In a Class of His Own Read Online Free

smiled thinly and
nodded. “He can still do that, while he’s still here. Meanwhile,
the rest of us have to get this school out of the mess he and the
previous head left it in.”
    I stared at him. His
offer was beginning to sink in. The post of Acting Deputy in a large
school like this would be a good career move. But was I really up to
the challenge? And could I work so closely with this man? His
abrasive style of management wasn’t to my taste and wasn’t what I
was used to. The staff took it from him, resentfully. Surely, they
wouldn’t accept unpopular policy decisions from me? A woman and so
much younger than most of them?
    He looked up from the
diary he’d been studying and stared back at me intensely. He had a
very unnerving way of looking at me. I’d noticed this before. It
always made me feel very self-conscious and I could feel my heart
beat a little faster. For some reason I couldn’t quite catch my
breath. We stared at one another for long seconds.
    Then he cleared his
throat, turned away and said, “I’ve asked Ann to be our Assistant
Head. She’s bright and we need someone on our side in Key Stage
One.”
    I nodded and wondered why
he suddenly seemed so nervous. It was most unlike him. A thought
trickled into my head; was it the mention of Ann Leigh’s name that
had caused this? Why, he was almost blushing! Certainly his usually
pale skin had taken on a warmer glow. Could it be that he had a thing
for Ann? Perhaps he had a heart after all.
    “I
think Ann is an ideal choice,” I said, a little drily.

    He nodded and, still not
looking at me, said, “And are you happy with my decision? Will you
accept the Acting Deputy’s position?”
    “I’m
still not happy with what you felt you needed to do to Tony. I think
there could have been a better solution.”
    He looked at me then,
with almost boyish expectation.
    “But
it would be good experience for me if you think I can do it.”
    Jack relaxed back into
his chair and grinned hugely. It made him look extremely attractive.
With difficulty, I pushed the thought to the back of my mind.
    “I
warn you – I fight my corner when I have to!” I said, smiling in
response.
    He shook his head and
laughed. “I know you will, Nicky. It’s one of the many things I
admire about you.” He looked me straight in the eyes. “Just
promise me one thing.”
    “What?”
I couldn’t get over the change in him, he seemed so much younger
and approachable.
    “That
you’ll keep our fights confined to the privacy of this office. We
need to show a united front.”
    I nodded in agreement but
a secret thrill ran through me at the thought of spending so much
time closeted with the man in front of me. I banished the thought
entirely and concentrated on putting his suggested dates for Senior
Management Meetings into my notebook. I tried my hardest not to think
about him and Ann.

Chapter Three
    Hi Nicky,
    Haven’t heard from
you in ages and then I get two emails in quick succession – typical
you! Congratulations on your promotion – how’s life in the
sticks?
    How are you? Have you
licked that school into shape yet? I’m sure you’re doing a
wonderful job. Heard on the grapevine that your esteemed boss is a
tyrant but gets results. He doesn’t sound my cup of tea. However, I
seem to remember you go for the masterful type! Is there romance
budding over the policy guidelines yet? Keep me posted hon!
    Everyone here is
missing you – try to come and see me at Half Term if you can.
    Love,
    Bev .
    I
looked out of the classroom window at
the gathering Autumnal gloom. My other job seemed so long ago and all
my friends seemed so far away. Still, I’d made my decision and
would have to live with the consequences. It didn’t make me feel
any less lonely though. In frustration, I snapped my laptop shut.
    News of my promotion was
greeted by my parents with jubilation and by the staff of Longview
Primary with silence. It was going to take an awful lot to get them
working with