Read Online In a Class of His Own by Georgia Hill - Free Book Online Page B

appeal.
“And for that matter, is it physically possible to give mouth to
mouth to a hamster?” I gave the creature a tentative poke to check
it really was dead.
    When I
caught her eye again I saw her lips twitch and prepared myself for
the inevitable sarcastic comment. It didn’t come. Instead, she went
to close the office door and when she
turned back to me was holding a hand to her mouth to stop laughter
escaping.
    We both collapsed onto
chairs laughing uproariously. In between giggles I attempted to
explain what had happened. When finally the hysteria had abated we
sobered up and began to think.
    “What
are we going to do?” I asked hopelessly, wiping tears of mirth
away. “Poor Sadie Morris. And poor Helen, she feels really guilty!”
    Mona
went over to peer into the cage. “Oh dear,” she sighed,
hiccoughing a little. “Well, I’ve got to go into town at
lunchtime. I suppose I could try the pet shop to see if they’ve got
anything we could pass off as little Fluffy.”
    We
began to laugh yet again but then Mona
stopped abruptly and looked at me, as if something had occurred to
her. “You say it belonged to Sadie Morris?” Mona tutted, more
sympathetic now. “Oh dear,” she said again. “The child will be
distraught. Her parents got divorced last year and the child took it
very badly.” Mona shook her head sadly, “She was so close to her
father.” She went to leave but then turned and said, “Leave it
with me Miss Hathaway, I’ll see what I can do.”
    I
thanked her profusely. As Jack was out of school all day I
was in charge of the school and had to stay on the premises; I wasn’t
allowed out myself. I took a deep breath and then regretted it, the
smell really was unpleasant. I threw a cloth over the cage as I
couldn’t bear to look at the stiffening little corpse and prayed
that Mona might come up trumps at the pet shop. I managed to get into
the staff room at morning break to introduce Rupert to everyone and
whispered a quick message to a relieved looking Helen.
    The
remainder of the morning was hectic. I dealt with three boys brought
to me for fighting in the playground and then answered a phone call
from an irate parent who wanted to know why her child was on his
third teacher in his vital Year Six
year. I chased up several parents who hadn’t filled in holiday
forms and then attempted to wade my way through yet another
government pack of training materials. In between more phone calls I
sketched out a vague agenda for next term’s staff meetings and
looked through Ann’s plans for the Christmas celebrations. I then
realised it was some time into the afternoon and Mona should have
been back ages ago. And that I’d missed lunch.
    At the knock on the door
I looked up hopefully.
    “I’m
afraid I haven’t had any luck Miss Hathaway.” Mona came in
looking genuinely concerned. “The pet shop had no hamsters of any
kind and even the garden centre had nothing to offer.”
    I was
impressed at her effort, the garden centre was at least fifteen
miles away. I looked at her and came to my decision. “Well there’s
nothing for it but to tell the child the truth. I’ll go and get
her.” I sighed, I hated breaking this kind of news to young
children. There was no anticipating their reaction - or those of
their parents.
    “Shall
I ring Mrs. Morris?” Mona offered. “I know the family well and I
can explain that there was nothing we could do. Perhaps she’d like
to pick up Sadie early if she can.”
    I
nodded gratefully and then made my way reluctantly to Year Four
to collect the little girl. On the way I rehearsed what I had to say.
    As she
sat down Sadie looked wide-eyed
around the office. Only rarely did children get into this hallowed
space and even then it was usually because of some serious
misdemeanour. She was an attractive child, with a mass of curly red
hair and endearing freckles. She pleated her grey school skirt
between nervous fingers.
    I sat
on the chair beside her. “Sadie,