Part Fourteen   "School Girls"

 

Tammy's Tales Book 6
 

 
Thursday 24th September
 

Tammy had almost dressed as a sixth former, but she was no longer bound by the school's conservative dress code. After a rethink she'd opted for the navy frock and jacket combination, black tights and three inch heels.

"Welcome back Miss Smart."

"Thank you Headmaster, what's planned for me this morning?"

"Nothing onerous, that much I can assure you. Let's get some breakfast?"

Tammy's heels clicked along the polished wood hallway as they walked towards the refectory.

"Will you join me on the top table?"

"Sir, if you don't mind, I'll sit with the sixth formers?"

"I take it you won't want to be introduced?"

"Can we keep it low key, Headmaster, that way it might be easier for the students to talk to me."

"Of course. If you don't mind, I'd like both you and Mr Hibbert to address an assembly later in the year."

"Nearer Christmas?"

"Indeed."

They'd reached the hall, Tammy split from the Head and found the sixth form tables, exactly where they had been in June. A few heads turned as Tammy took a seat, there were now a dozen or so females present - most of whom Tammy didn't recognise.

"What are you doing here today, Tammy?"

"I'm not really sure, Josie, but I was asked to be here for breakfast."

"Are you going to be at the rehearsal on Saturday?"

"Yes, back to normal hopefully."

"Where did you go?"

"On a residential course, it's connected to my work."

"Aren't you at Uni?"

"I start the course on Monday but I'm working part time as well. Most of the course is done at home, so it fits together quite well. Have you decided what you'll do?"

"It's over eighteen months before I take my Highers!"

"I hate to say it, but you do need to start thinking. What subjects are you taking?"

"Maths, English Lit, Physics and Music."

"An interesting set."

"The English is a one year course so I'll only have three in the Upper Sixth."

Tammy noted that most of the girls were conservatively dressed, but one near her had obviously run foul of the jewellery code judging by the mark on the side of her nose where a stud had previously been.

Another girl, looking to be around thirteen years old, came into the refectory wearing a checked pinafore under the usual school blazer but went to sit with the year 11 students. This much she had not expected. Josie saw Tammy looking.

"That's Daisy, she's not really a student here but her brother is. Their parents were killed a week ago so the Head allowed Daisy to be with her brother. Normally she's at similar school for girls but it was felt best if they were together. Apparently there was no way Daisy's school would accept Finlay O'Shaughnessy unless he wore a skirt."

"I see, how long is this going to continue?"

"No idea, but it means all the female dorms are taken."

The shutters went up so Tammy joined the sixth formers already collecting their breakfasts. Most recognised Tammy, but few of those present had talked to her before. Some of course had no idea who she was, and that included most of the female sixth formers who had only been at the school for a few weeks.

The Head decided he would announce Tammy's presence.

"With us today is Miss Tamara Smart, a School Ambassador who recently completed her studies here," He indicated Tammy should stand, "I would also like to announce that Leonard Sturgeon of Year Eleven is undergoing surgery today and won't be returning to the school before next week. It is thanks to the quick actions of Miss Smart that Mr Sturgeon is still alive."

He sat, those sixth formers who hadn't recognised Tammy now knew who she was. The girl with the missing piercing leant over.

"So you're that bitch?"

"Pardon?"

Deputy Head Mike Thompson was stood behind the girl. "Good morning Miss Smart, nice to see you again."

"Thank you Sir."

"Now, Miss Thakes, I think you should withdraw that remark."

"Why?"

"So you could avoid having privileges withdrawn again, perhaps? See me at four o'clock." He walked away, nodding to Tammy as he did.

"Well, look what trouble you got me into now!"

"I suggest you take a look in a mirror before you say that?"

"BITCH!" Tammy moved before the hand reached her face. The hall went quiet as Mr Thompson, the Head and Lori moved in. The Head checked that Tammy hadn't been touched and asked her to repeat what was said before addressing the girl.

"Go to your room, I'm contacting your parents."

"Good luck, the buggers sent me up here so they didn't have to deal with me!"

Joan was now present and joined Lori in escorting the girl, Annabella, away.

"That's the second incident this week, Tammy."

"What's up with her?"

"Her father's an old boy apparently, but she's gone wild."

"Okay, Josie, I hope I wasn't going to be asked to talk to her?"

"Who are you seeing?"

"I have no idea."

Tammy went first to Joan's office but she hadn't returned so the sixth form common room was the next sensible stop.

"You can't come in." A boy was stood in the way.

"Why not?"

"You're not a sixth former."

"I see, but doesn't the same rule say that a guest can be allowed in?"

"Well, you're not my guest."

"But she is mine." Jeri had arrived. "Sorry Tammy, I got held up, Lori will be along in a minute."

They collected coffees and sat whilst the argumentative boy went off to lick his wounds. "Jeri, I thought I knew this place but it feels really different."

"That's what Lori said."

"What's the score with this Daisy?"

"She's here until Christmas, we had six hours notice to get the last room ready for her."

"How do you know about her?"

"Your mum briefed me and Lori, she's a prefect and Head Girl."

"I'm seeing Ellie tomorrow but she's under the knife today. So there's no spare rooms?"

"No."

"What happened to Daisy's parents?"

"They were killed in Sofia in a robbery that went wrong."

"Sofia, in Bulgaria?"

"Yes, they were working with the athletics anti-doping agency so no-one really believes it was a robbery."

"Do the kids have any other family?"

"No, not that Joan can locate."

"Damn, I so wanted to give Ellie some good news tomorrow."

One of the female sixth formers came in and sneered at Tammy. "Now, that's no way to treat a guest." Jeri was looking straight at the girl.

"Whatever."

Tammy made an excuse and walked down to the ladies loo, formerly staff only. Two other girls came in while she was on the throne.

"Shame AB didn't get that stuck up bitch."

"Yeah, what's she here for?"

"No-one knows, do you know which car is her's?"

"Nah, I'll find out."

"Thanks, I'd love to key it."

Tammy was getting angry so was out of the cubicle just in time to see the outer door swing closed. She washed her hands and checked her face before heading to Joan's room.

"Where have you been?"

"Discovering that admitting girls here was a big mistake."

"Says she who insisted on it."

"Sorry, I'll withdraw that immediately."

"Was this just about Miss Thakes?"

"No, there's at least one who wants to scratch my car. Where did we find these girls?"

"They all came with impeccable references."

"Really? Or maybe their last schools were just happy to get rid of them?"

"For a few it's their first taste of boarding school so they are rebelling a little."

"By going for personal insults and criminal damage?"

"Calm down, Tammy. What's the real issue?"

"No spare rooms."

"The female dorm is full, yes."

"What about Ellie?"

"What about Ellie? Leonard didn't want to stay here."

"But Ellie does."

"It's way too early to say that, this is not a wholly co-educational school."

"It wasn't at all when I switched teams."

"True, but you didn't need special facilities. In case you hadn't noticed, sixth formers don't do PE but Year Elevens do, there's no female changing or showering and it's a national curriculum requirement."

"What about Daisy?"

"I can't discuss individual cases, but she's a special case."

"And I guess Ellie isn't?"

"Look, Tammy, before today you didn't know most of the sixth form girls and had no idea there was a thirteen year old girl in school. You're no longer a student here."

"Then why am I here?"

"I was hoping you could talk to the lower sixth girls."

"That doesn't sound like it'll be an outstanding success?"

"So I gathered, there is one other you could see."

"Okay, who?"

"Tanya."

"Oh, not a pupil?"

"No. She's got morning sickness and hasn't made it into the office yet this week, why not go over to the cottage?"

"So I've wasted my time here so far this morning."

"I wouldn't say that."

Tammy's phone vibrated, there was a text from Hilary.

Get to your car if you can, hostiles!

Tammy had parked around the back so went there as two girls ran back in, being pursued by one of the caretakers.

"I think they were intent on damaging your vehicle, Miss Smart."

"I'd best check it."

"They didn't get close enough, they were spooked, apparently the car spoke to them. They would, however, have left a nasty scratch on the driver's side."

"Thank you, could you identify them?"

"Of course, we have a board in the office with all the girls photos, never needed it for the boys as they are here for years."

Tammy wasn't certain if this was entirely honourable?

"My wife came up with the idea as we were having trouble identifying them."

"Your wife works in the kitchens?"

"Yes, Miss, she has a board in there too."

He went off, no doubt to report this indiscretion to someone. Tammy approached her car but it was fine.

"Answer your phone." Said the car, Tammy had left her phone on silent but it was in her bag and she hadn't noticed.

"Hello Hilary, I'm told you spooked the two girls."

"I had to do something. Do you know who they are?"

"No, the caretaker will."

"One of them is Martina Gore."

"Eh?"

"She's Martin's distant cousin, born in 1999 in Inverness."

"Not Bulgaria?"

"No."

"Now, we've got a brother and sister here Finlay and Daisy O'Shaughnessy, apparently their parents were killed in Sofia, can you look into that?"

"No problem."

Tammy drove the short distance to the cottage and found Tanya with her feet up watching daytime telly.

"You don't watch that rubbish?"

"If distracts me."

"You're avoiding work."

"Dealing with those girls? They're awful."

"Not all of them."

"True, but even Josie can have her moments."

"Oh come on Tanya, you are a real drama queen at times!"

"And you clear off out of town with virtually no notice and can't say where you've been? Not like that's suspicious or anything?"

"It was work related."

"Spy school then?"

"No, army camp, I told you."

"Did you? I've been a bit distracted."

"Has John moved offices yet?"

"He starts there on Monday, he'll have time to bring me breakfast in bed before he leaves in the morning."

"Tanya, that's just awful."

"He's responsible for this!" She pointed at her belly.

"Didn't I read somewhere that it takes two?"

"Yeah, but it wasn't my fault."

"That you forgot to take the pill for a few weeks?"

"Yeah."

"Are you seriously trying to load all that guilt onto your husband-to-be?"

She started to cry, "I don't know, I don't know. I don't know if I want to have this baby now."

"That's silly talk, have you spoken to Dr Adi?"

"No, I just go to the ante-natal at the hospital."

"Please, go to see Dr Adi. Would you like me to make the appointment?"

"John can do it."

"The surgery is closed when he gets home, don't be lazy, you might even get an appointment today."

"I don't know, Tammy, I don't know."

Tammy took her phone out and called the surgery, there had been a cancellation, Tanya could have it if she was there in fifteen minutes.

Tammy loaded her friend into the Mini and set off. Tanya was allowed to go straight into the Doctor's room and Tammy went to leave.

"Stay, please."

Dr Adi wanted to know what was going on so Tammy explained.

"I see, how were you yesterday, Tanya?"

"I don't remember."

"Did you go to work?"

"No."

"Did you do any housework?"

"I don't think so."

"Did you cook?"

"No."

"What did you do?"

"I watched Jeremy Kyle."

"All day?"

"Dunno."

The GP took blood pressure, pulse, weight, height and then extracted some bloods,

"I'll get you an appointment with Dr Kaufman at the hospital."

"Can't you give me any happy pills?"

"No, anything I give you might adversely affect the pregnancy. I'd like to see you next Wednesday, and every Wednesday for the next few weeks."

"Only if Tammy can come with me?"

"That's up to Tammy and it is your pregnancy not hers."

"But she can't ...!"

"She can't be here in place of you, so make sure you are. Remember that pregnancy is a privilege not a right. Some privileges have conditions attached, this one's no different. You aren't doing your own health, nor that of your unborn, any good by moping around indoors. I suggest you go to work while you still have a job."

"Hey!"

"How long have you been there?"

"Just under three months."

"So you could be sacked for simply not turning up, time to check your contract?"

"But I'm pregnant, they can't do that?"

"You should check your contract, employers have rights too and you might still be on your probabtionary period."

"They can't!"

"It's worth checking, Tanya, just to be safe?"

Tanya was ready to leave, but needed the loo. Dr Adi asked Tammy to stay behind.

"Tanya's protected by law but she needs to get off her rear end."

"Even if she's still on probation?"

"Yes."

"Okay, I was really concerned by how down she was."

"It's not uncommon, where's her husband?"

"Working in Inverness, but his job transfers to Thurso next week. She'll be a nightmare once he's in town though, probably asking him to come home urgently in order to find the remote control!"

"I suspect the same, the poor girl's not ready."

"She tried to tell me it was his fault earlier that she forgot to take the pill!"

"That's nothing, a woman has sued her holiday company for providing a double bed for her and her fiancé instead of the requested twin beds, it's the company's fault she's pregnant, apparently."

"So, what do I do with Tanya?"

"She's not your responsibility, legally she's an adult capable of making her own decisions."

"Even if everyone gets blamed for her choices?"

"Yes."

"Who is Dr Kaufman?"

"The new general purpose shrink."

"Gender cases?"

"No, that will be someone else."

Suddenly Tanya screamed.