Epilogue
Isabelle
Four Years Later
I sigh as I knock on the door and walk into the head teacher’s office and sink into the chair with a stack of papers in my hand. Exhaustion nearly overtakes me, and I lay my head on the desk. I have twenty minutes; I could totally nap for ten, couldn't I?
My body relaxes, and my shoulders sink as the heaviness in my head weighs me down, and my eyes close. The familiar amber and citrus smell settles me more, as his heavy warm hands rest atop my shoulders.
“Oh, baby, you seem so tired,” he says softly as he kneels down next to me, his hands running down my back. “I’ll get up with Rebecca tonight. You sleep through.”
Rebecca is our one-year-old daughter, and she is as headstrong as her namesake.
Yes, Miss
“She’s so cranky. I feel so bad for her. It must be horrible.” I wear mum guilt like a permanent t-shirt—I can’t seem to do anything to take away her pain, and it’s exhausting. I feel useless as a mother.
“Hey, I can see that look on your face. It’ll pass. She’ll manage. And you are doing everything you can; you’re amazing with her. Do you have too much work to do?” he asks, looking at the papers on the desk I brought in.
“No, I just thought you might want to see the plans for this year's performance by the drama students.” I sigh, sitting back in my seat, my tired eyes locking on his. His soft lopsided smile always coaxes one from me, and I know everything will be alright.
We talk through the casting, the set design, and who’s doing costumes. Finally, the running order of the evening performances need organising.
“So, I’m thinking play, then cast encore, the band, and finish off with the head teacher’s address.” I offer him a copy of my running order with timings.
“I think we need to start off with the head teacher’s address, then introduce the band, then the play itself,” he counters.
“Is that so you can leave early?” I wink at him, knowing full well that’s his idea.
Alexandra Ravensbrook
He laughs, but I can see he’s been caught out. “Guilty, but only because I want to put Rebecca to bed and relieve Vic and Stefan of babysitting duties.”
Since becoming head teacher, James is needed by all the departments for their various activities, and his diary is always so full.
Once he had completed his year of deputy head role under Rebecca’s tutelage, she announced she would be retiring, and James decided he was up for the role.
That left a gap for the Head of Performing Arts role, which I have stepped into and I am loving it.
His passion for teaching was beautiful to watch, and the students glowed after his sessions.
He still tries to teach the odd music lesson, and the staff all feel he is fair and approachable.
He still remembers what it’s like to be in the daily grind of teaching, so whenever there are issues, he is straight on it and tries to provide all the support he can.
James has been nominated twice for a national education award and finally won it this year.
It was amazing to see him up on stage receiving the award, his pride and gratitude shining through.
Together, we have established a teenage sexual assault support service, and we have already supported a handful of students, which is bittersweet. It’s wonderful to provide the support, but heartbreaking that these students have gone through this in the first place.
Yes, Miss
Consent, sexual health, sexual awareness, and respect had been major themes woven into their personal and social education, and teachers had noted there had been a drop in inappropriate comments, sexual banter, and teasing. The whole vibe on campus is so much better.
We have been lucky that parents have been supportive with our changes, as it has been quite a radical step from the standard curriculum, but after I spoke with a couple of the parents who had issues, they understood why it was so important.
My experience has been easier to talk about now I have a channel to focus my feelings of rage, hurt, and grief into, and the drive to help other students fuels this all the more.
With all these changes though, James and I don’t get much chance to get to the club as much as we used to, but the nights we do, he’s the one dragging me up on stage now.
After Rebecca was born, I was reluctant to show my just-had-a-baby body, but, as usual, James’ constant worship of my curves gave me the confidence I needed. My post-baby boobs constantly attempting to escape any top I wear has become a running joke, much to Vic’s delight.
Vic and Stefan had a whirlwind romance and married a year after meeting, and she had moved to the area permanently. Kids were never on the agenda, so Vic and Stefan have been happy with that, but they still love to
Alexandra Ravensbrook
babysit whilst we go to the club. We see them regularly and go to munches together. James has even taken to organising a few with Paulette over the past year or so.
Seeing him fully embrace the lifestyle and find happiness within it has given him new life.
He is now who he was always meant to be.
And I am, and always will be, his queen.
The End