Monday morning soon came. Des sat in his car staring at the school. Dressed in the school PE teacher uniform of navy trackies, a blue t-shirt, complemented by navy jumper with the school logo on it. And his vital piece of equipment, a whistle. Seeing Phil pull up and get out, Des decided to do the same.
"Very nice!" Laughed Phil as Des walked up beside him. "it's a bit different ain't it. Changing a asp for a whistle"
"So's a badge for a breath case" replied Des noticing the heavy bag he had in his hand.
"Your telling me" Smiled Phil "Look there's the girls." Phil was right. Sam and Sheelagh were walking in together. Sam dressed in her usual suit and Sheelagh in a pair of black pants with a pink belt and a matching pink three quarter sleeved v-neck t-shirt. Following them into the building through the foye into reception. They approached a woman in about her sixty's. She had grey hair and her glasses were perched on the end of her rather large and pointed nose.
"Hi, We're the new teachers…" Began Phil only to be cut off.
"I can see that" Said the woman signalling at Des's clothes. "Here is your timetable. Assembly at quarter to nine, please attend to be introduced to the kids"
"Thanks" Phil said sarcastically "She's helpful ain't she"
"Have you got a form now?" Asked Des seeing his free period.
"Yes, You?" Groaned Phil annoyed.
"No" Laughed Des
"Lucky bastard". They nodded goodbye and set off in different directions with the help of the map they had been given. Not that it helped much Des thought.
After dumping his stuff in his locker in the PE office he made his way to the hall as it was fast approaching quarter to. Walking in the hall he noticed Reg stood against the wall near his form. So he went and stood next to him.
"Where's your form?" Asked Reg happily.
"Ain't got one" Informed Des in a low whisper cause the hall was quiet.
"That's a shame" Said Reg. Des nodded even though he didn't really agree with him. The hall had started to get busy now and nearly half the chairs were occupied.. Watching several of the teachers who were planted around the room. Des began to feel uneasy. They all seemed to be staring at each other. As if they were checking out the best way to attack. His thoughts were diverted when Sheelagh walked in followed by a group of smiling and giggling teenagers. This achieved some curious looks from teachers who stopped staring at each other to see what was funny. Sheelagh stood at the wall near her form. Seconds later she was joined by Sam who also seemed to have no form class either. One of the last classes to arrive was Phil's. Who stood on his own at the back.
Mr Smith, the head teacher walked in and straight up onto the stage. After a moment or two of surveying the pupils he began to speak.
"Welcome back year 11" After another moment of looking at them he delved off into conversation. Firstly about how important their last year was to them then into a story about falling your dreams that Des didn't really bother to listen to. Des glanced across the hall at Phil who seemed equally as bored as he was.
"And finally" Mr Smith continued "I would like to introduce you all to the new additions to the staff that have joined us over the holidays. We have Mr Hunter, Mr Hollis, Mrs Murphy, Mr Taviner and Ms Nixon." He pointed at each of them as he said their name. The kids swivelled in their chairs to see and some of the teachers even bothered to look. The odd teacher even managed a smile.
"right well, if we can leave form the back please." And Mr Smith left as quickly as he had came. The kids gradually left the hall and returned to their lessons.