Chapter Four

Mildred stormed into her room and threw herself on the bed crying. She couldn't believe what had happened out of all the people in the world her birth mother has to be someone who hates her and is strict and mean.

Mildred had always dreamed about her birth mother she grew up in foster care so never knew a mothers love but strangely she always felt a connection to her. Mildred had been in children's homes and foster homes none of which have lasted long and whenever she asked about her birth family she was told they didn't know anything.

Mildred heard footsteps as her friends walked in to check on her all four more quiet than normal not knowing what to say.

"I can't believe Ethel did that" Maud said trying to not mention what had been revealed.

"Do you think it is the truth that HB is your birth mother?" Enid asked her friend.

"Yes I don't see how Ethel could make something like that up I mean Miss Drill or Miss Bat would be far more believable, Miss Hardbroom is the most unbelievable person she could have come up with"

"What you going to do Millie?"

"I have no idea, but no matter what happens at least Ethel's true colours have been shown!


The four teachers walked into the office followed by Ethel, Miss Bat and Miss Drill sat down in two empty chairs as Miss Cackle stood behind her desk and Miss Hardbroom stood watching.

"Ethel Hallow that was totally unacceptable"

"Mildred started it I..."

"Enough! What you did was plain nasty and not something I would expect from an Cackles student especially a Hallow"

"How did you even find out?" asked Miss Drill who like Mildred had realised it had to be true.

"I overheard Miss Hardbroom and Miss Cackle speaking"

"You had no right to tell Mildred or the rest of the school it doesn't concern them, you embarrassed Mildred, you embarrassed Miss Hardbroom, you embarrassed me and you embarrassed your family"

"I am sorry Miss Cackle I really am"

"It is too late for that, you have detention for two months"

"TWO MONTHS?" That's not fair miss"

"If you would rather get on the bus home I can arrange that it is your choice Ethel"

"Fine I will take the detentions"

"Good, first you will apologise to Miss Hardbroom and Mildred"

"I am sorry Miss Hardbroom" she said looking at the teacher who had been starting there the whole time and had not said anything at all.

"Right now go Ethel and if anything like this shall happen again I wont hesitate to expel you"

The young girl nodded and walked towards the door before pulling it open and walking out. Once she had gone Miss Bat and Miss Drill looked at their colleague.

"Well that was certainty an interesting assembly, I didn't have a clue you had any children Constance"

"Yes thank you Imogen it was a long time ago"

"I hope Mildred is alright she was so upset when she left the hall" Miss Bat said

"I think it is about time you talk to her properly Constance, she needs the whole truth from you not from some rumours" Miss Cackle said.

"You are correct headmistress, I shall go do that now"

"I would suggest walking Constance appearing in her room wont help"

"Yes that is wise please excuse me"


Constance left the office and started to walk down the familiar corridor her heels clanging on the floor, she climbed the stairs towards the dormitories and saw a couple of girls out of their rooms whispering.

"You heard Miss Cackle back to your rooms now" she said angrily as they all ran off before she could give them detention.

Reaching Mildred s door she took a deep breathe before knocking on it twice.

"Mildred may I come in?"

"If you want" she said quietly. She opened the door walking in seeing all five girls sat in the room.

"Maud, Enid, Ruby, Jadu please leave I need to talk to Mildred alone.

The girls left and Constance closed the door and turned to look at her daughter trying not to sure how much the day had affected her.