Page 74 of Poles Apart
Jacob was completely at a loss here to know what was going on. Impressed the board? Him? He couldn’t think of anything he’d done differently than the other teachers. Of course, he always offered his services and was happy to help out with students and parents.
“Between you and me, Sally Fletcher is due to leave in a couple of weeks. She’s been offered the head teacher’s job at a school closer to where she and her wife live. The board thought it might be a good idea if you put yourself forward for the role of deputy head teacher.”
She finally sat back in the chair and looked at him with a satisfied look on her face.
Jacob was shell-shocked. He couldn’t quite form the words he wanted to say. He picked up his tea and drank it in one, which made him choke. His eyes watered, but he managed to get himself under control.
“That’s, um, that’s good. I think?”
“Yes, very good. They want to meet and go over some things with you; experience, their expectations, what you can bring to the role... That sort of thing, but they can give you a week to prepare. If I’m honest, I think you have this. They were singing your praises after the meeting I had with them. Today, though, you can return to your Year Two class. They’ve missed you.” She stood, and Jacob took that as his signal that the meeting was over.
“I’ll be in touch with a date for you to meet with them, but as I said before, I don’t think you’ll have anything to worry about.” She suddenly looked horror-stricken. “Unless you’ve found something else and don’t want this. Oh goodness, I didn’t think of that.”
“No, no.” Jacob was quick to reassure her. “I do want to meet with them. I haven’t found anything else. Not that the thought didn’t cross my mind, but I think under the circumstances, I’d like to meet with them. Go over the details of the role with them.”
He turned to walk out but stopped again. “Thank you, Jodie, for this opportunity. I know they wouldn’t have considered me if it hadn’t been for you.”
“It was my pleasure. You deserve this, Jacob. You’ve worked hard here and given it one hundred and ten per cent every day.”
He opened the door and walked out, straight into the teachers’ lounge. He had to admit he was a little dumbfounded, and his face must have shown that.
“What’s wrong with you?” Colin asked.
Jacob was finding it hard to form a coherent sentence at this point, his mouth opening and closing. “I, um, I’m back to teaching Year Two. Noah’s dad has dropped the complaint.”
Colin slapped him on the back. “Fuckin’ ace that. You need to come around to ours later and fill us in on what happened.”
Jacob nodded, still shocked by the turn of events. “Yeah, I’ll collect Abby and be round later, if that’s ok?”
“Of course, see you then.” Colin ambled out, and Jacob stood in front of the coffee maker, his brain still trying to grasp what had been offered. He was still dazed as he walked to his class and kids.
When he arrived, Noah was there, playing with Ellie, but he couldn’t see his mum or his dad.
“Hi,” he said to them both. “Is your mum or dad around Noah?”
The little boy looked at him, and he could see his eyes were red-rimmed as if he’d been crying.
“Nanny brought me in today. Daddy’s not very well, and he’s gone to stay with other Grandma, but Mummy was too upset to bring me today. I think they had a fight.” Noah’s eyes filled with tears, and Jacob hastened over to his side, grabbing a tissue on the way.
“Hey, buddy. Don’t cry. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
Noah sniffed. “I know, but I hope he comes back soon. I know he shouts sometimes, but I still love him.”
“I know you do, mate. Come on, let’s go and sit, and we can start. Do you want to help me take the register today?”
Noah wiped his nose on his sleeve and nodded.
“Come on then. You can sit on my big chair and see if you can read the names out.”
Jacob lifted him and sat him on his chair, thankful to have averted a potential meltdown. As Noah took the register, he pointed to his friends, and Jacob couldn’t not laugh at his antics. Perhaps he should try this every day. It certainly brightened the morning.
The rest of the day passed uneventfully, and he was glad when it was over. He could hardly keep his eyes open. After Saturday and most of Sunday with Dom and then not sleeping on Sunday night, he needed to rest, but he’d promised Colin he’d go around to tell him what was happening.
First, though, he needed to call Dom. He’d not had much chance to call him or even send a text today. He’d been so busy. As soon as he got in the car, he called him, tapping impatiently on the steering wheel. Dom answered on the second ring.
“Hi, baby, it’s me,” he said with a sigh. “Sorry I didn’t call earlier. The day ran away with me. How are you? How’s Seb?” He put his head back and closed his eyes, relishing the quiet of the moment.
“Never mind about Seb and me. How did it go today? Did you keep your job?”
