Chapter 56
Chapter Fifty-Six
“ R ight-oh everyone,” said Mrs Hemingway, with all the confidence of a Naval Commander. “We all know what we need to do. Just go out there and do your best.”
The staff team set their faces into grim smiles and left the staff room. The inspectors had already arrived, and had set up base in an empty classroom on the other side of the school. They now had the right to pop up in any class at any time, and inspect the quality of the teaching and talk to the children.
Nisha and Chrissie made their way to their classroom, which had been cleaned to within an inch of its life, courtesy of the school’s loyal cleaners who had become part of the team ready to respond to the inspection.
“We just need to do our thing,” said Nisha. “Mrs H is right.”
“Yep,” agreed Chrissie, walking over to the external classroom door where pupils were clamouring to be let in. “Now then, children,” she said as she opened the door. “Today, we are going to be our absolute best selves.”
“Why, miss?” asked Hardev.
“Cos of the stinky inspectors,” replied Dottie, at the top of her voice. It was as if she knew that at that moment a grey-haired man in an ill-fitting suit was entering the classroom via the other door.
“Good morning,” said Nisha, rushing towards the inspector and leaving Chrissie to finish the whispered pep talk for the class.
Once the register had been taken, it was literacy hour, and the children cracked on with work that they might or might not have already done a few days earlier, in a bid to ensure none of them felt overwhelmed by something new.
Chrissie and Nisha roamed the room, checking in with the pupils, who were working in an unnatural silence. It was helpful for first impressions, but slightly unnerving to Chrissie who had never known this group so quiet.
They met strategically at the furthest point of the room from the inspector, and Nisha grabbed a book from the shelf as if to show it to Chrissie. “Well, at least we’re getting our bit out of the way early doors,” she whispered.
Chrissie pointed at a picture of a frog in the book as she whispered back, “Yes, although the silence in this room is making me nervous.”
Nisha smothered a giggle and put the book back on the shelf before heading over to help Francis, whose hand had gone up.
Chrissie hovered by Hardev, who, based on past experience, was the pupil most likely to do something ridiculous. But for once, he had his head down and was concentrating on his work.
The staffroom was quiet at lunchtime, as so many teachers had opted to continue with prep in their classrooms. Chrissie was on playground duty, so she had donned her thick coat and was walking around clutching her thermal cup of tea and keeping the children in order. Meanwhile Nisha was triple-checking the paperwork that the inspectors would spend the evening examining.
“Last one to the pub’s a green turd,” said Dan as the end-of-the-day huddle broke up.
“Very funny,” said Chrissie, but she and Nisha both followed him.
It was midweek, so the Vine was quiet. It was a good antidote to the last few days. “I’m not having much to drink,” said Nisha. “We have another day of this tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I know,” agreed Dan. “Just a cheeky half to ease the nerves and help us relax.”
“Yep, sounds ideal,” said Chrissie. Her eyes met Nisha’s, who smiled at her. Nisha seemed more present today, less distracted. She’d obviously made up her mind. Chrissie knew this might be the beginning of the end for them, and she tried to push the thought away.