Aftershocks by A. N. Wilson

Author:A. N. Wilson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atlantic Books

—I think it would be better, Ella Nicolson informed Mr Pollard, if Emma-Jane sits nearer the front of the bus on the way home.

—She wasn’t actually ill, was she, Ella?

—She felt ill. She might have been sick.

Ella’s intense bespectacled little pale face appeared to be correcting her teacher. Her mum and dad had a thing about false gentilities. Being ill and being sick were different in their English, though not in Mr Pollard’s.

—We are NOT GOING IN THE SHOP, bellowed Mr Pollard to the rest of the class. Their actions belied his words. They were stampeding towards the emporium which contained mountains, piled high, of nylon-furred wallabies, kangaroos, lemurs, crocodiles, lions, wombats, duck-billed platypuses – and a sweet counter which Mrs Chambers had already reached. As she cleared the premises of Opportunity One pupils, this sensible woman told the assistant that the sweets should never have been allowed in such a shop. Did they care NOTHING for the dental health of future generations?

—Besides, you’re asking for shoplifters if you put all that stuff at their level, she said, pointing an accusing finger at the liquorice snakes, candied mice and sea-horse-shaped humbugs.

—Where did we agree we wouldn’t go? asked Mrs Chambers.

Even Mr Pollard joined in the rhythmic chanting of In-the-shop-Miss-Iz-Chaym-Buzz. In answer to a girl called Amy’s relentless questioning, this highly competent person replied,

—How urgent is it, Amy? You went just before we left the school.

Later, Ella asked Mrs Chambers,

—They’re right, aren’t they, Miss?

Mrs Chambers answered,

—Maybe, Ella. Maybe.

The group pointed out by the child were standing in silent witness beside the tiger enclosure, holding a banner which read, ‘TIGERS BELONG IN THE WILD, NOT IN THE ZOO’.

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