Read Online Star Teacher by Jack Sheffield - Free Book Online Page B

was serving shepherd’s pie and carrots, alongside Doreen Critchley, who was offering a choice of ice cream or semolina and a spoonful of jam.
    â€˜Ah dare you t’say it t’Mrs Critchley,’ said Scott.
    â€˜Ah dunno,’ said Billy, looking up at the fearsome sight of Doreen Critchley’s bulging forearms.
    â€˜Y’scared!’ said Scott triumphantly.
    â€˜Well … d’you know any swear words?’ asked Billy.
    â€˜Yes … ’ell,’ said Scott.
    â€˜That’s a good ’un,’ said Billy.
    â€˜Ah know,’ said Scott. ‘Ah say it all t’time.’
    Billy considered this for a moment. ‘Well if you say ’
ell
, ah’ll say
friggin
’.’
    â€˜OK,’ agreed Scott.
    â€˜You go first,’ said Billy guardedly.
    Mrs Mapplebeck served up shepherd’s pie, carrots and a splash of gravy. Suddenly both boys were faced with Doreen Critchley.
    â€˜What’s it t’be, Scott,’ asked Doreen, ‘ice cream or semolina?’
    â€˜Oh ’ell,’ replied Scott, ‘ah’ll ’ave semolina.’
    â€˜GET TO T’BACK O’ T’QUEUE!’ shouted Mrs Critchley.
    Scott ran off clutching his tray. He went to the end of the line and stared at his friend.
    â€˜Now then, Billy,’ said Mrs Critchley, ‘what do you want?’
    Billy took a deep breath. ‘Well, ah definitely don’t want no friggin’ semolina!’
    Seconds later he joined Scott at the back of the queue.
    â€˜You’ll ’ave t’ask y’dad,’ whispered Scott.
    â€˜Ask ’im what?’ said Billy.
    â€˜T’find out what
friggin
’ means.’
    â€˜OK,’ agreed Billy.
    â€˜So no more swearing,’ said Scott.
    Billy nodded and looked anxiously at the queue in front of him. ‘Ah ’ope there’s some ice cream left.’
    I was just finishing my lunch when Anne tapped me on the shoulder. ‘Richard Gomersall is here, Jack,’ she said. ‘I’ve asked him to wait in the office.’
    â€˜Thanks, Anne.’
    â€˜Be warned,’ she said, ‘he looked a little agitated.’
    Our Senior Primary Adviser, in a smart purple cord suit, was sitting on the visitor’s chair and I sat down behind my desk. He was studying his personal copy of the now familiar ‘Rationalization’ document and underlining a specific section.
    â€˜Good to see you, Jack, and thanks for your time,’ he said. He glanced up at the clock on the wall. ‘I’m aware of your teaching commitment, so I’ll try to be brief.’
    â€˜Thank you, Richard. What can I do for you?’
    â€˜I have important news,’ he said, ‘and I’m afraid it affects you.’
    â€˜You mean the amalgamation with Morton School?’
    â€˜Yes, it’s definite now.’ He looked down at his notes. ‘It will be announced officially next month that, subject to the usual red tape, Morton School will merge with Ragley commencing the beginning of the spring term 1987.’
    â€˜I see,’ I said. ‘So in just over a year we’ll have almost another thirty children coming to Ragley?’
    â€˜That’s correct.’
    â€˜You’re aware of the problems of space in our small school, Richard, and I recall you mentioned a Portakabin.’
    â€˜Yes, that’s been discussed and you’ll have a temporary classroom added to the site.’
    â€˜Temporary?’
    â€˜Well, the usual Portakabin. We call them “temporary” but they finish up being permanent. The proposal is it will be sited on the grassy area next to the playground and will house up to thirty children.’ He glanced down at his notes. ‘Delivery is proposed for September next year, so everything will be in place for the spring term.’
    â€˜I’ve seen a few,’ I said with a wry smile. ‘Large green boxes that are cold in winter