Footsteps In Ashbridge Episode 08
Sarah took one last look in the mirror, both front and back views.
She was wearing neat navy trousers, a pale green top and shoes with a low heel.
Her wavy hair was tied firmly back.
She’d enjoyed her first two days at Ashbridge Junior, but these were training days with only the staff there.
Today the real work began.
The prospect of the first day with a classroom of children to get to know was always nerve-wracking.
She knew it was absurd, but she couldn’t help wishing her mum was here to pat her on the back and tell her she’d be fine, as if she were twelve instead of thirty-three.
Should she put earrings on?
The pair that leapt out at her when she opened her jewellery box were the small rose-gold hoops Robin had given her last Christmas.
They were so pretty, and perfect with any outfit, but she couldn’t bring herself to wear them any more – or to discard them.
She pushed them down to the bottom of the box and quickly selected a dangly turquoise pair she’d bought herself in a gift shop in the high street yesterday.
Feeling unsettled – not the frame of mind she should be in – she picked up her handbag, opened the door, and almost tripped over a ginger cat engaged in morning ablutions on her front step.
“For goodness’ sake, puss. What are you doing there?”
She liked cats, but she wasn’t about to get close to this one and possibly get hairs on her trousers.
Stepping carefully round it, as it seemed reluctant to move, she realised she didn’t have her other bag with all her lesson plans inside.
Once that was retrieved she hurried down the road.
Already she was regretting the earrings, which swung around, the beads bouncing off her cheeks.
They would be a distraction – something the children would focus on rather than paying attention to what she was saying.
She stopped and took them off – another minute gone.
There was a cluster of parents at the school gates.
As she passed through them into the playground, Sarah caught a glimpse of Duncan, his hand on Jamie’s shoulder.
While some children actually seemed pleased to be back after the long holiday, the first day of a school year was always difficult for others.
In her classroom, Lou was putting names on the desks as they’d discussed yesterday.
Sarah followed her, laying out a fun, ice-breaking activity for each child.
At one desk she hesitated.
“Jamie” wasn’t an uncommon name after all.
Besides, Duncan’s son, who had seemed so distressed by the unintended consequences of his actions, looked too young for this class.
But something made her speak up.
“I encountered a little lad called Jamie last Saturday. His dad’s a librarian.
“Is that this Jamie?” she asked Lou.
Lou nodded.
“Jamie McIvor. I know the family well.
“How did you meet him?” she asked, just as the bell rang.
There was no time for explanations.
Sarah went out and stood with the other teachers as the children got into untidy lines.
She gave her most welcoming smile to those who would be under her care for the next year.
Jamie, trailing in at the end, looked up at her with widening eyes and burst into tears.
To be continued…