The Paul and Jenny stories. Part 18 m.
Rubies are Red.
By Paul C.
(Copyright 2003).
Part 13.
Jenny.
I replaced the receiver. I wonder where he is. It would only be nine-thirty in New York. I would have thought he would have been in his room. I suppose I could have asked to speak to Harve or Howie but, well, he couldn't be getting up to anything with them about.
There was to be more reluctant pupil motivation theory this afternoon. Then time to prepare our lesson plans for Friday's practical exam. I think Shirley was going to beat me on the theory exam on Thursday. She really enjoys that side whereas I prefer working with the children in the local schools when we get the chance.
"There you are." Shirley said, walking down the corridor to greet me.
"Just trying to get through to Paul."
"Did you?"
"No. He wasn't in."
"Oh."
There could a hundred reasons why he wasn't in.
"This will be our last lesson with Matt for four months." I said, changing the subject.
I knew Shirley fancied him a little. He was the only lecturer within what I would have considered a reasonable age difference but if Shirley could let David have her then he must seem like a child to her. A plan was beginning to form in my mind. Matt was single, not bad looking if a little serious. Shirley was a cracker. The prettiest girl on the course by far. Now, if I could push them both in the same direction I wouldn't have to make it obvious when I wanted her out of the way for Ron to visit.
"He'll still be here when we finish our on the job attachments." She replied.
That was true. We all had twelve week, one term, attachments to schools in the area then a final term back at the college to pull everything together and our final exams. I was going to the children's school in Paul's grandfather's village called Chipping Marsden. The worst would be a four-week waiting period while we awaited our results and then there would be the days sending letters to just about every school in the area asking for a job.
I could see her eyes were on him as we left the main building and walked across the lawn towards the row of low classrooms. He was a tall man, perhaps thirty-two or three. He had taught in one of the rougher schools in Bristol before taking up his post here. He wasn't a great teacher in practise but he knew the theory backwards. One of our other lecturers had suggested that we pay particular attention to Matt when he taught us as an example of how not to run a class. He must have had a hard time in that school in Bristol.
"Do you want me to fix it for Matt to ask you out?" I asked as we reached the door.
"What do you mean?"
"Come on. You know you like him."
"Don't you dare."
I smiled at her as we took our seats.
Matt took up his position at the front of the class, looked around the room, picked up a board-marker, dropped it and began.
++++++++++++
Paul.
I sat back in the seat of the jet to Miami and fastened my seatbelt. Louise moved in her seat beside me. I just caught the faint smell of her perfume.
I could clearly see Howie's head four rows up and the top of Heather's tight head of curls beside him.
"Daddy was alright about it really." Louise said. "Especially when I told him I'd have two strong men to protect me. We will only be there two nights after all and there has been no trouble reported from the Capitol."
Howie's head was moving closer to Heather's.
The jet was taxiing to its takeoff position.
"She seems a nice girl." Louise nodded in the vague direction of forward. "You flew across with her, didn't you?"
What do I tell her? Let her assume that she is a pick up that Howie has made? But what about tomorrow when she boards the plane for South America. What about tonight when it became time for bed? I don't think it would go down to well for me to tell her I'm fucking Heather. Especially after nearly fucking Louise myself this morning. And what about tonight when it became time for bed? I didn't want to have to choose between them.
"Actually I do know Heather."
Louise turned her head towards me as the plane accelerated down the runway.
"Yes." She said slowly.
"She's staying in one of the apartments in London. With her sister and her husband."
"Oh."
There was a pause. I think I left stomach down below somewhere.
"She was at a loose end."
"Go on."
"She sort of talked her way into coming with me."
"Just for the trip." I hurried on. "For a day trip to South America?"