Chapter 6
All hope of a quiet cup of tea went out of the window as soon as Henry entered the kitchen.
He’d deliberately risen earlier than usual, thinking that Adam and Sofia’s sunny conservatory would make for a peaceful spot to start the day, but a camera tripod of all things stood in the centre of the room, and Sofia was bustling – something which experience had taught him he needed to avoid at all costs.
He was about to slink back upstairs when Sofia hailed him from across the room.
‘Morning, Henry. I’m going to need you to stay out of here, I’m afraid. I’m a bit busy doing some photo shoots. But I’ve put some coffee in the living room. And some cereal. I hope that’s okay?’
Photo shoot? Henry stared at his daughter-in-law, utterly bemused. But, being Henry, he smiled, and turned on his heel. The living room might not be sunny, but it might at least be quiet.
The long, low coffee table had been pressed into service as a breakfast buffet bar, and Henry felt bizarrely as if he’d wandered into a B he could see her if he wanted, even if he didn’t quite know why.
Perhaps it was simply the fact that her Christmas sounded so idyllic compared with his.
He glanced around the room – at the towering Christmas tree, one of three in the house, already lit with what seemed like hundreds of tiny, star-shaped white lights; at the fireplace, with an extravagant arrangement of candles and bows and foliage draped along the mantel; and at the bay window, which was festooned with even more lights, hung with decorations and playing host to what he could only describe as a winter tableau.
He sighed. Everything seemed so complicated…
His breakfast was interrupted by the arrival of Adam, who had found some toast from somewhere and was still munching his way through a slice.
Henry eyed it enviously. Cereal never sat quite right with him of a morning.
For lunch, yes, or even as a snack at night, but too much milk this early always made his stomach feel a little queasy.
‘Morning, Dad,’ said Adam, taking another bite of his toast. Henry wondered if Sofia knew he was eating it without a plate.
‘I’m going to pick up Blanche in a few minutes, if you fancy a trip out?
Sofia’s a bit busy this morning, and it will give us a chance to catch up.
We didn’t get much opportunity to talk yesterday, did we? ’
Henry swallowed the last of his coffee and nodded. It would appear Sofia wanted them both out of the house, or at least for the hour’s round trip to where Blanche lived. He returned his mug to the coffee table.
‘Should I wash these things up first?’ he asked.
Adam frowned, and shook his head, throwing the last of his breakfast into his mouth. ‘Best not,’ he said. ‘We can do it later.’
‘Good news about the promotion then,’ said Henry, as soon as Adam had navigated his way through the gated development where they lived and turned onto the main road. ‘I didn’t realise there was one in the offing.’
Adam checked his rear-view mirror and accelerated away. ‘Um, no… it wasn’t something I applied for. The post is the result of a restructure within the school. It’s a little complicated.’
Henry nodded, stroking the wale of his corduroy trousers so it lay flat. If he didn’t know better he’d say that Adam was looking for some advice.
‘And how do you feel about taking on Humanities as well? Quite an ask, I would have thought.’
There was a long pause. ‘Well, it won’t be all of them.
Probably not, anyway… Probably just history.
I think someone else might be getting geography and religious studies.
And it’s not definite yet, anyway. It was a bit last-minute – I only had the conversation with the head the day before term finished. ’
‘Oh…’ Henry scratched his head. ‘I thought Sofia… I thought it was all agreed.’
‘It probably is, in fairness. I’ve got the holidays to decide before we talk again in the new year. It won’t come into effect until Easter, though. There are still a few things to be worked out.’
‘The restructuring you mentioned?’
Adam nodded. ‘Schools are having to be more creative about how they make the curriculum work with less money.’
‘But you’ll be getting a pay rise?’
There was silence for a few moments as Adam concentrated on a junction. He slid Henry a glance. ‘It’s not about the money, Dad.’
‘Is that a no?’
‘We didn’t really discuss it. But I’m sure there will be. It’s a much bigger managerial role, and, like I said, there are still details to be worked out.’
‘So what’s happened to the current Head of Humanities?’
‘She left in the summer, but they’ve struggled to replace her, so I think this is a new solution to make things work. It’s been a bit hit and miss this term.’
‘I see…’
‘What, Dad?’ Adam was beginning to sound irritated.
Henry needed to choose his words carefully. ‘Nothing… I’m just interested in what you’re going to be doing. You’re not a history teacher, after all.’
‘Yes, but I won’t be teaching the subject, just taking responsibility for it.’
‘And you’re getting more time out of the classroom for that?’
‘That hasn’t been decided yet.’
‘Right… Sorry, but I thought Sofia said—’
‘I might have intimated that I’d get more management time…’ Adam frowned, taking a deep breath. ‘But only because it’s what Sofia expects. It’s kind of how she measures promotion, but that’s only because she doesn’t really understand teaching.’
‘Because she thinks time in the classroom is less important than being stuck in an office making policy?’
Adam made no comment.
‘Okay…’ said Henry slowly, thinking for a moment.
‘So last year they made you Head of English, which meant you had overall responsibility for a department of six teachers. And that responsibility meant that your teaching commitment was cut by a quarter so that you could perform your new duties. Now, I don’t know how many teachers are in the Humanities department, but even if you just take on responsibility for the history staff, it will still be an increase.
That sounds like an awful lot more work, and yet from what you say there might not be any extra time made available to do the job, or indeed extra money.
’ Henry gave his son a sideways glance. ‘Are you certain this is something you want to do?’
A loud tut echoed around the car. ‘Yes! Because it’s a great opportunity. Honestly, I don’t know why I bother telling you these things.’
Henry raised his hands in submission. ‘I’m not being critical, Adam, just trying to be a sounding board – playing devil’s advocate, if you will.’
Adam nodded. ‘Okay, but it’s all about results these days, Dad. I’ll be responsible for raising attainment levels across the board and whether you like it or not, that’s how the field of education views success. That’s going to be the thing which takes my career to the next level.’
‘Or takes advantage of it. I work in education, in case you’d forgotten, and while I’m sure there are many differences between higher and secondary education, there are an awful lot of similarities as well.
Don’t be so anxious to do your master’s bidding that you hand yourself to them on a plate.
You still need to ask yourself the same questions – am I happy with what I have now?
And will I still be happy if I take the promotion? ’
‘Of course I’m happy. This year has been great. Becoming Head of English has been tough, but no one takes on a promotion thinking it’s going to be easy, do they? That’s not the point.’
He turned to Henry and smiled, but Adam had never been very good at hiding how he was feeling when he was a child and he was no better at it now.
Admittedly, the glimpse Henry got of Adam’s face before he turned his attention back to the road had only been momentary, but his smile was superficial at best; it didn’t go anywhere near as far as his eyes.
‘In any case, what kind of message will it send if I don’t take the job?’ added Adam. ‘If you’re not a team player, then you’re nobody.’
‘Perhaps what you are is someone who cares about their mental health and recognises that, while it might be a massive boost to their career, it will only be that if the new post is hailed a success.’ He held up his hand.
‘And before you argue, I’m not saying you wouldn’t make it a success – I have every faith in your abilities – but it’s a massive ask, and the cost to you personally might be higher than you’re prepared for. ’
‘You sound like Sam,’ said Adam, irritation clear in his voice.
‘Who’s she?’
‘Head of Foreign Languages. She’ll probably be the one picking up religious studies.’
‘Well, maybe Sam recognises the sense in being cautious.’
‘Yeah, but it’s different for women, isn’t it?’
‘Is it?’ countered Henry. ‘Really…? Even now?’
‘We’re still expected to bring in the money.’
Henry couldn’t help but wonder if Adam was speaking for all men, or just himself. Sofia’s business might be doing well, but the philosophy of only ever wanting more and more never stops. There’s always more to be had.