It was the first day of a new school term and traditionally a section of the timetable was set aside for administration - setting up schedules, welcoming returning and additional pupils, and outlining any new subjects to be covered over the coming months.
Both my school-aged children usually regaled us with their experiences upon their return home. Brendan was first to arrive and he seemed particularly excited.
"You look happy," I said. "How did your first day back to school go?"
"Great, dad," said Brendan, eyes bright. "We were told that we're going to start doing halchibba this year,"
"Halchibba?" I briefly grasped for his meaning, settling on, "Do you mean algebra?"
"Probably." His paw waved dismissively and a faint smile suggested he was reliving the moment.. "It sounds like fun."
The words brought back memories of my twin brother in our schooldays. Newton devoured mathematical expressions with glee. Brendan was good at arithmetic but I didn't see him as another boffin. Did he understand the concept?
"What have you been told about algebra, Brendan?"
"As far as I can see it's all about number puzzles." His smile broadened. "And we have to find 'X the Unknown'. Isn't that a great name? Like a secret agent."
Number puzzles? Well, maybe. But was he distracted by the idea of agent X? When he carried on his explanation, that was a distinct possibility.
"During the morning playtime Lucky and me met up with Benedict," he said, referring to Lucky's elder brother, "and he said that we'd eventually learn about E, X's opponent."
Again I was transported to my own schooldays as I remembered about Newton's ramblings. I didn't really understand much of it but the term 'exponent' and the symbol 'e' were peppered in the narrative as he tried to explain. I decided not to correct my son; let him enjoy himself. There was also the possibility that he was teasing me.
"Well, I'm glad you're excited about the new schoolwork. You'ĺl have something else to share with your sister."
"Oh yeah. Beverley will have done this. I'll go and ask her." He started to leave but paused.
"Except she won't be home yet. She's got that consoli-thingy lesson. And she'll have other things on her mind... but she can tell you all about that. I'll go to see mum and find out what's for tea."
With Brendan disappearing from my view I was left deciphering his parting words. I concluded that he was referring to the 'consolidation classes' that had been recently introduced to the school curriculum. An hour after the main timetable the school had introduced an optional space whereby pupils could talk to teachers and other pupils. This was to clarify any subject matter introduced that day that they needed to understand better. That could include worked examples. Some children used it as a time to begin their homework whilst having access to the school's resources.
Beverley had been positive about the scheme. I wondered: how her first day back at school had gone for her?
o 0 O 0 o
Whilst Brendan has been buoyant, Beverley's face indicated that something didn't suit her. Not exactly sulky, she didn't successfully hide her unhappiness. The exaggerated sigh confirmed that.
"Okay, pudding," I said, "I can see something's troubling you. Tell your daddy."
"Nothing," she said, a forced smile failing to convince me. "Nothing, really."
I put my arm around her. "Alright. Tell me the 'nothing really' that's troubling you."
A small giggle. "Oh, dad. You always cheer me up."
"So?"
She sighed and began. "Mrs Hamilton asked me to be a prefect." She paused. "I thanked her but said I didn't want to boss people about. She said that was good but that wasn't what the job was about. She said she wanted some responsible students to help in a particular situation. And I wouldn't be by myself."
"What did you say to that?"
"I still wasn't keen but she sounded like she needed us."
"So you agreed?"
"Mm, yes. There was Freya, Candy Mulberry and me and we all agreed. Then we were told the job. It didn't sound too bad but now I'm not too sure."
"Go on."
"The teacher in one of the outlying small schools can't teach her lessons - I think it's a medical thing - so until that changes, her class is being split and the students assigned to our school. Three of them are coming to my class."
"Let me guess. Three new students. Three prefects."
"Right. I have be there to help my newby settle in and be what Mrs Hamilton calls their first point of contact."
"That sounds similar. When I was at school, Darcy Fielding was assigned to me."
"Oh yeah. I remember you saying you had good memories about that. Ordinarily I wouldn't mind doing that sort of thing but at the moment it messes with my plans."
"How so?"
"You know the consolidation classes? Well, usually I don't need them to clarify what happened in the day's lessons. I've been using it to work on an art project for Mellowdene Day. I worry that, if I'm spending too much time on the newby, I'll need to use the consolidation class properly and I won't have enough time for my project."
"Hmm. I see. Can your Aunt Angelica help?"
Cecile's sister-in-law Angelica Ivory is the art teacher at the school. Beverley has benefited from her teaching since she came to Mellowdene.
"It's not really something I can work on at home. I really need to be at school to do the work."
"Maybe your aunt could give you more time at school in order to compensate for any time you lose. I could have a word..."
"No, daddy," said my daughter, shaking her head, "but I could explain to her. It is a good idea. Thanks."
At that point, Brendan ambled into the room.
"Hi sis. Coco says you're going to be a prefect. At first I thought he said 'perfect' but I knew that couldn't be right."
An eye roll and Beverley responded. "Well, I've been given an important job, if that's what you mean."
"I know. I went to have a word with Una Fielding as she usually has inside information on schooly things. You're getting three students from White Cottage Schoolhouse to look after."
"I'm impressed at your detective work. Well, you're right. I don't know who the students are, though."
"Una said they're placing students where they will fit in best. That's so they will be more comfortable settling in. There's a list."
"Don't tell me you've seen it."
"Alright, I won't." He turned, as if to go. "But you might get Iona Dale."
"Iona?"
The Dales used to be our neighbours until they moved to be nearer to the family business. Friendships endured but the frequency of associations reduced.
"Yep. You'd like that, eh?"
Beverly grinned and winked at me.
"I definitely need to speak to Aunt Angelica."
o 0 O 0 o