Autumn in Sycamore Park by CP Ward

Author:CP Ward
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: AMMFA Publishing

For once, her class survived until lunch without any major dramas. While not yet feeling exactly comfortable, Jennifer definitely felt that she was starting to get the hang of managing them, and even though at times she still felt like the invisible woman Mark had created, other times—such as when she had to step in to prevent a fight over a tub of green poster paint between two boys—she felt more real than she had in a long time.

She was still a work in progress, but Angela’s words echoed in her head.

As the bell rang for lunch and the kids put away their art supplies, Gavin Gordon approached he desk.

‘Miss? Can I talk to you?’

‘Sure.’

He waited until the rest of the kids had headed either to the dining hall or the playground before giving a little cough.

‘Miss … I’ve decided who I want to be on my management team for the festival.’

‘Yes?’

Gavin’s cheeks reddened. ‘First, Paul—’

‘Paul Lemon? Is that wise?’

‘He’s strong. He can carry stuff.’

‘Well, okay.’

‘And you said there had to be at least one girl. So, uh, Kel and Bec.’

His cheeks were so red now Jennifer could have plucked them from a vine and put them up for sale in Tesco.

‘Okay … have you asked them about this?’

‘They said whatever.’

‘Which means yes?’

Gavin shrugged. Jennifer figured she would just have to assume that a positive response had been returned unless told otherwise.

‘And one more … because you said five. Uh … Matt.’

‘Excuse me? You mean Matt Bridges?’

‘Yeah.’

‘The boy you’ve picked on since—by all accounts—the first year?’

Gavin’s head shot up. ‘I don’t pick on him!’

‘That’s not what literally every child or teacher has ever told me, Gavin. If you’re hoping this will give you a chance to bully him, I won’t stand for it.’

Gavin gave a frantic shake of his head. ‘No, it’s not like that. It’s … well, he has neat handwriting. He can do the price labels. And he’s good at maths. He can do all the adding up and looking after the money.’

Jennifer smiled. ‘I suppose that makes sense. Have you asked him yet?’

‘Not yet. Maybe after lunch.’

‘Well, you’d better hurry up about it. We don’t have much time.’

‘I know.’

As Gavin turned to head off for lunch, Jennifer cleared her throat. ‘Ah, Gavin?’

‘Yes, Miss?’

She smiled. ‘Those are good choices. I think they’ll make a good team.’

Gavin looked at the ground but didn’t smile. ‘Thanks, Miss.’

‘How’s your mum?’

Gavin shrugged. ‘She’s okay.’

‘That’s good. Go on, you’d better hurry up. You’re missing playtime.’

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