After five minutes, the frenetic activity at the gate quietened down as mothers and children left for home. Cathy stood alone, her eyes glued to the front entrance, waiting for Robbie. She felt uneasy; he was usually one of the first to come running out.
She was just about to go inside the school and find him for herself when she caught sight of him. Her heart sank, for all the signs told her that something was wrong. Why else would he be walking across the playground with the formidable Miss Stubbs at his side?
‘Mummy! Mummy!’ Robbie ran towards her, arms outstretched, like a prisoner released from jail.
‘Hello, darling!’ Cathy bent down and swung Robbie into the air. ‘How’s my best boy?’ She kissed his smooth, plump cheek and gave him a quick, fierce hug, conscious of their shared emotion at being reunited with each other again. ‘Are you OK?’
‘S’pose.’ Robbie glanced briefly across at Miss Stubbs, and then buried his head against Cathy’s shoulder. ‘Can we go home now?’ he mumbled.
‘I need to speak to you for a few moments, Miss Taylor, if you don’t mind.’
Cathy’s stomach churned over. The elderly woman didn’t look particularly happy; her lips were pursed into a thin, hard line of disapproval. ‘Er…yes. Yes, of course.’ She inhaled a breath. ‘Is there…something the matter?’
‘I think it would be best if we talked inside. I don’t believe in discussing important matters out on the school yard.’
Oh, dear! Was it that serious, then? ‘Robbie, I just need to have a quick word with Miss Stubbs.’ Cathy’s expression was deliberately upbeat, even though she felt a certain amount of trepidation inside. ‘I’m sure it won’t take long and then we can go home.’
‘But, Mummy,’ Robbie lifted his head and looked earnestly into his mother’s eyes. ‘I’m not a naughty boy; I’m not! I didn’t mean to spill the paint, or make the book corner all messy!’
‘Robbie, shh!’ Cathy held her son close and followed Miss Stubbs across the playground, towards the school building. ‘Calm down, darling,’ she whispered. ‘I’m sure you haven’t done anything wrong. Miss Stubbs just wants to have a chat, that’s all.’
The school was oddly quiet now that the children had left for home. ‘Perhaps, Robbie, you would like to play over in the corner with the sand whilst I talk with your mother,’ Miss Stubbs suggested once they were in the classroom.
‘Go on, darling,’ Cathy urged, when Robbie stubbornly made no move. ‘Just for a few minutes.’
‘Now that’s an example of what I want to talk to you about, Miss Taylor,’ the teacher asserted, once Robbie was out of earshot. ‘I’ve had an extremely difficult time with your son this week.’
‘I see.’ Cathy inhaled a steadying breath. ‘Well, I know he’s upset each morning—’ she began.
‘There’s more to it than that!’ There was an edge to the teacher’s voice which couldn’t be ignored. ‘I’m sorry to have to say this, but your son is incredibly disobedient, and it’s having a disruptive effect on the rest of my class!’
‘Oh!’ Cathy stood open-mouthed for a moment. She didn’t have a clue what to say. ‘I know he’s having a little difficulty in adjusting,’ she murmured. ‘Robbie had just got settled at his last school and then we came here…’
‘Not exactly the best of times for a move!’ Miss Stubbs replied disapprovingly. ‘But I think we need to look deeper than that,’ she continued. ‘I get the impression that he’s not used to a great amount of discipline at home.’
‘Discipline?’ Cathy glanced across to where Robbie was playing in the sand. He looked so sweet and adorable, with his hair ruffled and the bobble hat on his head all askew. ‘I…’ Cathy floundered for a suitable reply. ‘He’s not actually very naughty at home.’
‘It’s just you, isn’t it?’
Cathy frowned. ‘What is?’ she queried, wishing Robbie still had his previous class teacher, a wonderfully warm, cheerful young woman, who had seemed to find him no trouble at all.
‘Robbie’s father isn’t around.’
Cathy hardened her voice, forcing herself to look Miss Stubbs straight in the eye. ‘No, he’s not, but I don’t honestly see what that has to do with anything!’
‘Well, I think that last point is debatable,’ Miss Stubbs continued, with a distinct air of superiority. A smile crept across the lined mouth. ‘I see it time and again, Miss Taylor. I try to teach discipline, a certain set of values, and my work is eroded because of lack of support in the home. I’m sure you are trying to do your best,’ she added briskly, before Cathy could reply, ‘but boys need a firm hand. Of course we don’t have many single families,’ she commented, ‘not in this village.’ She walked across to her desk and picked up a file. ‘You came from a rather difficult area of town, I understand?’
‘I don’t see what that has to do with anything!’ Cathy interjected. ‘Robbie was incredibly happy at his last school.’
‘Yes, so you keep saying. Well, I suppose the change in environment will be having an effect,’ Miss Stubbs continued. ‘Although I can’t say that Robbie’s showing much appreciation of all this wonderful countryside. He drew a picture of his old block of flats today, when I specifically asked for a drawing of something in the village.’
‘He misses his old home. Isn’t that understandable?’ Cathy replied, in a choked voice. ‘For goodness’ sake Miss Stubbs, he’s only five—!’
‘Miss Stubbs, I’m looking for my other holdall. Did I leave it in here by any—?’
Cathy spun around at the sound of the deep, familiar voice. For a split second she told herself wishful thinking had imagined him here, but, no, there Daniel was, looking as stunningly handsome as ever, his large, rugged frame practically filling the doorway of the classroom.
‘My apologies. I had no idea you had someone with you—Cathy?’ His smile was warm as he recognised her. ‘Hello! How are you?’ His dark eyes flicked from Cathy’s strained expression to Miss Stubbs’s upright figure, then back again. His brow creased slightly as he registered the tense atmosphere. ‘Is everything OK?’
‘Miss Taylor and I are just having a little chat about Robbie,’ Miss Stubbs replied, in surprisingly smooth honeyed tones. ‘Nothing to worry about, I’m sure. You’re looking for your holdall, you say?’ Beady eyes scanned the room. ‘There it is, over by my desk.’
‘Ah, yes. Thanks.’ Daniel, dressed as usual in well-fitting worn denims and a simple white tee-shirt, which did much to emphasise the athletic strength of his body, entered the classroom and picked it up. ‘Sorry for the interruption.’
‘That’s quite all right.’ Miss Stubbs was all smiles—until she noticed Robbie’s exploits with the sand. ‘Robbie, for goodness’ sake, just look at the mess you’re making!’ she snapped.
Cathy knew she couldn’t stay here a moment longer. ‘Robbie, come on. Let’s go home.’
‘But, Miss Taylor, we haven’t finished our little chat.’
‘Actually, Miss Stubbs, I think you’ve said all there is to say.’ Cathy’s voice wobbled a little, but she worked hard and managed to hide the fact that all she wanted to do in that moment was burst into tears. ‘Robbie’s tired and so am I—it’s been a long, hard week.’ She strode over to the sandpit in the corner of the classroom and held out her hand. ‘Come on, sweetheart, dust yourself down.’