Page 117 of The Doctor's Twins

But still…

I pushed the thoughts aside, plastered a smile on my face and said, “Thank you. And thank you for coming to see my presentation.”

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else, sweetheart,” Mrs. Yorke insisted, squeezing my hand again.

Out of all the governesses and nannies I’d had over the years, Mrs. Yorke was by far my favorite. She was an older woman, in her mid-sixties, with a distinct grandmotherly demeanor about her. Even though she always acted in a professional manner and held me at a slight distance like the other governesses had, but over the three years she’d been my father’s employee, Mrs. Yorke and I had grown quite close.

After the parents left the assembly hall, Mrs. Davies led us back to our classroom. I settled at my desk and got out my math book in preparation for the next lesson.

“No need for books today,” Mrs. Davies said, addressing the whole class.

I sighed and slipped my book back in my satchel, disappointed we wouldn’t be having a math lesson. It was one of my favorite subjects.

“I have something much more exciting for you than algebra,” she said, gesturing to the front row where a girl with long, curly brown hair sat. I didn’t recognize her as one of my classmates and watched with interest as Mrs. Davies beckoned her forwards.

“This is Shannon Jackson. She and her father just moved here, and she’ll be joining the class.”

Shannon smiled shyly. She was about my height -- which was above average for other thirteen-year-olds -- and she had a sporty physique. Her skin was sun kissed and dotted with freckles, making me think she spent a lot of time outside. But the thing that really drew me to Shannon was her warm, hazel eyes.

I gave her a welcoming smile, which she returned with a grin.

Mrs. Davies’ gaze flitted between Shannon and I, and she smiled. “Madelyne, I’d like you to help Shannon get settled in here. Show her around the school, and how we do things at Benjamin Franklin Academy. I’m sure you’ll be friends in no time.”

“It would be my pleasure, Mrs. Davies,” I replied politely.

“And, as a reward for everyone’s hard work, I think we should have an extended recess. Everyone make their way outside, while I speak to the school kitchen staff to arrange a special treat for everyone.”

The teaching assistant, Miss. Addams led us all outside, while Mrs. Davies made her way to the kitchen.

It was nearing the end of the fall term, and the weather in Boston had turned cold, so I was glad of my thick, sheepskin lined coat, and woolen gloves and hat, as we all stepped outside.

The boys in class quickly warmed themselves up when they saw Coach Phillips on the football field and started up an impromptu game.

I found Shannon by the edge of the field, watching intently.

“Hey, I’m Maddie,” I said, drawing the other girl’s attention to me.

Shannon turned, a brilliant smile on her face, and said, “Great to meet you, Maddie. I heard your presentation. It really was the best in the class.”

“Thank you.”

Shannon’s attention drifted back to the field for a moment, and she asked, “So, is there a girls’ team?”

I sighed. “Sadly, no. Apparently, football isn’t an appropriate sport for young ladies.”

We both rolled our eyes. “We’re stuck with gymnastics. Not that I’m much of an athlete.”

“In my old school, I was captain of the girl’s football team. I guess I could try out for gymnastics though,” Shannon said.

She didn’t sound convinced, and trying to change the subject, I asked, “So, where did you move here from?”

“Up until recently, I lived at the military base in Taunton,” Shannon said, and I caught the tone of discomfort in her voice.

Had her father been discharged from the military for some misdemeanor? I wondered.

Before I could ask any more questions, Shannon quickly redirected the conversation. “So, who is the hot quarterback?”

Her eyes drifted back to the field, as she watched the boys play their game.

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