Read Online Beside the Brook by Paulette Rae - Free Book Online

another three new entrants and lose two of the big kids to high school.”
    The answer spiked Kirsten’s curiosity. “How far away do they travel from? Such a spread out area must have kids coming from all directions.”
    “Some of them are in the Bay. Some come from over in Manaroa.” Anne pointed behind her toward the hill in the north. “We have a bus that goes to the Kenepuru Heads to pick children up, and then it goes all the way round the other way to Nopera, about forty kilometres.”
    “Wow, that’s a long way just to get kids to school.” Kirsten’s mind ticked over as she spoke.
    “Where do you live, Sarah?” Anne asked.
    Sarah shrugged, obviously confused about how far they had come and where they were. She looked up at Kirsten for the answer.
    “Just over the way, about five minutes the other side of Portage Hotel.” Kirsten patted Sarah’s hand as she jiggled from one foot to the other.
    “Oh, so you’re locals?” Anne straightened her back and returned to Kirsten’s level.
    “I’m Sarah’s new Nanny, so I’ve only been here a week, but Sarah’s family have been in the area a long time.”
    “Who does her schooling?”
    “She learns by correspondence.”
    “Gee, that’s pretty grown up of you, Sarah.” Anne flashed a pretty smile at the little girl. “Would you like to come and meet some of the other kids?”

    Sarah nodded as curiosity stole her timidity and she began to look around the room. To reach the staff room they had walked through the largest of the three classrooms. It seemed to be the room where the older children learned, for the artwork here consisted of clay models and intricate pictures of animals in various careful colours. Titles were done in precise hand drawn block letters, and the problems on the large green chalk board were of a level that Kirsten guessed a twelve year old would find challenging.

    * * * *

    Sarah and Kirsten spent the rest of the afternoon at the Waitaria Bay School. Kirsten watched as Sarah painted with another small girl who was the same age. She was always a happy child, but now she was among her peers she seemed like a different person. She didn’t have to attempt to understand the grown ups or act as though she should be seen and not heard. This was what she needed. Somehow, Kirsten had to find a way to make sure Sarah got more of this stimulation.

    When they arrived home, Sarah was eager to tell her grandmother all about her visit to the local school. Unsure of whether Beth would be pleased or not, Kirsten thought it best that Sarah tell her. The innocence and excitement so plainly written on her face may soften the blow and work to Kirsten’s advantage later on. So instead she slipped upstairs to get changed for dinner, letting Sarah go straight to the kitchen where Beth sat at the table with the newspaper.
    Refreshed once more, she slipped down to the lounge, where she found Jamie on the patio, sitting at an easel in the bright afternoon light. She sat on the edge of the couch and watched him, undetected, careful not to disturb his concentration. He seemed lost in his own world, paint brush dangled softly in one hand, his brow furrowed into rows over his narrow eyes.
    Heavy footsteps on the stairs behind them caught Jamie’s attention, and Kirsty had but a moment to smile in acknowledgement before Tyler burst into the room, destroying any chance she may have had of carrying a civilized conversation with him.
    “Afternoon everyone,” Tyler chirped as he rolled the sleeves of his denim shirt up over his broad forearms.
    “Hi.” Kirsten watched the two men together. Jamie’s back stiffened and the wall that always seemed to go up whenever Tyler was around resurrected itself.
    “Where’s Sarah?” Jamie addressed Kirsten in a curt manner.
    “She’s in the kitchen with your mother.” Kirsten glared back at him. She was beginning to tire of his impolite conversations which began with an almost accusatory tone. Could he not even be