Page 47 of Hope and Happiness in Bluebell Wood
‘What do mean?’ I ask, shocked he’d apparently read my mind.
‘About taking Merlin into school?’ Callum says, looking puzzled. ‘What did you think I meant?’
‘Oh, right, yes,’ I reply, relieved. ‘Er, I haven’t decided yet. Like I said before, I need to hear what she’s proposing first.’
‘You coped very well with the children when they were crowded round you this afternoon. That situation didn’t make you feel trapped at all?’
I shake my head. ‘No, it didn’t.’
‘Was that because you were outside, do you think? Is it usually when you’re indoors you have problems with crowds?’
I like the way Callum doesn’t steer away from my problems like a lot of people I used to know would do, under some false pretence that if they don’t mention it, it’s not really happening. He just seemed happy to talk with me about it, as if it was perfectly normal.
‘Not always, but indoors tends to make it worse. The fact they were children makes it easier.’
‘Because they’re smaller?’
‘More likely because they don’t pose any danger,’ I say without thinking. I immediately regret my words.
Callum looks at me with a puzzled expression. But I look away, making a great fuss of placing a clean beermat down under my drink.
‘Gosh, it’s busy in there!’ Jemima calls, emerging from the pub with her drink. She heads over to us and sits down directly opposite Callum.
‘Sorry I couldn’t get you that,’ Callum says, looking at her glass, ‘but old Bran cornered me about the bells on Easter Sunday.’
‘Don’t worry about it,’ Jemima says with a vibrant smile. ‘There’s always another time.’
Callum just nods. ‘What’s this plan you have for Ava, then?’ he asks. ‘I’m sure she’s eager to hear it.’
Jemima turns to me. ‘So, Ava, like I said earlier, after seeing you with both Robin and the other children, I suddenly had this amazing idea. I’ve worked in other schools before that have had what are often called therapy dogs.’
I nod. ‘Yes, I’ve heard of them.’
‘And I think that your Merlin could make a wonderful addition to our school. I’m sure he would help not only the children with learning disabilities like Robin, butallthe children. Dogs have this incredible effect on humans. The dogs I’ve seen coming into schools before seem to calm the over-active children and bring the quieter ones out of their shells.’
‘But wouldn’t he have to have special training?’
‘Possibly some in the long term, but I’ve done a quick check, and bringing animals into the school seems to be at thediscretion of the head teacher. Since I’m acting head teacher right now, then as long as we get the governors’ approval, I think it would be a wonderful idea.’
I’m still not sure.
‘I’m one of the school governors,’ Callum says, ‘and I concur. I believe both Merlin and you, Ava, could do so much good here.’ He smiles at me in that gently encouraging way he has as he holds my gaze.
‘We’d need to run it by the parents as well,’ Jemima says keenly. ‘But if you were all for it, Callum, then I’m sure they wouldn’t say no to us having Merlin in the school on a regular basis.’
‘It’s up to you, Ava, of course,’ Callum says quietly. ‘Merlin is your dog.’
‘It’s not just Merlin who I think would be an asset,’ Jemima continues at a pace, in stark contrast to Callum’s calmer approach. ‘It’s you too, Ava. You were so good with Robin and the other children. Wasn’t she, Callum?’
Callum nods. ‘But if Ava is wary then perhaps she should see how she gets on bringing Merlin to the school once, rather than commit to a regular slot, and then if that goes well we can go from there? That might be easier and less pressure on everyone. What do you think, Ava?’
They both look at me, eagerly awaiting my answer.
‘Well, if everyone agrees,’ I reply eventually, ‘then I guess we could give it a try and see how it goes. Merlin might not like it, so it would have to be a very small group of children first, just in case.’
I glance at Callum; he looks back at me knowingly. He knew it wasn’t only Merlin that had to see if he liked it.
‘Of course!’ Jemima says excitedly. ‘Oh, I’m so pleasedyou’ve agreed to this, Ava.’ She lifts her glass in the air. ‘Let’s have a toast, shall we?’
