Page 35 of Autumn in Sycamore Park
‘Sure.’
He waited until the rest of the kids had headed either to the dining hall or the playground before giving a little cough.
‘Miss … I’ve decided who I want to be on my management team for the festival.’
‘Yes?’
Gavin’s cheeks reddened. ‘First, Paul—’
‘Paul Lemon? Is that wise?’
‘He’s strong. He can carry stuff.’
‘Well, okay.’
‘And you said there had to be at least one girl. So, uh, Kel and Bec.’
His cheeks were so red now Jennifer could have plucked them from a vine and put them up for sale in Tesco.
‘Okay … have you asked them about this?’
‘They said whatever.’
‘Which means yes?’
Gavin shrugged. Jennifer figured she would just have to assume that a positive response had been returned unless told otherwise.
‘And one more … because you said five. Uh … Matt.’
‘Excuse me? You mean Matt Bridges?’
‘Yeah.’
‘The boy you’ve picked on since—by all accounts—the first year?’
Gavin’s head shot up. ‘I don’t pick on him!’
‘That’s not what literally every child or teacher has ever told me, Gavin. If you’re hoping this will give you a chance to bully him, I won’t stand for it.’
Gavin gave a frantic shake of his head. ‘No, it’s not like that. It’s … well, he has neat handwriting. He can do the price labels. And he’s good at maths. He can do all the adding up and looking after the money.’
Jennifer smiled. ‘I suppose that makes sense. Have you asked him yet?’
‘Not yet. Maybe after lunch.’
‘Well, you’d better hurry up about it. We don’t have much time.’
‘I know.’
As Gavin turned to head off for lunch, Jennifer cleared her throat. ‘Ah, Gavin?’
‘Yes, Miss?’
She smiled. ‘Those are good choices. I think they’ll make a good team.’
Gavin looked at the ground but didn’t smile. ‘Thanks, Miss.’
‘How’s your mum?’
