Another Modern fiction, this time set in a school.

John has just got a new job at St Peter's Secondary School in York, working with his old friend, Robert Crawley who is the headmaster. Here, he meets Anna Smith, head of English.

Pulling up in the car park, John Bates breathed in deeply. Here he was, new county, new city, new job, a new start. Needing to get out of London, he had jumped at the chance to apply for the deputy head and vacant Geography teacher's post at St Peter's Secondary School in York. Especially when he saw that his old friend and fellow trainee, Robert Crawley was the headmaster.

Stepping out of the car, John looked around at the scores of pre pubescent boys playing football on the field before laughing to himself as he saw the groups of girls huddled together, probably discussing the latest teenage pin up no doubt. He loved his job and, although some could be more trouble than they were worth, he enjoyed the banter he created with those he was teaching.

After retrieving his briefcase from the back of the car, John continued into reception. Stopping to look around, he was taken aback by the grandeur his new setting offered. He had known the school was of a higher quality than the comprehensive he had left behind in London, but he had never taught in surroundings quite like this before.

'Oi, Alexander,' John heard a familiar voice coming from one of the offices set to the side of the reception. It was Robert.

'Yes Mr Crawley,' a young man's voice replied.

'I don't want to see you back in here this week. You understand?'

'Yes sir,' the boy said before appearing to John in the reception. John watched as the boy walked past him before Robert stepped out of his office.

'John.' Robert exclaimed, walking towards his old friend with an outstretched arm. 'How are you?'

'Very well.' John replied, shaking Robert's hand. 'Keen to get started.'

'Good, we were all thrilled when you accepted the post. You certainly impressed on your interview.' Robert continued before looking at the middle aged woman sitting at the desk, busy typing. 'Elsie, this is John Bates. The new deputy and geography teacher. John, this is Elsie Hughes.'

'Nice to meet you,' came Elsie's reply in a thick Scottish accent.

'You too.' John smiled.

'Come on John, everyone's assembled in the staff room to meet you.' Robert said, leading John to the door beyond the one to his office. 'I wonder if you are still as good at that game as you were when we trained.'

Once inside, John smiled as he looked around the room. Just by looking at people, he could guess the subject they taught, It was a skill he and Robert had honed whilst training and John set about working out who taught which subject.

'Okay everyone, sorry to interrupt. I know we only get 50 minutes for lunch but there is someone here for you to meet.' Robert announced as everyone's conversations slowly died down and their attentions turned to Robert and John. 'This is John Bates, he is our new deputy and taking up the vacant Geography post as well.'

'Hi,' John said, holding up a hand as if to wave. Twenty or so faces just stared as an awkward silence fell across the room. John had never been good in these situations.

'Hello, I'm Daisy, Daisy Mason.' A woman suddenly appeared from the crowd, a little ditzy on first impressions but John was relieved someone had broken the awkward silence. 'And I teach..'

'Hang on Daisy, don't tell him.' Robert interrupted. 'What do you think, John?'

'What do you mean what does he think?' Daisy retreated, a confused look spread over her face.

'I'm guessing what subject you teach.' John replied, looking Daisy up and down. 'I'm going to say Food Technology and the lovely lady standing beside you teaches the same.'

'I do,' the woman smiled, blushing slightly before stepping towards John. 'Margaret Patmore.'

'Nice to meet you.' John nodded in their direction before turning to Robert. 'I like this game.'

'Okay, so this is Ethel Grainger.' Robert said, walking beside a red headed woman, covered from her hands up to her elbow in paint. 'What does she teach?'

'I'm thinking paint up the arms isn't her usual look so I'll say Art?' John pointed out. 'Sometimes the art of deduction sees you through.'

'Hello,' Ethel smiled.

John went around others in the room, he had been able to identify everybody's subject until he came up against some hostility in the form a tall dark haired man, who obviously took a lot of pride in his appearance. Next to him was a scowling woman, hair in a bun. He was in a polo shirt and shorts, she in a tracksuit. 'You must be the P.E staff.'

' Well done, Sherlock. Thomas Barrow,' the man said, a shortness to his tone.

'Sarah O'Brien, Miss O Brien.' the woman interrupted, putting emphasis on the 'Miss.' 'Not married. Never have been. Never will be.'

'Oh, right.' John smiled awkwardly, not sure how to respond.

'Mr Crawley, toilets on the Science block will need a plumber. My skills don't extend that far, I'm afraid.' John turned to see a tall, slightly mature man enter the staff room, U- bend in hand.

'Okay, Charles.' Robert replied. 'This is John, the new deputy and geography teacher. John, Charles Carson.'

'Nice to meet you,' John replied, thinking of offering a hand and then thinking better of it when remembering the man's hand had just been down a toilet.

'I'll ask Elsie to call the plumber.' Charles smiled before turning on his heel and exiting.

'Hi, I'm Tom Branson.' came a voice in a thick Irish accent. John turned to see a well dressed young man, hand outstretched.

'Hello Tom. Nice to hear a friendly accent. I was born and raised in County Limerick.' John explained, shaking Tom's hand. 'Now I'm going to say we will see a lot of each other as you are my fellow geography teacher.'

'Incredible,' Tom shook his head. 'How do you do it? Must be that Irish intuition.'

'Yeah, which was evident when I saw you fighting with the photo copier yesterday,' the woman standing beside Tom interrupted, face lit up by a broad smile.

'It's a knack,' John smiled before turning his attentions to the blonde haired woman standing beside Tom. John was sure he had stopped breathing as he took in the woman standing before him. She was stunning, a low cut white blouse, black knee length skirt and hair curled to her shoulders. 'Ermm...'

'Anna. Anna Smith.' she offered. 'I've been impressed so far. So, what do I teach?'

John rubbed the bridge of his nose, not able to form a coherent thought. 'You know, I think my powers may be waning.'

'No,' Robert exclaimed. 'Only three more teachers to go.'

'Okay,' John focussed on Anna, making eye contact and he was sure he could see her blushing. 'English.'

'Yes,' Anna replied, smiling. 'Head of English in fact.'

'What about me?' John's attentions were diverted from Anna to a balding middle aged man who was know tapping John repeatedly on the arm. 'My name is Martin Moseley.'

'Mr Moseley, I'd say, looking at you that you teach Religious Education.'

'Do you do the lottery, John?' Robert asked as John shook Martin's hand.

The afternoon was filled with being shown around the school, being introduced to prefects and seeing where he would be teaching. John was relieved to be back at his car, ready for an evening's rest before the real work began the next day.

'See you tomorrow, John.' Daisy called as she got in the passenger side of Margaret's mini metro.

'Bye ladies, see you tomorrow.' John waved before opening the rear door on his drivers side and placing his briefcase on the seat.

'How did the tour go?' John was taken by surprise, hitting his head on the roof of the car. He turned his head to see Anna standing behind him, laughing softly. 'Sorry. Did I startle you.'

'No no, it's fine,' John grimaced, rubbing the top of his head. 'The tour was good. It's a lovely school.' John replied, shutting the door and turning to face Anna. 'I see that the Geography block is attached to the English one. Same corridor even. Separated by a door.'

'It is,' Anna said, wiping a strand of hair from her face. 'So hopefully we'll be seeing a lot more of each other.'

'I hope so,' John nodded as his gazed locked with Anna's. 'So, um..'

'John,' came the call from Robert across the car park. 'Do you fancy meeting up later? A few of us are meeting in town to watch the football.'

John sighed. He was still settling into his flat and the last thing he wanted was to go out, especially when he was starting his new job tomorrow. 'I think I'll give it a miss, Rob.'

'No worries mate. See you tomorrow.' With that, Robert got into his Range Rover and chugged out of the car park. John turned his attentions back to Anna. 'So I'll see you tomorrow, Miss Smith?'

'Indeed you will Mr Bates.' Anna replied before laughing. 'Mr Bates.'

'Yes yes, like I haven't heard that one before. Bye Anna.'