Great Granny's Ghost Page 7

  “I understand. Besides she should hear from her family first, she should hear it from me.”

  Anna turned away to hide her face. How could he show such maturity after what he had been through? When she looked back at him she saw that his eyes had lost their sparkle and they looked to have aged him. Perhaps the assault and the trauma had made him grow up rapidly. “Well?”

  “Okay Miss but if they come after me I am running and no-one will catch me.”

  Mrs Woodward and Anna looked at each other shocked by the strength of his conviction. They were both in no doubt that he would do as he had threatened. “I am going to be in the school all day Wayne. Mr Campbell wants to discuss your case. You won’t need to run.”

  The journey to the school was a different one. Mrs Woodward lived close to the town but it was in Hart Lane, away from the marina and railway station. It helped to take his mind off the ordeal he knew was coming. They arrived at the school as early as they always did and there were few children around. The head was waiting in the entrance all with Miss Jarvis and Miss Tozer.

  “Come in to my office please.” When they sat down he said, “Anyone want tea? Coffee? Wayne? Anything for you?”

  “No thank you Sir.”

  “First of all Wayne I am really sorry about your gran. She was a lovely lady and I feel privileged to have known her.” Wayne just nodded. If he had tried to speak the torrent of tears lurking behind his eyes would have flooded out. “Now as for the bullying. Well we can do something about that. Michael Roberts will be in front of the governors this afternoon. We are having an emergency meeting.” The phrase ‘stable door’ raced through Anna’s mind but she kept quiet. “Now of course what you should have done was to tell the teacher.”

  Anna could not contain herself. “Mr Campbell can I stop you right there. I think Wayne is blameless in all of this. Had your teacher done as he was obliged to do then there would have been no assault and Wayne would not have needed to tell him. If I feel Wayne is under threat then I am quite happy to enrol Wayne in one of the other schools the town.”

  The threat was direct and Mr Campbell knew it. “No, no Miss Allen you misunderstand me. I am not trying to excuse Mr Jennings but we have a clear policy on bullying. If any child reports…”

  “Policies! We are talking about children here not pieces of paper to show to Ofsted!”

  “Well that is all in the past.” As he was losing the battle with Anna he turned his attention to Wayne. “Now Wayne, Miss Tozer told me you like books.”

  “Yes Sir.”

  “Good. Well we have a lovely library and Mrs Macmillan is the librarian. She wondered if you would work in the library when you aren’t in lessons. You know, before school, break and lunch?”

  Wayne’s heart leapt for joy. This was the solution he had been looking for; a sanctuary. Thugs like Michael never went near libraries. “Yes Sir. Thank you Sir.”

  Anna was proud of Wayne but angry that he was thanking Dave Campbell when, ultimately, it had been the head’s fault.

  “Well if you go with Miss Tozer she will introduce you to Mrs Macmillan.”

  “I’ll call up and see you later Wayne.”

  “Thanks Miss.”

  As they went up the stairs Jo looked at this little boy who seemed so lost. She couldn’t imagine a world where you lost everyone. “You okay?”

  “I will be Miss. I will be. I owe it to nana to do my best.”

  Jane Macmillan was a tiny woman but she was immensely proud of her library. She had reading groups every day and a team of dedicated student librarians who kept it neater than any public library. They even acquired qualifications. As soon as Ros Jarvis had approached her she had been keen to help Wayne. She hated bullies with a passion and when she Jo told her about his love of books and his background she became like a lioness protecting her cub. “You must be Wayne. Welcome to the library and I am really pleased that you have agreed to be one of my librarians.”

  “Thanks Miss.”

  “The other librarians won’t be here for a little while so why don’t you have a look around and see if there are any books you haven’t read. Who are you reading at the moment?”

  G P Taylor Miss. I have just read one and started on my second.”

  “Oh we have all his books. He came here last year you know to talk to our reading group and Darren Shan.” When Wayne looked blank she went on, “He writes supernatural and horror stories, you might like him.”

  “I’ll come down to take you to registration Wayne.”

  “I don’t need babysitting Miss.”

  “I know Wayne but you are new to the school and the library is a long way from the unit. I’ll just come the once. Okay?”

  “Okay Miss.”

  The first day was a difficult one. In every lesson children looked at him as though he had two heads. Teachers spoke to him warily and even Mr Lancaster looked a little uncomfortable as though he was having to behave like a reasonable human being and finding it an alien experience. The only piece of normality was Jane and Alice. “Were you bad on Friday?”

  “Er yes I wasn’t well.”

  “I told Jane that you were bad. She said that you were off because Michael Roberts beat you up.”

  “He did.”

  “Did he Wayne?”

  “Yes Alice.”

  ”I’ll tell our Jack. He’ll get him for you. He’s dead hard is our Jack”

  “No Alice it’s all right. It is sorted. But thank you anyway.”

  Chapter 8

  Wayne found the library to be an oasis in a sandstorm of strife. Mrs Woodward was nice but distant. Anna was careful and vigilant. Miss Tozer was, as his nana might have said, ‘like a nettled hen.’

  The second lunch time in the library a small year 9 called Craig approached him. “Do you play chess?”

  Wayne was about to turn away back into the security of the world of G P Taylor when he decided to take a chance. “Sorry I don’t play chess.”

  “Would you like me to teach you?”

  For the first time since he had come to Spion Kop someone had wanted to help him, to be a friend. “Yes please.”

  “Miss? Can we get the chess set out?”

  Mrs Macmillan looked at the two boys, two vulnerable boys in a world which was harsh and her heart melted. “Of course Craig love. You know where it is.”

  For the next three days Wayne spent every spare minute learning the game. “You are a quick learner Wayne.”

  “Thanks. This is a great game. I wish someone had taught it to me before.” He put aside the G P Taylor and borrowed chess books from the library, school and public, He learned the Ruy Lupez opening and a whole host of wonderfully titled plays which he sought to use, in vain, for Craig was a good chess player. Wayne didn’t mind. He had a friend and that was worth losing every chess game from here to eternity. He also looked up now and then, he knew his nana would be looking down and approving.

  Craig too benefited from the relationship. He was a timid but bright boy in the year above Wayne which meant he too had suffered at the hands of those who were physically stronger and socially more adept. His skill, intelligence and ability meant nothing in the harsh world of the playground. He liked the peace of the library and now he could indulge his passion and play chess with someone who appeared as helpless as he.

  Thursday was a horrible day; quite possibly the worst day in Wayne’s young life. It was the day of his nana’s funeral. He had never been to a funeral and had no concept of what to expect or what was expected of him. Anna had come to the foster home the night before with a black tie.

  “I’ve never worn a tie before.”

  “Really? Let me show you how to tie it and then you can practise.”

  He quite enjoyed learning a new skill even though it was in such circumstances. Like learning how to play chess it was something of which he knew his nana would approve and that, perversely, made it a happy experience.

  The funeral itself was as hard and difficult a
n experience as it was possible for anyone, let alone a thirteen year old to endure. He was the only member of the family. There was Anna, Dave Campbell and half a dozen of Maggie’s bingo friends, including Mary Burns. All the way through the service he felt every eye upon him and, when they went to the grave side, he felt very alone and visible. As the vicar said, “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust” and looked at him he didn’t know what to do.

  Mary helped him out; she came over to him, leaned down, with great difficulty and grabbed a handful of soil. She put it in Wayne’s hand and said, “Just throw it on the coffin love. It’s for your nan. She would have liked it.”

  A soon as he threw his handful on the coffin the rest of the mourners followed suit.

  Mary came next to him. “Your nana would have been so proud of you Wayne love. She loved you, you know. You were the best thing to happen to her. We had long talks over a cup of tea and she had such plans for you Wayne. The things she was going to get for you. If ever you need anybody,” she glared at the head teacher, “you know where I live. Your nana looked after me and as long as my old bones work. I’ll look after you. “

  One by one the bingo friends all came and hugged and kissed the boy tears cascading down their cheeks.

  “What a difference you made to your nan’s life.”

  “She was like a young woman after you came.”

  “God bless you bairn.”

  Eventually, after the vicar left there was just the head and Anna left with a bewildered Wayne. “You all right Wayne?”

  “Yes miss.”

  “Wayne, call me Anna. I hope I am your friend?”

  “You are Miss. I don’t have many of those. What happens now? I mean nan’s house and all her stuff. She loved the house you know and the things in it. I wouldn’t want it just to be lost. What happens?”

  “It’s a legal process called probate. It takes some time but it means you and your mum should get all of nan’s things.” She added, “Eventually.”

  The look of relief on Wayne’s face almost made the young social worker burst into tears herself. She had learned more from Wayne and his trials in the past four weeks than she had in three years at University.

  The head came over. “Wayne. I am really sorry for this. If I had a time machine I would go back and change what happened but life isn’t like that. I am so impressed by how strong you are. I am going to make sure that my school does the best for you that we can. My door is always open, you know that?”

  The small boy suddenly looked ancient. “Yes Sir but you can’t be everywhere can you? It’s not like you are God. And kids like Michael Roberts, they are everywhere. Can you be everywhere?”

  Dave Campbell felt as though he had been hit by an electric shock. His vision of a safe school, his view of his school as a wonderful place seemed to disintegrate like a mirage in the desert. The boy was right. How could he transfer his ideals to every teacher and every student?

  The next week went by with an amazing lack of excitement and event. The governors suspended Michael for two weeks and the two boys who had perpetrated the attack were sent home for a week each. Wayne received a merit each lesson, even when he did nothing. The chess and the library were the high spots of each day and he gradually made the chess games last longer before his inevitable defeat whilst reading an increasing number of books during any spare time he had.

  On Friday during form time Miss Tozer walked into the classroom like she had won the lottery. “Mr Campbell has just told me that our group is to go on a field trip to Whitby.”

  There was a chorus of cheers and then Johnno asked, “How much miss? How much will it cost us? We’re on benefits we are.”

  “Good question John. Those in receipt of benefits will have the visit for nothing. The rest will have to pay twenty pounds. “As the entire group received benefits this meant in effect a free trip and the cheers grew. Wayne was not so happy. It would mean leaving the sanctuary of the library and his friend Craig. Craig was in the top set and next year he would take his GCSEs early. He, on the other hand, would, once more, be in the ‘special group’ with all its attendant problems.

  “Anna, do I have to go?”

  Anna was bemused. The whole trip had been organised for Wayne’s benefit. What could the problem be? “No Wayne. You can say no but why would you? It is only your class who are going, Miss Tozer, Diane, Bridget. I’ll be spending a few nights there and Mr Campbell said he would visit. What’s wrong?” Wayne remained silent. “Whitby is lovely. You are staying at Larpool Hall.”

  Suddenly Wayne’s ears pricked up. “Larpool Hall? The home of a sea captain?”

  “Yes, how did you…?”

  “It’s no problem miss I will go.”

  Intrigued, Anna left Wayne with Mrs Woodward and phoned Jo Tozer. What was it about the venue which had changed his mind?

  Anna was too busy to think about the issue as she had to ensure that Wayne had everything he would need for the trip. Her charge had an enigmatic look about him every time she mentioned the hall and the visit. All he would say is, “I am looking forward to it Anna. Honestly. Thanks for organising it.”

  Unknown to all of them the informal Spion Kop Mafia was hard at work. Michael Roberts and his lieutenants might be suspended but there were others who were not and Johnno was one of them. The word went out and Johnno would ensure that revenge was extracted for the humiliation heaped upon Michael.

  Benny had been the coach driver for every Spion Kop trip for the past ten years. He loved the school, he loved the head but most of all he loved the kids. He saw them getting the chances he never had in his life. He loved taking them on trips for they had warmth that made the old bachelor’s heart tingle. He stood at the door, his bald pate glistening with sweat and his bus driver’s jacket fastened too tightly around a beer fuelled belly. “Now then there is no food allowed on my bus. If you drop litter pick it up. Anybody travel sick.” There was silence. “Right like I believe that. There are bin sacks behind every third seat. You hurl? You hurl into a sack or you will clean it up.” Jo and the two assistants smiled. He was all bluster. If any child was sick then Benny would clean it up and make sure the child was comfortable. He was like everyone’s favourite grandad.

  “Now you listen to Benny. Have you all been to the toilet?” The silence was deafening. “Alice?”

  “I went twice Miss. Number one and number two.”

  “Way too much information,” said Bridget.

  “Right Benny, we are all aboard. Let’s go to Whitby.”

  Johnno and his mates were on the back seat and Wayne hade wisely chosen the seats behind the classroom assistants and Miss Tozer. Stephen was sat silently next to him his eyes glazed on the roadside signs. On the seat opposite Jane and Alice were spreading out bags of sweets, MP-3 players and puzzle books.

  “Are you excited Miss.”

  “Yes Alice I can barely contain myself.”

  “Have you been to Whitby before Miss?”

  “Yes a few times.”

  “I’ve never been there. But my mam’s friend Elsie says that you see Dracula there and he drinks your blood. Is that right?”

  “Dracula is a character in a book and he does appear on the steps of Whitby Abbey but you will be safe. We won’t go there in the dark.”

  “I got a crucifix off my auntie Beryl, she’s a Catholic,” announced Jane. “I’ll be all right.”

  “Well I’ll hold your hand then. He won’t get me.” Suddenly Alice squealed. “Look it’s Billingham! I go skating there at the Forum. You know Miss it’s great but your bum gets cold when you fall on the ice.”

  “Well try to stay on your feet.”

  “I do Miss but it’s dead slippery. Ice is not good for skating on.”

  Wayne turned to Stephen to make a comment but he was busy staring at the power lines. How he missed Craig. Oh for a game of chess. Alice leaned forward to Bridget. “Miss we have passed Billingham. Are we there yet?”

  “No Bridget we have about forty m
iles to go.”

  Alice leaned over to Wayne, “We’ll nearly be at London then won’t we Wayne.”

  Wayne looked over at Miss Tozer and the classroom assistants and said, “Yes Alice, just round the corner.”

  Alice sat down with such a pleased expression that Wayne almost felt guilty about deceiving her but then what harm had been done?

  At the back Johnno had been inveigling two of the bigger boys in the group to assist him in his plots. “Robbo wants us to give him a hard time but not get caught right? You two just do what I say and play dumb.” He looked at the two of them. “Should be easy for you two. Just be yourselves.”

  Despite his bluster Benny made a toilet stop near Guisborough. Wayne just stayed on the bus. He didn’t need it and he had not been happy about the looks that Johnno had been giving him. He contemplated telling Miss Tozer but then thought he was over reacting; after all he knew this group. There was no Michael Roberts and he would be safe. There were only fifteen students and three teachers, well teachers and classroom assistants what harm could he come to?

  “Miss, Miss! I can see it I can see Whitby Abbey!”

  “Well done Jane.”

  “Jane keep hold of that crucifix. Dracula could be about.”

  “Don’t worry Alice I will.”

  The Abbey loomed in the distance and Wayne became excited as he saw the fishing port unfold before his eyes. They came to the traffic lights at the end of the moor’s road and a voice from the back said, “Are we going down to the arcades Miss?”

  “No Carl. We are going to the hostel. You will not be going to the arcades.”

  “Howay Miss.”

  Bridget’s voice sounded, “You have arcades in Seaton.”

  “Yeah Miss but these are better. These are in Whitby!”

  The bus trundled along over the bridge spanning the Esk and then took a right. “Where are we going Miss? Whitby is over there.”