Taking Charge (14 page)

Tanya grinned.
“She has a tattoo right from her hand to her shoulder.” Frank
smiled and nodded.
“How does she hide it for school?” They all stared at Frank. He
grinned.
“Think. Just think! You have seen how he looks at her. And he would
not two time. Not now.” Tanya grinned.
“You think?” Frank shook his head.
“Oh I know!” Craig grinned.
“Possible!” Tanya smiled. She shook her head and grinned.
“Well I never! Frank you are right.” Frank nodded.
“I am right. I know I am. It is just. Our Mister Lewis has fallen
in love. And he has his eyes on one woman. And that is her for
sure. Everything is the same. Watch next time. Just watch.” Tanya
smiled.
“Did you taste those biscuits!” Craig grinned.
“They held hands in town today.” Tanya smiled.
“Match made in heaven.” They all nodded. Tanya got up.
“Ready?’ They all nodded. Frank locked up and they all headed
home.

Joy got up early.
“Breakfast run with Tanya. I am picking her up at six.” Jordan
smiled.
“Do you need me?” Joy smiled.
“Sleep.” She kissed Jordan and headed out. Joy started the bike up
and drove over to the house. Tanya ran out and hopped on the bike.
Zeba and Lloyd stood in their pajamas and waved them off. Tanya
smiled. Joy waved. She rode off and Tanya had the biggest smile
ever. They joined a team of bikers and drove over to a restaurant.
Joy and Tanya hopped off the bike. Tanya grinned from ear to ear.
It was a bunch of teachers. Tanya chatted to everyone. Joy kept to
herself but chatted here and there. She didn’t mingle too much.
They soon had their breakfast and headed home. Joy stopped and
adjusted her earpiece.
“Can you hear me?” Tanya roared with laughter.
“Loud and clear.” Joy grinned as she rode home. Tanya chatted all
the time. She hopped off the bike and ran inside and waved. Joy
waved and rode to the pub. It was just before nine. She ran through
the door and headed upstairs. Jordan stared at her as she came
through the door. She was dressed in leathers from head to toe.
Jordan smiled. Joy smiled. They stood in the kitchen and kissed and
cuddled.

Jordan smiled.
“Cash up and straight home.” Joy smiled.
“Fancy a picnic?” Jordan grinned and nodded.
“How was the breakfast run?”
“I think Tanya is soaring!” Jordan grinned.
“Next week it is us.” Joy grinned and nodded.

Jordan went through all the slips for the
evening. He literally stared at the turnover. He placed orders for
the stocks that he needed. He chuckled as he punched in the order
for all the
bottles of
liqueurs. He hadn’t realized what a big hit it would be. He shook
his head and smiled. The pub was making such a profit. He smiled
and walked through. Frank smiled as he walked through.
“Boss. That was an amazing night!” Jordan chuckled.
“It sure was. Frank we all need a day off. Think of something.”
Frank grinned.
“Starting today. You can have the day off.”
Jordan
grinned.
“Sure?” Frank nodded. Jordan grinned.
“Thanks!” Frank grinned.

Joy packed their lunch into containers.
Jordan walked through with a huge basket.
“Found it downstairs.” Joy smiled as she packed the basket.
“So do you know where you are taking me?” Jordan nodded and
smiled.
“To the pond.” They were soon on their way. Joy and Jordan sat
under a huge tree and had their picnic. Jordan smiled.
“The turnover from last night is way over what we are used to. We
sold bottles and bottles of liqueur. I can’t begin to tell you what
a profit we made.” Joy smiled.
“And the books balance.”
“They certainly do.” Joy smiled. Jordan grinned.
“Where on earth did you learn to sing like that?” Joy
grinned.
“Choir?” Jordan roared with laughter and Joy giggled. He shook his
head.
“Robes and all?” Joy grinned.
“Robes and all! I can pitch so high I can break a glass!”
“No!” Joy nodded.
“Unfortunately yes! I had to try. My mother was not impressed.”
Jordan grinned. They sat and ate their sandwiches and Jordan lay
with his head on Joy’s lap. They waved at a few passersby. Jordan
smiled.
“I am going to get used to this. Can you?”
“You know. I think I already am.” Jordan smiled and looked
up.
“I could nap right here.”
“Then I think it is home time. I need a nap.” Jordan grinned. They
both got up and packed their lunch away and shook the blanket. Joy
was in fits of laughter.
“Will you stand still!” Jordan chuckled. The passersby all grinned
as they watched the two of them shaking the blanket.

They headed straight home and lay on the
bed and slept.
Jordan
got up early in the afternoon and walked down stairs. He
smiled.
“Frank lock up. Tomorrow is your day off.” Frank beamed.
“How was that picnic?”
“How do you know we had a picnic?” Frank grinned.
“I am the barman in this town. Nothing goes past me.” Jordan
grinned.
“Marvelous. And Miss Sheridan is fast asleep.”
“Should be with all the exercise she gets.” Jordan grinned.
“See you tomorrow?” Frank grinned.
“With all the gossip I am loving every minute!” Jordan roared with
laughter.

It was Monday morning. Joy was dressed and
ready.
“Right.” She walked in to the kitchen and poured their
coffee.
“Right.” She put the cup down next to the bed.
“Right.” She walked to the kitchen and made French toast for the
two of them and carried it through. “Right.” Jordan sat up and
smiled.
“Right.” Jordan grinned.
“Joy. You are right and ready. Do you know how many times you have
said right?” Joy smiled.
“I am ready.”
“Right!” Joy grinned.
“Got to go.” She kissed Jordan and headed out. Jordan jumped out of
bed and put his shorts on and walked out with Joy. Joy smiled as he
hugged her and she climbed in the van.
“Right.” Jordan chuckled and nodded and watched as Joy headed for
school.

Joy sat in her office for a little while.
She took a deep breath and walked through to the assembly hall. She
felt the nerves in her stomach. The little knot that had formed.
Joy smiled as she walked down the middle of the hall. Every pupil
was in the hall. They were all standing up. She walked up to the
stage and smiled. Joy stood behind the podium and yelled.
“Good morning Banderlee!” The pupils roared. Joy smiled.
“Let’s all take a seat.” Everyone sat down.

Joy smiled.
“Miss Rose has handouts ready for you. Your new rosters and your
weekly newsletter.” She smiled and looked at all the parents. There
were three rows of parents.
“Welcome to all our parents. It is nice to have you here for our
first proper assembly.” They all smiled.
“Today is a special day for all of us. And I hope when you go home
today you will realize the importance of today. I am not going to
prolong this assembly. We are sticking to business.” Joy smiled and
looked at the teachers.
“From today onwards. Your teachers have their own class. You, the
pupils, will be going from class to class.” It was all quiet.
“You will find the classes easily enough. The teachers names are
now on their door. Miss Lewis will be your English teacher and
Mister Carter will be teaching Biology.” They both nodded and
smiled.
“When you walk out of here you will have your roster. Please follow
it as there will be a roll call at every single class. Remember
your three strikes ladies and gents. Do not be late for your next
class and every class that you attend.”

Joy smiled.
“Today I am introducing you to your Prefects. Yes we have new
Prefects. Ten of them. They will be my ears and eyes. Respect them
and listen to them. I would like the following pupils to join me on
stage please.” Joy smiled.
“Mister Barry Gibb who is our head boy for the year.” Barry got up
and walked to the stage. There was loud whistling and cheering.
Everybody clapped. Joy smiled as he walked up. Thomas and Tanya had
joined her on the stage.
“Miss Jane Smith. Our head girl. Please join me.” Jane proudly
walked up to the stage. Joy called out the remainder of the names
and everybody joined her on stage. Everybody stood in a line for
everyone to see them.

Joy whispered and Tanya walked to the
cupboard. She took the first blazer and handed it to Joy.
“These are your Prefects. You will recognize them by their
blazers.” It was quiet as she handed the blazer to Barry. He smiled
as he put it on. Tanya and Thomas helped everyone to put their
blazers on. Joy walked along and handed each their brooches. Joy
put out her hand.
“These are your Prefects. Give them a round of applause!” Joy
smiled as she moved to the side. Some of the parents stood in the
middle and took photographs. The flash bulbs went off. Joy smiled
and waited a while.
“You may resume your seats.” They all walked off of the stage with
huge smiles.

Joy stood on the stage.
“My lawn looks amazing! Now you can sit without being scared of
bugs.” There was a quiet little murmur. Penny started handing out
all the rosters. There was a rustle of papers as everyone took a
look.
“If we can all stand. Do you all remember the sequence?” Everyone
nodded.
“But I think we sing our hymn and then we play it for a second time
and then we depart. Ladies and gents. If you are not sure where to
go. Ask.” Joy looked at everyone.
“We rise.” Everyone stood up. The parents stood up and looked at
the pupils. Joy started clapping her hands and stomping her foot.
There was suddenly music and Joy smiled and looked at Paul. He
grinned. She mouthed thank you and he smiled and nodded. Everyone
sang as loud as they possibly could. They clapped and stomped their
feet. The parents all had huge smiles as they sang along. It was a
jovial assembly. The song ended. Joy smiled.
“Have a fantastic day!” The song started again and the pupils
walked out in single file singing their song.

Joy smiled. She looked at the pupils. She
had made the right changes. Things would be a whole lot better.
Her
Prefects looked very
smart and they were proud. Joy walked down the stairs and shook the
parents hands. They all smiled as they shook her hand. Mister Gibb
smiled.
“Miss Sheridan thank you. What do we owe for the blazer?” Joy
smiled and looked at everyone.
“The blazers are supplied by the school. That is their blazer to
keep. You might find them wearing them for years to come.” Jane’s
Mum smiled.
“Really?” Joy smiled and nodded.
“Of course! If you had a blazer like that wouldn’t you like to wear
it?” They all roared with laughter and nodded. Helen smiled.
“I see there is a civvies day on Friday.” Joy nodded.
“Yes Ma’am. They pay and they come to school in civvies. The first
of many.” The parents all smiled and nodded. Joy started walking
them all to the door.
“Thank you for joining us.” Henry Gibb grinned.
“You have got to be kidding me. Do you know how that song gets me
going? Now I am rearing to go!” Joy chuckled.
“Most welcome any Monday.” Mister Matthews grinned.
“Man this is better than church!” They all roared with laughter as
they all started leaving. Joy walked to her office. It was quiet.
Every pupil was in class.

Penny smiled.
“This is going to work. Every single pupil walked and took a look
at the name plates on the doors. They all understand the roster.
This is going to work. And wow! Those blazers are amazing. Did you
see their faces? Did you see how smart they look!” Joy
grinned.
“Oh wait till first break. Now that is what I want to hear.” Penny
shook her head.
“And why is that?” Joy smiled.
“I don’t think you have opened your drawer yet.” Penny opened her
drawer and giggled.
“Oh Miss Sheridan!” Joy smiled as Penny took her new pen out of the
drawer. She giggled.
“It is so sweet! And the hardcover book?”
“That is your homework book. They all got one so I thought you
might like one to take home.” Penny giggled.
“I can use it for the newsletters.” Joy shook her head.
“Now that would be nice. But there is a book in your cabinet for
that. I snuck your keys. I didn’t touch.” Penny giggled and got up
and opened the cupboard. It was stocked with hardcover books and
boxes and boxes of pens and pencils and every bit of stationery you
could think of. Penny sighed.
“Oh what a beautiful sight!” Joy smiled.
“When the teachers need books and pens and things. They ask you.
Monitor it so that we can keep it stocked.” Penny nodded and took a
hardcover book.
“Newsletters.” Joy nodded and smiled and walked to her
office.

She sat down and took a deep breath and
smiled. The assembly had been so successful. She smiled to herself.
Next time they would sing their anthem and then have the assembly.
Joy relaxed in her chair and picked up her cell phone. She dialed
Jordan.
“And?” Joy chuckled.
“Hello handsome.” Jordan smiled.
“Hello gorgeous! How did it go? What was the reaction?”
“Phew. Those kids walked off of the stage as if they were walking
on a cloud. The parents snapped away with their cameras. They all
have their newsletter and roster. I think it went down very well.”
Jordan chuckled.
“I see the businesses can advertise. Now what is this about civvies
day?” Joy roared with laughter. Jordan chuckled.
“Oh I am sitting with my copy right here. I think this has been
photocopied and handed out to the town.” Joy roared with
laughter.
“You aren’t serious?” Jordan grinned as he spoke.
“Oh I am dead serious. The postman delivered my copy to the door
just after assembly.” Joy started to laugh.
“Oh Lord! What have we started?”

“
And we are all sitting
her
e designing our
advertisement which we will be placing in the newsletter. Now about
live entertainment. Should I say Friday or Saturday?” Joy
giggled.
“Friday and Saturday.”
“Sure about that?”
“Yes I am.” Jordan chuckled.
“Now you sit and relax. Have a cup of coffee. And prepare yourself
for an influx of advertising requests!” Joy giggled.
“Oh Jordan. Have a lovely day.” Jordan smiled.
“And you sweetheart. And you.” Jordan smiled as he put the phone
down.