Annie Tries Not to and Annie’s Case Book

“THEY’VE A BIT OF a problem at the college”, said Maggie Hurst, Head of the George Pound School, to her friend Annie Butcher, a widow and Head of Biology and temporarily acting as Deputy Head. “I don’t want to know,” said Annie dismissively. She had looked up from her marking as Maggie entered the staff room but she returned to her papers in a determined way. Maggie ignored what she considered to be a negative attitude. “Lance thought you’d be interested,” she continued. “Well, I’m not.” Annie knew that Maggie was referring to events last year when they had all been involved in a case that had included murder, illegal immigrants and an extra girl in school. “Lance suggested I talk to you, it’s worrying him and he does like peace and quiet,” Maggie was almost pleading, “he doesn’t get much at home.” Annie was aware that Maggie’s husband liked to put his problems on other shoulders, in their former troubles he had known far more than he would admit to knowing. He was head of music at the local teacher training college, he did not like outside interruptions. “Whatever it is, it’s nothing to do with me,” Annie was equally resolved not to be involved. “You were right in the middle of things before,” Maggie went on. “I didn’t want to be, it happened to me, I didn’t instigate it.” Maggie had no intention of giving up, she had sheltered Lance for many years, and was not going to give up on something that was troubling him now. “We thought that with the police in your pocket …” “What do you mean?” Annie interrupted, “just one small non-affair with a detective inspector does not mean that I have the whole force at my beck and call!” She was indignant. “Have it your own way,” replied Maggie for when Annie had raised her voice other members of staff raised their heads and were beginning to take notice. Maggie moved nearer to Annie and spoke softly, “It’s a missing student and it’s puzzling Lance, he doesn’t like to be involved.” “Amen to that,” retorted Annie, “and, as if you didn’t know, I have a class waiting,” she prepared to depart, “as if we didn’t have enough troubles of our own.” Maggie decided on different tactics, “Why don’t you come to supper tonight?” she asked. Annie was at the door about to leave but she turned back and with a more cheerful smile and said, “I’d love to.” They did have troubles at the school but these were of a wider nature, not like the temporary gloom of the day when, in the middle of the summer term with everyone’s ideas fixed on being outside, it was pouring with rain. Sport was out of the question when watery pools dotted the playing fields and macs and dripping students drifted about the school. Annie felt justified in dismissing Lance’s troubles, she was busy and did not want other people’s worries. Events of the year before had brought a certain notoriety to the school, it had become important not to close it down as rumours had suggested might happen, the excellent amount of ground around the buildings had given developers’ ideas. To the school the playing fields were a great asset as they were to the developers who viewed the area as a fine housing estate or a splendid block of flats. Now rumours of closing seemed to be dying down and improvement was the operative word. This word had been bandied around ever since the arrival of Maggie Hurst as Head. There had been better exam and sporting results that brought the school to the notice of certain benefactors with material consequences, and then a local footballer (an old boy) took an interest and was hoping to save the playing fields from the developers. Others became interested, the George Pound was now a news item, school dinners improved when another ‘local celebrity’ took an interest, these were unexpected benefits. “A snowballing effect,” Maggie described it to Annie as more parents became involved in the school activities. A Parent/Teacher Association was formed and there were many benefits to the school through this, especially when a Gala in the summer proved such a financial success. The weather had been good and everyone enthusiastic. An ex-librarian Mother offered to jazz up the library. Maggie was unsure what this entailed but was delighted when she found pupils there. “Amazing,” Maggie said to Annie, “It’s actually being used, I found Raine and Shirley there the other day, they looked guilty, maybe it spoilt their image as rebels but, you never know, they might even open a book.” “It’s a pity,” replied Annie, “that it needed a murder and mugging not to mention drugs that brought us to the notice of the media.” She sighed, “Never again,” she told herself. Things were going well for the school and twinning with a school in a developing country was under discussion. Annie was still Acting Deputy Head at the George Pound, the school had been promised an energetic young man for the post, the staff looked forward to this event, Annie especially as his arrival would lift many duties from her shoulders. The rumour that he was a science teacher increased her expectations. She herself taught biology but the other science subjects needed an injection of vitality. An energetic young man with ideas? Who knows – with any luck?