LITMIR.BIZ

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sat on the edge of his bed and looked at him. ‘Yes, love? What is it?’ I was thinking it was probably about missing his father, but what he said gave me even greater cause for concern.

      ‘Mum, I think you need to know that some of the kids at school are saying things about Beth’s father.’

      My heart sank. ‘What sort of things?’

      ‘They’re saying her dad is a head case and calling him a nutter. That he’s barmy and has been locked up.’

      ‘Who said this?’

      ‘I don’t know which kids, but you know Oliver in my class?’ I nodded. ‘His sister is in Beth’s class and she told him that some of the kids in her class are saying these things and calling Beth’s dad names.’

      I felt a mixture of anger and deep sadness and regretted not going into school that morning. ‘Thank you for telling me, love,’ I said. ‘I’ll go in and see Miss Willow first thing in the morning. She’ll know how to deal with it. Did Oliver tell you anything else?’

      Adrian shook his head. ‘Not really. Only that they were saying these things behind Beth’s back.’

      ‘What did you say to Oliver?’

      ‘I told him Beth was staying with us while her dad was in hospital.’

      ‘Good. That was a sensible reply.’

      ‘I feel sorry for Beth,’ Adrian added, looking sad. ‘I wouldn’t like it if kids said things about my dad behind my back.’

      ‘No,’ I agreed. ‘And the things they were saying were very hurtful, but please don’t worry. You did the right thing in telling me and I’ll deal with it tomorrow.’

      Reassured, Adrian turned off his light, ready to sleep.

      The following morning when I woke Beth I told her I’d decided I would go into school and have a quick chat with her teacher before school started. I thought it was better she knew.

      ‘But Jenni hasn’t said any more nasty things,’ Beth protested, immediately guessing why I wanted to speak to Miss Willow.

      ‘I know, but I feel I should speak to your teacher anyway. I won’t mention Jenni by name. I’ll just say a child in the class.’ I thought that Beth was probably unaware that other children, apart from Jenni, were calling her father names, as Adrian had said it was going on behind Beth’s back. I wasn’t about to tell her and upset her further.

      Beth pouted as though she was going to cry. ‘Beth, love,’ I said. ‘Sometimes adults know what is best for children and have to make decisions for them that they don’t fully understand. I’m sure your daddy would want me to go into school and speak to your teacher if I was worried about you.’

      At the mention of her father being in agreement, Beth looked at me thoughtfully and then gave a small, reluctant nod. ‘All right, but please don’t tell on Jenni.’

      ‘I won’t,’ I said.

      Once in the school playground I left Beth and Adrian playing with their friends while I took Paula into school with me. I’d told Beth and Adrian that if the klaxon sounded while I was in school then they should go in with their classes as they normally did. I was feeling slightly nervous and apprehensive about approaching Miss Willow and kept running through what I wanted to say. The school secretary-cum-receptionist was in the office and said good morning. I asked her if it was possible for me to speak with Miss Willow and she glanced at the wall clock.

      ‘Just a quick word,’ I added.

      ‘I should think so,’ she said. ‘She’s usually in her classroom at this time. Go on up. You know where it is.’

      ‘Thank you.’

      I took Paula’s hand and headed for the staircase to the first floor, aware that parents (and carers) were asked to make appointments to see teachers rather than just turning up, but I hadn’t wanted to leave this any longer. I hoped Miss Willow would understand. On the landing I saw the door to Miss Willow’s classroom was open and as we approached I could see her standing at the front of the room writing on a wall chart. She looked up. ‘Hello. How are you both?’ she said, slightly surprised. ‘Have you come to see me?’

      ‘Yes, please, if you can spare five minutes.’

      ‘Certainly. Come in.’

      She put down the marker pen she’d been using to write on the chart and drew out three children’s chairs from under the front table. We sat down.

      ‘I won’t keep you long,’ I said. ‘I know how busy you must be, but I need to talk to you about something quite urgent.’ Her face immediately grew serious. ‘I thought you should know that some of the children in the class have been calling Beth’s father names.’

      ‘What!’ Miss Willow said, horrified. ‘What sort of names? I certainly wasn’t aware of this.’

      ‘It seems that some of the children have been calling her father “a nutter” and similar derogatory names. One child said it to Beth, and some others have been saying it behind her back.’

      ‘That’s dreadful,’ Miss Willow said, truly appalled. ‘Who is responsible?’

      ‘Beth doesn’t want to get anyone into trouble,’ I said. ‘And there is more than one person involved.’

      Miss Willow shook her head. ‘I’m so sorry. I’ll deal with it immediately. I really had no idea this was going on. Poor Beth.’

      ‘Thank you. I was wondering if perhaps you could speak to the whole class? Perhaps about name calling in general and how hurtful it can be, rather than mentioning Beth specifically.’

      ‘Absolutely. Of course,’ Miss Willow agreed. ‘And I’ll explain that people go into hospital for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes it’s because they are physically ill and sometimes it’s because they’re very unhappy and need help. There seems to be a lot of ignorance surrounding mental health.’

      ‘Yes,’ I agreed, relieved. ‘That would be perfect. Thank you. I am grateful.’

      ‘No need. I should have picked this up sooner. I’m usually more tuned into bullying, which is what this is.’

      Aware that school was due to start soon, I made a move to go.

      ‘How is Beth?’ Miss Willow asked.

      ‘She’s doing very well,’ I said. ‘She saw her father last Friday and I expect she’ll see him again this Friday. I understand he’s making a good recovery and should be discharged soon.’

      ‘And Beth will be returning to live with him?’ she now asked.

      ‘Yes, as far as I know.’

      ‘Despite the concerns you and I raised with her social worker?’

      ‘Well, yes,’ I said, a little taken aback. ‘Didn’t Jessie tell you that the concerns were completely unfounded? I felt dreadful because I caused Derek so much distress.’

      Miss Willow studied me carefully for a moment and then said something rather odd. ‘I wouldn’t feel too bad. Jessie did tell me the outcome, but the file’s not closed yet.’ The klaxon sounded for the start of school and Miss Willow stood. ‘I’ll walk you downstairs,’ she said. ‘I have to go into the playground to bring my class in.’

      The three of us went out of the classroom. ‘Does Beth know why you’ve come to see me?’ Miss Willow asked as we walked.

      ‘Yes. She wasn’t altogether happy about it, but I felt it was best.’

      ‘Absolutely. I’m very grateful you told me, and please be reassured I’ll deal with the matter today.’

      ‘Thank you,’ I said again.

      We arrived in reception and went out of the main door. We said goodbye and Miss

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