Page 88 of Textbook Romance

‘You’re funny, Miss.’

I’m not but I guess that’s how I present my authority in this school.

‘I’m just saying, I knew you when you used to come in here with nothing on your face and you were just as beautiful then.’

She pouts and blows me a kiss.

‘What have you got next?’ I ask her.

‘History but Miss Perkins is away,’ she says, fist pumping the air. ‘Just a shame that fit sub isn’t here anymore. Is it true he left?’

‘Mr Damon? Yeah. He left at Christmas. You guys must have scared him off.’ Was that convincing enough? I can’t quite tell. He did leave and it splintered my heart into a million little pieces, but he gave it until Christmas and last thing I heard, he’s heading off to Borneo soon. He took the job. It was the right thing to do, the only thing to do, it really was.

‘Did they replace him?’

They did. They replaced him with a lady called Magda who has an angular Brigitte Nielsen look to her and who the kids have nicknamed ‘Mother Russia.’ ‘They have. Just be nice, yeah? Attempt to do some work with whoever covers a class.’

Hayley laughs. ‘You know me too well, Miss.’

‘Unfortunately, I do,’ I say mockingly.

‘I love your earrings, Miss. What are they? Are they paperclips?’

I nod. ‘Have a good day, lovely.’

I continue to walk within this sea of children as the hall slowly starts to vacate. The mixture of young people still amuses me. I think it’s seeing their evolution from bright-eyed nervous newbies to rage-filled hormonal dragons to older, wiser, cooler kids in the space of five years that always intrigues, that always makes me realise the importance of my job. Just get them through the labyrinth that is school, get them out of here safely.

I suddenly feel a presence next to me.

‘Mrs Swift. Happy New Year.’

Ed. I like how Ed never uses our first names in school. He’s sensible and proper, and I see him almost having to adjust himself out of school as well.

‘Mr Rogers. Happy New Year. Ready to take on the Spring Term?’

‘Always… I have period one off, though.’

‘Same. Coffee?’

‘I made cake.’

‘Then how could I refuse?’

We walk up the stairs to the staff room. I don’t think Ed is mad at me after what happened with his friend. Mia was a little more vocal in her disappointment that it didn’t work out, but Ed took a step back, maybe anticipating the obstacles ahead of us if we were meant to be a couple. As we enter the staff room, I see a staff member from the site team packing away the Christmas tree. I want to suggest we at least keep it up so its sparkles can get us through January. Ed walks over to the kitchenette, turning on the kettle, and gets a Tupperware box full of impeccably iced sponge squares. I sigh to see it all.

‘Mia is so lucky, you know.’

‘I know. Keep reminding her of this,’ he tells me as he places a square on a plate and hands it to me with a fork and small napkin. This is why you should keep him, Mia; the man thinks ahead to know we may need napkins. Men like that are rare. He makes our tea and then comes over to sit down.

‘I need to tell you something. I’ve not said this to anyone, but I thought you might like to know.’ At first, I think he’s going to tell me something about Jack and I feel my whole body lurch forward in response. ‘Mia’s pregnant.’

A smile spreads across my face, a wonderfully happy feeling surging through me. I put my plate down and throw my arms around him. ‘Ed, that’s brilliant news. I’m so happy for both of you.’ Caught unawares as he’s still holding on to his cake, he returns the embrace. ‘How far along?’

‘Not long so please don’t tell anyone. We’re waiting on a scan. We found out on New Year’s Day, and I haven’t known who to tell so I just needed to share it with someone.’

‘Well then, I am honoured.’ I sense him sitting straight up, possibly still in shock from the news as he keeps looking around, unable to process it. It’s only the fifth of January so this is all very new. ‘Did you have questions?’

‘Well, I am a biology teacher, so I know how it happened at least and I teach a module on foetal growth so…’

---