the work of the school but we need
support
as well. I canât see Stan Coe providing that. We need to stand firm on this. He was a notorious bully and thatâs why we dispensed with his services as a governor â although Governor Services were not made aware of this at the time.â
âI have to agree,â said Vera.
Joseph was clearly taken aback and looked at his sister in surprise. âI see. Well, in that case Iâll reply to say he is not an acceptable candidate for the post of governor given previous issues. Leave it with me.â
âThank you,â I said.
Vera patted her brotherâs sleeve affectionately. âDonât forget, youâre leading assembly this morning, Joseph.â She gave him an encouraging smile.
Joseph was holding a few pages of crumpled notes and he looked down at them. âYes, I know,â he said cautiously.
âWell,â said Vera, ânow that weâve decided what to do with that despicable man, whatâs your theme?â
âLove thy neighbour,â said Joseph with a sigh and walked out to the assembly hall.
Vera gave me a knowing stare. âOh dear,â she murmured as she returned to her dinner-money register.
At nine oâclock 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.
âCome in,â called Vera.
Ruby walked in. âItâs me, Mrs F,â she said. âAh need some advice.â
âOf course, Ruby,â replied Vera. âHow can I help?â
Ruby handed over a card. âAh got this in tâpost this morning anâ ahâm wondâring what tâdo.â
It was an invitation from George Dainty for Ruby to accompany him to the Yorkshire Fish Fryersâ Christmas Lunch at the Queenâs Hotel in Leeds.
âMr Dainty is a true gentleman, Ruby, and this is a kind invitation.â
Rubyâs cheeks were flushed. âYâdonât think itâs all a bit too soon after my Ronnie?â
âNot at all,â said Vera.
âAh donât know what mâchildren would think.â
âTalk to them about it and let them know how you feel.â
Ruby considered this and nodded. âYâright, Mrs F, ahâll do jusâ that.â
âYou deserve some happiness,â said Vera, âand hereâs a wonderful opportunity.â
âThank you,â said Ruby. âAhâll look out a nice dress.â
âGood idea, and youâll enjoy going to Leeds.â
âAnâ there might be a chance tâlook round some posh shops. Thereâs something ahâd really like fâChristmas.â
âWhatâs that?â asked Vera.
âA âlectric deep-fat fryer,â said Ruby.
Vera smiled. âAn excellent choice,â 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 âBaby Jesus, Sleeping Softlyâ.
Nine-year-old Rosie Appleby, following her starring role last year on television, was due to reprise âSilent Nightâ, 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
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