Head
‘I did it!’ he says in my ear. I turn and see his wide eyes and little dimples. He’s so happy that I can’t help but smile.
‘You didn’t even give me a proper interview,’ I yell over the applause. The room goes silent, and my words are somehow echoing. Dr Therone comes over and towers over me.
‘I don’t believe we finished our conversation the other day, Miss Elman. How’s my science contest ticking along?’
‘Fine, did you say?’ She cups her hand around one ear.
Fine is an exaggeration – considering all we have is Beatrice’s research folder on plastic in the ocean and a very rough script that I spent yesterday evening writing.
I have emailed it to the girls with a personalised note about each of their responsibilities.
I am yet to have a reply, but I’m hoping that’s because they are so engrossed in the project that they have forgotten to.
Stranger things have happened. Still, script or no script, I am certainly more qualified than Mr Rawlinson, who is currently in the corner of the staffroom ASLEEP. AGAIN!
‘No offence to Mr Rawlinson. He’s an established staff member at this school, but perhaps I may be more capable of such responsibility.
’ Josh squeezes my leg to stop me, but I carry on.
‘I mean, he’s not even awake right now .
. .’ The whole staffroom glances over to the sleeping Mr Rawlinson, slouched in his chair, and his mouth partly open.
Dr Therone gives him a glance before setting her eyes back on me.
‘What is the topic of my science contest?’
‘Erm, plastic in the ocean. Look, I think if we have another interview, I can—’
She cuts me off. ‘Plastic in the ocean.’ She performs a comical yawn. ‘How original. Well, we can say goodbye to that prize money.’ She chuckles and shakes her head.
‘It’s a relevant topic . . .’ I drift off as she walks away from me and towards Miss Green, who shrinks in her chair.
‘Now, Miss Green, tell me how your Midsummer Night’s Dream is getting on?’
I tune out as Miss Green bumbles through the costume issues she is having.
I feel my arm being touched again – another sympathy rub from Josh.
It takes every part of me not to snap at him.
Without me, he would’ve never become a teacher in the first place.
It was me who got him onto the teacher training course.
It was me who got him an interview at Clapham Girls.
It’s me who marks his books when he’s about to miss a deadline.
And it was me who thought of doing that damn volcano display that got him that book voucher.
And now he gets a promotion, and I don’t. He must see how unfair that is.
As soon as the meeting ends, I get up before Josh can say anything sympathetic that will make me explode. Dr Therone sees me coming after her.
‘Busy,’ she shouts, then marches out of the room.
A few of the staff members like Mrs Redson and Miss Bibbly, are congratulating Josh.
On the other side of the room is Nina, stacking up her books, slamming each one on the other.
I go over without knowing what to say. Should I apologise on Josh’s behalf?
Before I even open my mouth, she’s already speaking. ‘I’m not going to the pub quiz tonight, I’m afraid,’ she says and leaves the staffroom with her books towering up to her chin.