In a Class of His Own Read Online Free Page A

me. Tony had, unsurprisingly, withdrawn all friendly
gestures and spoke to me on a strictly needs only basis. I was even
more isolated than before and now it was really getting to me. Only
Ann was cautiously sociable to me - and was blatantly sucking up to
Jack.
    Our first few Senior
Management Meetings were, to put it mildly, interesting. My first
task was to try to get Jack to be a little more flexible with the
hours he was forcing on the staff. I was getting nowhere fast.
    “Nicky,
the hours I’m expecting them to do are well within those expected
of them in their contract.” He said with an exasperated expression.
    Ann groaned, the argument
had extended our meeting and I knew she was longing to go home.
    “No,
they’re way above expectations,” I argued back. “And, in any
case, if we don’t actually force them to stay here until God knows
when, in my experience most teachers will do beyond those hours
anyway. And they won’t moan so much at meetings going over time. At
the moment some of Key Stage Two are working to rule, as a protest. I
think there’s space to be flexible here. What time do most of the
teachers get here in the mornings?”
    Jack raised a sarcastic
eyebrow. “About eight forty-five from what I can see. They’re
hardly doing more than their statutory hours with that sort of
time-keeping.”
    Ann suddenly piped up,
“Actually, in David’s time, most of the staff were here well
before eight.”
    “There
you have it!” I exclaimed in triumph. “If we show ourselves to be
flexible on the odd occasion I think we’ll get more from the staff
– they’ll stay beyond their time and won’t mind. And I know a
lot of the Key Stage One teachers take stuff home to do as well, so
why make such an issue out of them having to stay in school until a
certain time? If the work gets done, does it matter where it’s
done?”
    “As
long as the work does get done!” Jack snapped out. Then he saw the expression on my face
and relented. “I’ll think about it,” he growled. And I knew he
would, despite his tone.
    “And
then there’s the suggestion of getting an ironing service organised
– and a sandwich delivery too!” I said to groans now from both of
them. “And perhaps we could think about having fortnightly staff
meetings instead of twice weekly, with a quick five minute briefing
in the mornings to replace them?”
    “I’m
enforcing the guillotine on this meeting.” Jack interrupted and
looked at his watch. “It’s gone seven. Do you need a lift home
again tonight, Ann?”
    I looked furtively from
one face to another as I was getting my papers together and saw her
face light with pleasure.
    Jack turned to me
suddenly, “Look Nicky, I’m happy for you to investigate the
ironing service and the sandwich idea. I’m not saying no, I just
want costings. Oh – and get the staff’s opinion – they might
not want either.” He stood up and stretched, yawning.
    I nodded, “I’ll sort
something out.”
    “And
Nicky, go home at a reasonable hour tonight. Of anyone you do the
longest hours. Are you happy to lock up?”
    I nodded again.
    After
I’d seen them out and locked the door firmly
afterwards, I watched them walk, heads close together deep in
conversation, to the car park. I wondered again if there was anything
going on between them. I turned on my heel and went back to the
classroom. I hadn’t that much to do, to be honest but I wanted to
delay going home. It was getting increasingly uncomfortable there and
I had to admit to it just not working. But with Dad looking frailer
by the day and Mum behaving more and more erratically I couldn’t
see a solution. If only Andy were here to help. But there was no
chance of that I thought with a sigh. After the trouble at his school
he’d disappeared off to Spain. He was happy there, teaching English
and had settled down with his girl-friend Inez. I shuffled papers
around aimlessly and let my thoughts drift back to the awful time
when the