Wind Across the Playground

by Ross Richdale

  When the advertisement came out the applications flooded in with almost a hundred arriving for the basic positions and close to a forty senior position applications.

  "Okay, Madam Principal," Brian, who was proving to have quite a sense of humour, said after the closing date. "Do we stick their names on the wall and throw darts or draw them out of a hat?"

  Kate frowned. Even the logistics of sorting out a hundred and forty CVs was formidable and the original selection procedure they had decided upon was hopelessly inadequate. "I suggest we list what we want and use the thousands of dollars allocated to us for setting up the school to call in a consultancy firm to wean the number down to a manageable number."

  "I agree and I know just the firm to do it," Brian said, "They are experts in employing staff for the retail trade. Like you said, we set out what we want for every position and they'll find a short list of people to fit in. They will even do a cross reference so if someone misses, say a senior job but is in for a basic scale position, it is noted. They're quite expensive, but earn every cent they charge."

  By the first week in December, therefore, a computer disk arrived from the consultants with everything at the click of a mouse.

  Kate loaded it in the brand new computer and typed in Deputy Principal. A list of every applicant scrolled down the screen with the five most favoured, highlighted. Next were ten Also Recommended candidates and, at the other end of the scale a Caution list that included names of those not recommended for various reasons.

  She typed in Senior Teachers Recommended and the twenty most recommended candidates for all the senior positions were listed. "Oh my God," she chuckled as she read mainly strangers names but came to one she knew. Included in the list was a Wendy McEwen, Acting Senior Teacher at Kent Drive School.

  Fascinated, Kate clicked on Wendy's name and a two-paragraph statement appeared to summarize her teaching career and other strengths including, Organized an operetta at Kent Drive School that proved to be very popular with the three performances playing to capacity audiences." Under, Possible Points to Note it stated. "Length of service. 80% of the senior candidates have longer teaching service. "

  "Impressed?" said Brian who walked in half an hour later.

  "It's amazing," Kate responded. "I never knew computers could be so helpful."

  "Yes, It's quite a sophisticated program and can understand most typed written commands. Try one."

  "Like what?" Kate asked.

  "How about relationship with students." Brain said and watched as Kate typed in the words.

  Seconds later, a list appeared with a flashing red Warning sign attracting her attention. Kate frowned and clicked on the word. Immediately a man's name appeared and a curt comment. Not recommended for this age group. In five years there have been four complaints about illegal touching of female students by this teacher.

  "Damn," Kate responded. "We'd never have found that out ourselves."

  "Try something positive," Brian said.

  Comments like Excellent approach with difficult children, or Has an empathic approach with this age group appeared.

  "It will actually produce a final recommendation or produce the short lists we originally asked for."

  "I believe it," Kate responded. "However, I think a human touch at the end is helpful so I'll still go for the short list option." She looked Brian in the eyes. "After all, it was you people who picked me. I doubt if I'd have got included in on a computer list."

  Brian laughed. "But you did!" he confessed. "The firm made an unofficial program like this for our principal's vacancy and you were short listed." He grinned. "That's why I voted for you."

  "Damn," Kate retorted. "You hardly need a principal. Why don't you just stick this hunk of electronics behind my desk?"

  "We need someone to moan at assemblies." Brian chuckled. "Anyhow, the short list it is. Shall we start with the two deputy principal positions and proceed from there?

  In less than five minutes, every position had five names listed, with an asterisk beside names in more than one place. Wendy's name was on both the senior teacher list and the basic teacher list.

  THE APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE decided to interview the short-listed candidates so consequently, Wendy ended up in the new office facing Kate and the three Sunrise Intermediate Board of Trustee members. Though, nervous, she presented herself well and answered a tricky question about what she'd do if a staff member under her care had inadequate planning, very well.

  "Thanks Wendy," Karen said at the end but purposely remained completely neutral.

  "God, you were a cold fish," Wendy snorted that evening. "You could have given me some encouragement. I hope you aren't like that when you're principal. You were like a stranger in there."

  Kate was taken back. "I had to be neutral and fair," she said. "If I showed favouritism, it would have been to your disadvantage. Don't you see that?"

  "I suppose," Wendy whispered but still looked hurt. "It doesn't help to have friends in teaching now, though, does it?"

  "Oh, I don't know," Kate replied and winked at Noel who was listening to the conversation.

  "With Kate gone, I need a senior teacher, you know," he said.

  "Yeah sure," Wendy snapped. She turned to Alexia who was waiting, impatiently, to go to the swimming club meeting. "Come on, Alexia let's go," she said and reached across to grab her swimming bag.

  Poked in the top was a brown envelope. She frowned, opened it, extracted the letter inside and read the contents. Afterwards, she folded the paper again and placed it in the bag. Then without a word, she walked up to Kate, grabbed both her hands and kissed her on the cheek.

  "You had to let me make a damn fool of myself, didn't you Mrs. Overworth?" she said and walked out.

  Noel chuckled. "She's going to make a fine senior teacher, Sweetheart," he said.

  "A bit stubborn but not too bad," Kate replied. However, she couldn't stop the smile forming on her lips.

  PART THREE

  CHAPTER 25

  It was an hour after the last hour of the last day of the school year in the fifth year of the new millennium as Noel placed the last folder in his last box and glanced around his office at Kent Drive School. But it wasn't his office any longer! The new principal would be in and add her touches. Perhaps it did need a feminine hand, the model planes would go and the buff shaded curtains replaced with a bright floral pattern.

  He sighed and carried the box out to his car, placed it in the boot and took a final walk around the school. Beyond East Block, the new North Block had finally replaced the prefabricated rooms. Six single cell rooms faced an internal hexagonal shaped courtyard covered in a plastic dome. It was the very latest design with the rooms all wired for internet, interior spaces had everything movable from cupboards to partition walls, white boards superseded blackboards and the children's desks were pentagonal shaped so they could be pushed together to form a huge variety of different larger tables. The whole complex made the open plan rooms appear antiquated.

  Noel walked beyond North Block to the other pride and joy of Kent Drive Community. The new school and community hall had been open three years now and, though smaller in area than Sunrise Intermediate's Hall, was of the latest architectural design with an enormous kitchen and an entry foyer that faced the parking area. The Kent Drive Indoor Bowls Club and other groups were using the facility almost nightly and after Christmas the facility had been booked for at least three wedding receptions. He checked to see the doors were locked and walked back through West Block when he saw his successor approach.

  "Are you sad, Noel?" she asked as she brushed back a strand of blonde hair that had dangled in front of her eyes.

  "Not really, Wendy," Noel replied. "I already stayed five years longer than I had intended as I wanted to see all the new buildings complete and in operation." He grinned. "And it is passing into capable hands, isn't it?"

  "I am fortunate," Wendy replied and smiled. Though perhaps a little chubbier in the face, she still l
ooked young and that schoolgirl charm prevailed. "We've come a long way together, haven't we Noel? Remember when I walked in as that naive young teacher and you didn't even realize I was on your staff?"

  "Yes." Noel grinned. "Kate reckoned you were just following up your school girl crush on me."

  "Oh, I was," Wendy replied. "One whisper in the ear, Noel and I would have gone to bed with you." She stopped and stared at him. "Still will, actually."

  Noel flushed. "It's a pleasant thought," he said, "but...

  "Why not?" Wendy replied "Who will know?"

  Noel grimaced. Leroy had long gone and over the years, Wendy had several male companions but still lived alone. She was certainly very sexy with her white top, modern skirt and black stockings. The offer was tempting but he hesitated.

  "It's not that you never had a bit on the side," Wendy added in an almost sultry voice. "Remember Margaret down in Otago?"

  "Yes, but that was a long time ago, Wendy," Noel replied. He gave a slightly embarrassed cough and continued. "You are one of the beautiful women in my life. " He broke into a grin. "Fourth, actually."

  "Fourth and who are the other three?"

  "Kate is first," Noel replied. "I love her, Wendy and could never betray that love."

  "Okay," Wendy replied. "And the next two?"

  "Alexia and her mother," Noel said in a hushed voice.

  "Oh yes, Lisa," Wendy replied. "I remember her. She seemed to bounce around and was so full of life. Alexia certainly takes after her." Her face changed to curiosity. "And if she had lived, Noel. What would have happened?"

  "With Kate, you mean?"

  "Exactly."

  "I'm not sure," Noel replied. He stared over his companion's shoulder without really seeing the opposite wall. "I never fell in love with Kate until after Lisa died. I have the strangest feeling, though, I would have still fallen in love with her even if the tragedy never happened but who really knows?" He sighed. "I remember from the very beginning how impressed I was with Kate's teaching. I think Lisa was jealous because Kate did so well with the children in the class."

  Wendy nodded. "So you aren't interested in my offer?"

  "No," Noel whispered. "As you said, we could be discrete and Kate would be none the wiser but I'd know, Wendy and it would ruin the respect between us all. I could never face you or Kate again without feeling guilty."

  Wendy suddenly chuckled. "I guess I knew you'd say that, Noel. I'll tell you one thing though, if I was a few years older back when Lisa died I'd have given Kate one hell of a run for her money."

  "But still lost," Noel replied with his tone serious.

  "Possibly," Wendy replied. "Anyhow, I know I have you to thank for getting me appointed as principal here. All through my career you have helped me and I love you for it."

  "The strongest candidate won the position, Wendy. I had nothing to do with the appointment."

  "Of course not." Wendy reached forward, kissed his cheek and walked away. At the far corner she turned and waved. "See you at the restaurant tomorrow. Remember, I'm shouting for everyone. Okay?"

  "Sure." Noel headed the other way, around the end of the partition and gasped. He had almost tripped over Kate who was standing there just out of sight. She smiled and flung her arms around his neck. Her kiss was almost suffocating and repeated several times before she stood back and her twinkling eyes linked to his. "I heard everything," she whispered.

  "Damn," Noel replied. "And to think I was about to accept her offer,"

  "Noel," Kate retorted. "If you ever..." She saw his grin and wriggled in close again. "Okay, I know," she whispered. "I love you Noel."

  "But why are you still here?" Noel asked after their lips unravelled. Kate's school had finished for the year the day earlier and she had been a guest for Noel's official send off. She had gone down to the mall and hour earlier and had arranged to meet Noel back home in Howick, thirty kilometres away to the south east of Auckland City.

  "I thought Alexia might drive your car home and she could drop us off at the Devonport and we could go home on the ferry together." She took his hand. "I'm tired of doing the trip by myself."

  "Okay," Noel grinned. "Where is she?"

  "Moving into her new classroom," Kate replied. She led Noel out and into one of the brand new classrooms where their daughter glanced up. "I just brought a few things in, Dad. Janice, the teacher moving out, said it was okay."

  "So the Overworth name continues at Kent Drive, does it?" he chuckled.

  "Yes," Alexia replied. "I wish you were here one more year, though."

  Noel smiled. Alexia had just graduated from Auckland College of Education and would be Kent Drive's Year One teacher in the new year.

  "I know," he shrugged. "But I already delayed my departure and when the new offer came up..."

  "I know, Dad," Alexia replied. "Wendy will be great as principal, I'm sure." She glanced at Kate. "After Mum's tuition for all those years."

  "Anyhow, Sweetheart," Kate said. "Can you run us down to Devonport ferry in Dad's car and drive it home afterwards. It'll save you the bus trip."

  "Yeah but with ten million vehicles on the motorway..." Alexia retorted. She broke into a grin. "Okay," she replied. "As long as you give me a hand to shift into my new apartment, next week."

  A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR later after a pleasant trip across the harbour, Noel and Kate walked to her car parked near the Half Moon Bay wharf. "I need to slip back to school to see if there is any mail," she said as they drove out.

  "Sure," Noel replied. He was contented to sit back and let her drive.

  They navigated through a honeycomb of streets and into the grounds of the school where she had been the principal for a two terms. Cascades Intermediate stretched out in every direction from the driveway. With over six hundred pupils and close to forty classrooms and auxiliary rooms, it made even Sunrise Intermediate look tiny. Kate, though, took it in her stride and roared into the park designated Principal Only and jumped out.

  "Won't be a moment, Sweetheart, " she said and disappeared though the entry foyer.

  Thirty minutes later, she returned and chuckled at Noel's strained look. "Okay, I know," she said. "Just because you have your new slick business..."

  They drove out and, less than a kilometre away, turned into the new home they had purchased. Though modest compared with many in this prosperous suburb, their house was still a delightful building with two floors and a large sun deck above the double garage. They drove in and were met by their teenage son who had an exasperated look on his face.

  "Gee Mum, Dad," he snorted. "You said you'd be home hours ago. I wanted to go over to Trevor's place but had to look after Cathy. Why did the after school care centre have close down so soon?"

  "Mummy, Blair's being mean to me," the eight year-old cried. Her ponytail bobbed as she jumped up and down.

  "Sisters," Blair grunted. "I don't know who's worse, the old one or this little scamp."

  "Mummy!" Cathy howled.

  "Okay, Sweetheart," Kate said and picked her daughter up. "I'm sure Blair did a great job of picking you up from school and looking after you."

  "S'pose," the little girl replied. "Did you bring me anything, Mummy?"

  "Look in the back of the car," Kate replied and smiled at Noel. She was sure the new DVD disc she had bought would be popular with her daughter.

  KATE REACHED OUT FOR Noel's hand to squeeze but was silent as they drove along Highway 92, southwest of Balclutha. It was the first week of the New Year and the pair were taking a nostalgic trip back to the South Island before Noel stated his new position on the fifteenth of January. Sarah and Richard had taken the two youngest children for a week so there was only the two of them.

  The holiday so far had been an anti-climax with everything looking so old and small compared with their memories. The two nights in Dunedin with Kate's mother, a widow for seven years now, had been quite pleasant but Kate couldn't persuade her to shift up to Auckland to be closer to them.

  Bal
clutha hadn't changed with even some stores looking as if they could walk in the door and meet the same people there, but of course they didn't. Now the familiar highway stretched ahead and the years rolled back.

  "Shall we go to Wendy's Mum's or visit the school first?" Noel said as the farm they drove by reminded them they were a mere kilometre away from Ashleyvale. It had been arranged that they would stay with Leanne McEwen, also a widow but still living on the family farm.

  "The school," Kate replied. "Once we arrive at Leanne's we'll be obliged to stay and chat. I bet she's dragged out all the old timers to meet us." She glanced at her watch. "We're an hour early, anyway."

  "Okay, Ashleyvale School, it is," Noel replied and grinned as the road sign appeared on the lonely highway.

  The first curve produced the first disappointment. The shop was gone, as was the railway line. In their place was a paddock with sheep grazing. One house beyond the shop site was still there and looked to be in use while, over the road was a new driveway and modern house.

  Suddenly they were there!

  Ashleyvale School stood silent and forlorn in the middle of a sheep paddock. The pair knew it had closed down a few years earlier but the building standing there looked so sad, somehow. Trees had gone and grass grew through cracks across the concrete. Even the tin fence that surrounded the swimming pool was gone. The pool itself stood, silent and empty with the filter and changing sheds still there but with peeling paint and doors swinging in the wind.

  "Damn," a disappointed Noel muttered as he stopped by the gate. It looked the same one as what he remembered. He pulled it back over the tall grass and drove the car through, noticed sheep close by, so stopped and shut the gate behind them.

  "The shed!" Kate gasped.