I watched my mother-in-law waiting for the answers. I looked to Jim, but he didn't seem to have a clue what to say.
"Gran Carol has joined some amateur dramatic group. She is playing the part of a schoolgirl, that's why she is dressed like that."
Good girl Becky I said in my head, and with my fingers crossed behind my back!
"And I've got the wedding rings, because she said she felt silly wearing them when dad dropped her off."
I flashed an uneasy smile at Becky; she seemed to love my discomfort. I waited for my mother-in-laws reaction. It felt like someone deciding which wires to cut to defuse a bloody bomb!
"Well why didn't you say? And I can't imagine you acting," she said, starting to laugh.
"Believe me Gran, Carol is quite good."
I could see the cheeky grin on Becky's face. All I could do was mumble something about making a cup of tea, as I retreated to the kitchen.
She stayed with us for the whole weekend; at least I managed to get out of the teenage clothes I usually wore. We never told Jim's mum what happened to Becky. In fact we never told anyone. Jim came up with this story about her having a breakdown. He told his mother we had to get away so we rented the house for awhile. We managed to avoid people we knew when my mother-in-law stayed. Even so it was something we hadn't thought about in all our planning. We all breathed a sigh of relief when she left. Jim went straight to the pub and I started to catch up on my homework. I soon realised I had slipped back down the pecking order when Becky took my wedding rings off of me. I ended up going to my own room, well what should have been Becky's room.
The next week we did more mock exams at school, I kept my mind focused on my work and I did quite well. Della noticed a little embarrassed look between Mr Bird and me. She teased me a little but didn't pursue it much. Anyway now she was dating Sean. I was glad for her, but inside I felt a little jealous.
Sean wasn't the only one who fancied me. For the last week Tommy had been sending one of his gang over to ask me to go out with him. All the girls swooned when he was around and I must admit I knew why! Dark brown hair deep brown eyes and a figure that had you wondering if all that muscle was real on an 18 year old! He was 5'10 and had a real cute smile. He was usually surrounded by a handful of mates; even they could pick most girls for a date. But he was the school hunk and everybody knew it. He had just split up with Sabrina, she was a right cow and luckily I had managed to steer clear of her.
I stayed after school one day. Miss Newark had some marking to do and said I could finish my work. Our school was playing another at football, and as I passed the classroom window I watched for awhile. There he was running around in his shorts, with nice tanned muscular legs.
"Why don't you go down and watch?"
She had just appeared by my side. She smiled at me.
"Come on, all you do is study."
I followed her down to the sports field and we stood on the touchline. I think she had a thing for our sports teacher, and probably needed me as more of an excuse. Now and then our eyes met, and Tommy gave me that cool smile, which made me blush a little and Miss Newark noticed too.
"Fancy our schoolgirl's dreamboat then Becky?"
"No Miss," I replied a little shocked.
"Well I hear he has been asking you out and you keep turning him down. Good for you girl," she said, and then shouted encouragement to the team.
"He is nice though."
Shit what was I saying? Beneath the make up was a 23 year old married woman! But take off 5 years, and a wedding ring then he might have stood a chance.
"Well do something about, but remember if you want a university placing you have to juggle schoolwork and school hunks. But be careful you don't seem to have much luck with the boys."
I hadn't seen this side of my teacher before. I had almost forgotten she was a woman as well as a teacher. I watched her for awhile. She did have a different look in her eyes as she watched the sports teacher. I followed her line of sight. Then I realised it wasn't the sports teacher she was watching, it was one of the boys!
"He's nice Miss isn't he?"
"Who Becky?"
"That tall boy at the back with the blonde hair Miss."
"Pete, I mean Peter? I hadn't really noticed, not that I would. Um I'm going home now Becky."
"Bye Miss."
I think I had just stumbled on my teacher having a fantasy. The ball landed at my feet and there he was picking it up.
"Hi Becky god you've got nice legs!"
I chuckled a little at his comment and cheeky grin.
"So why won't you go out with me?"
"Tommy, you are supposed to be playing football!" I mumbled, getting even more embarrassed.
"I'm not taking this throw in until you tell me I can have a date."
There it was that cheeky smile. I realised the other boys were looking at us. One called out for him to hurry up.
