TIME MACHINE CHAPTER THIRTY

This chapter introduces an original character, Boris Fletcher.

Just a little note: I'm aware that there could have been racial issues which decided status, education, etc at this period in time but have decided not to mention that fact for the sake of the plot - and because I loathe racism.

SATURDAY 8TH NOVEMBER

We are due to go to the village. Despite my misery I must remember a gift for little Lucius. It could be the last time I see him.

Well, New Secret Journal, how things have changed. We were due to be accompanied on our walk by Mr Fairhead, who I do not dislike as much since my gold star, but Mr Knight asked if he could take his place. I expected the worst, especially when Caleb fell into step beside me. Then he said to me:

"I believe this is yours, Robyn. It was put into my hands by a trouble-maker, and I shall be speaking to her on Monday, but I swear, hand on heart, that I have not read a word of it."

(Hand on his heart! To me!)

Then he gave me a delectable wink and said to me:

"If you have any money to spare, I would suggest you go and buy a new journal, one that has a lock and key, while we're here."

I all but skipped over to the Emporium at shopping time. I have some lovely coloured marbles for Lucius and a journal with a lock, for myself. And lovely Caleb has dropped the old journal into the incinerator!

I was walking back into school when I heard Vinegar Guts weeping in the girls' rest room. She came out and said venomously:

"I shall pay Mr Knight back for this. I have suspicions about his brother, Ethan, and that Jessica Harrison. I shall be telling them to Mrs Bateman and then let's see who's smiling."

The horrid fussbucket! I wish she would get one of her migraines and … no, I don't wish her to die of it, I take that back. But she makes me so angry.

SUNDAY 9TH NOVEMBER

We attended Church as usual. Ethan looked so handsome in his suit – Louise was sighing all morning – and Miss Harrison was so pretty in her new bonnet. Honey Venom said in a loud whisper that Miss Harrison looked like a harlot in her bonnet, and Ethan was really angry. In a tone of ice he told her to see him first thing on Monday morning.

MONDAY 10TH NOVEMBER

I did something shameful. I hid near Ethan's classroom to hear what he had to say to Vinegar Guts. I could not hear his words but she came out of the room with her eyes red from weeping yet again. I would not like to upset sweet Mr Hardy, I saw him as he came out and his lips were tight and his eyes flashing.

I have been in fear for my education and future yet again. I went into the classroom for our English lesson and there was a horrible drawing of Ethan and Jessica in – I have to say this! – the act of making love. I grabbed the eraser and worked on it but Mr Fairhead came in halfway through and sent me off to Miss Bateman.

Oh the relief. The lovely art mistress Mrs Roach has saved me. She said at once that it was not my style of drawing. Neither, alas, was it Vinegar Guts' style. A search will be made for the culprit. But alas, it is the image of Ethan's naked posterior that lingers most in my mind. I shall not go to Heaven.

TUESDAY 11TH NOVEMBER

Oh the relief. The culprit is not one of us; it is the caretaker's son, Boris Fletcher! Our lovely Benjamin caught him sneaking into the classroom, chalk in hand and actually dragged him to Miss Bateman! Gentle Benjamin, dragging somebody! Boris has a vile little gang that calls we girls 'spoiled sluts' and drew the picture to make mischief. He was bragging about it to his cronies, Abs Denham and Jay Faldren. Miss Bateman has given Mr Fletcher a month to sort Boris out or lose his position. Fletcher called Benjamin an interfering little nobody and says he'll make him pay if he loses his job.

WEDNESDAY 12TH NOVEMBER

Oh joy! The cast list has been given out for the pantomime. Lily is to play Goody; Tina is to be Fairy Nuff. We did not understand this at first until we asked Ethan and he said that this would be because every time somebody asks her to grant them a wish she will say "fair enough." Tina is very good at saying 'fair enough' in a sweet fairy voice. Louise will play Tommy, Goody's best friend and I am to be Angela, his sweetheart. It is conceited of me to brag so but I get the best line. Tommy goes to sea to try to earn money for Granny Molly – Miss Bateman herself will play Granny – and he comes back with half a dozen pretty island maidens. Angela is not pleased and says "I asked you to bring me back a string of pearls, not a string of girls!" Alicia will play Prince Jonathan. And our lovely Caleb himself will play the horrid Squire Grabitall. I told him –how forward of me! – that he was not ugly enough. He said it was important to show that some people can have a normal face but a black heart. I like that. Benjamin will play the Squire's servant, Luckless, who is always being slapped by the mean Squire. In the end the roles are reversed and the Squire has to work for Luckless.

THURSDAY THE 13TH OF NOVEMBER

Ethan and Miss Harrison have been called to Miss Bateman's office thanks to Honey Horrid's intervening. I did not hear the entire conversation for fear of revealing my hiding place but heard Miss Bateman saying 'in the best interest of the school' and Ethan saying he 'agreed to her suggestion with all his heart'. They are going to leave! I was foolish enough to tell my set and now Louise says she will kill herself. What have I done?

Ethan made an announcement during his class. Oh the relief! He and Miss Harrison are to keep their jobs but they are to wed next month. A Winter Bride, how romantic! But alas, Louise will not be pacified and says she will still kill herself.

Louise has run away! She has left a sad little note saying that she was in love with Mr Hardy and plans to take her life if he weds another. Oh horror… I think Louise is in the river!

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