Chapter 40 – Travels
The school day ended and I was absolutely exhausted. The last of the kids were gone for summer break, the school was nearly empty and I was sorting papers in my office when there came a hesitant knock at it. "Louisa?"
I was surprised to see Tasha. "Tasha! Hello. Feeling better than earlier?"
"Yeah, a bit. Listen, what I said before… about… being all… worn out…"
"Don't worry. Forget it." Her words this afternoon had made me think a bit and my deepest worries had emerged to torment me. How was I ever going to do this – this mum thing – all alone? And how could I let Martin leave? Just watch him move away Saturday? Tomorrow?
"No, I mean, I don't want you to think I'm wishing you any bad luck or anything. Just that…" she twisted a strand of her hair. "Well, you know, it'll get sorted out. We'll help when we can."
"Right." As I said this I dropped into my chair and faced the wall. She'd just confirmed my darkest fears. In spite of best intentions, everyone will be busy, and I'd pretty much have to shift things alone. "Like I said… don't worry about it."
"Ok. And sorry you'll miss Harbor Day, then."
"Maybe I'll catch up with you late afternoon after I get back from hospital?"
"Alright. Tommy's taking you isn't he? He mentioned it."
"Yes, he is."
"Well, then. Bye."
"Goodbye, Tasha. And break a leg tomorrow!"
I heard her yell back from down the hall. "Thanks! If the kids will cooperate!"
Now the school was empty or so I thought. I was tidying up a bit more; most of the papers I'd filed away this afternoon; but I wanted a clean desk. I heard a clatter of wheels in the hall and David our custodian poked his head in. "Miss Glasson, I didn't know you was here!"
"Yup," I smiled at him. David was ex-Royal Navy and he kept our school quite ship-shape. With all the kids it was a bit of struggle, but he managed. "Just getting things sorted, before…"
His face brightened as he slouched against the door frame. "Ah, the little-un. Yeah. You about due, right?"
"Yes, a couple more…"
"Say did I ever tell you how glad I was when that tosser Strain got the boot? And you've done a capital job these two months!"
"Well no you didn't and he didn't get sacked, you know. He went on medical holiday!" It quite irked me that Mr. Strain was still thought of unkindly. How much of his behavior was from his illness, and the rest was just him?
"Holiday?" he almost swallowed the gum he was chewing. "I wish I got a holiday from snot nosed kids, grubby fingerprints, scuffed floors…"
I held up my hand and he stopped. "David, you do a wonderful job keeping the school clean. They can't help it that they're little children." David did complain but he likely had a right to.
"Aye, that they are. And dirty ones too! Just this morning I caught two of them boys writing on the wall! Little brats."
"But you cleaned it."
"Yes I did! My rag and some elbow grease fixed it. No way would they leave this here school a mess. Won't let it be said that I left my post. Why when the bombs was coming at us thick and fast in the Falklands, we stood firm! Stayed at our posts!" He came to attention and snapped a salute. David was a veteran of that war way down in the South Atlantic and he was quite proud to have served.
"At ease," I told him and he relaxed. "Well, thank you then for your compliment and I hope you have a nice holiday!"
He touched his forehead in a sort of half salute and wave. "Thankee, Miss Glasson. Now I'll just down tools then off to supper. The missus will be waitin'."
"Thank you for your hard work. The school is very clean." I stood awkwardly and shook his hand. "Have a nice holiday, then."
"I'll try. The wife and me we're going off to London to visit the daughter and her two little ones. The son-in-law he's off somewhere, but we might see him around the end of it. He travels a lot on the job."
The word London sent a dagger into my heart, in spite of what I told Martin today. "Well, then, I hope it all works out."
David smiled and he still held my hand. "Miss Glasson. Best of luck to you, mum."
I laughed. "I'm not a mum, yet!"
He squeezed my hand and chuckled. "From the looks of things, you almost are!" He touched my belly with his left hand. "A touch for luck – me to you, then!"
A bit awkward at that. I didn't like people touching my belly but the whole village did anyway. All but one person. "Thanks, David. Safe travels to you."
He dropped my hand and went to the door. "You too, Miss! Bye then." He headed down the hall pushing a wheelie bin.
"Safe travels, David." I said softly. The baby kicked just then, rather strongly – up, down, front and back. "Steady there little thing. We'll see it through, you and me. Right?"
The kicks slowed into a flutter, then stopped. The baby lay heavy and my belly was very tense for a few seconds. Braxton-Hicks contractions, nothing to worry about the OB nurses told me, but I had to pee suddenly. No surprise there. I turned the chair and peered out the window across the harbor. I stood and could see Martin's Surgery across the way. No, you are wrong, Louisa! He doesn't work there anymore.
I tidied up my desk, filed a few more folders and watered the plants. I would come back Monday to finish the quarter reports for the Governors – who was sick and for how long, teacher days spent, if we'd filed all the government reports, etc. Not a lot of work and I'd knock it out in a few hours next week, and that would spell the end of this term. And soon, this baby would be in my arms. Plenty to do then.
I left the school, locked the door behind me, waddled up to the Farmers Store and bought some veg. I'd combine these with what I had at home and have a nice quiet meal. I'd be alone, but I wanted to be tonight.
I got to the cottage, put the food away and went back outside for a breath of air. Seemed I couldn't quite get my wind today. "Oh, Louisa, you're just tired. Been on your feet too long!" I answered myself. "Yeah."
The sun was heading down in the summer sky and the harbor was mostly quiet, although I could hear banging from the Platt as someone was nailing something. I'd miss Harbor Day but it couldn't be helped. I looked over at the Surgery again and saw Joan Norton's truck drive up there and park next to Martin's Lexus.
I shielded my eyes and saw Joan carry a container of some sort inside. At least he'd have a dinner companion.
My feet turned my body to the cottage but I paused at the door. I looked back at the Surgery. This time tomorrow he'd be in London. My baby kicked again. "Safe travels, Martin," was all I could get out through my strangely tight throat.