Star Teacher by Jack Sheffield Page B

the work of the school but we need
support
as well. I can’t see Stan Coe providing that. We need to stand firm on this. He was a notorious bully and that’s why we dispensed with his services as a governor – although Governor Services were not made aware of this at the time.’
    â€˜I have to agree,’ said Vera.
    Joseph was clearly taken aback and looked at his sister in surprise. ‘I see. Well, in that case I’ll reply to say he is not an acceptable candidate for the post of governor given previous issues. Leave it with me.’
    â€˜Thank you,’ I said.
    Vera patted her brother’s sleeve affectionately. ‘Don’t forget, you’re leading assembly this morning, Joseph.’ She gave him an encouraging smile.
    Joseph was holding a few pages of crumpled notes and he looked down at them. ‘Yes, I know,’ he said cautiously.
    â€˜Well,’ said Vera, ‘now that we’ve decided what to do with that despicable man, what’s your theme?’
    â€˜Love thy neighbour,’ said Joseph with a sigh and walked out to the assembly hall.
    Vera gave me a knowing stare. ‘Oh dear,’ she murmured as she returned to her dinner-money register.
    At nine o’clock the bell rang to announce the start of the school day. Ruby packed away her mop and galvanized bucket and tapped on the door of the office.
    â€˜Come in,’ called Vera.
    Ruby walked in. ‘It’s me, Mrs F,’ she said. ‘Ah need some advice.’
    â€˜Of course, Ruby,’ replied Vera. ‘How can I help?’
    Ruby handed over a card. ‘Ah got this in t’post this morning an’ ah’m wond’ring what t’do.’
    It was an invitation from George Dainty for Ruby to accompany him to the Yorkshire Fish Fryers’ Christmas Lunch at the Queen’s Hotel in Leeds.
    â€˜Mr Dainty is a true gentleman, Ruby, and this is a kind invitation.’
    Ruby’s cheeks were flushed. ‘Y’don’t think it’s all a bit too soon after my Ronnie?’
    â€˜Not at all,’ said Vera.
    â€˜Ah don’t know what m’children would think.’
    â€˜Talk to them about it and let them know how you feel.’
    Ruby considered this and nodded. ‘Y’right, Mrs F, ah’ll do jus’ that.’
    â€˜You deserve some happiness,’ said Vera, ‘and here’s a wonderful opportunity.’
    â€˜Thank you,’ said Ruby. ‘Ah’ll look out a nice dress.’
    â€˜Good idea, and you’ll enjoy going to Leeds.’
    â€˜An’ there might be a chance t’look round some posh shops. There’s something ah’d really like f’Christmas.’
    â€˜What’s that?’ asked Vera.
    â€˜A ’lectric deep-fat fryer,’ said Ruby.
    Vera smiled. ‘An excellent choice,’ she said and Ruby went out to hang up her overall.
    Sally was using the morning assembly to practise a few carols in preparation for our fast-approaching Christmas Nativity. She propped her songbook,
Carol, Gaily Carol
, on her music stand, opened it to number 9 and the choir and recorders launched into ‘Baby Jesus, Sleeping Softly’.
    Nine-year-old Rosie Appleby, following her starring role last year on television, was due to reprise ‘Silent Night’, accompanied by an ex-pupil, thirteen-year-old Elisabeth Amelia Dudley-Palmer, on her violin. Since commencing her secondary education at the Time School for Girls in York, Elisabeth had excelled in her music lessons and, as her school was due to close for the Christmas holiday a day before Ragley School, she was free to support.
    Expectations were always high in the village for this annual production and Anne, as ever, did her best to encourage the youngest children in our school to enjoy the experience.
    Meanwhile, in Class 2, Joseph was keen to start his lesson, but he was surrounded by six- and seven-year-olds who wanted to share their