Andrew wasted no time telling his mother that none other than Roland Hunter had been sent to St Urshalla’s today.
“That brute!” his mother said. “It was only a matter of time I guess,” she added, before asking if he’d settled in.
“I dunno.” Alan replied. “He’s in Winfred’s class… I mean, William’s.”
“I know who Winifred is dear.” his mother replied, before retying his bunches so they were taught and even.
“Don’t forget you’ve got to practice your ballet after your homework tonight.” she reminded him.
“I know.” Andrew moaned.
“Your tights and leotard are on your radiator. They should be dry.”
“Do I really have to wear those?” Andrew whined.
His mother raised an eyebrow.
Andrew knew the answer.
Over at William’s house, he’s telling his mother about the new boy at school.
“Oh dear.” his mother said.
“I’m sure he’ll settle in, just as you have.” she said.
William wasn’t so sure that Roland would settle in.
He flat refused to take part in the playground activities, and refused to curtsey in class.
“Has my dance kit been washed?” he asked.
“I’ve got to practice my ballet steps tonight.”
“It has.” his mother smiled.
“Thanks Mum.”
“Did you play netball again today?” she asked.
“No… it was raining so we did gymnastics instead.”
“I was going to say it’s been drizzly all day.” his mother replied,
before asking if he enjoyed it.
William described the floor exercises as boring but liked the vaulting horse and the balance beam was really hard.
The next morning there was no sign of Roland on the minibus.
He was due to be picked up before William and Andrew told him what had happened.
“His Dad said he went out last night and didn’t come home… the police have been informed and they’re supposed to be looking for him.”
“I suppose the prefects will join in the search too?” William replied.
And he was absolutely right.
As they exited the minibus and entered the school, a group of prefects were on their way out… thoroughly looking forward to going on another ‘boy hunt’ as they called it.
They stopped Winifred and Alison, knowing they went to the same school and questioned them as to where Veronica might have absconded to, but neither knew since they weren’t friends with him.
They did list a number of potential hangouts though, including the old pavilion where they’d found Winifred hiding.
“I wish they’d never sent Roland here.”
William said once the prefects had gone.
“When he gets back to Cromwell Road, everyone will know we were here too.”
“It’s not something I’d boast about,” Andrew replied.
“When I get back I’m saying nothing to no one.”
At morning break, there’s still no sign of Roland or the prefects who’d joined in the search, but by lunchtime he’s back, sporting a black eye and wearing the St Urshallas uniform, flanked by two chaperones who accompany him everywhere.
William and Andrew learned that Roland had initially been suspended from Cromwell Road for a month,
However, after two days at St Urshalla’s, he’s already accrued an additional eight days and is likely to earn himself more.
“If we’re lucky he’ll be stuck here… then we’d be able to keep it a secret.”
“You reckon?” William retorted.
“Miss Culnane knows… and I wouldn’t put it past her to use us as a threat to the rest of the boys.”
“I hope not!” Andrew replied.
“She did say something about keeping it under wraps on Monday at Mrs Vaughn’s,” he added, casting his mind back.
He couldn’t recall her exact words, but she said something about private shame being better than public humiliation.
“Yeah, but she also said we’d be shining examples of what happens to persistent truants.” William reminded him.
On Thursday morning, Roland, or Roberta was on the minibus once more.
His black eye had been badly concealed with foundation and one could almost taste his sense of shame.
Having short hair, he wears a pair of hair slides with white satin bows attached.
The other boys question him about absconding the previous day; seeking all the gory details of when the prefects found him, but he didn’t want to share.
He must have put up a fight, hence his black eye… but everything else is guesswork.
Class, break, class, lunch…
When they donned their tights and leotards for their twice-weekly dance class, the expression on Roland’s face was priceless.
He looked utterly petrified as he sheepishly followed the others to the gymnasium, under the watchful eye of the prefects who’ve been charged with chaperoning him.
After a brief warm-up session, the rancid piano music began and the teach called out the positions; first, two three four, second three four, third two three, on the beat, three four and on and on she went.
“Remember your posture Alison,” she called.
“Excellent Winifred.” she complimented.
“Very good Veronica.” she said
After the dance class, the teacher approaches Andrew and William and says they’ve both done well in such a short space of time.
“…especially you Winifred.” William bashfully thanks her.
“Now you’re only here for two weeks which means today is probably your final class with me…” she says, “..unless you accrue additional days between now and tomorrow afternoon,” she adds.
“However we do hold a Saturday dance class from 10am ’til noon which you’d both be welcome to join,” she suggested.
She turns to Roland. “Hello Roberta”
One of the prefects who’s watching from the sidelines says “His name’s Veronica Miss.”
“I’m aware of that Judith… Veronica and I are already acquainted.” she replied before turning back to Roland.
“Now, in light of your change of circumstances, will you be attending Saturday afternoon’s tap dancing class as usual?”
Both Andrew and William’s jaws drop as they slowly turn their gaze toward Roland.
“I don’t know Miss…
I’ll have to ask my Mum.” he says.
On the way home in the minibus, William says to Roland,
“I didn’t know you went to tap dancing classes.”
“No one knows,” Roland replied.
“Why not?”
“With my reputation?” Roland sarcastically spat before glaring out of the window.
“Idiot!” he added under his breath.
“Veronica! We don’t use words like that.” the driver stated.
Roland muttered an apology.
“We won’t tell anyone of that’s what you’re worried about… will we Alison?” William said.
Andrew shook his head.
His bunches bounced around his ears.
“Do you enjoy it?” William asked Roland.
“I wouldn’t go if I didn’t wouldn’t I?” Roland retorted.
“I just don’t want people knowing… that’s all.”
“…and we don’t want anyone knowing we’ve spent two weeks at St Urshalla’s,” Andrew stated.
“You won’t tell anyone will you?”
“Probably not,” Roland replied. “Depends.”
“On?”
“You two keeping your traps shut,” Roland stated as the minibus drew to a halt outside his house.
The sliding door opened and Roland alighted.
William and Andrew watched as he trotted up to his garden path, his pleated skirt swishing this way and that.
The front door opened and his mother appeared, grinning from ear to ear as he approached.
The minibus departed as he stepped inside.
“I reckon our secret’s safe with him.” Andrew said.
“It’s not him I’m worried about,” William replied.
“It’s Miss Culnane and Mrs Vaughn.”
“How was school today?” Andrew’s mother asked when he returned home.
“OK.” Andrew replied as he unslung his dance bag and handbag, hanging them from the back of a chair.
He was tempted to tell his mother about Ronnie’s secret tap dancing class, but knowing how gossip spreads, from the bus stop to the bingo hall, across the dining table, and into the school yard, he decides not to.
He can’t help but imagine the scene though; the notorious bully, tapping his way through a routine wearing a huge beaming grin.
Meanwhile, William sits at the kitchen table quietly doing his homework.
“I hope you won’t return to your usual ways next week.” his mother said.
“What usual ways?” William defensively asked.
“Having to constantly pester you to do your homework.” his mother replied.
William claimed that the assignments he was given at Cromwell Road were boring.
“Boring or not, they need doing.”
“I know.” William groaned
“Are you looking forward to going back to Cromwell Road?” she asked.
“Sort of.” he hesitantly replied. “I’m worried that everyone will know I’ve spent two weeks in a girl’s school.”
“You’ve spent two weeks learning the error of your ways and getting your education back on track.”
“I know but… they won’t see it that way.”
“You need to worry less about what other people think and concentrate on doing the right thing.” his mother replied.
“I know it’s not been easy attending St Urshalla’s, but it’s done you the world of good.”
William frowned and focused on his homework assignment, but couldn’t help but think about the prospect of everyone teasing him and calling him Winifred.