Changing Times

by Jack Sheffield

  Anne was on duty and John was sipping tea when Lily walked in.

  ‘What’s happening to your cottage?’ John asked.

  ‘It’s been put up for sale and Millicent Merryweather has offered to check on it each day until it’s sold.’

  ‘It will be in safe hands with Millicent,’ said Vera.

  ‘So what are your plans?’ asked John.

  ‘A holiday, then a removal up to the new home in Durham.’

  ‘Busy times,’ he said. ‘I should like to help.’

  ‘Thank you, John.’

  There was an awkward pause. Lily thought everyone was strangely quiet and wondered why.

  At lunchtime Vera hurried across the road to the General Stores to buy two extra bottles of milk. An eventful afternoon was in store and she smiled in anticipation.

  It was when she was crossing the road that she sensed a change in the wind and looked up. The weather vane on top of the village hall creaked ominously as it turned on its axis and pointed to the west. The air was hot and the breeze damp. In the far distance dark clouds were gathering. Vera shook her head. It looked threatening. A storm was coming – a big storm.

  It was Vera’s idea to get Lily out of the way and Anne had been assigned to keep her busy. She popped her head round Lily’s classroom door. ‘Would you mind taking a walk with me? Perhaps to the far end of the field out of earshot.’

  Lily looked puzzled. ‘Yes, if you wish.’

  ‘It’s about my new role of acting deputy – I need to pick your brains.’

  ‘Ah, I see,’ said Lily with a smile. ‘Come on then.’

  They wandered off into the distance and were still engrossed when the bell rang for afternoon school.

  ‘Oh dear,’ said Lily, ‘we musn’t be late,’ and they hurried back across the field.

  It was when Anne ushered her into the hall that realization dawned.

  ‘What’s this?’ asked an astonished Lily.

  ‘It’s a celebration assembly,’ replied Anne.

  Lily was speechless.

  Anne smiled. ‘It’s for you, Lily. We didn’t want leaving Ragley to be a time of sadness. We wanted to celebrate everything that you have done for the school and for us.’

  ‘Oh, Anne,’ said Lily as she took in the scene before her. ‘What a wonderful surprise. I can’t believe it.’

  All the children were sitting cross-legged on the floor in rows, while the chairs at the back were filled with parents and villagers. Anne took her seat next to Valerie Flint and school governor Albert Jenkins. On the other side, Vera was flanked by Ruby and Sally Nobbs.

  John Pruett gestured for Lily to sit down. He began the proceedings in a sonorous voice. ‘Good afternoon, everybody. Thank you for gathering here today. I know this is unexpected for Mrs Feather, but we didn’t want to leave it until the last day of term to say goodbye.’

  He turned to Lily. ‘Everyone in this hall would like to thank you and we’ve selected a representative few who would like to say some words. First of all, I should like to welcome back our excellent student teacher, Miss Nobbs.’

  Sally stood up and smiled at Lily. ‘I’m here simply to say thank you on behalf of all the students who have benefited from experiencing a teaching practice at this wonderful school. For my part, I shall always be grateful to Mrs Feather for being my mentor and I shall carry with me all of her teachings.’ She smiled at Lily. ‘And I’ve just been appointed to a teaching post in Leeds.’

  There was spontaneous applause, then John stood up again. ‘Nothing would have kept David and Malcolm Robinson away today. They were in my class when Mrs Feather arrived back in nineteen fifty-two.’ He smiled at the Ragley bin men. ‘It’s been a long time since I caught them sliding down the coke pile outside the boiler house.’

  There was laughter as Big Dave and Little Malcolm stood up. As usual, it was Big Dave who spoke first. ‘We jus’ wanted t’say a big thank you t’Mrs Feather. Back when ah were ten an’ Malc’ were nine y’might recall we were famous in t’village ’cause we found that butterfly bomb. An’ it were thanks t’Mrs Feather an’ Mr Pruett that it were med safe.’ He looked down at Malcolm. ‘An’ Malc’ ’as summat t’say.’

  He nudged Little Malcolm, who went bright red. Public speaking was not his forte. ‘It were jus’ that Mrs Feather, ’xcept she were Miss Briggs then, taught me t’speak in long sentences an’ ah’ve never f’got.’

  He sat down quickly. Lily and John Pruett clapped and everyone joined in.

  Big Dave gave Little Malcolm a nudge and whispered, ‘Well done, Malc’. Yurra star.’

  ‘And now the chair of the PTA,’ said John.

  The tall, unassuming Mrs Ollerenshaw stood up. ‘Simply to say a big thank you on behalf of all the parents, past and present, whose children have benefited from being in your class. Mrs Feather spent much of her time solving our problems and we shall always be grateful.’ There were murmurs of agreement from the other parents.

  John looked across the hall to Vera, who gave an imperceptible nod of the head. ‘Before I ask the chair of governors to speak, I think Miss Evans would like a word.’

  As always, Vera spoke with confidence and clarity. ‘Mrs Feather is well aware of our special friendship as colleagues here in Ragley School. She has always been the essence of professionalism and there is no higher praise than that. Her sincerity, gentleness and kindness will always be remembered.’

  It had been difficult for Vera to control her emotions. She sat down quickly, removed a lace handkerchief from the sleeve of her cardigan and dabbed her eyes.

  Joseph Evans stood up, visibly moved by his sister’s words. However, he was used to gathering himself and speaking to a congregation. ‘We were indeed fortunate to appoint Mrs Feather eleven school years ago. She has been an asset to Ragley and has brought so much to our school and village community. On behalf of everyone here – parents, children, staff and governors – it gives me great pleasure to present Mrs Feather with a token of our appreciation.’

  Vera brought to the front of the hall a large box, beautifully wrapped in lilac tissue paper and tied with lavender bows.

  Lily sat in her seat and unwrapped it with trembling hands. She looked up and spotted Freddie and hoped he hadn’t been forced to be here. Even so, she was glad that he was now that Tom was away.

  The box was heavy and the children watched open-mouthed in excited anticipation. Inside was a magnificent clock and Lily held it up for all to see. The inscription read: ‘For Lily Feather with love and sincere thanks from everyone at Ragley School.’

  She held it in her arms and stood up. It was time to respond.

  ‘First of all, thank you for the care and time that you have all taken to organize this amazing afternoon. I didn’t know anything about it.’ She laughed and looked down at the younger pupils. ‘Boys and girls, how did you keep it a secret?’

  The children called out and pointed. ‘It was Mrs Grainger.’

  Lily smiled at Anne and saw her nodding tearfully. She knew the school would be in good hands and hoped Anne would remain as deputy headteacher. Ragley needed her now more than ever.

  ‘I cannot begin to tell you how much this all means to me. Not only this beautiful clock, which will sit on my mantelpiece in my new home, but the kindness you have shown me. I shall treasure this gift for the rest of my life and when I look at it I shall think of you.’

  She scanned the sea of faces. ‘I am so grateful to have had this time in Ragley School. All my pupils are so special to me and I will never forget you. Thank you to the parents and governors, who have been so kind and supportive, and, of course, the wonderful staff.’ She nodded towards Vera and Ruby. ‘You will always be in my thoughts …’ She paused and looked at John. ‘… and Mr Pruett, a wonderful headteacher and a kind man. Where would we be without you?’

  John was visibly moved. Perhaps she does care about me; maybe not as I had hoped … but she does care.

  ‘Thank you, Mrs Feather,’ he said quietly, ‘tha
nk you.’

  When Lily sat down, John Pruett took a deep breath. All eyes turned towards him. It was the hardest place to be. ‘I recall my first meeting with Mrs Feather all those years ago. She arrived exactly on time.’ He gave a wry smile, although his heart was full of sadness. ‘We did not know then what a wonderful teacher would be joining the staff at Ragley School … we know now. Her skill and her love of learning have been there for all to see. Pupils past and present have benefited from her professionalism.’ He looked at Lily. ‘Good luck for the future. Ragley’s loss will be Durham’s gain.’

  He was close to tears as he sat down and the applause seemed to last for ever.

  Freddie had watched and heard everything. He could barely explain his emotions. Tears pricked his eyes when he heard the many tributes.

  Rose was right, he thought. Lily is a remarkable woman with so much strength. People love her, and rightly so. He knew that over the years he had taken her for granted. He would put things right. From this moment on he would be different. He would be kind, a better person … one that she deserved and wanted him to be.

  That evening the governors’ meeting was low-key. Joseph was in the chair and Vera acted as secretary, with John, Lily and Albert Jenkins in attendance.

  After the meeting closed Lily walked out to the entrance hall followed by John. ‘I’ll lock up when I leave,’ she said. ‘Freddie is collecting me.’

  There was a moment of disappointment for John. ‘Well, don’t be long. This weather could break any time.’

  ‘Shall I wait with you?’ asked Vera.

  ‘No thanks, Vera. I thought I would pack a few boxes while I’m waiting.’

  Vera smiled. ‘To be perfectly honest, Lily, I’m quite keen to get back to watch the Royal International Horse Show.’

  Vera tidied the staff-room and left with Joseph to drive back to the vicarage.

  Albert paused in the entrance hall. ‘Lily, remember the words of Abraham Lincoln,’ he said with a smile.

  Lily looked at this kindly man with curiosity. ‘Knowing you, Albert, they will be words of wisdom.’

  Albert smiled. ‘Perhaps,’ he said. He paused as he plucked one of his favourite sayings from his vast store of knowledge. ‘In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.’

  Very true, thought Lily and she thought of her work at Ragley School and the faces of the pupils. So many children … so many memories. ‘Special times, Albert,’ she said quietly. ‘I’ve been fortunate teaching here. I shall miss you all.’

  ‘Never forget,’ said Albert with a wry smile and recalling the works of Oscar Wilde, ‘the importance of being Lily.’

  Above their heads the Victorian rafters creaked as the wind gathered strength. Albert glanced up at the windows. Darkness was falling earlier than usual and rain clouds were gathering. ‘Are you sure I can’t give you a lift?’

  ‘Thank you, but Freddie is picking me up.’ She looked at the hall clock. ‘He should be here in half an hour. I said I would pack a few of my belongings, so I’ll be fine.’

  A few miles away the landlord of the Pig & Ferret grabbed Stan Coe by his collar. ‘That’s enough, Stan, time t’go ’ome.’

  ‘Gerroff!’ shouted Stan.

  The Ragley pig farmer had been drinking steadily and was now three sheets to the wind; in other words, he was rolling drunk.

  ‘An’ y’shouldn’t be drivin’.’

  Stan took no notice. He had always believed he was a better driver with a few pints inside him. He staggered out to his Land Rover, lit up a cigarette and drove unsteadily out of the car park.

  Lily had packed most of her personal books in two cardboard boxes and stacked them beside her desk for taking home the next day. She looked around her classroom – everything was in its place. She was proud of her organization: the neat, carpeted book corner, paintings and writing on the display boards, and newly washed bristle brushes in a large jug next to the sink. It was time to collect her coat from the staff-room and wait in the entrance hall for Freddie to arrive.

  She had just put on her coat when it happened.

  There was a sudden flash of lightning and the lights went out. Plunged into darkness, she banged her knee on the coffee table and stood still, waiting for her eyes to adjust. A few seconds later there was a deep rumble of thunder that seemed to shake the building.

  She remembered that John kept a large torch in a cupboard under the staff-room window and she felt her way around the room. It was there and she switched it on with relief. A yellow circle of light washed across the walls and she walked out to the entrance hall.

  Fuse box, she thought, but then remembered it was in the caretaker’s store and that would be locked. John would have the spare key in his desk.

  It made sense to walk outside to the porch, lock the door and shine the torch so that Freddie could see where she was. That was when she heard the rain begin to fall. Heaven’s army was on the march and it was almost overhead.

  Stan Coe slowed as he drove down the Morton road and peered through his windscreen. Sheets of rain swamped the road ahead and he stopped next to the village green. Suddenly the lights of The Royal Oak and the adjoining cottages flickered and, a moment later, the lights of the school went out completely.

  He pulled up and stared out into the inky darkness.

  Lily held the torch and opened the entrance door. Above her, huge droplets shattered on the roof of the porch in an explosion of spray. The air seemed full of pressure and electricity, while lightning forked down from a sky the colour of Whitby jet. Giant thunderheads rolled over the earth with a shuddering boom as Lily locked the door behind her. They were immediately followed by white forked lightning and a ragged bolt of unbearable voltage lit up the school.

  It was in that second of sharp, intense light that Stan Coe saw Lily, alone and vulnerable. Realization dawned in his blurred thoughts. A long-awaited moment had arrived.

  Up the Morton road, Freddie and Rose were outside the McConnells’ house.

  ‘Thanks for a lovely evening, Freddie. I loved the film.’

  ‘See you tomorrow,’ he said.

  There was a flash of lightning and Rose, startled, clung to Freddie’s coat. He kissed her softly. ‘I have to go – I promised Lily I would pick her up from school.’

  There was a crash of thunder.

  ‘Drive safely,’ called Rose as she went inside.

  Freddie hurried out to the car as the rain began to hammer down. He turned left at the village green past The Royal Oak and noticed a Land Rover was parked outside the school entrance. He pulled up and stared up at the school. There were no lights. Then he saw the beam of a torch under the porch and presumed it must be Lily. She must have locked the door and was waiting for him.

  He eased the car into first gear and drove slowly up the drive. It was then that the torchlight went out and there was another flash of lightning.

  Lily screamed and dropped the torch as a large figure loomed out of the darkness and mounted the steps. She was grabbed by her shoulders and pushed back against the wall. A fleshy hand pressed against her mouth.

  ‘That bloke of yours saved you las’ time … well, there’s no one ’ere to ’elp y’now.’

  Lily recognized the voice.

  ‘It’s time you ’ad a real man.’ A groping hand began to fumble at her clothes. His breathing was heavy with anticipation. ‘Ah’ve waited a long time f’this. Come t’Stanley.’

  The foul smell of stale beer, cigarette smoke and sweat was overwhelming.

  In the moment that lightning lit up the school, Freddie saw the silhouette of Lily with Stan towering over her.

  He leaped out of the car and ran up the path. Without hesitation, he mounted the steps and grabbed Stan with savage strength. Stan fell backwards and Freddie held him by the scruff of the neck. With a ferocity and a strength Lily had never seen before, Freddie banged Stan against the wall again and again.

  Stan’s fear was palpable. Uri
ne began to trickle down his leg and puddle at his feet. His eyes blinked with terror like the shutters of his soul.

  ‘My God,’ said Freddie as he looked down at Stan in disgust. He lifted him higher so that his feet almost dangled in mid-air.

  ‘Remember this, Stan Coe. If you ever go near Lily again, I will find you and next time I will not be so generous.’ With that he punched him in the solar plexus and dropped him to the floor.

  ‘No more,’ pleaded Stan, ‘no more.’

  Freddie stepped back. ‘Now move before I change my mind.’

  Stan clambered up unsteadily, coughing violently, and staggered back to his car.

  Freddie knelt down beside Lily. He put his arms around her. ‘It’s okay,’ he said softly. ‘You’re safe now.’

  Lily stopped shaking. ‘Please don’t say anything to anyone, Freddie. Please don’t.’

  ‘We have to, Lily. Scum like that need to be dealt with.’

  ‘But it may not be dealt with. It will be his word against mine.’

  ‘And mine,’ said Freddie.

  ‘But that’s what it’s like, Freddie. You’re still young. They wouldn’t listen to you – and think what would happen if Tom found out. He would kill him and then where would we be?’

  Freddie knew she was telling the truth.

  Things had to change.

  The world had to change.

  He prayed that one day it would.

  Back in Laurel Cottage Freddie helped Lily into the lounge. ‘Let me take your coat. You sit down and I’ll get you a drink.’

  Lily began to relax. ‘Thanks, a cup of tea would be fine.’

  ‘No, I want you to have a small brandy first to steady your nerves.’

  Lily simply nodded, aware that there had been a subtle change in their roles, with Freddie in control.

  As she sipped her brandy Freddie sat down next to her. ‘I’m glad I came to school this afternoon.’

  Lily looked up in surprise.

  ‘It made me aware of many things I didn’t know. You really are an amazing person.’

  ‘That’s kind, Freddie.’

  ‘But that’s the trouble … I haven’t been.’