Chapter Three
Amelia unlocked the front door and opened it, ready to greet her new temporary member of staff. When the door opened Amelia caught glance of a woman with bright orange hair, chewing at the sleeve of her worn out brown cardigan.
"Hello dear, I am Amelia Cackle, the headmistress" Amelia greeted warmly with a smile.
The teacher stepped inside, somehow managed to trip on air and fell forward on the ground at Amelia's feet.
"Are you alright love!?" Amelia asked worried she was hurt as she helped pull her to her feet.
"I...I am so sorry Miss Cackle...are you hurt?" the woman asked. Amelia opened her mouth to reassure her she wasn't but never got the chance to as the woman suddenly burst into tears.
"No need to cry love I am uninjured" Amelia said taken aback by the teacher crying. "Why don't we go to the staffroom?" Amelia commented gently leading her away.
"Winnie Softbrush was it?" Amelia asked her as they sat down "Would you like some biscuits and tea or coffee?" Amelia asked trying to calm the woman down.
"Thank you" Winnie said as she wiped her eyes.
"No problem love, so you know the job description right? You will be covering for my deputy…" Amelia started.
"Deputy? I can't cover being a deputy, I get emotional too easily" Winnie said bursting into fresh tears before Amelia could explain she wasn't going to be temporary deputy head. Amelia just sat there, not knowing what to say or do.
The assembly at the start of a new year was always boring, and only the first years paid attention, but HB's absent had being noticed and the girls muttered about it as the teachers entered the hall.
"Girls, welcome back to those who have returned and welcome to our new students" Amelia started. "I hope everyone had a refreshing holiday, but now I have some important announcements" Amelia said smiling warmly.
"First of all, our older students have probably noticed Miss Hardbroom's absence, I am sorry to inform everyone she will be on sick leave for a few weeks" Amelia said calmly.
At this, the students started talking loudly amongst themselves. None of them had ever known their potions teacher to be away from the school for any reason, so this was shocking news.
"Quiet girls" Amelia said clapping her hands together to silence them. Amelia turned her head as she saw Sybil with her hand up.
"Yes Sybil?" Amelia questioned.
"What is she sick with Miss?" Sybil asked curiously.
"A virus" Amelia replied.
"What type Miss?" Ruby shouted out
"What do you mean?" Amelia asked confused.
"There are many different types, respiratory, gastrointestinal, exanthematous and many more" the scientific girl replied.
"I don't know which it is classed as, but it's a virus" Amelia replied more confused after talking to Ruby.
"How long is she going to be off for exactly Miss?" Ethel questioned. Suddenly, the hall was noisy as girls all tried to ask questions at once.
"Girls please settle down" Amelia told them. "I don't know how long she will be off exactly, but I can't tell you more than I know which is it's a virus" Amelia replied.
"Moving on" Amelia said now the girls had settled "Miss Softbrush will be supplying for Miss Hardbroom in lessons" Amelia said introducing her. The woman saw everyone looking at her and started crying.
"Yes…" Amelia said awkwardly. "What is it Maud?" Amelia asked. The girls sure have questions today Amelia thought.
"So who is deputy?" Maud asked confused, realising the headmistress had not said that.
"Miss Hardbroom, she's off, she hasn't left" Amelia explained simply. "The last news I need to tell you all" Amelia said quickly before she could be interrupted again. "Is until furthur notice, I will be absent in the evenings, to visit Miss Hardbroom, I expect you to show Miss Drill, Miss Crotchetand Miss Softbrush the same respect you would if I was here" Amelia said.
Mildred sat there and as she heard the last announcement she let out an audible gasp, as she found out this part of the situation for the first time, as she realised Cackles was going to be without Cackle or HB most of the day this year. The news somehow made a sick feeling form in her stomach.
The other girls couldn't believe the news either it seemed as suddenly the girls started speaking so loudly after this announcement that no matter how much Amelia tried they would not settle down. The news of her and her deputy's absent was too much for the girls to take it and the loud sound of young girls chattering rang out into the quiet corridors of Cackle's Academy.