Born To Fly - Part 22
Nikki stood blearily at the counter in the staffroom kitchenette swirling a spoon repeatedly around the mug of herbal tea as she stared vacantly into thin air, evidently lost in immersed thoughts once again.
"You're gonna break that mug if you don't stop stirring the contents." Came a rich, masculine voice, chuckling to himself as he peered up from his marking. A friendly face that could always offer some appropriate advice and she could rely on; Tom.
That snapped the English teacher from her trance, "Sorry?" Her voice was a feeble murmur as she looked blankly at him momentarily before dropping her head to perceive the beverage she was mixing. Something suddenly clicked, "Oh." She sighed, depositing the teaspoon into the sink and raised the mug into her hands, pivoting to go sit down.
"Ah, Miss Boston. Just the person I wanted to see. I think you and me need to have a little chat." The voice was identifiable without a glimpse at the human speaking. Hector. His manner was gruff, obviously marginally infuriated, yet he maintained his sweet charm as he blocked the female's path and folded his arms.
Without a single word hovering from her lips, Nikki ominously glared at the PE teacher and brushed past him, striding to a material chair in the corner and allowing herself to limply sink into the soft fabric and savour her hot drink. Her stomach was twisted in clenched knots, churning violently. She was dreading the remarks regarding her pregnancy and was certainly not in the mood for Hector's whining lecture about how she had stood him up.
Echoing clicks of confident heels entered the staffroom and the sophisticated woman that sported them began to articulate promptly, "Right, hello everyone." With a broad, cheery smile, her eyes scanned the staffroom, "Are we all here? No. Where's Christine?"
All faces swiftly rotated round to the brunette in corner who sighed exasperatedly, clarifying that the female in question was in her office. Slamming her mug onto the table, she hauled herself to her feet and paced out to get her subsequently to no one displaying any indications that they intended to do so. The pair soon returned a minute or so later, perching against the unit along the side.
"I'm sure that most of you already know who I am as I can see quite a few - well, a lot - of familiar faces but for those who I don't recognise, my name is Lorraine Donnegan. I was previously the benefactress for this school and I am the original founder. I heard about the council wanting to shut the school and merge the kids with Havelock but after some research, those kids aren't gonna stand a chance there! And, of course, the teachers at Waterloo Road are a one off. So, after a lot of deliberation, I am going to resume my status as benefactress and fund the school." She announced, her rich Cockney accent thick as she flicked her angelic curls over her shoulder.
In response came a few joyful cheers that school would remain open and careers were safe. But they were combined with murmurs of perplexity and Tom was the first to inquiry the question that was of greatest concern, "But, Lorraine, if you don't mind me saying, the reason you left before was because you couldn't afford the bills and created an indefinite future for the school. How long have we got now before you swan off again or go against all our morals and make this a fee paying school?"
"I'm back for good this time." The wealthy blonde confirmed, "And the school will not turn fee paying. I've located a couple of zealous sponsors who are very interested in this adventure. It's concrete foundation for this school, which is exactly what we need. I wouldn't have returned if I couldn't offer just that."
That seemed to settle apprehensive worried and the bell chimed signalling that it was time for registration and lessons to begin. The multi-millionaire tottered towards Nikki who had grabbed her mug and proceeded to rinse it at the sink whilst everyone else flooded out the staffroom for registration. "Nik..."
"Don't, Lorraine." The brunette sharply cut her off, completely emotionless, "I have a lesson to get to." She placed the washed mug on the draining board, dried her hands on the towel and marched out towards the PRU. She attained a assertive and poised posture as sniggers and comments regarding her pregnancy engulfed her ears. None of which she answered.
"Miss! Did Mr Reid knock you up?" Darren endeavoured the moment his teacher walked through the classroom door.
"How far gone are you?" Lula inquired.
Rhiannon's question followed, "Are ya having a girl or boy?"
"Why don't all of yous just shut up! It's nothing to do with us. It's Miss Boston's business, not ours! So let's just get on with the lesson!" Kacey exclaimed as she shot up from her seat and thumped her fist against the desk with a thud.
"That's enough, all of you! Thank you for that Kacey, but now please return to your seat. But Miss Barry is right, it is absolutely none of your business. So if you are all quite finished we have a lesson to be getting on with." The former army captain's tone was blunt, authoritative. And she shuffled to the correct side of her desk to start the register.
Luckily for Nikki, after a couple inappropriate notes about her baby, the rest of the lesson passed by relatively smoothly. The students filed out of her class when the bell rung, leaving her with a free period yo catch up on some marking. Or at least that were intentions until she received a text from Sonya stating that their was a visitor for her.