now lost its interest as she wondered why the detective wanted to speak to her. Perhaps she should have spoken to him. Now she had an hour to worry about what he wanted.

  "WE HAVE A SUSPECT FOR that arson at your school," Mortland began as he sat in the empty classroom with only the constable standing a few metres away. "We are due to make an arrest within the next few days. What I am about to say is entirely confidential and should not be mentioned to anyone."

  "Okay," Wendy replied and bit on her lower lip. The earlier bravado had disappeared. "But how does it affect me?"

  "The evidence against this gentleman is circumstantial. Miss McEwen. We need a statement from yourself and will later require your evidence if everything proceeds to a court case."

  "I saw nothing, Sergeant Mortland," Wendy replied. "I glanced up, saw the wall was ablaze and escaped with Kate. We never saw anything suspicious before it happened."

  "The charge may be more serious than arson," the detective stated. "We also believe you may be personally in danger from the suspect."

  Wendy's blood turned cold. "Me," she gasped. "Why me?"

  "The suspect is a Adrian Graham Funnel and our evidence leads us to believe he followed you that afternoon, knew you were in the building and torched it at your end with the sole purpose of trapping you in the fire. Your colleague, Kate Overworth was unfortunate to be there at the same time but was not an intended victim."

  "Oh my God!" Wendy gasped.

  "We know about your affair with the man, Miss McEwen, and also about the pregnancy termination. What we need from you is complete and full statement about your relationship with the suspect. Also, you will be a key witness in any subsequent trial. Without this we will not be able to convict the man."