I hope nobody's offended if I use two former Casualty characters as class members soon in this story; after all they can live again in an alternative universe. Please let me know if you don't like this idea and I'll try to keep them in the background as much as possible.
A warning for violence here.
Two days later, Cal and Ethan's mum, tired of being a punchbag, cleared out while her husband was at work. She also cleared out as much as she could carry, including the emergency money that her husband had kept in an envelope. It never occurred to her that it might have been the decent thing to at least collect the boys from school and take them with her.
When Mr Knight found out what had happened, he went out and got off his face with the money he had left. Next day, despite a hangover, he went storming round to Holby Mixed Infants.
"I want to see that bitch Beauchamp. My boys aren't staying with her a moment longer."
Big Mac tried to hold him off, but a vicious punch left poor Big Mac unconscious, and Mr Knight barged up to the main doors of the school.
"Give me my boys back, you bitch, Beauchamp!"
"How did he get past Big Mac?" Miss Freeman asked, and, fearing the worst, Mr Fairhead went through the back entrance to Big Mac's hut. He called the police at once. The fortunate news was that Big Mac was already sitting up groggily. Mr Fairhead made him as comfortable as possible and then went to warn Mrs Beauchamp. But she was already storming to the door, Mr Keogh and Miss Freeman in tow. Ms Chao and Miss Honey calmed the frightened pupils. Cal and Ethan were clinging to one another, sobbing. They didn't want to go anywhere near their dad.
"Get away from this door! How dare you come here, after the bruising Dr Meyer found on your sons!"
"That second little b*stard isn't mine; he's just Cal's stepbrother. But I'll take him along anyway, knock some sense into him. Now stand aside, you cow."
Mrs Beauchamp didn't stand aside, and received a slap that sent her sprawling. Then:
"You little shit! How dare you….?"
And the tiny blonde avenger went in with her fists.
"Rita", gasped Mr Keogh in amazement, not to mention admiration, "You've knocked him out!"
Fortunately the police arrived at that precise moment.
Mr Knight was remanded in custody, for assaulting the headmistress and the security officer at Holby Mixed Infants and for beating his two children, one of whom was five years old and the other six. Mrs Beauchamp was allowed temporary custody of the boys. This was expected to last until the summer at least. Cal and Ethan slept well that night, and the next day an emergency Gang meeting was declared by Zax. They took their cash to Miss Dixon, who was more than happy to go out at lunch to buy the gifts.
"Flowers for us! Oh kids you should save your money… but they're really lovely."
A lump came to Mrs Beauchamp's throat. But it was the actual drawing of Miss Freeman as Superwoman that made the blonde teacher weep and hug Noel, who had drawn it.
Two weeks later the storyline and cast for the competition play was announced.