Page 69 of Autumn in Sycamore Park
Miss Steven – the best teacher ever!!!
‘That’s … wonderful.’
She took a step closer, noticing that someone had drawn in the missing S with felt tip pen.
‘Miss, we just wanted to say that you’re the best teacher ever,’ Gavin said, beaming.
‘I gathered that. Thank you.’
She wiped away a tear. From somewhere near the back came a snigger, followed by ‘She’s crying.’
‘Are you … ready … for tomorrow?’
‘Look, Miss.’
Gavin waved behind her. She turned. On her desk dozens of plastic containers stood in unsteady towers. She grabbed a couple of the more unstable and moved them to safer ground, then plucked off a couple of lids to have a look at the contents.
The aromas of maple, cinnamon, chocolate, ginger, walnut, and a dozen others made her close her eyes with delight.
‘We’re pretty sure Paul’s one’s got poison in it, but we can’t remember which one it is,’ Gavin said. ‘We’ll have to keep an eye out for anyone dying.’
‘It’s the lemon cake,’ Matthew said suddenly, making Jennifer blink with surprise as the other kids laughed. It felt almost like a novelty that she would have to reprimand Matthew for bullying.
‘Shut up and eat your Hob Knobs,’ Paul retorted, some in-joke that went right over Jennifer’s head as the other kids began to laugh, even, to her relief, Matthew.
Jennifer moved a couple of pots aside so that she had room for her own bag, overloaded with its contents this morning.
‘Okay, so the bad news is that we’re not allowed to eat any of these cakes until tomorrow—because, you know, we have to sell them—and the other bad news is that I haven’t got anything nearly as good, but Mr. Downton has authorised us to have a little class party, since you’ve all done such a good job.’
The kids cheered as Jennifer began to unload the contents of her bag: a dozen packets of biscuits, chocolates, and crisps from the supermarket, together with a pack of paper plates with maple-leaf designs.
‘No way, she’s got Coke!’
‘If anyone’s parents want to complain that I’m ruining your teeth, please tell them to call the school office and ask for Mr. Downton,’ Jennifer said, as eager fingers began to rip bags open, their contents spraying like confetti around the classroom. ‘And please try not to drop anything on the floor.’
‘Miss Stevens,’Downton said, coming to stand over her desk with an imposing frown on his face. ‘Is there any chance you could put your phone on silent when you leave it on your desk? If I hear Gloria Gaynor singI Will Surviveone more time, I think I’ll top myself. Have you been putting your phone number into dodgy internet sites again?’
‘Sorry, sir,’ Jennifer said, giving him a smile that melted his frown just a little.
‘At least put it in your bag.’
As Downton went back to his own desk, Jennifer opened her phone. Nine missed calls, all from the same number. It wasn’t one she recognised, but the caller had left a voicemail on one occasion, so Jennifer pressed the play option and held the phone to her ear.
‘Hello?’ came a familiar voice. ‘Is this the number to sign up for acting classes with formerEastEndersactor Tom Reynolds? If you have places left, I’d really like to reserve one. I’m happy to donate whatever you want. My name is Regina Clover.’
Jennifer smiled. They’d only put the posters for Tom’s class up yesterday, and he had a customer already.
She couldn’t wait to see the smile on his face when they met for a pre-harvest festival dinner tonight.
30
Festivities
The sun was just peakingabove the rooftops, bringing with it a mid-autumn warmth that had got James excited enough to jump down from the bed, march proudly across the floor through the shards of sunlight allowed in by the curtains, then resume his sentry position on the window ledge. Bonky, perhaps anticipating that today was a special day, was already bouncing around the room, ready to get going.
Jennifer jumped out of bed and hurried to get ready, aware that she was supposed to be at the park in advance of any of her class arriving. Bonky, perhaps aware he was going to be getting an extended walk—Angela had offered to provide a basket at the café should he get tired from all the attention the kids were likely to give him—was scratching at the door, keen to get outside.
She was just about to open the door when the buzzer rang. She pressed the button on the intercom beside the door, and a picture of Tom appeared on the screen. Jennifer smiled as she pressed the release button to open the downstairs door. A few seconds later, the sound of footsteps came from outside, followed by a light knock.
