Louisa

Louisa walked down Roscarrock Hill away from the love of her life. They had both decided to call the wedding off, that they wouldn't be happy together. Shock is a funny thing. She was completely calm and rational, just like she had canceled a shopping trip or drinks with friends. One thing was for certain, she couldn't stay in the village and face all the gossip and risk seeing him around every corner. She just couldn't! Her only option was to leave and do it quickly.

She contacted an estate agent about renting her cottage. He had a man ready to rent so it was easily done but the potential renter insisted that it be fully furnished and have a two- year lease. What to do with the wedding dress? The only person she trusted to care for it and not gossip about it was Joan.

"Oh, my dear! I'm sorry it didn't work out. We both know that Martin loves you and is a good man but it's not enough is it? I told Martin ages ago that you were chalk and cheese. I hate it but yes, I think moving away, at least temporarily, is the right thing for you to do. Is there anything I can do to help?"

And Louisa left the carefully wrapped wedding dress with Joan.

She contacted her horrid friend, Holly, and asked if that bedroom was still available and if she knew of a teaching position. She quickly found out that promises made weren't always exactly promises kept. The bedroom was available for just two weeks – redecorating you know. "I don't blame you for dumping him. Should never have gotten involved with someone as boorish as he is. We have to work on your taste in men, don't we?" and she tittered. Louisa hated tittering. It was right up there with someone picking their nose in public. "No, we don't have any openings at my school. Tragic! You'd fit in perfectly! But don't you worry, Louisa. I'll help you find a place to live and something at another school. So sorry but have to run! Board meeting tonight."

She packed her personal belongings and caught the train that afternoon.

Holly's extra bedroom was tiny and used mostly for storage and had a small, lumpy trundle bed. Louisa's clothes stayed in her suitcases because the closet and dresser were full of Holly's excess clothing. She shrugged her shoulders in acceptance and started looking for somewhere to live the next day. Everything suitable was so expensive! She had limited savings so had to be careful with every pound.

Holly found a position for her at a very good school. "My dear, it's fabulous! Such a reputation for excellence! So lucky that they have an opening. Of course, you'll start out in a low position and salary but, don't worry. It won't take long for them to positively gag over what a treasure they have. So sorry to leave again. I have a date with a lawyer. Very well off and so charming! Ta!" Unfortunately for Louisa, the lawyer was a week-end guest. More unfortunate was his and Holly's complete lack of modesty. The next morning, Louisa went to the small kitchen to make coffee at the same time they exited Holly's bedroom – him wearing only a pair of black satin thong underpants with a huge bulge in front and her wearing a see-through teddy and bikini knickers. Louisa's first impression was, "Crikey! He even has hair on his bum!" Her second was that Holly had a boob job.

He casually introduced himself, "Good morning. You must be Louisa. Holly said you ran away from some little backwater village because you were dumped by a regular arse. Tough luck. I'm Harry Rears." And he extended his hand to a shocked Louisa.

Holly tittered again and hip bumped him in warning, "No, Harry. I would never say such a thing about Louisa. You misunderstood. She dumped him! And the village is charming, quite charming. By the way, Harry is spending the weekend and we're having a few guests over. Give your social life a boost. Exciting, huh?"

Wow! Had Holly always been such a bitch? Louisa forced herself to smile, pour a cup of coffee, excuse herself and calmly walk out on the small terrace. It was definitely time to find a place to live. Harry Rears. Never had a man been more appropriately named.

The guests at the party were nice enough but, after the fifth time, the comments on her country accent were hard to take as were the questions about her quaint little village. And what did you do there? Holly had been gossiping. She was the only one without a companion and didn't know the people or films they talked about. She excused herself early and went to her bedroom. So much for giving her social a life a boost.

One of the places she had looked at was a bed sit within walking distance to the school. Not ideal but it suited her budget, even allowed for some savings, so she moved in the next day and started work the day after that. So far so good. She had been too busy to even think of Martin. Things were going well. Except that she was late. Stress. Must be stress. Nothing to worry about.

She was pleased with the welcome she received from the Head Teacher and her qualifications were effusively praised. It took her a couple of months to settle in and familiarize herself with the new routine. Then, she began realizing that the school cared more for maintaining their enrollment of children from wealthy parents and posh reputation than they did for providing a good education.

She took extra work home to help her keep busy and made frequent trips to the library. When that wasn't enough, she walked for miles just to tire herself out. It seemed impossible that she thought of Martin so much. He was always just at the edge of her mind. If she could just fall out of love! So much easier that way. She almost called him countless times but always found an excuse not to do it. What would she say anyway? Why didn't he call her?

She was still late and, some mornings, nauseous. Oh god! Not pregnant! Thirty-nine years old, working at a job so far from home, not married. The doctor confirmed it – two months pregnant. Alone in London, in a bedsit and having to share kitchen and bathroom privileges. How could she deal with a baby in those circumstances? She desperately wanted to talk to Martin but couldn't think how to tell him. The thought of an abortion flitted through her mind and was immediately dismissed. No. She and the man she loved with all her heart had created this baby out of that love. Time went by and she was beginning to show. The effusive praise and introductions by the Head Teacher to the wealthy parents stopped.

Time ground by and her life got worse and worse. When she resisted the 'suggestion' to pad certain grades for certain children there was a distinct chill in the air. "Your friend, Holly, Head of such an excellent school, assured us that you were a forward thinking, modern teacher who would fit in well with our philosophy of turning out well-rounded, cultured students." The Head Teacher told her a little too sweetly.

Louisa's response was just as sweet, "Yes, they should be both well-rounded and cultured but also taught how to do basic math and to read to grade level, wouldn't you agree?"

From then on, she was given the cold shoulder by the Head Teacher and most of the other teachers. She made friends with two of them who were also out of favor for questioning the low standards. The three of them tried to make changes in their classes but were soon reported by the most spoilt children for 'being too hard and mean'. The parents soon joined in and Louisa had frank discussions with them about skills that their children were supposed to learn but, unfortunately, hadn't.

"We don't understand. We were told that this school had the highest standards." They exclaimed.

"If you like this school and think your child is happy here, then go to the Head Teacher and the board of governors and request that higher standards be instituted. There are some excellent teachers here who are very capable of giving your children the best education available. You just have to demand it." Louisa encouraged them.

"No, you must be wrong. It costs a fortune to send a child here. And the Head Teacher assures us that our child is one of her top students. No, we're happy with things the way they are." Said most of the parents. The rest pulled their children out and transferred them to Holly's school. What a waste of time!

As the saying goes, it hit the fan. The Head Teacher and the teachers who were happy to do the minimum required told the governors that Louisa and the other two teachers were trouble makers and were undermining the reputation of their school. The parents who loved to brag to their acquaintances that their children attended such a posh school made snide comments about Louisa being pregnant and that it was a bad influence on their children. She was asked to resign and the other two teachers were given the choice of accepting and teaching to their 'very high standards' or resigning. They apologized and chose the second option.

Holly was chagrined and embarrassed. She felt that Louisa's behavior reflected badly on her. Louisa told her about the low standards and how the teachers were 'encouraged' to pad grades but Holly was unmoved. "Well, you know the saying about taking the girl out of the country. So sorry it didn't work out but you'll be happier in that backwards village. Goodbye, darling." And that was that.

Louisa gladly made arrangements to go back to Port Wenn. She had been miserable away from Martin. What a fool she'd been! But wait, he wanted to call off their wedding, too. Then, the icing on the cake – she was pregnant. Surely, he would be happy about it. Or at least not angry about it. He still loved her in spite of calling off the wedding. She wouldn't call him, just turn up and surprise him. Then they would talk and come to terms with their love for each other and their child. She was floating in her dreams all the way to Port Wenn.

Her return didn't go at all as she had dreamed it would. She showed up at Martin's door as planned, suitcase in hand, sure that he would be happy to see her. He would invite her in for a cup of tea and a talk. Instead, in order, he said, 'Louisa, you're back', 'You're pregnant' and 'You know it's too late for an abortion'. It felt like a blow to the chest. She was so hurt by that last remark that she immediately lied and said that she just dropped by to let him know before the village found out. Then she saw a thin, attractive woman about Martin's age with improbable red hair sitting in the kitchen with a plate of food in front of her. He had invited her for dinner. She couldn't get away fast enough. She had been silly to hope. Of course, he followed her to the terrace and offered marriage but just because of the baby. "No, I don't want to get married. I'll be fine on my own. Not your problem." She said as she hurried down the hill. If he had cared at all, he would have excused himself from his company and invited her in and not said that hurtful thing. He didn't even ask where she was staying! She made her way to The Crab and Lobster to pay rent that she could ill afford. Her house was rented out with an unbreakable lease so she had no choice. Unfortunately, the income from the rent went to pay her mortgage so no joy there. Some home coming.