Chapter Eleven
Mildred's courageous act benefited the school greatly, despite the upset it caused her. Winnie Softbrush suddenly the day after Ethel was made headgirl in Mildred's place, was made a supply for another school, and she was replaced with Brielle Thornheart, a woman in her early thirties, who was pleasant and not as strict as Constance, but could still teach well and control her classes.
Everyone hated Ethel, as it soon came out the way she received her status. Only Drusilla was talking to her, even Sybil was annoyed at her and would blank her when she saw her.
As she was no longer headgirl, Mildred was struggling to come to terms with it, and spending more time on her own. There was a feeling of sadness she couldn't shake and she became quiet and reserved.
Currently, it was nearing eight in the morning on a Saturday and Mildred was sitting on a bench in the courtyard, just enjoying the fresh air. She found she was not able to sleep as well anymore and woke up at hours she didn't know existed before.
"Mildred?" the girl with the plaits heard. She looked up to see Amelia standing there, draped in her cloak and hat and holding her broomstick, having just landed back at school and looking at her concerned.
"Good morning Miss Cackle" Mildred responded forcing a smile.
"Why are you up this time on a Saturday?" Amelia asked surprised.
"Just reflecting" Mildred responded sadly.
"Are you alright love? Do you want to come to my office for a chat? We can have juice and biscuits" Amelia suggested. Mildred smiled small again.
"Thank you Miss but I will pass, I want to be alone for a while" Mildred responded. Amelia nodded.
"Alright well come find me if you change your mind" Amelia said heading for the door. Mildred suddenly spoke.
"How is Miss Hardbroom this morning?" Mildred asked.
"Alright, she still can't return though I am afraid" Amelia told her student.
Mildred sighed. She hated the quiet of the school without her, and was still worried about Amelia's vagueness.
As Amelia headed in the school, Mildred realised that anytime she asked, HB never seemed to have improved and was the same as at the start of the year. Such a crazy idea entered Mildred's head at that moment even she was surprised she thought of it, but now it had she was not going to change her mind.
"Hi Miss Drill" Mildred said standing in front of the potions teacher "I don't have much to do, would you like some help with the sports equipment?" Mildred asked innocently.
"What are you up to?" Imogen asked suspiciously, knowing the student too well.
"Nothing Miss...just trying to take my mind of the whole headgirl stuff" Mildred admitted, as it wasn't really a lie. "Miss...why don't you visit Miss Hardbroom?" Mildred asked curiously.
"Oh well just because Miss Cackle doesn't want us too, not that we haven't asked….anyway thanks for the offer of help...I am sorry you are feeling low" Imogen said handing her a bag of volleyballs. "Could you do me a favour and take these to my office as I get the rest?" Imogen asked. Mildred nodded.
"Yes Miss" Mildred said heading to the room. When she was through the door she dumped the bag on the floor and rushed over to the phone mounted on the wall as quick as she could. She saw a book placed on top of the box and pulled it down, seeing it was a list of phone numbers.
Mildred smiled. The whole reason she had chosen Imogen in the first place was you could never find anything in Amelia's office and Lavinia was the type to never write stuff like this down, then not remember it when she needed it. She flipped through it, glad her headmistresses name started with the first letter of the alphabet.
Finding the correct time to make her move was difficult. If it was too busy someone would see her leave, or miss her in lessons, but she couldn't go at night as Amelia would be there. She therefore waited in the courtyard, as she had the day before, waited for her headmistress to arrive and then made her move.
As she took of flying, Mildred realised how silly this idea actually was, but she had to know the truth for herself.
She flew for a while and then saw a large white building come into view, assuming it was the hospital she went into land.
Landing on the tarmac she looked around and noticed the broomshed which she went towards to put in her broomstick. Afterwards she realised the fact she was in uniform meant she might be refused entry, so she pulled of her tie and undid the first button on her blouse, trying to appear less like a student.
Mildred honestly at that moment thought about going back to school. If Amelia and Constance didn't want anyone else to visit there most be a reason, but her worried thoughts kept her walking determined to the door.
Entering she realised it was set out like any other hospital, with a large waiting area and reception as you entered. Mildred looked up, seeing a pleasant looking nurse at reception and walked over slowly.
The nurse was writing something and looked up as Mildred appeared in front of her. She smiled warmly at the youngster.
"Hello love, are you alright?" the nurse asked her.
"Yes I just have come to visit someone, if that's alright" Mildred asked before remembering hospitals had visiting hours and she hadn't even thought to look that up.
"Okay and who is the patient?" the nurse asked, knowing she was a school child but knowing there was no set rule about students not been allowed to visit unless they were primary school age and needed supervising.
"Miss...erm..Constance Hardbroom" Mildred said realising it sounded strange to use her teacher's first name, but for once she was grateful that Amelia had a habit of yelling it out in the corridor.
"I see...are you a student at the school?" the nurse asked, knowing Constance and the fact both her and Amelia were teachers.
"Well...the truth is...yes" Mildred responded
The nurse chuckled as she couldn't bring herself to lie "Well it will be nice for her to have a visitor other than her mother" the nurse stated.
"Mother!?" Mildred questioned confused as to who she was referring to.
"Yes, your headmistress?" the nurse questioned confused why Mildred seemed unaware of the fact.
Mildred couldn't wrap her head around what the woman meant. Amelia wasn't her mother...was she? Mildred had never heard any reference to it so didn't understand, but realising her headmistress might of lied about this, because most hospitals only have an only family can get updates policy, Mildred decided to play along.
"Oh right, yes of course she is, I am sorry, I am still half asleep I am not the best with mornings" Mildred told her truthfully. Looking at her, the nurse saw she did look quite tired so had no reason not to believe her.
"Yes I don't like mornings either" she told Mildred with a smile "You are welcome to go see her though" the nurse said not seeing any harm in it.
"Thank you" Mildred replied with a smile
"Let me show you where she is" the nurse said stepping out from behind reception to show her the way, making small talk as she did so. Mildred suddenly felt nervous and she didn't know why.