Chapter 8

The Easter term was drawing to a close, and Mademoiselle Lepattré sat in her study with Mollie Maynard, the Senior Mistress, discussing the coming term.

"I think if we put Cornelia in Yellow, with her compatriot, Evadne, it would be well."

"Mary Burnett is head of that dormitory this term." Miss Maynard replied, marking the placement on her lists. "I believe she will be able to control Cornelia." She paused, and then. "Is the other new girl, Sarah, also to sleep in Yellow?"

"Non, Ma chere Mollie." Little Mademoiselle replied. "I have had a letter from her Aunt requesting that Sarah be given a window cubicle."

"In which case Sarah will have to sleep in the new dormitory." Mollie finished, again amending her lists. "It is an unusual request, Therese. I presume that there is a good reason, as you're agreeing with it."

"But yes." the head replied. "The poor petite, Sarah, was trapped in a cupboard when she was younger. Since then she has hated enclosed spaces. I have spoken to Matron Lloyd, and she agrees that in these circumstances Sarah would not sleep peacefully if she is not in a cubicle with a view of the outside world."

"The poor child." Miss Maynard replied, before throwing back her head with a laugh. "All the same, I hope she won't take it into her head to tell her classmates. I can just see those imps of Middles playing hide and seek with the cupboards."

Mademoiselle, joined in with a small laugh, before continuing. "I feel it is unlikely, Her Aunt, who is also her Guardian, a Mrs Kitwood, writes that Sarah is a quiet girl who does not like reminding of her adventure. She asks that we mention nothing to the girl of her request."

"Well." Miss Maynard replied. "I suppose we must do as Mrs Kitwood requests, although it may be an idea to warn Matron, in case the girl suffers from nightmares."

"I shall speak to her." Mademoiselle assented. "And now, in which forms shall we place Cornelia and Sarah, and of course, the two new day-girls?"

"Sarah, I think, would do well in Lower Fourth for the moment. Her old tutor from England has written and it would seem that she is up that forms standard in most things. The languages may be a problem, but apparently she has a quick memory, and so I imagine she should pick them up in no time." Mollie paused for breath, and Mademoiselle interrupted.

"Indeed, she appears to have some knowledge already. Mrs Kitwood mentioned in her letter that Sarah has been studying both the French and the German since our interview just after the half-term."

"Oh well then." Mollie replied. "She should manage splendidly. In fact, depending on how she finds the work we may have to see about moving her up into Upper Fourth if she is not been challenged." She paused. "The two day girls, I think Mathilde will do well in Upper Fourth, and Monika in Upper Third."

"and Cornelia?" Mademoiselle prompted, as her Senior Mistress paused. "Where then will she be placed?"

"I don't know Therese." Mollie sighed. "Her papers are good in some respects, but atrocious in others. I suppose I shall just have to make a decision after I have interviewed her." She made a note on her papers and then leant back in her chair.

Mademoiselle laughed. "But you are tired, Mollie, ma chere. Come, I shall make us some hot milk and we shall retire."

"You're right, of course, Therese." Mollie sighed. "and we must be awake tomorrow, after all, Joey and the rest of the Sonnalpe people are arriving then."

"As is the petite, Sarah." Mademoiselle replied. "But come, let us seek our beds." and extinguishing the office light, the two teachers retired for the night.

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Over at the Kron Prinz Karl, Sarah had just returned from a long patrol. Unusually, however, she was unable to get to sleep, so nervous was she about the following day.

"What if they realise, Rosemary." She asked, sitting up in bed. "What if they find out that I'm, well, different?"

Rosemary sighed. They had been through Sarah's worries innumerate times during the past week. It was one of those foibles of the human nature, she reflected, that a girl who showed great courage while facing demons and vampires, was petrified about meeting normal school girls.

"We've discussed this already, Sarah." She reassured the Slayer. "I'll look after the patrolling for the first week, that will let the Matron get used to the way you're to sleep, with the pillow round your head. You know what to tell her if she asks?"

"Yes." Sarah replied. "I've always been a light sleeper and I've always slept like that to cut out the noise. As a result, I now find it difficult to sleep any other way."

"See, you know what to say." Rosemary said, then, as a thought occurred to her. "You do know that I've arranged for you to spend from Saturday lunch to Sunday lunch with myself when I'm in the area?" Sarah nodded, and Rosemary continued. "Well, that will happen at least this first weekend. But I would like you to be at the school as often as possible. I read about some disappearances in Innsbruck in the newspaper, which I'd like to investigate further."

Sarah grimaced. Despite being the Slayer, human remains still left her feeling a little queasy. "I'll try to fit in at school. I just can't help feeling nervous."

Rosemary smiled "I know, it's understandable. After all, you've never been to school before. The nearest thing you've experienced were the group classes at the Council, and they aren't something which your average schoolgirl experiences." She went and sat down on the bed, next to her charge. "But Mademoiselle told me that they have had girls before who have only been taught by Governesses before. They think that is your background and they will make allowances, even the girls."

"I hope so." Sarah replied with a yawn.

Rosemary laughed. "I'm sure they will, and now go to sleep. It won't do for you to be only half awake on your first day."

"I suppose not." and with that Sarah lay down and fell asleep.