Taking Charge (15 page)

It was first break. Joy smiled as every
teacher walked through to the staff room. Paul sat down. Joy walked
through and looked at everyone.
“Talk to me.” They all roared with laughter. Wayne grinned.
“We haven’t lost a pupil yet. Not one. And it is so good to have my
own desk. My own lockable cabinet. My own classroom.” Tanya giggled
and nodded.
“And thank you for our stationery. Oh my pen is absolutely
gorgeous!” Paul roared with laughter.
“I have Bart Simpson suspended to the tip of my pen. And these huge
eyes that wiggle. Every time I mark off a name I grin.” Wayne
grinned.
“I have Spiderman. And his arms snap together when I press a
button.” Tanya roared with laughter.
“Do you keep pressing the button?” Wayne grinned.
“Oh for sure!” Joy shook her head.
“The pupils. Are they happy with their book and pen?” Tanya
grinned.
“I told them that is for any homework that they need doing. Well,
Grace put her book away so fast. I can see these kids putting them
to good use. And Phillip. That pen of his has been dancing!”
Everyone roared with laughter. Joy smiled.
“Penny has stationery in her cupboard. Pens and pencils and post it
notes. Let her know if you need anything.” Tanya gasped.
“We have post it notes?” Penny grinned and nodded.
“Oh I need a little pad please. Garth doesn’t stock those.” Joy
smiled.
“All round? A good day?” They all grinned and nodded. Joy
smiled.
“How do you fancy coming to school in a uniform?” They all grinned
and nodded.
“On Friday. Arrange a uniform. They are all going to be in civvies.
We can be in uniform.” Penny grinned.
“Oh you too Penny. We all come dressed.” Tanya grinned.
“I already have all the money for civvies day. Do I give it to
Penny?” Joy nodded.
“Already?” Tanya nodded.
“Already.” Joy chuckled.
“Hand it to Penny. Penny make a list.” Penny nodded.
“A uniform. Where am I going to get a uniform?” They all chuckled
as they left the staff room.

Joy smiled as she took her bag and
briefcase and walked out with Penny
after the bell rang. Penny smiled as they looked
at all the pupils. They all had their pens and their books in their
hands. Walking through the gate of the school. The parents were all
waiting. The pupils had huge smiles. Joy waved as she left the
school. She headed straight for the pub. She walked through the
door and looked at Jordan. She put her arms around his neck and
kissed him right at the door. Frank and Craig cheered and clapped.
Jordan grinned and whispered.
“Hello sweetheart.” Joy smiled.
“I love you.” Jordan spun her in the air.
“I love you.” He kissed her again.
“What a day. My pupils are happy. My teachers are happy. Everyone
is happy.” Jordan smiled.
“Even the parents are happy. You have no idea.” Joy chuckled.
“I think we need some coffee.”

Craig walked over with their coffee and
two little biscuits. Joy looked at the biscuit. She chuckled.
“Sarah has been at it. In future we have a biscuit with coffee. But
people have been coming in all morning and buying packets of
biscuits.” Joy chuckled.
“Really?” Craig chuckled and nodded.
“We had this tiny little person walk in here. Probably about three
or four. Frank looked over the counter and he handed Frank a coin.
And all he said was ‘biscuit’. Frank handed him the biggest biscuit
he could find and he walked out chewing on his biscuit.” Joy
grinned and shook her head.
“Ouch. What did the woman down the road say?” Jordan
chuckled.
“She has been in and bought about ten packets.” Joy roared with
laughter and shook her head. She took a bite of her biscuit.
“Oh this is divine! Oh this is nice! Shortbread!”

Jordan smile as Craig walked off. He
held
Joy’s hand.
“And what have you got planned for the afternoon?” Joy
smiled.
“The next newsletter. I have ideas in my head so I am going to jot
those down. But I need to go to the grocer and buy something.”
Jordan smiled.
“We have everything we need.” Joy smiled.
“I know. But you never know what might just be on special.” Jordan
grinned.
“Our cupboards are bulging!” Joy chuckled.
“Not to mention the fridge.” Jordan smiled and shook his
head.
“But I haven’t bought a thing. I need to give you money.” Joy held
his hand.
“That is my board and lodging.”
“You realize you are still paying.” Joy nodded.
“Just have to carry on for a while. Not yet. Let people get used to
the idea of us.” Jordan smiled and nodded.
“Oh the comments. They walk in here and have to comment on my new
girlfriend.” Joy chuckled and nodded.
“Nothing said my side. Which is a good thing.” Jordan nodded. Joy
got up.
“Shopping.” Jordan smiled as they kissed and she walked out the
door.

Tanya almost bounced through the doors of
the pub.
“Civvies Day on Friday! And I have my uniform sorted!” Jordan shook
his head.
“But you wear civvies every day!” Tanya grinned.
“Role change see. The teachers are going to school in uniform!”
Jordan roared with laughter.
“And you have got your uniform?” Tanya nodded.
“Oh definitely! What an awesome day. I have my own classroom. I
have my own everything! And I even have my own little friend!”
Tanya took out her pen.
“See!” Jordan roared with laughter and took the pen.
“Now where on earth did you get this creature? Who is this? It
looks like Thelma Flintstone.”
“Exactly her!” Jordan smiled and shook his head.
“So where did you get this?”
“Aah now if you were in our school you would have one too. There
are all sorts of pens. The Flintstones and the Simpsons. Superman
and Spiderman. Batman and Robyn. And a whole host of other
funnies.” Jordan looked at the pen.
“Is that what was in those boxes?” Tanya nodded.
“And each of us got a nice thick hard cover book.” Jordan smiled as
he sat down and looked at the pen.
“These aren’t cheapies.” Tanya nodded.
“We have a stationery cupboard now. With all sorts. Things have
changed Jordan. For the better. Did you see that comes off of the
pen?” Jordan smiled as he took the figurine off of the pen.
“This is a nice pen.” Tanya nodded and took the pen and the little
figurine and put it back on the pen.
“And it is mine.” Jordan grinned as she put it in her bag.
“Now. Where do we find Miss Sheridan?”
“Miss Sheridan is out scouring for specials.” Tanya got up.
“Business to discuss. See you later.” Jordan grinned as Tanya
walked out. He shook his head. A pen was such a little thing but it
was so important and made such an impact.

Tanya headed to the grocer. Joy smiled as
she looked up.
“And now?”
“Coming to see what you have found on special.” Joy chuckled.
“Jordan sent you.” Tanya smiled and shook her head.
“No. I actually have something to discuss with you. Business.
School business.” Joy chuckled.
“Let me pay for these and we can go and have a proper business
meeting.” Tanya chuckled.
“What did we buy?”
“We bought chicken breasts for our chicken casserole this evening.”
Tanya grinned.
“Yum!” They both walked out of the shop and headed for the
pub.

Joy and Tanya sat down. Craig brought
their coffee.
“Right young lady. Let’s have it.” Tanya smiled.
“It might cost. But maybe not. If we can scrounge and beg borrow
and steal it could work.” Joy nodded and smiled.
“What are we scrounging?” Tanya smiled.
“Now. The first bit. We have no extra mural activities. We have
nothing. We don’t have sports days or anything. So.” Joy smiled and
nodded.
“So. I was thinking. Drum majorettes. There is one competition
which is held about two hours from here. If we get a squad together
we could compete. At the end of the year.” Joy nodded and
smiled.
“Now who would be getting this squad together?”
“Me.” Joy smiled.
“Are you going to do all of this?” Tanya nodded.
“I am organized. I have my years lessons sorted out. I am still
tweaking because Thomas is a bit of a numbskull.” Joy
chuckled.
“Okay. Put your plans on paper. But this would mean uniforms. A bit
of a cost involved. And boots. And one of those sticks.” Joy
nodded.
“Would you look at it?” Joy nodded.
“I definitely would. But.” Tanya looked at her.
“I need everything by Friday. Every detail. Times of practices.
Costs of uniforms. Boots. The works.” Tanya grinned and
nodded.

Joy smiled.
“And the next item on our agenda?”
“Oh right. Clive Baker would like to get a school band together. We
have loads of instruments packed away. They haven’t been out for
years. But they are there. And Clive offered.” Joy nodded.
“And who are we competing against?” Tanya roared with
laughter.
“Only an hour away. Also end of the year.” Joy nodded.
“Tell Clive to get into action. I need to know what we have by
Friday. We have an empty classroom that he can use. But I want to
see the paperwork.” Tanya beamed. She got up.
“See you at six.” Joy smiled and nodded as Tanya almost flew
through the door.

Jordan sat down.
“What is in the packet?” Joy giggled.
“Supper. And I am on my way home. I fancy a nice casserole.
Chicken. What is your fancy?” Jordan smiled and nodded.
“Chicken casserole sounds just dandy.” Joy smiled as she got up.
Jordan kissed her and she smiled.
“I far prefer this. Being out in the open. Like this. Not having to
hide our feelings.” Jordan nodded.
“Yes.” Joy smiled as she walked to his office and walked upstairs.
She got busy with their supper and put it in the oven. Joy sat and
made her notes for the newsletter. It was all coming
together.

Jordan smiled and looked up as Garth
walked in with a little envelope.
“How may I help?” Garth smiled.
“Can you give this to Miss Sheridan please. This is our
advertisement. With our money. And this pen is for her.” Jordan
smiled as he took the pen.
“Now this is neat!” Garth smiled.
“I bought a few boxes. They were on special. So I thought I would
do something different for a change. Put an ad in her
newspaper.”
“Newsletter.” Garth nodded.
“We don’t have a newspaper you know.” Jordan grinned.
“Well I think that is a good idea. Let’s take a peek.” Garth took
out his sheet of paper. Jordan smiled. He had written it out.
Jordan nodded.
“Good idea!” Garth smiled.
“Did you read that bit that if you want news put in the paper you
pay a little bit and they will put it in.” Jordan nodded.
“I saw that. A good idea.” Garth nodded.
“But this is for my advert. Just a little one for now.” Jordan
smiled and took the envelope and the pen.
“I will give it to her.” Garth smiled and nodded as he walked out
the door. Jordan smiled and shook his head. Joy had caused a
stir.

He walked upstairs.
“Sweetheart.”
“In the kitchen.” Jordan chuckled.
“Yes I thought you might be.” Joy smiled.
“Now how can I help?” Jordan waved the pen in the air.
“Oh that is a nice pen!” Jordan grinned.
“Yes well. Seeing as I am the bearer of the news I have decided to
claim all gifts!” Joy chuckled.
“Which means that pen is a gift.” Jordan grinned. He gave her the
envelope.
“This is your first advertisement. From Garth. He has created an
awesome advert!” Joy looked at Jordan and he grinned. He took the
sheet of paper from the envelope and opened it up. Joy smiled and
looked at Jordan.
“And this is his money.” Joy smiled.
“Oh my goodness!” Jordan chuckled.
“Now. I do need to warn you. He mentioned the word newspaper.” Joy
looked at Jordan.
“Newsletter.”
“Yes well. See. That is the problem. We don’t have a newspaper.”
Joy held her hand in front of her mouth and giggled.
“Oh my word!” Jordan nodded. He grinned.
“And who will be doing your artwork for this newsletter of yours?”
Joy smiled.
“You are looking at the creative director.” Jordan smiled.
“Would you like me to do his advert?” Joy smiled.
“Would you?” Jordan nodded.
“A small fee is involved.” He waved the pen in the air. Joy
chuckled.
“Find out exactly what you call that pen. Then we can hitch a pic
from the internet and do something arty.” Jordan kissed Joy and
smiled.
“Heading over there right now.” Jordan ran down the stairs and ran
out of the pub.

He walked into the wholesalers and walked
over to Garth.
“Garth!” Garth grinned.
“Did she say it is okay?” Jordan nodded.
“Absolutely! Now I need to know what you call this pen. The full
details.” Garth took out the brochure and handed it to Jordan.
Jordan took the brochure.
“Going to loan this for a while.” Garth smiled as Jordan walked
out.

Alfonso ran out.
“Jordan!” Jordan grinned as he walked over.
“Can I give you my advert please?” Jordan nodded. Alfonso handed
him the envelope with the cash and his advert and a huge slab of
chocolate. Jordan smiled.
“Advertising?”
“Our special for the week.” Jordan smiled and nodded.
“Now give the little lady the chocolate.” Jordan smiled.
“Certainly!” He headed back to the pub. He flew up the
stairs.
“Advertisement number two.” Joy grinned.
“Oh and unfortunately there was a gift.”
“Unfortunately?”
“Yes well! How come you get given chocolates?” Joy roared with
laughter. He smiled and put the envelope and the chocolate on the
counter.
“Oh heck! I need a photograph of his barber shop.” Jordan flew down
the stairs and out of the door. He went and took a few photographs
of the barber shop. He walked inside and Alfonso grinned. Holding
his comb and snipping away. Jordan took the photograph. Alfonso
stared.
“Why the photograph?” Jordan smiled and walked out. He headed back
to the pub.

Frank shook his head.
“And what are you doing flying in and out like that?” Jordan
grinned.
“Not going to believe this.” Frank nodded.
“And what is it that I am not going to believe?”
“Garth and Alfonso have already given their adverts. For the
newsletter.” Frank grinned.
“And you are doing what with them?” Jordan grinned.
“Going to put them on paper.” Frank chuckled.
“You realize that is the only form of advertising there is?” Jordan
nodded.
“I am in my office for a little while.”
“Doing the advertising spread?” Jordan grinned.
“If it helps Joy then definitely. I can just imagine how long it is
going to take. If it starts like this the newsletter is going to
have to be published!” Frank grinned and nodded.