by Joan Jonker
‘What have we here?’ he barked. ‘Overslept, did you, Spencer, and you, Reynolds? Well, speak up, boys, I’m waiting!’
He completely ignored Kate, taking away some of her fear and replacing it with anger. He’s treating me as though I’m not here, she told herself. Well, that’s ignorant, and I’m not going to stand for it! ‘I’ve come to speak for the boys, Mr Sykes. My name is Kate Spencer and I’m Billy’s mother.’
For the first time, the headmaster turned his eyes to her. For several seconds he didn’t speak, he was so taken aback by the woman facing him with anger in her eyes, for hers was a face of great beauty, absolute perfection, such as he’d never seen before. He realized he was staring and quickly recovered. ‘I’m so sorry, Mrs Spencer, please forgive me, I’ve been very rude.’
‘I’ve come to explain why the boys weren’t in school on time. I was afraid yer wouldn’t believe them if they told yer what happened, and I didn’t want them to be punished for something that was not their fault. But that is only one reason, I have another more serious reason for being here.’
Henry Sykes waved a hand towards the open door. ‘Please go in, Mrs Spencer, and sit down. I think the boys should go to their classroom.’
‘I would rather they didn’t, Mr Sykes, because I believe they will learn a lesson here, now, that is far more important than any they’d learn in the classroom. So please let them stay.’
‘By all means, if that is what you wish. But I’m afraid there aren’t enough chairs. Reynolds, bring a chair from the staff room, please. If there’s a member of staff there, explain that I have sent you.’
The last thing in the whole world the two boys had expected was to be sitting on chairs in the headmaster’s office. The only time they went there usually was for punishment. So it was with wide-eyed amazement that they watched this turn of events. Oh, and with bated breath, because they still couldn’t see Mr Sykes letting them off for being late. If he did, it would go down in the history books as a first.
‘I’ll start from the beginning, Mr Sykes, and you can question the boys afterwards to see if they agree that my version of events is correct.’ Kate started with Billy’s reluctance to go to school that morning, through to her seeing him and his friend being attacked by three bigger boys. Her face grew red as she told of running up the street, asking the other boys to stop, and being pushed aside. Then she described the intervention of her neighbour, who’d helped hold one of the boys until they found out their names. ‘I don’t usually tell tales, Mr Sykes, but these three were much older and bigger than Billy and Pete, and they could really have hurt them. They are bullies, and should not be allowed to get away with it. And that is why I wanted the boys to stay in your office, so they could see justice done. If those three aren’t punished, I’m afraid that Billy and Pete might think, well, if they get away with it, why shouldn’t we have a go at being bullies? That isn’t something I want for my son, and I feel sure Mrs Reynolds would say the same about Peter.’
The headmaster sat back in his chair, his fingers laced across his stomach. ‘This is a very serious matter and I will deal with it immediately. I will not have pupils from this school behaving like ruffians. Is it true, Spencer, that even very young children are picked on by these three pupils?’
Billy swallowed before answering. He just hoped the headmaster punished the bullies so much they’d never hit anyone, or steal from anyone, ever again. Because otherwise, he and Pete would be in real trouble. ‘Yes, Mr Sykes. I can give yer some names and yer can ask for yerself. They probably wouldn’t tell yer, though, they’d be too frightened.’
‘You can give me the names of these three boys?’
It was Kate who answered. ‘Only the first names. They are Alex, Paul and Andy.’
Mr Sykes left his chair and strode across the room. ‘Excuse me, Mrs Spencer, I shan’t be more than a minute.’
Billy groaned. ‘Have we got to stay here, Mam? That Alex and the other two will batter us when they get hold of us.’
‘Don’t worry, sunshine, ’cos if they even look sideways at yer, I’ll be round to see their parents. And I’ll take yer dad with me.’
‘Mrs Spencer, would yer have time to go round to see me mam and tell her what’s happened?’ Pete wasn’t sure his mother would believe him. ‘Otherwise I might end up getting a hiding.’
‘I’ll tell her, sunshine, so stop worrying. You and Billy have been very brave today, and she’ll be proud of yer. There’ll be no more kids frightened of coming to school or being threatened with a hiding if they don’t do as the thugs want. No, I’ve got a feeling Mr Sykes is going to teach them a lesson they’ll never forget. It might even make men of them.’
‘Hush, Mam,’ Billy said. ‘Here they come.’
The door was flung open and they heard the headmaster’s voice. ‘Inside, the three of you.’ The boys walked in with their heads bowed. No cockiness now, and too ashamed even to face Kate and the boys. The positions were reversed from this morning when they’d thought they were the big cheeses and everyone was afraid of them. Now they were going to get a taste of their own medicine, and it was they who were afraid.
Henry Sykes stormed round the desk to sit on his swivel chair. ‘Hudson, Wright and Fleming, I want to hear your account of what happened this morning. Why you attacked these two young boys who would not have been able to protect themselves if Mrs Spencer and her neighbour had not intervened. But before going any further, I would like each of you to give me your account of exactly what took place.’
‘We were only playing around, sir,’ said the leader, Alex Hudson. ‘We didn’t mean no harm, we were just acting daft.’
‘That’s right, Mr Sykes,’ Paul Wright said, wringing his hands. ‘Then these two women came up and started to hit us for nothing.’
When the third boy remained silent, the headmaster asked, ‘Well, Fleming, what have you got to say for yourself?’
‘We were hitting the boys, sir, because Alex wanted a marble off Pete and had threatened to give him a hiding if he didn’t hand it over this morning.’ Andy Fleming was really ashamed of himself, and regretted he’d ever let himself be talked into it by Alex. ‘I’m really sorry, sir, and apologize for my part in the incident.’
Henry Sykes laid his hands flat on the desk. He didn’t think he’d ever been so angry in all his years at the school. ‘A marble?’ he bellowed. ‘You would beat boys younger and smaller than yourselves for the sake of a marble! Never, ever, have I heard of such thuggery from a pupil at this school.’ Almost breathing fire, he said, ‘There are three of you, and I have in mind three punishments for each of you which you richly deserve. First will be six strokes of the cane, a punishment I will mete out myself. Then your parents will be sent a letter, and the incident should be recorded on your school leaving report. The latter I would be reluctant to do, though, because it would affect your chance of gaining worthwhile employment. So, if you can prove to me in the short time you have left at this school, that you have really changed for the better, I might reconsider. But the other two punishments still stand and will be carried out today. Come back to this office at twelve o’clock sharp.’
As the boys turned to leave, their faces drained of colour, the headmaster asked in a stern voice, ‘Have you no manners? Don’t you think you should apologize to Mrs Spencer and the boys for your disgraceful behaviour? That at least would show you acknowledge the need to change your whole attitude and manner.’
The apologies from Alex Hudson and Paul Wright were grudging, given only because the headmaster was glowering at them. Andy Fleming was the only one who sounded sincere and showed true remorse.
After the door was closed on their backs, Kate asked, ‘Can Billy and Pete go back to their lessons now, Mr Sykes? It’s been quite a morning for them and the normality of the classroom would help them calm down.’
‘Certainly, Mrs Spencer.’ He looked from Billy to Pete. ‘I’m sorry you’ve had to endure such an ordeal, but I assure you it will
never happen again. Now join your class and tell Mr Wharton I’ll be along presently to explain the reason for your being late.’
After a hug from Kate, which they could have done without because they felt really embarrassed in front of the headmaster, the boys left the room. This gave her the chance to say what was on her mind. ‘If those three boys have a bad report when they leave school it will go against them getting a job, and I wouldn’t want that on me conscience. They were very wrong to do what they did, and I’m glad they are being punished. But I would appreciate it if yer would think again about noting their behaviour in their end of school report.’ Kate rose from the chair and faced Mr Sykes across the desk. ‘Thank you for giving me your time and listening to me, I really do appreciate it. And now I’ll leave you to get on with your work. I realize you must be a very busy man. Running a school with so many pupils in your charge can’t be easy.’ She held out her hand. ‘Goodbye, Mr Sykes, and thank you once again.’
He rushed to open the door for her. ‘Thank you for bringing such a serious matter to my attention. I shall be speaking to all the senior classes this afternoon, and the pupils will receive a warning. Although I have to admit the majority of them are polite, well-behaved and will never be in trouble.’
As Kate walked through the door, he said, ‘If you ever have any queries regarding your son, I’m always here to listen.’
She nodded and smiled. ‘Thank you.’
Henry Sykes watched her walk down the corridor, thinking what a lucky man Mr Spencer was to have such a beautiful wife. And it wasn’t only her looks he admired. He believed she would be a generous person, kind and warm. The perfect wife, in fact.
‘I’d just about given yer up,’ Monica said when she opened her door. ‘Yer’ve been gone ages, girl, I was beginning to think yer’d been run over.’
‘I’ve been sitting in the headmaster’s office, haven’t I? With Billy and Pete, and chairs provided for all of us.’
‘Go ’way! Well, I never!’ Monica closed the door and followed her friend into the living room. ‘Ye’re not pulling me leg, are yer?’
‘I am not! If yer make us a cup of tea, I’ll tell yer all about it.’
‘I’ll have it on the table in the blink of an eye, girl, ’cos the kettle’s been on the boil for the last half-hour.’ Monica was true to her word, and was soon carrying two steaming cups through. ‘To tell yer the truth, I was nearly going out to look for yer. I had no idea yer’d be that long, I half expected yer back for ten o’clock.’
Kate sipped on the tea and sighed blissfully. ‘Oh, that tastes good. Me nerves were so bad when I got to the school, me mouth felt like sandpaper. And I can still see our Billy’s and Pete’s faces – they were a picture no artist could paint. I bet I won’t be able to shut Billy up tonight, he’ll never stop talking about sitting in his headmaster’s room. As he said, the only time kids go there usually is to be punished.’
‘I hope ye’re not going to tell me this in dribs and drabs, girl, I’d far rather yer started at the very beginning. Right from the time when yer walked through the school gates, when, knowing what ye’re like, I imagine yer were a bundle of nerves.’
‘That’s putting it mildly, sunshine, it would be nearer the truth to say I was terrified. And when I saw the headmaster striding down the corridor looking so stern, I knew just how the boys feel when they’re waiting to get the cane for being naughty. But he was very nice really, and everything went well. Still, seeing as yer want me to start at the beginning, I’ll take another sip of me tea then start.’
By the time Kate had finished the tale, Monica was nodding her head. ‘I should think so, too! I’m glad those louts got their comeuppance. Perhaps they’ll think twice in future before picking on kids smaller than themselves who can’t fight back. If they had to face a proper man, they’d run a mile.’
‘Oh, I think they’ll be feeling very sorry for themselves right now.’ Kate glanced at the clock. ‘In an hour’s time they’ve to report to Mr Sykes for six strokes of the cane. Not a pleasant prospect, I imagine. Then they’ll get it in the neck from their parents when they read the letter from the headmaster.’ Kate drained her cup and put it back on the saucer. ‘One of the boys, I think his name was Andy Fleming, wasn’t as brazen as the other two. He sounded ashamed of himself, and genuinely sorry.’
‘Well, yer seem to have had an exciting morning, girl, but ye’re not the only one. Betty came with some very good news.’
Kate raised her brows. ‘Margaret and Greg are getting married.’
Monica gaped. ‘How did yer know? Here’s me waiting on pins for yer to come home so I could break the news to yer, and yer already know!’
‘I didn’t know, sunshine, it was just a guess. But it’s something I hoped would happen for the sake of everyone concerned.’
‘Ye’re wasting yer time, yer know, girl, yer should get yerself a job as a clairvoyant in the fair at New Brighton. Ye’re as good as Gypsy Rose Lee any day.’
‘I’m not that good, sunshine, or I wouldn’t have to ask yer what else Betty had to say. So, out with it, and from the very beginning.’
‘Wait until I pour some more water into the pot, we may as well have another cuppa. And when I’ve finished telling yer Betty’s news, we’ve got that washing of yours to put on the line before we go to the shops.’
The added water made the tea very weak, but Kate was glad to have it to sip on while Monica brought her up to date with the Blackmores’ news. ‘Yer mean, she wants us to go to the house for a drink after the wedding?’
‘Yeah! They’re not having a big spread, just the two families and us. And Betty said there’s no need for us to go to the register office ’cos it’s not a long ceremony. Just a few words and they’ll be in and out.’
‘Ah, it’s sad if Margaret doesn’t have anyone there to see her married.’ Kate’s tender heart came to the fore. ‘You make it sound like a business deal, not a bit romantic.’
‘They can’t afford a big wedding, and with the girl being pregnant, well, it wouldn’t be right anyway.’
‘I’d still like to go to the register office,’ Kate said firmly. ‘We can at least throw a bit of confetti over them.’
‘And what would yer suggest we wear, eh? I haven’t got anything decent enough for a wedding.’ Then Monica pursed her lips. ‘Mind you, Betty said neither she nor Margaret is buying anything new, ’cos they need the money for other things.’
‘Our summer dresses will be fine,’ Kate said. ‘No one will ever guess we got them from a second-hand stall at the market. All we need is a flower each, and we’ll look as good as anyone.’
‘I think ye’re forgetting something, girl. What happens when yer meet Greg? He won’t know whether to say he’s met yer before or not!’
‘I’m way ahead of yer, sunshine,’ Kate giggled. ‘That was the first thing I thought of. So, what I’ll do, I’ll see him before the wedding. I could wait for him outside his works one night, but that’s too inconvenient for the family’s dinner. So I’ll have to try and find out what time he gets off the tram at night, and be waiting there for him. One way or another, I’ll sort something out.’
‘I’ve been wondering whether we should buy them a wedding present?’ Monica sighed. ‘Trouble is, I’m going to be strapped for cash. It’s Dolly’s birthday at the weekend, and your Nancy’s two days later. And we can’t let that pass without buying them a present.’
‘Funny you mentioning their birthdays, ’cos I was looking in the window of the chemist’s as I passed on me way home and saw something I thought would be ideal as one of their presents. They’ve got small bottles of toilet water for threepence. There’s sweet-pea, rose or violet. As soon as I saw them I thought our Nancy would be delighted with one as a present. She wouldn’t half feel grown-up.’
‘So would our Dolly, she’d stink the ruddy house down,’ Monica gurgled. ‘I bet the bottle would be empty that very same day.’
‘If it was, sunshine, yer could har
dly shout at her, seeing as it was a birthday present.’ Kate rapped her fingers on the table. ‘Listen to this idea and see what yer think. For the girls, a bottle of scented water each, plus a fancy lace hankie for them to dab it on. That would cost us sixpence each, which we’re going to have to afford because we can’t let their birthdays go without a pressie. And as a present for Margaret on her wedding day, we could both knit a matinee coat, matching bonnet, gloves and socks. The wool wouldn’t cost much, and they’d make a nice present. How about it?’
‘Sounds good to me, kiddo! We could get an ounce of wool while we’re at the shops today, and make a start.’
‘Right, that’s sorted out.’ Then Kate frowned. ‘Yer didn’t say anything about Greg’s mam! Was she all right about them getting married?’
‘Must have been. Betty didn’t say much about that, but then she wouldn’t, she’s not one for talking behind people’s backs. But what I forgot to tell yer was that when Greg’s parents left, he stayed behind and the two youngsters sat on the couch, close together. He seemed to unwind, with the wedding and everything sorted, and told Betty and Jack that Margaret was the only girl he’d ever wanted to go out with. He’d been wanting to ask her for a date for ages, but was too shy. And Margaret said she’d never wanted any other boy but Greg.’ Monica took one look at Kate’s face, rolled her eyes and groaned. ‘Oh, God, yer’ve got that soppy look on yer face again. Ye’re not half a sucker for sentiment. Romance, kisses, a love story, and ye’re in yer element. Always want the happy ending, don’t yer, girl?’
‘There’s nothing wrong with that, sunshine, it’s better than having a heart of stone. Aren’t yer pleased Margaret’s getting married?’
‘Are yer by any chance trying to tell me, in a roundabout way, that I haven’t got a heart? And before yer answer that, I’d advise yer to remember who’s going to give yer a hand to get that washing on the line.’
