Molly Dawes sat outside the office of the headmaster her feet tapping on the shiny floor beneath her trainers.

Belinda looked across at her. 'Bleedin hell Molls stop it will ya.'

Molly nodded. 'Sorry Mum just nervous like.'

'Yeah well you should be punching that boy I mean like why do some'it like that?'

'He was annoying me. I hate boys and I hate him.'

Belinda sat back in her chair taking a deep breath. She had been so proud of Molly getting into this school on a scholarship, no one in their family had ever amounted to much and here was Molly her pride and joy about to be thrown out of it. And in her bleeding exam year too.

She looked up as the door opened and a tall boy walked out followed by two people she assumed were his parents. They stopped to look at her and Molly. The woman gave her a snooty stare, the man looked almost embarrassed. The boy was cute Belinda thought he also had the loveliest eyes and they looked sorrowfully at her and then at Molly's downcast head.

The Headmaster Mr Rice appeared behind them. He smiled and beckoned them into his office. Belinda stood up and pushed Molly through the door as Mr Rice closed it behind them.

'Thank you for coming so quickly Mrs Dawes you understand when things of this nature happen we at St. Winifreds want to deal with them quickly and nip anything out of hand in the bud so to speak. We take a very dim view of any type of violent behaviour.'

'Right yes I fink I understand. What did she do then? Belinda sat straight she was terrified it was like being back at school herself.

'Right well I have Charles version Molly. But, I would really like to hear yours.' Mr Rice looked at Molly as she raised her head and begun to speak.

'Right well he called me a numpty didn't he, I mean like what is that and then he wanted to walk to PE with me and then he wanted to be my partner in PE for rope climbing. I don't like boys so I told him no and then he got stroppy with me. So I lost my temper an everyfing went to shit an that. Oh sorry Sir I mean like it got bad and I sort of hit him.'

Mr Rice was writing down Molly's comments in his notebook. He finished writing and put down his pen. He leaned across the desk clasping his hands together as he looked at the pair of them.

'Molly I think there may be some cross purposes here. I guess it was understandable when we introduced girls to this school that the boys would take some getting used to it. But to be honest this behaviour from both of you is unacceptable. I have just said the same to Mr & Mrs James. In fact let me bring them in.'

Mr Rice stood up and went to the door. Belinda looked over at Molly who as white as a sheet, Dave would bloody kill her if she got expelled. He hadn't talked to her for a month after Molly had been accepted here and now this. It was just as he said people like them couldn't mix with the likes of St. Winifred.

Mr & Mrs James followed Mr Rice in and sat down. The tall cute but very serious boy sat next to them not speaking. Belinda could see him looking at Molly his face full of concern. Molly had her head down again looking at no one.

Mr Rice introduced each set of parents and Mr James jumped up to shake Belinda's hand. 'Ian James nice to meet you Mrs Dawes even if unfortunate circumstances. Charles talks about Molly a lot I understand she is top of the class in English and Maths. You must be very proud.'

Belinda shook his hand and nodded. Top of the class what the bleedin hell was he on about? Molly had told her she was failing everything. She looked at Molly who had sunk further into her seat her long hair covering her face.

Belinda leaned over and whispered. 'Sit up straight Molly Dawes I am bleeding furious with you.' Molly looked up at her Mum and nodded. 'Sorry Mum.'

Mr Rice began talking looking across at the group. 'Right as I have said to both of you we take a very dim view of this type of behaviour. Normally I would suspend both pupils. However I have taken into account the excellent behaviour of both Molly and Charles since they joined the school. They are grade A students and I don't want to see a blemish on either record. I know Charles you are hoping to enter Sandhurst after university and Molly you want to go to college with a view to the medical profession.'

Both students nodded staring across the desk at him.

'So I have a solution. I guess you could call it a bit of community service but I think and hope you all agree this will work. We have a local charity we are supporting - its for children orphaned and brought to the UK after the troubles in Afghanistan and Iraq. I propose the two of you are allocated one of the children there and act as their mentor whilst they reside in the UK.'

He looked up at the group. Ian James was nodding. 'I think that is a really good solution Mr Rice. I am more than happy for Charles to participate in this. Perhaps thinking of someone else will help him learn some patience.'

Mrs James said nothing she had her hands clasped in her lap and nodded at her husbands words. Mr Rice looked across at Belinda. 'Mrs Dawes?'

'Yeah I am good with it. Molly I do fink you should apologise to this young man though.'

Molly looked up her eyes full of tears. 'Don't make me Mum please.' Belinda shook her head. 'Molly Dawes you will bleedin say sorry now you hear me?'

Molly slowly turned to looked at Charles. 'Sorry Charles.'

Charles James looked back at Molly his eyes never straying from her face. 'Ditto Molly I'm sorry too.'

Ian James stood up and put his hand out to Mr Rice. 'Okay this is good we will wait for the details of the mentor program and you tell me when and when he will be there. Out Charles now.' The James family were shepherded quickly out of the office by Ian James.

Belinda stood up and motioned for Molly to follow her. 'Thank you Mr Rice she worked so hard to get in here I don't understand it.'

Mr Rice looked at Molly and then at Belinda. 'I think Mrs Dawes what we have here is pure unrequited love. Poor Charles he doesn't stand a chance with you Molly does he?' Mr Rice laughed as he escorted the pair of them to the door and shook Belinda's hand.

She walked out of the school following Molly who continued to remain silent. In the car park she saw the James family climbing into a posh car. Nice for some she was heading for the bus stop.

As the James car drove out it pulled up next to Belinda and Molly. Ian James pressed the window down and leaned out. 'Mrs Dawes can we drop you home? Lest we can do I would say under the circumstances.'

Belinda looked at Molly. Her face imploring her to say no. 'Thanks Mr James but we have a ride home.'

He smiled and waved to Molly as they drove off Charles looked at Belinda and gave a shy smile.

Belinda caught up with Molly and hugged her. 'What am I gonna do with you ya bleeding numpty.'

'Mum ger'off me will ya.' Molly tried to push Belinda away laughing as Belinda slung her arm around her daughters shoulder. 'Come on lets get a MacDonalds on the way home. Don't tell ya Dad for Gods sake.'

Just thought I would try a young Molly & Charles school crushes and all that. Weren't they the best…. :o)