Read With the Headmaster's Approval Online
Authors: Jan Hurst-Nicholson
The March weather brought
with it the promise of Spring and the worst of the colds and flu seemed to be over, but the school nurse still had a few patients lined up outside the First Aid room waiting to be attended to. A kindly but no-nonsense woman, and the mother of three daughters, she knew all the tricks and subterfuges that teenage girls got up to and dealt with each patient quickly and efficiently. But the girl who’d come in complaining of a sore throat had another, much more serious problem. She left her sitting in the First Aid room and went to Lisa’s office.
“I need to speak to Mr Wild, urgently,” she said.
“Oh, dear,” said Lisa, with a worried frown. “I’ll see if he’s available.”
Adam was
hunting through the filing cabinet when she went in. “The nurse would like a word with you,” she said, and ushered her in.
Adam invited her to sit down, but she had no time for that. “Mr Wild,” said the nurse with pursed lips. “It appears that Erica
Rawlings is pregnant.”
“Oh God. How far is she?”
“I haven’t examined her. That’s for the doctor to do, but from what she tells me, and her size, I would say about five months. It’s too late to think of an abortion, even if she wanted one.”
“Does her aunt know?”
“I’m not sure. Erica’s managed to keep it well concealed.” She gave a nervous cough and glanced at Lisa. “But that’s not the worst of it.”
“How much worse can it be?”
asked Adam.
“I’ve written it all down. It’s a sort of statement.” She handed the paper to Adam.
He took it from her, but before reading it he asked, “The baby’s father. Did she say who he was?”
E
mbarrassed, she hesitated to answer.
“Wouldn’t she tell you?”
“Yes. She told me.”
“Well, who is he?” said Adam impatiently.
She took a deep breath. “She says you are the father.”
“What! My God.”
Lisa
gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, stunned into silence.
Adam fell into his chair and put his head in his hands. “How could she say such a thing?”
“She’s under age. I’m afraid I have to tell the authorities,” said the nurse.
He looked up, eyes wide with horror. “Is she saying I raped her?”
“On the contrary, she says it was fully consensual and claims you’re in love. She says everyone knows. They saw it.”
“What the hell is she talking about? And where have we supposed to have had sex? I’ve never been alone with her –
not with any of the girls.”
“She says you gave her a lift to school one morning.”
Lisa looked at him in alarm. “It must have been that time Faye’s car broke down. You gave Erica a lift to school the next morning.”
“Oh, my God.” He turned to Lisa.
“But you were the only one who actually saw us. How can she say everyone saw us?”
“She was referring to some dance. She said you danced with her.”
“God. She’s right. I did dance with her.”
“Adam,” said Lisa, “
After you danced with her you handed her over to one of the boys. Could he be the baby’s father? What should we say to the staff?”she added, feeling sick with dread.
“They’ll have to be told. Get everyone into the staff room. I’ll tell them myself.”
He turned to the nurse. “How long can you keep it quiet before contacting the authorities?”
“I should inform them straight away, otherwise I’m complicit in hiding a possible crime.”
“Can you wait until the pregnancy is confirmed by a doctor?”
“I suppose I could. But we’ll have to get the consent of the girl’s parents or guardian.”
“That would be, Faye, her aunt.” He turned back to Lisa. “Get her on the phone and have her come here urgently.”
“What reason should I give?”
“Just tell her it’s about Erica.”
The teachers were waiting
in nervous expectation when he walked in, realising something serious had occurred. He sat down grim-faced. “The nurse feels sure that Erica Rawlings is pregnant. About five months.” There was a communal groan. It was bad for Erica, but it was also a reflection on the school.
“Too late for an abortion,” said Barbara Crook.
“That’s not the worst of it.” He paused before bringing himself to admit. “She claims I’m the father.”
It was greeted with
gasps of shocked and horrified dismay.
“But that’s ridiculous. It’s an appalling accusation
,” Jenna said, surprising everyone by being the first to spring to his defence.
“It gets worse. She’s under age. The nurse said the authorities will have to be contacted.”
His mouth was set in a grim line. “That means the police.”
Although no one believe
d that Adam could possibly be the baby’s father the enormity of the scandal could be the end of everything he’d worked for, even the end of his career as a teacher. He sat with his head in his hands, his shoulders hunched in defeat. He’d gone from bewilderment, to anger and now despair. Always self-assured, Lisa had never seen him so crushed. She wanted to put her arms around him, to give him a comforting hug, but there was nothing anyone could do or say that might help the situation.
Faye Rawlings arrived within the hour, accompanied by her neighbour, Charlie, her face wreathed in concern, “What’s wrong? Is Erica ill? Has something happened to her – an accident?”
Lisa showed them into Adam’s office and he indicated for them to sit down. “Lisa, would you mind staying?” he said.
Faye darted a worried glance at Charlie
who shrugged and raised his eyebrows.
“Faye, I don’t know how to tell you this,” Adam began, “so I’ll be blunt. It appears that Erica is pregnant.”
“What! That’s preposterous. She can’t be. I would have noticed. And she doesn’t even know any boys.”
“I don’t believe it,” put in Charlie.
“She’s managed to conceal it with a baggy jersey. From what Erica told her, the nurse thinks she’s about five months pregnant.”
“Five months
! It can’t be true,” said Faye.
“We need to get her to a doctor to have it confirmed,” said Adam.
“But she never goes anywhere without me. How could this have happened?” She turned to Lisa. “I have to speak to her. Can you bring her here?”
“Not yet. You hav
en’t heard the whole story,” said Adam.
“What do you mean?”
He paused, his eyes levelled at Faye. “Erica claims that I’m the baby’s father.”
“My God!” She clasped her hand to her mouth. “This is a nightmare.”
“And for me,” he said quietly.
“But you’ve never been alone with her. She’s covering up for someone.”
“I’m afraid I was alone with her. If you remember, I gave her a lift to school when your car broke down. It was about five months ago.”
“I’d forgotten about that.” She
took Charlie’s hand. “What am I going to do?”
He put a comforting arm round her shoulder. “We’ll have to get the true story out of her.”
“The first thing is to confirm the pregnancy. If we have a proper timeline we might be able to find out when she conceived,” said Adam.
“I’ll make an appointment right away,” said Faye. “Where is she?”
“Thank you,” said Adam, “She’s in the First Aid room with the nurse. I think you’d better take her home. The less people who know about this, the better, for the moment.”
“I’ll also have a look at her laptop and see if there are any incriminating emails,” said Faye.
She managed to get an appointment with the doctor for the following morning thanks to a last minute cancellation.
Faye quizzed Erica about the baby’s father, first gently, and then with some impatience when Erica continued to insist that it was Adam. Following a heated argument Erica reluctantly handed over her laptop to Faye who checked all her emails, but found nothing that revealed any illicit trysts with boys, or any communication whatsoever with a boy. But when she searched the laptop’s files she discovered one titled ‘
Forbidden Love’
. She opened it and as she read it her jaw dropped. Erica had taken scenes from her romance novels and substituted the names Erica and Adam. There were even Photoshopped pictures of Adam taken from the website, one showing him as the groom and Erica the bride. Her blood ran cold when she realised the implications, and that Erica had more than a schoolgirl crush on Adam Wild. She didn’t know where to turn and called the only person she could confide in – Charlie.
The following afternoon Faye
phoned Adam to tell him, “Erica has seen the doctor. I need to discuss her condition with you in person, but I just want to put your mind at rest and let you know that she isn’t pregnant. They did some tests and apparently it’s a phantom pregnancy. It’s a psychological condition. I’ll tell you more about it when I see you. How about tomorrow morning?”
“Tomorrow morning would be fine – about ten.”
He put the phone down and went through to Lisa’s office. She could immediately see the relief on his face. “Erica’s not pregnant,” he said. “It’s a phantom pregnancy. Some sort of psychological condition.”
“Phew. What a relief,” said Lisa as the bell went for afternoon break. “Let’s have a celebratory cup of tea with the staff.”
Eleanor Stannard was the only one who had heard of a phantom pregnancy, and that was from an old TV programme.
When Faye
met Adam the following morning it was clear that Erica needed help and would have to see a psychotherapist and probably miss the rest of the term.
At the end of each Spring term the school drama department put on a play produced and directed by Eleanor Stannard. Musicals were usually a popular choice with the girls, but finding talented actresses who could also sing was not easy. Kate O’Brien proved useful at spotting musical talent and played a major role in the productions, while Hayley Price was in charge of the set designs, assisted by a cheerful Fred Smith who enjoyed the change from maintenance to manufacture, and Hayley also helped with the costumes.
It was a much anticipated event and t
his year the girls wanted to do
The Sound of Music
and cheekily suggested asking Adam to play Captain Von Trapp. Although Eleanor Stannard knew what his answer would be, she still felt obliged to put forward the girls’ request and reluctantly approached him, adding that the girls proposed he wear his naval uniform. His answering look from under lowered lids required no words, so one of the taller girls had to play the part. After weeks of rehearsals and sub dramas over costumes that didn’t fit, scowling faces from girls who didn’t get the parts they felt they deserved, and a case of suspected laryngitis that had Maria’s understudy hopeful, but proved a false alarm, they were nervously ready for opening night.
There were two performances,
opening night on the Friday, followed by a second performance on the Saturday night. Ticket sales had gone well and they were hoping for a full house on both nights.
On the first night seats were reserved in the front rows for the staff, including staff from the boys’ school who’d been inveigled to attend, and for the members of the governing body.
When Lisa
and Neil arrived they found Adam in his office talking to an attractive young woman with spiky sun-blonde hair, a deep tan and a smiling face. Adam introduced them. “Lisa, this is my kid sister, Nicky – two weeks back from darkest Africa.” When she glared at him with affectionate reproof he amended. “Okay. This is Nicole, my sister-in-law. Nicole, this is my secretary Lisa, and her husband, Neil.”
“Nice to finally meet you,”
said Lisa. “We’ve heard a lot about you.”
“From Adam, or my old school reports?” she said, laughing.
“Mostly from Adam,” Lisa replied. “Is this the first time you’ve been back to the school since you left?”
“Yes, and I must say
it feels odd being back in the head’s office – and not awaiting a reprimand.”
“But your name is on the honour roll.”
“Mostly for sports,” admitted Nicole.
Adam glanced at his watch. “I think we’d better go in. Eleanor Stannard wants me to make some opening remarks.”
Lisa and Neil went in first, but when Adam walked in with a protective arm around Nicole’s shoulders, heads turned and there was a momentary hush before the buzz of whispered speculations began. Is that Mr Wild’s girlfriend? Glenda McKenzie had been spreading rumours and several of the girls watched to see how Miss Murray would react, but she was in deep conversation with her friend, Andy.
Once Adam had seen Nicole to her seat he went b
ackstage to check if everything was going to plan. Captain Von Trapp had lost his whistle and a minor panic broke out until it was discovered in the trouser pocket. Eleanor Stannard, flustered and trying to calm the nervous players was imploring, “Deep breaths in. Exhale slowly.” Hayley Price was the only one who appeared unflappable, calmly pinning a costume that had begun to sag.
“Two minutes to go,” said Adam. “
Eleanor, are you going to stay here during the play, or sit in the audience? There’s a seat for you next to Don Shaw.”
“I think I’d better stay here – just in case,” she replied.
“Okay. Break a leg,” he said and parted the curtains to begin the introduction.
The
first night audience consisted mostly of parents and relatives of the players, a few unwilling siblings, and the junior girls who were all expected to attend, so the hall was full. When Adam finished the introduction and returned to his seat, at the end of the row so his large frame wouldn’t block those sitting behind him, the curtains opened to an enthusiastic applause.
The
first half drew to a close for a thirty minute interval and tea and coffee were served in the foyer together with a small plate of snacks for each person on production of their ticket. The food had been prepared by the girls under the direction of Barbara Crook. Adam, Nicole, Lisa and Neil took theirs to the privacy of Lisa’s office so that Adam would not be waylaid by anxious parents wishing to discuss their daughter’s progress, or lack of, much to the chagrin of the girls who wanted to get a closer look at the girl who appeared to be Mr Wild’s date.
The play
went off with the minimum of fluffed lines, only one wig went askew, and no one was off-key. After two curtain calls had been taken Adam took Nicole backstage to congratulate Eleanor Stannard who was looking both relieved and pleased with her protégés. Lisa and Neil followed and were soon joined by Don Shaw. “Why don’t you all come back to our place for coffee,” Lisa invited them. “It’s only ten minutes away and I’m sure Eleanor needs to wind down, she must be exhausted.” Within fifteen minutes they were all assembled in Lisa’s lounge.
Nicole
sat in Adam’s usual chair next to the fireplace while he perched on the arm. “I think the girls did a good job tonight. It’ll be interesting to see if the local paper does a review,” he said.
“Faye Rawlings usually does one – but I think she could be rather biased,” said Lisa, laughing.
“Adam,” said Nicole, “have you thought about letting the girls do a joint play with the boys’ school? It always seems faintly ridiculous having girls play men’s parts. I’m sure there would be some boys interested in drama.”
“That’s not a bad idea. What do you think, Don?”
“I do have boys doing drama, but it’s only the very keen ones who are prepared to take on the female roles.” He turned to Eleanor. “Would the girls find the idea acceptable?”
“I’m sure they would,” she replied. “And I think it would increase the number of students in the drama class,” she added.
“Mr Shaw and I have also discussed organising a debate between the boys and girls. Joint activities seem to sharpen the competitiveness and raise their interest in the subjects.”
Lisa watched Nicole smiling up at Adam. She wore the same expression of loving adoration her sister had in the family photograph Adam had show
n them.
She’s in love with him,
thought Lisa,
and he has no idea.
“Nicole, you look very like your sister. Are you anything like her? Lisa asked.
Nicole grinned. “Adam doesn’t think so.” She glanced up at him. “He thinks I’m just another annoying kid sister to add to the two he already has,” she said, giving him a playful punch on the arm.
“Hey, watch it, or I’ll have you over my knee.”
“I’d like to see you try. I’m a big girl now.”
He ruffled her hair. “Cheeky as well. That’s what two years away from home can do.”
“Nicole, would you like tea or coffee?” Lisa said. “I know Adam likes herbal tea.”
“I’ve been drinking
Rooibos
tea while I’ve been in South Africa. It’s supposed to be good for you and I’ve got used to it. But I’ll just have whatever Adam is having.”
“
She’s tried to get us all drinking
Rooibos
,” said Adam. “She gets very passionate when she’s on to something new. That at least, is like her sister.”
“No I don’t,” she said, slapping him playfully on the leg.
While Lisa went to make the tea, and coffee for the rest of them, Neil asked Nicole, “So, what are you doing in South Africa? I believe you’re based at the Kruger National Park.”
“That’s right. I’m studying veterinary science and learning wild life medicine and game capture, amongst a host of other things.”
“That must be a change from dealing with cats and dogs. I believe they are having a problem with rhino poaching.”
“Very much so. I get so angry when I see what the poachers do. We usually find the animals after they’ve been killed, but in one case we heard the heart-breaking screams of a mother rhino who’d had her horn hacked off and been left to die. We found her with her panicking calf. Ruan and the trackers followed the
spoor of the poachers while we dealt with the dying rhino and her calf. When the trackers caught up with them there was a shootout and Ruan shot one of them. If I’d been there I would also have wanted to put a bullet in him,” she said heatedly.
“Polly says you’ve become quite a crack shot with a rifle,” Adam said. He turned to the others. “Nicole’s parents stayed with her at Skukuza, the main
administrative camp, for a three week holiday last year.”
“I’ve mostly learned how to shoot tranquillisers, but you have to be prepared for any situation.”
“Who’s buying all these rhino horns?” asked Neil. “They must be worth a lot of money if poachers are risking their lives for them.”
“It seems that wealthy Vietnamese
, Chinese and Thais are some of the biggest users. They see rhinos as being powerful and strong and giving rhino horn as a gift is a sign of status and respect. They also mistakenly attribute all sorts of health benefits to powdered rhino horn. But we are getting the message across to some of the influential Vietnamese. ”
“Didn’t I tell you you’d get a lecture
?” Adam said.
She threw him a mock disdainful gla
re.
“
How long have you been working there?” Eleanor Stannard asked.
“Initially a year, but I stayed on for a second year after I got the grant.”
“Polly thinks that could also have something to do with Ruan Botha,” Adam said, grinning down at Nicole, but she refused to take the bait.
“Ruan has lots of ideas for the Park,” said Nicole. “The bush is his life.”
“So you’re going back to South Africa?” Neil asked.
Nicole’s face clouded and she hesitated before replying. “I’m not sure. I’ve enjoyed working in the bush. It’s been a fabulous experience, but I
’m not sure about living permanently so far from the sea.”
“Perhaps you could give a talk to the school,” Lisa suggested. “It would be interesting as well as a new career choice for them.” She turned to Adam. “What do you think
, Adam?”
“That would be up to Nicole. What do you say?” he asked,
meeting her upturned face.
“I
’d like that, but it would depend on dates and times.”