Wind Across the Playground

by Ross Richdale

  "Mr. Mulligan," he said "I want a word." There was no please and his voice was determined.

  The inspector stopped mid-stride and glanced at him. "Isn't your class waiting, Mr. Overworth?" he asked.

  "I have a complaint," Noel said. He was angry now and was not going to let this man intimidate him. "It's about Lisa."

  "I guessed as much," Mulligan replied and stood with a finger rubbing the bridge of his nose.

  "She was very distressed about the way she was treated," Noel continued. "She's a damn good teacher and I don't think it is fair that you..."

  "Your girlfriend?" Mulligan interrupted.

  Noel was caught unawares and forgot what he was about to say. "Yes," he spluttered. "Why not?"

  "No reason," Frank Mulligan replied. "My wife was a student teacher when I met her. They closed the teachers colleges in the war and I'd just been called up in the army." He gave a small smile and the stern eyes softened. "We were married three months later and, over three decades later, we're still together."

  "But I still think you were too sever with Lisa," Noel said. The anger was gone but he was still determined to have his say.

  "In my estimation there are three types of young teachers," Mulligan said. "Those who have potential, those who will probably get there and those who are wasting their time. I don't bother to push the last group but the better teachers need to be able to take criticism and advice. You fit into that group."

  "But not ridicule," Noel snapped.

  The inspector's eyes bore into the man confronting him. "Miss Woolstone has a huge potential, Noel. She is highly nervous, I know but twice this morning she defended her actions when I purposely tried to find fault. I regret that she took my probing to heart."

  "Then tell her," Noel whispered.

  "I'll leave that to you," the man replied. "I believe she is taking your music at one thirty. You'd better get back to your class, don't you think?"

  Noel nodded and walked slowly back to Room 7 to find the room deadly quiet. Every child was doing project work and Nancy, the duty monitor was up the front with a piece of chalk in her hand. "There were no talkers, Mr. Overworth," she said with a grin. "We all saw you talking to Mr. Mulligan on the tennis court and thought he might come back with you."

  "Thank you, Nancy" Noel said and turned to the class. "Listen everyone." He waited while pencils were put down and continued. "Mr. Mulligan is coming in soon."

  A groan went through the room.

  "Miss Woolstone will be taking music."

  "Can we do the songs she taught us?" one of the boys called out.

  "Ryan!" Noel replied and the boy flushed. "Yes, you will. I hope you all know the actions Miss Woolstone taught you on Tuesday."

  "We do," chorused the children and a buzz of excitement filled the air.

  When Lisa walked in ten minutes later, the class was already sitting up with the drums, clickers and triangles distributed. The piano had been wheeled in from the storage room ready for use.

  Lisa glanced at Noel and smiled nervously. "I saw you talking to him," she whispered. "Whatever you said, it worked. He came in, asked to talk to the class, told them how he enjoyed the morning and said he was looking forward to seeing their art when he came back after little play."

  She stopped when the man in question walked in the door and sat down beside Nancy. "And what is this new song I've heard you're practicing for the school concert?" he asked.

  Noel smiled and walked out. Now all he had to do was to get Lisa's class to make a good job of painting the pictures they were drawing for the wall chart started on Monday.

  AT THREE THIRTY FIVE, Lisa walked on the bus and handed Noel a tiny slip of paper. "A note for you, Mr. Overworth," she said in a serious voice and sat down in her old place near the rear of the bus.

  Noel frowned and held the paper as he started. He drove around the corner and stopped by the other school entrance. There was a short wait here for the five high school children that transferred from another bus so he had time to peep at the note.

  The afternoon went well. I phoned Mum to say I was staying in town with Diane tonight but guess where I'll really be? I brought some new shortie pyjamas just in case— very thin material. Interested? Lisa.

  Noel caught her smiling blue eyes in the rear vision mirror. "Your idea has merit, Miss Overworth," he said in a very formal voice. "I am interested in your idea."

  The high school children arrived and fought their way in so he couldn't see her reaction. The tiny Bedford bus swung around and, without thinking Noel began to whistle a little tune from the pop group Abba. The children all began singing as they headed back to The Junction. Grading was over and a night of lovemaking was ahead. What else did one need in life?

  OCTOBER WAS SPRING, a time for renewal and growth. The lambs through this sheep farming hinterland were growing and the weather turned hot. Noel and Lisa were inseparable and their affection towards each other was now certainly love. It was also a time for meeting parents. One Saturday Noel took Lisa home to Palmerston North to meet his parents at the Overworth family home tucked in a cul-de-sac near the hospital.

  "I like your family," Lisa said as they drove back to Taihape late that evening.

  "Yes," Noel grinned. "Now what?"

  "Sunday dinner at my place," Lisa replied. "It's about time you met Mum and Dad.

  Sarah Woolstone was an older version of her daughter, still slim and attractive with a few strands of grey in her blonde hair. She had Lisa's bubbly personality as she chatted away with Noel. Andy Woolstone, Lisa's father was a decade older than his wife but tanned muscles bulged from under his black singlet and his balding head was constantly covered in a massive wide brimmed hat. Noel found himself scrutinized. Andy cornered him in the living room while Lisa and her mother were doing the dishes after an enormous country meal.

  "So are you serious about young Lisa?" the man said bluntly.

  "Yes," Noel answered with a direct reply.

  "Well be kind to her, lad," Woolstone said.

  "Of course," Noel replied.

  "And don't think you can rush her into bed either," Andy added in a neutral voice. "She's not that sort of girl. If you like and respect her you'll be patient and can one day get married. Oh, I know you young stallions think you can bed anything in a skirt. If you are that way inclined, don't do it with my daughter. She'll just freeze and you'll spoil your relationship."

  "I'll do nothing to hurt Lisa," Noel replied and hoped he wouldn't flush.

  "Good," Andy replied. "Now, if you'd like some extra money over your holidays I could do with some help when we start hay making. It's heavy work but I'll make it worthwhile. I cut hay and bail for several farmers in the district. It's a bit of a sideline for me."

  "I'd like that," Noel replied relived at the change of topic. "Thanks."

  "THE OLD HYPOCRITE," Lisa said with a laugh when Noel repeated the conversation to her later that afternoon. "I know I was born only four months after Mum and him were married. I found their marriage certificate a few years back and saw it was dated a year later than I'd always been told. That's the trouble, I think. Mum has stuck with Dad but I don't think she's happy. Oh, they get on okay but she seems so sad at times." She turned to Noel. "That's not going to happen to me," she said. "Why should we be forced into something because of what the neighbours think?"

  Noel was about to make a light-hearted jest but noticed that Lisa's expression was serious. "Times are changing, Lisa," he said. "I'm sure it won't be so bad for our generation.

  MONDAY, NOVEMBER THE first in 1976 was the traditional day when the gradings to arrived. Claire returned from the post office at nine thirty and knocked on Room Seven's door.

  "A letter for you, Noel," she said and handed him a long brown envelope with OHMS on the top left corner.

  In spite of himself, Noel's hand shook as he thanked their office assistant and took the letter. His whole future depended on the contents. If he received a three it meant another three ye
ars in Taihape or another assistant's job but a four, as Frank Mulligan had hinted at, meant he could pick up a sole charge school somewhere. These tiny schools with less than twenty-five pupils were well sort after, especially in the better districts. He told his class who had become noisy to do project work, slit the envelope open and withdrew the one white sheet inside.

  He opened it and moved his eyes to the bottom where a row of numbers from one to nine was printed. His eyes bulged. Holly hell! The six was circled.

  He got a six! He never even dreamed he would get more than a five.

  "Keep on with your work," Noel directed the class. With a wide grin on his face he slipped the sheet back in the envelope and headed out to find Lisa.

  He almost knocked her over at the corner of the corridor. She looked as excited as he felt and was holding her own grading sheet.

  "I got a three," she screamed, ran into his arms and kissed him passionately. "Noel, I got a three. That's a top grading for PAs. Only ten percent get a three. I thought I'd get a one."

  They kissed again in the empty corridor until Lisa stood back and noticed Noel's envelope. "Oh Noel," she said. "It's so mean of me. How did you do?"

  "Not too bad," Noel shrugged and handed her his copy.

  "Oh, I'm sorry, Noel," Lisa said in sympathy and took his sheet out. She unfolded it, read the contents and looked up. "You old bugger," she retorted with her eyes sparkling and everything was again kisses and hugs.

  Noel heard a cough and spun around. Lisa gasped and leapt back from him with a crimson face. The headmaster stood there.

  "Good news?" Wayne said with an unreadable expression on his face.

  "Yes," Lisa replied and, still hot with embarrassment, handed both the grading sheets to the headmaster.

  He read them and smiled. "I thought this would happen," he said. "Congratulations. The other two PAs both got a two." He handed the sheets back and shook both their hands. "There's sausage rolls for morning tea," he added. "My shout for the hard working staff, I have."

  "Oh my God," Lisa laughed after the headmaster left. "He caught us smooching and didn't say a word."

  "No," Noel chuckled and kissed her again.

  CHAPTER 4

  After a bout of love making that left Noel exhausted Lisa burst out laughing, flung her arms around his neck and kissed him.

  "Why, what's the joke?"

  "I just wondered what Dad would say if he knew what we do," she replied. "I reckon the shot gun would be out and you'll get both barrels."

  She sat up and, almost reluctantly, began to dress.

  "Lisa," Noel said in a sudden burst of words as if he couldn't get them out quick enough, "Will you marry me?"

  The young woman slipped her top and shorts on without saying a word.

  "Lisa," Noel repeated. "I know you heard. Will you marry me?"

  She turned. "No, Noel," she replied. "I won't."

  Noel's heart sank. "But why not?" he muttered with deep disappointment showing. "I love you. Lisa and I'm sure you love me, too."

  "Oh, I do," Lisa replied. "That's why the answer is no."

  "That's stupid," Noel retorted.

  "I don't want us to end up like my parents, Noel," Lisa replied. "I'm twenty-one and you're twenty-four. You've never made love to anyone except me, have you?"

  "No," admitted Noel. "What does that matter? I love you."

  "Now maybe," Lisa said as she sat back on the old sofa and pulled her knees up. "What about next year, the year after... in 1990. We'll be in our thirties and you'll think back to now and wish you hadn't committed yourself so early."

  "That's not true," Noel argued.

  "Look," Lisa said. "I will not marry you now. I want you to screw a few other women then, if you still want me..." her voice trailed off.

  "What! You mean go home and pick up someone at a pub next weekend."

  "No," Lisa whispered. She glanced across at him. "If we both feel the same as we do now in 1980 and you've bedded at least three other woman in the intervening time, I'll marry you and we'll have children together." She reached out and grabbed his hand. "Make it two," she whispered. "We don't want it to become a habit."

  "And you," said Noel bitterly. "Will you sleep around, too?"

  "Probably not," she whispered. " I think you still need other women or you will always regret it. I had three others," she admitted.

  "Three," Noel gasped his face contorted with jealousy. "When?"

  "High school and Teacher's College" She reached out and kissed him on the lips. "I need nobody now except you my sweet, but I think you do."

  "Never," Noel spat.

  "That is the deal, Noel," Lisa replied in a determined voice. "After that, if you still feel the same way about me, I'll marry you. That's it!"

  "...But you'll live with me?"

  "Not here," Lisa said. "It's too close to home but if you get a new job with your Super Six, I'll come with you. That's a promise."

  "Okay Lisa," Noel replied. "It's a deal. That bit about another woman, though. I don't think I can."

  Lisa broke into a smile. "Women, Neil. Didn't I say two?"

  "I won't change my mind," Noel whispered and finished putting his clothes on.

  THREE COPIES OF THE Education Gazette arrived each fortnight at Taihape School but by the time Noel got in the staffroom on Monday morning, two had already gone. He grabbed the last copy, turned to the Wanganui Education Board section and gazed at the vacancies. Nothing! He browsed through the other North Island boards but there were no two-teacher positions advertised. Oh well, another gazette would be out in two weeks. He placed the magazine on the table and walked back to his room.

  Minutes later Lisa walked in the staffroom and did exactly the same thing but she looked further.

  "Interesting," she said and wrote something on a slip of paper.

  At lunchtime Noel heard her ask Claire if she could make a toll call and a few moments later she was talking to someone at the other end of the country. She hung up, grabbed some job application forms and turned to Noel with one of the forms.

  "Sign it," she said. "I'll do the rest."

  Noel screwed his nose up. "There aren't any jobs up," he said.

  "Sign it!" Lisa insisted and handed him a ballpoint pen.

  "Okay." Noel grinned and scribbled his signature on the inside back page. "What's it all about?"

  "Nothing," Lisa said. "Well, there is something but I'm not going to tell you."

  The positions always closed two weeks after being advertised and, during that time, Noel heard no more from Lisa so assumed that she had done nothing.

  Ten days later just before the end of the lunch hour Claire walked into Noel's room where he was preparing an afternoon's lesson.

  "A telegram for you," she said. "There's is one for Lisa, too."

  Noel frowned. "Telegram for me?" he said. "This is unexpected. Thanks Claire."

  He continued to frown as he opened his envelope and read the contents.

  You have been appointed Headmaster of Ashleyvale School as from February 1977. Please advise. Otago Education Board.

  "My God! Lisa did this," he muttered to himself and set off to find her.

  She was alone in the staffroom with the opened gazette on the table in front of her.

  She glanced up. "Hi Noel," she said all sweetness and innocence.

  "Do you know anything about this?" he accused and held the yellow telegram page up.

  Lisa nodded. She gave an embarrassed grin and showed Noel her almost identical telegram. The only difference was it read Assistant Teacher instead of Headmaster.

  "Lisa!" Noel gasped. He grabbed the gazette from her and found the Otago Education Board pages. He ran his eyes down until he came to the advertisement all by itself at the end of the vacancies.

  Duel Appointment. Ashleyvale School Roll 44, 40 kilometres SE Balclutha. Headmaster and Assistant Teacher positions available. School House $11 per week.

  "And you sent our applications in?" he asked.r />
  "I did, but God, Noel, I didn't think we would get it"

  "But these duel appointment positions are for couples?"

  "We're a couple." Her eyes were wide.

  "A married couple, Lisa."

  "We can pretend," she said.

  Noel sighed, "I'll have to find out more about it," he said.

  "Oh, I already have," Lisa said. "I rang up and spoke to the present headmaster. He says it's a lovely place. He's been there four years and is only leaving to go to a bigger school. I asked all the right questions. You know, what the district is like, all about the buildings and so on." She smiled. "It sounds lovely, Noel."

  "But Balclutha is a six hundred miles away at the bottom of the South Island."

  "Yeah, no parents to know we're living together, aye?"

  Noel shook his head in amazement. Everything was happening too quickly. He glanced at Lisa's sparkling eyes and smiled. "You could have told me about it, " he said.

  "Well if I'd shown you the add you wouldn't have applied, would you?"

  "I might have," Noel replied but he began to feel excited and proud; excited about this new position and proud of the young dynamic woman in his life. "I love you, Lisa," he said and bent forward and to kiss her.

  She ducked beneath his arms and stepped away. "No fraternizing on school premises," she laughed and ran out of the staffroom.

  NOEL THOUGHT ABOUT the appointment all afternoon and read the telegram a dozen times. His head was in a spin with excitement. By two, he decided to find out more and who better to ask than the people who offered him the position. Ten minutes later he was on the staffroom phone talking to someone. In his excitement he never caught the man's name at the Otago Education Board office in Dunedin.

  "Oh yes, Noel," the voice said, "We did notice that Miss Lisa Woolstone is the person who applied for the assistant's position. In duel appointments it is usually a husband and wife team. Can you explain?"

  "Lisa's my fiancée," Noel lied. "We're getting married soon."