Being stood by the fireplace, all eyes were on the boys. Mrs Arkwright told how she’d noticed them loitering by the bus stop and approached them, knowing full well they were skipping school. “First they claimed it was lunch time, but it was barely eleven a.m.” she said. “Then they claimed the school’s boiler had broke and they’d been sent home for the day.” she added. “It’s such a shame when they so quickly resort to telling lies when the truth never hurts anyone…” Just then, the doorbell rang. “That’ll be your mother I expect.” Mrs Arkwright said to William as she got up.
William was in a mad panic as his mother entered the lounge. He was physically trembling as she looked him up and down. “Look at what you’ve got yourself into.” his mother sighed.
“Please, take a seat.” Mrs Arkwright said, before offering her a cup of tea. She tells William’s mother the series of events, approaching the boys, asking if they were concerned that a truant officer or policeman might spot them and their apathetic and arrogant response. She explained how she cunningly managed to get the boys out of their clothes and into the bath, “…and after that, putting them in dresses is easy.” she proudly stated. She looked the boys up and down and said, “Better a dress than your birthday suit, eh, boys?”
They didn’t reply. They couldn’t. Their sense of shame was far too great. “So…” William’s mother asked. “What now?”
“Well…” their form teacher began. “…we’re not sure just how often they’ve been skipping school but I know it’s got to the point to warrant a suspension.” Miss Coulton explained. Both Andrew and William’s mothers expressed that they’d rather the boys weren’t suspended. “Truancy aside…” Miss Coulton continued, “…they seldom complete their homework assignments and on the rare occasion they do attend class, they’re disobedient and disruptive.” she explained. “They’ve been given lines, detention, a good talking to but nothing sinks in… I’m sorry to be the one to inform you but the headmaster is determined to suspend them for a fortnight… I did all I could to stop him from excluding them altogether.”
Both of the boy’s parents were livid with the news, but the boys felt slightly more optimistic. “You mean… we don’t have to go to school for two weeks?” William asked.
“You won’t be attending Cromwell Road for the next two weeks…” Miss Coulton informed them. “…but you will be attending school.”
“What school?” Andrew asked.
“A special school.” Miss Coulton replied. “The sort of school that’ll have you longing to return to Cromwell Road… think yourselves lucky that you’ll only be attending for a fortnight.”
“Not Summer View!” William blurted, that being the local school for children with learning difficulties, special needs and disabilities. Miss Coulton shakes her head and tells him no. “Where then?” William asked.
“It’s in the town centre and it’s called St Felicity’s.” their teacher informed them.
“That’s a girls school!” Andrew blurted.
“Not entirely.” Mrs Arkwright said. “They do accommodate a handful of boys, not that one would notice.” she added.
“Are you a teacher there or summit?” William asked.
“I think the word you meant to use is ‘something’ William.” Mrs Arkwright retorted in a most patronising tone. “A ‘summit’ is the top of a mountain.” she added, before informing the boys that she’s not a teacher any more, but an education welfare officer, “…or truant officer if you prefer.”
The boys gulped in unison. They recalled when she asked if they were worried about being spotted by a truant officer or policeman and figured should that happen, they’d simply leg it. Little did they realise that they were talking to a truant officer.
“Knowing which school you should have been at was easy, since its written on your blazers… and your full names are written on your name tags… all it needed was a quick call to your school, and notifying St Felicity’s that I’d have two new pupils for them.” she explained. “Now all we need to do is to fill out some parental consent forms and your temporary transfer will be finalised.” she said, removing some forms from a folder and handing them out to their parents and teacher. “I think two weeks at St Felicity’s will do you both the world of good.” she smiled.
Their parents perused the forms, filled in the relevant details and finally, sighed their consent. “So… where do we go from here?” Andrew’s mother asked.
“Home.” Mrs Arkwright replied. “They’ll attend St Felicity’s at 8am tomorrow morning. A mini-bus will collect them, and if you could note down their clothing and shoe sizes, then they’ll be given a uniform first thing.”
William’s mother had a face like thunder as she picked up her handbag. “Are our clothes dry yet?” William asked.
