Chapter 8

Thursday the 17th of December was a crisp but still morning. Tammy woke at seven and showered quickly, picking up the phone almost as soon as she was back in her bedroom.

“Good morning, Joan, is Angela there?”

“Hold on.”

“Hi, Tammy.”

“Hi. Do you fancy breakfast in school?”

“Why?”

“You have fifteen minutes!”

“You!”

Tammy allowed Angela a few minutes more but had her father drive first to the cottage then onward to the school, arriving just after 7.50. “I'll collect you after the party.”

Tammy knew that Angela had to get back into school before the end of the year, that way the first day in January would just seem like a normal day. Angela couldn’t quite see it that way.

“Why am I here?”

“Because you need to be.”

“But Jill said I wasn’t to be back before the New Year?”

“She doesn’t know you as well as I do.”

“That’s true enough, but I’m not convinced.”

They walked into the refectory to find the room mostly filled. The two girls headed for the Sixth Form tables and reserved two seats with their bags.

Most of the boys didn’t notice them until the girls went to pick up a tray. The room started to go quiet and then there was a cacophony of whispers.

Angela wanted to crawl into a small hole, but couldn’t see one. Tammy had a better idea and spun round to where the staff would be sitting. She caught the eye of Mr Thompson who just nodded.

“Silence.”

Every eye in the room was now on Tammy, although Angela was convinced she was the target of their interest. From the sixth form table the other prefects stood and moved to the sides of the room, able to watch every boy present.

“I feel I need to remind you that this is a refractory, not a talking shop. I and the other prefects will be ensuring that you remember that fact.”

Tammy indicated to Angela to turn and continue collecting their breakfast as if nothing had happened. They made it back to the table a minute later.

As they sat there was another minor outburst of whispering from small pockets across the room. The prefects, still standing by the walls moved swiftly for a few choice words with the offender.

In their meeting the previous lunchtime, convened in the common room, Tammy had discussed how to handle this kind of issue with the prefects. The easiest way was to make it a non-issue. Mr Thompson had been briefed on their plan so had not intervened himself.

The prefects were present in the corridors for the start of lessons and during the break between the first two periods. This was not a new way of keeping discipline but was rarely needed. The staff were grateful for the help they received, as it kept actual discipline issues to a minimum.

None of the sixth formers has classes this day but the party didn’t start until two. Plenty of time for a coffee in the common room, at least that’s what Angela was told..

“Hi, Tammy.”

“Hi John, thanks for your help this morning.”

“It was fun, especially putting those eleven-year-old brats down in front of their mates.”

“What did you say to them?”

“That they would be in the new summer dress uniform by the end of the day, running around the track. That is if they can find the track under the snow!”

“John, is there really going to be a summer dress uniform?”

“No Angela, I was making it up,” he smiled, “in case you’d forgotten the school isn’t taking girls below the sixth form until a lot of building work has been done.”

Tammy laughed at John’s reply but Angela felt uncomfortable.

“Angela, it really was just a joke. Go and sit down, I’ll get a coffee for us.”

John Hibbert had been Tammy’s main contact at the school after she moved out of the boarding house, when she became Tammy. He had worked since Monday to ensure that the two girls had a respectable reception from the rest of the sixth form. The odd boy who’d questioned the new arrangements had found life uncomfortable for a few days. Tammy didn’t need to know the methods used, just that no-one was harmed.

In turn, John had been grateful to Tammy—she’d introduced him to Tanya Smith. Their relationship had blossomed during the run up to Westside Story at the town’s theatre where they’d both been in the cast, as had Tammy.

The other sixth formers began to gather in the common room within a few minutes, whilst all had met Tammy the previous day, most hadn’t come across Angela before.

Tim Small—Angela’s alter ego—had been a quiet student who rarely used the common room or stayed to talk after classes—his father had made sure of that. So, although Tim—now Angela—had been a sixth former for well over a year, she had probably not been in the room more than ten times previously: understandably, she felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Tammy had stood to greet the new arrivals and remained as such as most took their seats. The last one, James Hunter, closed the heavy wooden door. Their privacy was now assured.

“Thank you, everyone. As you should all know by now Angela Small has returned to the school but won't start lessons until January. Given that the end of year party is this afternoon, I can't see that having a huge impact on her education.”

That comment generated a laugh from the venerable sixth formers.

“Plainly, the news about her father has hit Angela hard so please be understanding. I hope we can also set an example to the lower years by not discussing the matter. Thank you.”

The sixth formers started dispersing a few minutes later, with most welcoming Angela. A few, however, had obvious contempt. This included James Hunter.

“Tom, I mean Tammy, I'm sorry but it's best if I don't say anything to her.” He jabbed his finger in Angela's direction even so he didn't need to. Tammy knew exactly who he meant. “You're okay though.”

James walked away without waiting for a response. Tammy had guessed there would be problems but hoped that her close friend hadn't heard any of the one-sided exchange. Looking across the room she saw Angela talking to a couple of the more sensible boys.

A phone rang in a corner of the room, John Hibbert answered it quietly and took a short message.

“Angela, can you and Tammy go to the Head's office?”

“Any idea why, John?” Angela was a little unsure.

“No, that was all she said.”

Angela was feeling more secure after talking to many of the sixth formers. Fortunately she had missed the snide comments by James and one other. A summons to the Head was not welcome, however, and this showed on her face as she relayed the message to Tammy.

“It's probably nothing. Let's get going before someone calls again.”

It took a few minutes for them to get down to the office. Mrs Adams, the Head's secretary, was waiting for them but shepherded them into her own office before closing the door.

“What's going on?” Now it was Tammy's turn to be anxious.

“Don't worry dear, it's about this afternoon.” The girls were even more confused now.

“Firstly, all the female staff wear a frock at the party and I'd like you two to join in. Feel free to go over the top, if you know what I mean.”

“Like tinsel and glitter.”

“Yes, but try not to wear anything that'll give the older teachers a coronary.”

“Hmm, no stockings then?”

“That's up to you but make sure the suspenders can't be seen!”

Angela was feeling a little left out of this conversation so kept quiet.

“What's up Angela? Cat got your tongue?”

“Nothing, it's just ....”

“You've nothing to wear? Don't worry about that.”

“Angela, we'll find something for you.”

“We will. Go and get your coats and bags, we've got some retail therapy to occupy us.”

She sent them out of her office with instructions to meet her in the rear car park in ten minutes. Angela was dragged along by Tammy, who was wearing 'sensible' heels this morning. When they reached the cloakroom Tammy took her coat, bag and a pair of boots from her locker, placing her sandals in the locker in their place.

Behind her she heard a curse then Angela sobbing. “Why, why?”

In her hand was a typed note. Tammy took it.

“You're not welcome here. I know all about you and how you killed your father. Give up, go away and never return. Your sort will ruin school for everyone here. Don’t bother to pick up your handbags, go now! If you stay you’ll regret it.”