Woman to Woman
My phone has been going off all morning with messages from strangers and journalists.
They’re asking me the same questions; why I did the science contest and my views on sex education at school.
Ironic. There is no energy within me to come up with any insightful answers, so I’ve copied and pasted the same response to all of them.
(I’ll admit it’s slightly inspired by Nina’s speech.)
The girls were passionate about this subject, and what kind of teacher would I be if I didn’t let them explore something relevant and vital for women of this generation?
This had nothing to do with me, the girls did it all.
I just trusted them to deliver it maturely and scientifically, and they did. I’m so proud of them.
When I come out of the shower, I have three voicemails.
None of them are from Lace. Two are journalists asking the same old questions, and the third is a professor from Edinburgh University who wants me to do a speech to students about women in science.
She says that I’m the ‘kind of mentor women need.’
Me, a mentor? I have to laugh out loud. If only she knew me a month ago; I could barely get my pupils to listen to me.
I’m about to call the professor back, but then my phone rings again. This time, I recognise the number. Dr Therone needs to see me urgently.
*
I take my time cycling to school because I’d rather be anywhere else than in the same building as Josh or any place that reminds me of him. I can say goodbye to pub quizzes and escape rooms for a while, that’s for sure.
The white sign of Clapham High for Girls comes into view, followed by the high iron gates. As I cycle in, I hear my name being called by a squeaky voice.
‘Amy Elman. Amy? Amy?’
I break hard and look back. A tiny woman with a humongous camera dangling from her neck comes scuttling over. She tells me that her name is Mindy and she’s from the Metro.
‘Sorry, I’ve got a meeting,’ I say and pedal off.
‘I won’t be long,’ she pleads. I stop. She looks desperate.
‘I just love your story, and I want to run it. I only have a couple of questions, promise.’ She seems young and is swamped in a green coat, with red knitted gloves sticking out from the sleeves.
Her naturally sweet persona reminds me of Abi.
‘Three minutes,’ I say. Mindy claps and makes a celebratory sound. She asks the same questions I’ve been asked all morning, so these are pretty easy to answer.
‘And last question, what’s next for Amy Elman?’ Mindy says.
My mind blanks. I don’t have an answer to that question anymore, but I do know one thing for certain that makes me happy now.
‘To keep encouraging young women to ask questions.’ Mindy smiles like I’ve said the right thing. ‘Oh, and to keep learning about space. I love space.’
She stops her phone recorder. ‘Would it be okay if I could get a quick photo?’ She holds up her camera and senses my nerves.
‘I’ll be very, very quick. You don’t have to do any strange poses or anything.
You can just stand here and hold your bike.
’ I think about it for another second and then get off my bike.
‘Oh, thank you so much,’ Mindy says. I grip on to the handlebars, then pull a smile.
Mindy looks down her lens for a long while, then tells me to relax.
‘I don’t know how to,’ I say with an awkward laugh.
‘Um . . . drop your shoulders, and think about something funny, or someone that you like.’
My mind goes to Josh out of habit, then I feel a punch in my stomach as I remember.
‘Oh, you don’t like that person,’ Mindy says, giggling.
I try hard to think about something or someone else. I think of that time that Peppy came stumbling out of the drawer and hobbling across Lace’s studio.
‘That’s it. There,’ Mindy says, taking multiple photos. She checks the images and gives me a nod. ‘Got it. You’re free. The story should run tomorrow,’ she says and puts her hand out for me to shake, which I do.
‘You are going to be nice, aren’t you?’ I ask. The last thing I need is for the whole of London to cancel me right now.
‘Why wouldn’t I be nice?’ She seems genuine when she says this, but I guess journalists always do seem genuine at the time.
‘If I had you as a teacher, I may have liked science,’ she says, then runs off with her camera bouncing around her neck.
I turn back to the tall iron gates of the school.
My stomach plummets – time to face the beast.
*
‘Amy, please, sit.’ Dr Therone holds the door for me. ‘Tea? Coffee?’
‘Er, no, thank you,’ I say. I want to get out of this place as quickly as possible. She sits on her chair opposite, with a thin-lipped smile. She is one of the few people on this earth who can’t pull off happiness.
‘This science contest has got everyone talking, hasn’t it?’ She is using her soft voice on me, the one she usually only uses on Josh.
‘The same science contest that you suspended me over?’ I remind her.
She waves her hand. ‘Yes, well. I got the wrong end of the stick before, but I can now see the benefits it has had on Clapham High. Between you and me, this morning we’ve had over 100 calls from parents wanting to enrol their girls in this school.’ She looks at me as if we’re in business together.
‘Well, that’s good for the school, I guess,’ I say.
Dr Therone, clearly unnerved by my attitude, leans forward.
‘Miss Elman, you have proven yourself to be a contemporary, courageous teacher this term, and your hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed.
’ I cross my arms and give her an unimpressed look so she knows I’m aware of the 180 she is pulling right now.
She clears her throat. ‘So, I have concluded that you would be a better fit as the head of department than Mr Rawlinson. Your promotion starts in the next academic year. I know that you’ve been eager for this role, and I’m very pleased to be offering it to you today.
’ She slides the contract across the desk towards me.
I glance at it but keep my arms crossed.
She taps the paper and laughs. ‘Well, go on, sign it!’
I stand up.
‘I’m resigning,’ I say. I see the panic in Dr Therone’s eyes and, God, it feels good.
‘If this is about the rumours I’ve heard regarding your relationship with Mr Butters, then please, woman to woman, you’re a more valuable staff member. We can work something out. Let’s face it, he’s not the best teacher in the world.’
I frown, and all I say is, ‘Funny.’ I begin to walk out.
‘Miss Elman, I don’t know what you’re playing at, but you know you can’t leave mid-school year.’ I put my hand on the door handle and turn to her. She gives me an arrogant nod as if she knows she’s got me trapped and then gestures to the seat again.
A smile spreads across my face. ‘I’ve also heard a rumour. A rumour that there is audio evidence that you’ve created a toxic environment at this school,’ I say. Her smirk disappears in a second. ‘Woman to woman, I think you’re fucked, Dr Therone,’ I say.
‘What are you talking about, Miss Elman? Miss Elman? Amy?’
I shut the door and walk to my lab to get my things.