Asperger Diaries: Jamie's New School (3 page)

Courtney had
better not get off with Tony while I am away. I know that little
cow. She will get in there if she thinks she has a chance. I should
be okay because she's come out in zits again. Poor thing.

27th August
(Saturday)

Jamie's
Diary

We arrived home
today. Mum forgot to pack my diary last Saturday, so there have
been no entries for a week.

The holiday was
fantastic. I managed to ride trams on four days. Mum and Lesley
only came on a tram with me once – Lesley even complained about
that. On the other days, dad took me on the trams while mum and
Lesley stayed in St Annes. There weren’t any of the vintage trams
in service this year, but I did manage to ride on the new modified
Balloon tram. The new Flexity tram is meant to arrive some time
this year, but it wasn’t in service while we were there. I bought
two tram books, but I only managed to get one of the model kits
which I wanted.

I don’t see the
point of postcards. Why would you send one to someone you saw only
a few days before? Mum and dad spent a whole hour on Tuesday
morning writing postcards. Mum said I should send one to Cliff and
one to David. I think they are a waste of money. I didn’t send
any.

I played the
slot machines in the arcade on St Annes’ pier. I don’t usually like
amusement arcades because they are too noisy. But the arcade on the
pier is very small, and never gets too crowded. My favourite slot
machine was one where you had to guess which horse would win. It
cost two pence to play. If you guessed the winning horse, you won.
I always bet on the white or yellow horses because they paid the
most money. There is a mini bowling alley on the pier. I played
against mum and dad. I won both times. I think dad let me win
because he kept missing altogether. Lesley didn’t want to go into
the amusements, so she sunbathed, or looked around the shops
instead. Why do people sunbathe? It damages your skin and can give
you cancer.

There were two
young children in the flat above ours. They were running about all
of the time. I asked dad to tell them to be quiet. He wouldn’t
because he said they were on holiday too. They could have been a
bit quieter, and still have enjoyed their holiday without spoiling
mine.

*****

Angela's
Diary

The holiday
didn’t get off to a very promising start. When we arrived in St
Annes, Jamie threw everything out of his case onto the floor, and
screamed at me because he said I had forgotten to pack his diary. I
didn’t know he wanted to take it. Andrew took him into Blackpool
while I finished unpacking. Jamie forgot all about the diary once
he was on a tram.

All in all
though, it was a good week. Jamie wanted to spend every last minute
on the trams, but we managed to reach a compromise. For once Andrew
pulled his weight. He was on tram duty for most of the week while I
stayed with Lesley.

Jamie never
showed any sign of wanting to go off on his own. Not even on a
tram. He spent most of his money on books and a model kit. He
wasn’t very pleased because I wouldn’t let him start work on the
model while we were still in St Annes. The flat was small enough
without having to clamber over his mess.

I spent a lot
of time with Lesley while Jamie and his dad were riding the trams.
It’s the most time we have spent in each other’s company since she
started at Armthorpe. She is a much nicer person when she is away
from her friends. We managed to have a number of long conversations
without once falling out. Of course, that all changed when we
arrived back today. We were no sooner through the door than she was
off to Courtney’s. I have to be grateful for small mercies I
suppose.

I tried to
forget all about Jamie’s new school while we were on holiday. I was
pleased he didn't mention it.

*****

Lesley's
Journal

Thank God
that's over. It felt like a month. Tram boy spent all week whinging
about something or other.

The flat was
disgusting. The shower was cold and dirty. At least I didn't have
to spend much time with him or dad. They spent the whole holiday
riding up and down on trams. Just how sad can you get? Mum managed
to spend some time with me for a change. I got her to buy me a few
things, so the holiday wasn't a complete waste of time.

I asked
Courtney if she had seen Tony while I was away. She reckons she
hasn't. I don't trust her. I still had some money left from the
holiday, so we went to the mall and I bought a new skirt.

28th August
(Sunday)

Jamie's
Diary

Dad went to a
steam rally today. He is always talking about steam engines. It’s
really boring. Mum is always telling him not to go on about them,
but he still does.

I go to
Armthorpe on Tuesday for a half day. I don’t know if I am meant to
take anything with me. Mum said that there was more information in
the letter which arrived just before we went on holiday. I don’t
know where that is. I think mum must have lost it. She said she
gave it to me, but I don’t think she did. She is going to telephone
the school tomorrow. I asked mum if she thought we would do any
lessons on Tuesday. Mum said we won’t because the half day is for
us to look around and meet the teachers. Mum was annoyed with
Lesley because she said all new kids will get their heads pushed
down the toilet. I knew she was lying anyway.

Mum said I have
to tidy my room ready for when I start at my new school. She is
always going on about my room being untidy. I don’t think it is
because I know where everything is.

*****

Angela's
Diary

Andrew went on
one of his steam rally jollies again today. Jamie used to go with
his dad, but he lost interest when he discovered dinosaurs. Jamie
used to have dozens of plastic model dinosaurs. I was forever
treading on the damn things. Standing on a Tyrannosaurus Rex in
your bare feet can be quite painful. His bedroom used to be packed
with books and DVDs on dinosaurs. He would read, and re-read the
books, and spend hours watching the DVDs. He knew everything there
was to know about them. I was convinced he would become a
Palaeontologist until we made the fatal mistake of taking a tram
ride in Blackpool. He lost all interest in dinosaurs there and
then. All of his dinosaur models, books, and DVDs are in the loft
now. He’s never shown the slightest interest in them since that
first tram ride.

If I didn’t
collect his pots every day, I think they would stay in his bedroom
forever. I dread to think what he has spilled on his carpet. I
could feel my feet sticking to it. I told him to tidy up, but I
know I am wasting my breath.

29th August
(Monday)

Jamie's
Diary

Mum telephoned
Armthorpe to get more details about tomorrow. I don’t have to take
anything with me. Mum said I will find out which ‘set’ and which
‘house’ I am in. They are going to show us our form room, and take
us on a tour of the school. I get my own locker at Armthorpe. I
hope they show us where the lockers are, and which one is mine. Mum
is going to drive me there, and collect me afterwards.

There are four
sets in each year. Lesley is in the next to bottom set. She’s not
very clever. I expect I will be in the top set which is for the
cleverest kids. Mum said I shouldn’t mention that tomorrow because
people might think I was bragging. I don’t see why. It’s the truth.
Mum is always telling me I have to be honest, but then when I tell
the truth she says I shouldn’t.

I was going to
tidy my room today, but I changed my mind and read a book
instead.

*****

Angela's
Diary

Jamie has been
bombarding me with questions all day. He made my head spin. How
will he cope next week if he is like this for a half day visit? He
asked me questions which I would never have dreamed of. How big are
the lockers? Where does he have to sit in class? How many French
lessons will he have? When will he take exams? What should he call
his teachers? Should he call them by their name, or call them
Sir?

Lesley was
nervous when she started at Armthorpe, but nothing to match this.
From what I remember, her biggest concern was whether or not the
other girls would be wearing makeup. Jamie has spent most of today
looking at the school’s web site. He was trying to memorise the
names of all of the teachers. It’s as if he is expecting a test
tomorrow.

If he gets
chatting to the other kids, I hope he doesn’t start talking about
trams. That will send them running for the hills.

He’s convinced
he will be in the top set. He’s probably right, but I don’t want
him to get his hopes up because he will be disappointed if he
isn’t. There was never any danger of Lesley being in the top set. I
was pleased she didn’t end up in the bottom one. I hope he doesn’t
go around telling everyone until he knows for certain. For someone
so shy, he can be a bit of a big head at times. That won’t endear
him to his new school mates.

30th August
(Tuesday)

Jamie's
Diary

I was right. I
am in the top set. I knew I would be. I’m not in the same house as
Lesley, so mum was wrong about that. I’m in Landmore which is what
I wanted. I have to wear a red and black tie. In winter, I can wear
a red and black scarf if I want to. The house football team plays
in red – but I don’t think I will ever get picked.

My form room is
on the ground floor close to the staff room. My form teacher is Mr
Avery. He spoke to us for about an hour, and then two of the senior
boys took us a tour around the school. Armthorpe is much bigger
than my old school. I don’t think I will ever find my way around.
The senior boys, who were meant to show us around, were messing
about most of the time. They pointed out a few classrooms, but I
don’t know how we are meant to remember them. Afterwards we went to
the main hall where the headmaster talked to us for another fifteen
minutes. I can’t remember anything he said. I saw Cliff in the
hall, but I didn’t speak to him because he was standing at the
other side of the room.

I was right
about being in the top set. Mum was wrong about which house I would
be in. I told her about my form room and form teacher. I said I
thought it would be difficult to find my way around. She said I
will soon get used to it.

Lesley wasn’t
very pleased I was in the top set, but she was pleased I wasn’t in
the same house as her. Lesley is good at most sports. She plays
hockey and netball for her house, and for the school. I think she
has my share of sporting ability.

We are going to
pick up my uniform from town tomorrow.

*****

Angela's
Diary

This afternoon
dragged. I was praying that everything went okay. It turns out he
is in the top set. Jamie took great pleasure in telling me he had
been right about that. I didn’t find out much about his visit.
Getting information out of Jamie can be like getting blood from a
stone. At least I know which house he is in, so I can go ahead and
get his uniform sorted. I ordered the blazer and trousers a while
ago, but I couldn’t buy the tie until I knew which house he was in.
I thought he would be in the same one as Lesley. What do I
know?

I wanted to
hear about the other kids in his class, and if he got talking to
any of them. Jamie was more concerned how he is going to find his
way around the school. The idea of changing classrooms for
different lessons still worries him. Most of the other kids will be
worrying about maths, chemistry or some other subject. Jamie is
worried about being able to find the right classroom.

31st August
(Wednesday)

Jamie's
Diary

We collected my
school uniform today. I wanted a clip-on tie, but the man in the
shop said the headmaster had banned them because they are tacky. I
need to learn how to fasten a tie before next Monday. I’ve never
put on a tie in my life. Mum said dad would be able to show me
because he wears one every day to work. I tried on the blazer in
the shop. It made my arms itch, and the sleeves were too long. The
man told mum I needed the sleeves to be long, so I would grow into
them. She believed him. I tried to tell her he had only said that
to cover his mistake, but she shushed me. There were three other
boys in the shop, trying on uniforms. The sleeves on their blazers
didn’t look too long.

After dinner,
mum made me put on the full uniform for dad to see. He tied my tie,
and he said he would show me how tomorrow. The full uniform is
black trousers, a black blazer, white shirt and a red and black
tie. The blazer has the school badge on the breast pocket. It’s a
shield with a lion either side of it. Below the shield are some
words which I didn’t understand. Mum said it was Latin. Why not
write it in English, so everyone can understand? No one speaks
Latin nowadays. Dad checked the school web site and found out that
the words mean ‘To achieve more.’ It still doesn’t make sense. To
achieve more what? The blazer still makes my arms itch. Mum said it
was because it is new, and I will soon get used to it.

Lesley doesn’t
like having to wear the school uniform. She’s always moaning about
it. She said it was a pity they didn’t have a blazer in my size. I
asked her to remind me what set she is in.

*****

Angela's
Diary

When Lesley
started at Armthorpe, she hated the idea of wearing the school
uniform. Even now, she does everything she can to ‘customise’ it.
I’m sure she keeps hitching up the hem on her skirts. Her tie
usually has a knot the size of a small country. Jamie seems happy
with the idea of a uniform. He says it will save him having to
decide what to wear every day. It didn't occur to me the tie would
be a problem. Lesley took about five minutes to learn how to tie
one. Jamie has always been hopeless with anything fiddly. It was
years before he mastered shoe laces. Hopefully Andrew will be able
to teach him how to fasten his tie before next Monday