An Education: First Day

Postby KP Presents » Wed Sep 10, 2014 4:54 am

“Well, Cass, here we are – one more day to go.

“For you.”

I nodded in agreement as Jenny pulled the scarf tightly over my mouth, and knotted the ends together at the base of my neck, before she stood back and looked at her handiwork. She was right about that at least – tomorrow me, along with Lisa, Pippa, Hazel and Claire, were doing quite possibly the scariest thing I had ever contemplated – and I’ve done some fairly scary things in my time.

Start at the same secondary school as my big sister.

That, however was tomorrow – today I was lying on my bed, nice and snug and secure, watching as Dad taped the socks over Jenny’s hands and then started to tie her wrists together behind her back. We’d asked him if we could have one last time to relax before dinner, and that’s why Jenny had taped my hands into fists, covered them with socks and then taped the socks to the sleeves of my white top, and then done the full job on me.

I had a green and blue smock on over my top, green leggings and sneakers, but right now I was enjoying the feeling of the ropes that held my arms to my body, around my waist, my tummy and my upper arms, rubbing on me a little as I moved around. My wrists were crossed and secured behind my back, my ankles crossed and tied, my legs bound together below my knees, and then pulled back and tied to my chest ropes.

As Dad tied Jenny up, I couldn’t help thinking back to earlier in the summer, when we had one of the most frightening nights I’ve ever had. We were sleeping over with Lisa and her brother when some men burst in, and kidnapped all of us with their mother. This wasn’t a pretend kidnap either – this was the real thing, with them using plastic strips and tight gags, never mind what happened when they took us to their hideout.

We - and I mean all five of us – had no idea what was going on, but the men who did that made the Pearl of Great Price look like Suzie’s mum and dad when we have a get-together at Wissenden. It was all I could do to keep calm – but Jenny?

Jenny was the real heroine – because she knew, just knew we were going to be all right. And the reason she knew this was because we know some very special people – Brian and Sarah.

A year or so back, something very serious happened at Holderness Manor – something that made my mum and aunts, as well as many others, very scared indeed. All I was told about it was they had been involved in a robbery – I was at Suzie’s other grandmother’s house that weekend, so only heard when Dad told me. Mum, Aunt Cassie and Aunt Connie were very upset and cried a lot, but after they went away for another weekend they seemed a lot happier.

That was when I first met Sarah – and it was Sarah and her husband Brian who came to our rescue that night. They’d snatched us to force Lisa and Charlie’s dad to steal something, but he managed to turn the tables and with the help of my American friends get us free.

Just after that, Mum and Dad sat down with me and Jenny, and told me a bit more of what happened that night, as well as the fact it was Sarah who came to the rescue then as well. I realised after that why Mum had cried so much, and – well, I’m not going to dwell on it here. But that night, it was our turn to be saved by them.

“All right,” I heard Dad say as he helped Jenny to sit on the bed where I was lying, and then kneel down as he crossed and tied her ankles together, “it’s two hours until I need to make sure you’re free for dinner. You two sure you want to be like this all the time.

“Yup,” Jenny said as I nodded in agreement. Big sis was wearing a grey sweatshirt and jogging pants, with socks pulled up her legs. I get the feeling going back into uniform the day after tomorrow was not something she was really looking forward to.

It had actually been a fairly quiet summer – we’d spent a week at the seaside, but spent most of it here, playing with the other girls or in Jenny’s case catching up with some revision. Not that means we’d been bored – far from it. Mind you, Lisa and Charlie went to the States with their parents for a couple of weeks – and they actually met Cindy and our other American friends, again thanks to Brian and Sarah.

Their twins, Bart and Sarah, were born earlier this year in Holderness, and they were christened a couple of weeks ago in Maine. Alicia, Suzie’s cousin, and her dad had been invited to be godparents, so they had gone out to attend the christening – and it turned out Charlie and Lisa’s parents were also asked to join them, Amy Strong, Jack Hawkins, as well as Chloe Bandelaine and her boyfriend James in the role.

Before they went out, however, Lisa and I had an adventure – one involving a new family in the area, who lived over near Fiona and Louise.

Oh, hang on a minute – I haven’t mentioned those two before. Fiona and Louise are friends of my darling cousin Patty and her BBF Rachel, and live on the other side of town. Anyway, there’s a farm near them where the Cottrell family live – three boys, Mark, Eric and Frank. We met Mark at a birthday party for Alicia, and then Lisa and I met Frank and Eric a few days later, when we were trying to be Nancy Drew and figure out where Charlie kept disappearing off to.

To cut a long story short, he’d made friends with Frank, the youngest of the boys, and Lisa and I alongside Louise ended up visiting the farm one day to return a book to Eric. He wasn’t there, but Frank was, and so we had lunch with him and his mum, before we got up to come home.

Only we didn’t get home – not just then.

“Open wide,” Dad said as he pushed a sponge ball into Jenny’s mouth, and then tied a knotted strip of towel between her lips and round her head. He then wrapped the tape round her head to keep that covered, folded a black scarf and tied that over the tape, and finally made her lie next to me and pulled her ankles back, securing them to her chest ropes.

“Wllhhrwwggnnn,” she mumbled to me as Dad turned the radio on and left us to relax – which was something similar to what Patty said to me during that visit to the Cottrell farm.

You see, the door to the room opened as me, Lisa, Louise and Patty were about to go – and in worked Jay Edwards with three other people. Now, I have absolutely no idea why I keep running into one of the more notorious criminals in Britain, but this was the fourth time – for me anyway.

After that business with the kidnappers, I knew we had to keep Lisa calm, and Louise as well, so we pretended it was a game for her – and I even persuaded Mr Edwards to get Eric to tie Louise up. The two of them have a crush on each over, and I figured she would – well, not necessarily enjoy it, but it may make it easier on her.

We ended up staying the night – as always seems to be the case with Jay Edwards, tightly bound and gagged in nightclothes, although in this case Lisa and I had to borrow some of Eric’s pyjamas, and Patty and Louise some of Frank’s. Anyway, apart from clothing, the only real difference now form then was that our ankles were tied to the foot of the bed, not to our chests.

So while that night all we could do was roll in our sleep, today we could wriggle round a little more – but being on the bed meant we couldn’t go too far.

Anyway, as I said, the summer holiday was nearly over – and I was starting big school. For my sins, or whatever you want to call it, those of us starting had to go a day early, which is why I had hanging up in my room my new uniform – the blouse, skirt, blazer and tie, and my bag was packed with all the stuff they said we would need.





“All right you two,” Dad eventually said, “time to let you go free. Once you’ve had dinner, you’re going with your grandmother to see Aunt Connie and Janey.”

We nodded as Dad started to untie us – Janey’s arrival had been the last great surprise of the summer. Aunt Connie and Uncle Dave hadn’t expected the new baby to arrive for another month, but she’d decided to make an appearance two weeks ago, much to the surprise of Aunt Connie – she was attending a race meeting at Newmarket at the time.

Still, Dad got the call, and tonight we were going to see out latest cousin with Granny for the very first time.

As she stretched her legs out, Jenny looked at me and said “Now, remember what we said about school?”

“Yeah yeah – Craig Compact means we can’t discuss what we do or the games we play with those who don’t know. I just hope we all end up in the same form group.”

“Find out tomorrow,” Jenny said as I stood up. “come on, let’s eat.”

We had fish and chips for tea, and then we got into the car with Granny and headed round to Aunt Connie’s house. When we got there, Uncle Dave opened the door, little Danny grinning as he reached out for granny to take him from his dad’s arms.

“How are they,” Granny said as we came in.

“Tired – come on through,” Uncle Dave said as we walked into the front room. Aunt Connie was sitting in her favourite large armchair, wearing a baggy brown jumper and leggings, while in her arms lay this little baby girl, with long black hair.

“hey, I got a present for you Danny,” I said as I sat down, and Granny put him on my lap. I handed him the small bag I was carrying, watching as he took out the teddy bear with a little baby bear in his arms.

“He has a baby sister to look after as well,” I said, Danny nodding as he cuddled the new friend.

“How are you, darling,” Granny said as she sat down.

“Still in shock a little,” Aunt Connie said. “But I’m glad to be home. Janey at least is sleeping most of the night.”

“I’m doing my share of the wakeup calls,” Uncle Dave said as he went into the kitchen, returning with some drinks for us and three mugs of coffee.

“It’s funny – you with two babies now, Susan expecting soon, the twins and Andrew – there’s a whole new generation starting to grow up around us.”

I hadn’t really thought about that, but Gran was right – there were a lot of babies around at the moment.

Jenny looked over and stroked the hair away from the baby’s eyes. “Why did you pick Janey,” she asked Aunt Connie.

“I don’t know – it just seemed to fit her,” Aunt Connie said. “Here – you can hold her.”

Jenny carefully took her in her arms and smiled as she rocked her.

“Some day that might be your own baby you hold like that,” Granny said.

“Not for a while, I promise you,” Jenny replied as she looked down into her face.


“Good luck, Cass,” Jenny said as I stood up and put my new blazer on, Dad standing and waiting as I swallowed the last of my milk.

“Let’s go,” he said as we went out to the car and I sat down, watching the world go by as he drove me to the gates of the school. As I got out, I met Hazel and Claire, both with the hair platted into pigtails, and Pippa at the gates.

“So here we are – our new school,” I said quietly. “Anyone else as scared as me?”

“Me probably.”

I turned to see Lisa standing there, smiling as she held her bag.

“Come on then,” I said as we turned round, “let’s see what happens today.”
Read stories of ordinary women in distress at http://www.kppresents.com

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby John Kennon Smith » Wed Sep 10, 2014 5:24 am

Nice!!!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby John Kennon Smith » Wed Sep 10, 2014 6:23 am

What a wonderful first day!!!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby John Kennon Smith » Wed Sep 10, 2014 6:28 am

Great start!!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby Tom Ford » Wed Sep 10, 2014 6:31 am

Oops! Accidentally posted this on the last story!! :lol:

It’s so nice to hear Cassie’s voice again! It’s been so long since I’ve heard her narrate a story! The last time we heard her I believe was in The New Neighbors!

So she would be in her big sister’s school! Presumably, the two won’t associate much inside the campus! That would be a bit embarrassing, but Jenny off campus could give Cassie tips on how to survive, so Cassie won’t have to learn all the informal ways to make their life easier on campus.

Too bad Suzie is on another school, but being from a richer family, it’s no surprise she is at a different school.

Since Cassie is narrating, I wonder how will she get roped with Charlie’s surprise on the younger surprise? My guess is that Charlie would want to include Lisa on the surprise along with Fiona, Louise, Rachel, and Patty, and in including Lisa, Cassie would be drawn in.

Looking forward to that part!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby Imp Caesar Augustus » Wed Sep 10, 2014 6:33 am

Interesting!! Cassie is on a new school! But I'm sure she could easily cope!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby John Kennon Smith » Wed Sep 10, 2014 6:38 am

Great chapter!!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby William F Somebody » Wed Sep 10, 2014 6:59 am

Like Tom, I welcome Cassie back to being narrator! It’s been too long since she last been heard!

And just listening to her, or rather, reading her narrate would show that she is a little bit older, yet one could detect the youthfulness that once made her adorable! Mind you, Patty and her peers are adorable, but there is something in Cassie that, even as she grow older, kept that youthful charm that she had as a ten year old.

I can’t wait to see how she coped, and of course, like was said above, how Charlie makes his surprise, and how the older ones get to see the joy of babysitting!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby skybird137 » Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:41 am

It's lovely to hear a story from Cassie again, and it's good to see that there is no lasting harm from Mr Smith and his gang.

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby John Kennon Smith » Wed Sep 10, 2014 9:01 am

Great update!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby John Kennon Smith » Wed Sep 10, 2014 2:47 pm

Please please update really really soon!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby John Kennon Smith » Wed Sep 10, 2014 4:40 pm

Hope you update soon!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby KP Presents » Fri Sep 12, 2014 4:50 am

I have to say it was a bit scary – but given everyone else was in the same boat, it wasn’t so bad. We walked across the courtyard and looked at the doors.

“I wish Suzie was here as well,” Lisa said.

“Yeah, but she’s going to the same school as Bobby, so that’s not going to happen.”

The bell ringing made us jump a little, as the door opened and a teacher said “All right, walk quietly to the main hall.”

“So I wonder who we get as a form teacher.” Pippa said as we walked amongst the other boys and girls.

“I have no idea,” I said quietly, “bet it’s a boring nobody.”

We walked in and sat down in a row of blue backed chairs, talking to each other before we saw the headmaster walk in.

“Welcome,” he said as he stood at the front. “This is the start of a great adventure for all of you, and I can see you all look a little nervous. Don’t be – it’s not as bad as anyone may have told you it is. Today is about getting to know the building, the school and the other pupils in your form room, and we get started in earnest tomorrow.

“So before we split you up, we need to go over the school rules – boring but necessary.”

Well he was right about one thing – he was boring. Eventually, however, they started to read out names – all five of us breathing a sigh of relief as we were called out in the same group.

An older pupil walked us down a corridor, and into a room that didn’t have desks, but benches with little taps on them.

“All right – take a seat, and please touch nothing. Not until you have a chance to learn what can happen if you do.”

“Isn’t that…”

I nodded in answer to Lisa’s question as Jo Frost turned from the board and looked at all of us.

“Good morning – I’m Dr Frost, and I’m going to be your form tutor. Right now, I want you all to put your bags on the floor, and pay attention to the front – this is where you find out how you are going to be spending your time between now and July. Buckle up, boys and girls – this is going to be very different for all of you.”




“What are the odds of you ending up with your aunt as your tutor,” Hazel said as we sat at a table at dinner time.

“I’ll ask her later,” I said quietly, “once I’ve got over the shock.”

We’d spent the first part of the morning learning our timetable and then names of the rest of our class – the five of us were one third of the girls, and there were a couple of boys from the primary school, but there were a lot of new faces as well – and one or two of them had been staring at me.

“You noticed it as well,” Lisa said.

“Yeah – why are they looking at me?”

“Maybe they remember you from that magazine and the photos of the ball last year?”

“Oh god I hope not – I just want to get on with learning,” I said as I put some pasta on my fork and started eating.

“So which classes do we share,” Claire said. “Looks like Hazel and I am in the same class for most things, based on the room numbers.”

We took a look at each other’s sheets, and compared rooms.

“Well, we have the same maths and science classes, but apart from that we’re in different streams.”

“Apart from PE that is,” Pippa said with a smile. “What so you think we’ll do first?”

“Did you look in the gym on the tour? Lots of ropes there.”

The five of us looked at each other and burst out laughing, getting glances from all the other tables.

“No way – not here,” I said with a smile. “Is your mum back at work as well Lisa?”

“Yeah – she’s been back all week, to quote her ‘struggling with the government changing their mind as to what they want us to teach’.”

“How was the US anyway?”

“Fun – we met your friends Cass. Nice bunch – especially Britney and Margo.”

“Oh – did they teach you some of their games?”

“A few – we met a friend of theirs called Freddie who taught Charlie a thing or two.”

“Sounds like a fun guy to know – pity he’s over there,” Pippa said.

“So what are we going to do this afternoon?”

“Some sort of business game, I think – and we get to finish early as well.”

“Why don’t we go back to my place after,” Lisa said, “Charlie said something about going out this afternoon.”

“Sure, why not – as long as there are no surprises waiting for us?”




“Well, that’s the first day over with,” Lisa said as she opened her front door, standing back to let us come into her house.

“I guess the real fun starts tomorrow,” Hazel said as we put our bags down in the hallway and walked into her front room. “Nice house Lisa. What does your mum and dad do again?”

“Dad’s the director of a financial firm, mum’s Key Stage 1 head at Suzie’s old school.”

“Wow,” Pippa said as she sat down, “is there anyone you know who isn’t rich Cass?”

“Apart from the rest of my friends?”

“Fair point,” Pippa said with a laugh. “So what are you going to say when you see your aunt?”

“Which one – Aunt Jess, Aunt Connie…”

“You know what we mean,” Claire said as she tossed a cushion at me.

“I’ll go and get some drinks for us,” Lisa said as she walked to the kitchen.

“What’s Jenny up to today,” Hazel said as she looked at me.

“Trying not to think about tomorrow,” I said with a smile as I looked at them. “I have the feeling that tomorrow, we are going to discover what…

“OH dear lord – now?”

The others looked to the door to see Charlie standing there holding Lisa’s arm.

“Sreegrls,” she said through the strip of brown plaster that covered her lips. Her arms were behind her back, and I could see the rope around her waist as well.

“Well now,” Charlie said, “I seem to have found a group of schoolgirls in the house I was robbing. I guess I’m going to have to keep you all quiet.”

“Oh my,” I said in a sing song voice, “what have you done to our friend?”

“What you’re going to do to each other,” Charlie said, “pair up, and then I want one to tie the other girl’s wrists behind her back.”

“I’ll do you,” Hazel said to Claire, while I nodded to Pippa. Hazel and I took a length of rope from Charlie’s hand and started to tie their wrists behind their back, while he helped Lisa to sit down in a chair.

As I passed the rope round Pippa’s waist, she whispered “does this happen with these two a lot?”

“You have no idea,” I said as Charlie tore a strip of plaster off a roll, and pressed it over Pippa’s mouth, doing the same for Claire before he sat them down next to Lisa.

“Now tie their ankles and legs,” he said as he held out some more rope. “Once I have you two secured, I can finish robbing this place.”

“Please don’t hurt us,” Hazel said as we made sure their ankles were tied together over their socks, and then their legs below their knees, before we stood up and Charlie started to tie our wrists.

“It’s just as well we don’t have any homework,” Hazel said as we looked at each other, “I don’t think we’d get it done.”

“Enough talking,” Charlie said as he tape gagged both of us, and made us sit in the armchairs before he tied our legs.

“Swhtrwggngntlkbt,” Lisa said as she swung her legs up and down.

“Hwerrgtnnggrfnjnmm” Pippa said as she looked at Charlie.

“Oh you might think that, but I couldn’t possibly comment,” Charlie said with a smile. “Now to finish robbing this house!”

He walked out of the room, the five of us looking at each other, as Lisa started to wriggle her wrists behind her back.

“Whtrudng,” Pippa said, but I’d got the idea. We still had our blazers on, and Charlie had tied our wrists over the sleeves – which meant we had a little bit of slack to work with. Not much, but a little – and Lisa was putting it to good use.

After a few minutes, she grinned as she brought her hands round, and then started to untie Pippa and Claire. Once she head them free, she untied her own legs and came over to help Hazel while I got my own hands free and untied myself.

“Right,” Pippa whispered as she removed her tape gag, “where is he?”

“I’ve no idea,” Lisa said, “follow me.”

We walked slowly down to the kitchen, and stopped short when we saw Charlie taped to one of the kitchen chairs, his arms and wrists taped to the chair back, his legs to the front legs of the chair, and a strip of the brown sticking plaster over his mouth.

“What the…”

“Afternoon Cassie – I see you found Charlie.”

We turned round to see Mrs Williamson standing there, smiling with her arms folded.

“I saw you through the front window, and Charlie said he didn’t ask your permission first. House rules therefore come in, and he is grounded for a little while.

“Now, why don’t I bring through the drinks Lisa could not get earlier, and you can tell me about your day?”

“Thanks Mum,” Lisa said as she stuck her tongue out at Charlie, and we went back into the front room.

A few minutes later, we were sitting talking as we had our drinks.

“I’d better call Mum and tell her where I am,” Pippa said as she took out her mobile phone, while Hazel sent a text on hers.

As they did that, we heard the telephone ring and Mrs Williamson went to answer it.

“Cassie, it’s for you,” she called out, so I went to answer it.

“Hey Cassie,” I heard Bobby say at the other end, “I called your place, but they said you were at Lisa’s.”

“Yeah – we came here after school.”

“So how was your first day?”

“Not bad – we all ended up in the same form.” I said. “How did Suzie get on?”

“She’s complaining a bit – but she’s all right really. Listen, are you free to come round Saturday?”

“I think so – why?”

“We’re inviting everyone – Mister Boyle has his sister staying with us and her son for a few weeks, and we’re having an open house, let them get to know some of the people she’s going to meet as she settles here.”

“Oh, she’s moving here? Where from?”

“Maine – she’s lived out there for a few years, but is marrying and moving back here.”

“Maine? What’s their name?”

“Gail Cork – her son’s called Freddie, about Charlie’s age.

“Cass? You still there?”
Read stories of ordinary women in distress at http://www.kppresents.com

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby John Kennon Smith » Fri Sep 12, 2014 6:48 am

Nice!!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby John Kennon Smith » Fri Sep 12, 2014 7:13 am

Charlie is at it again!!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby Tom Ford » Fri Sep 12, 2014 7:15 am

Charlie is unsurprisingly, full of surprises! I can’t wait to see what his plans are for the younger girls (Patty, Rachel, Louise and Fiona), and how Cassie would get involved in it (since she has got to be part of it so she can witness it). Or would the surprise that would be waiting for them won’t involve Charlie?

I don’t think she would see her aunt. Her aunt would more likely be Suzie’s teacher once more, since Jo Frost and Cassandra Craig Sr were working at different schools. Which tells me that Cassie is working for schools of rich students like the Holdernesses.

Cassie I guess would shout or be speechless upon learning that Freddie would be their neighbor! Permanently!

Nice to see and hear from Pippa, Hazel, and Claire! And to think that they are one third of all the girls in their class. They’d dominate the scene, I believe, with numbers like that!

Cassie is growing into a beautiful young lady, as evidenced by the boys staring at her! And they know by now that she belongs to Bobby Holderness! That would give her status among the other girls too!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby Imp Caesar Augustus » Fri Sep 12, 2014 8:28 am

This story is getting better and better!!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby John Kennon Smith » Fri Sep 12, 2014 8:48 am

Great chapter!!!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby John Kennon Smith » Fri Sep 12, 2014 8:52 am

Great update!!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby John Kennon Smith » Fri Sep 12, 2014 5:47 pm

Please please update really really soon!!!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby John Kennon Smith » Sun Sep 14, 2014 3:34 am

Hope you update soon!!!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby William F Somebody » Sun Sep 14, 2014 7:34 am

What an update!

I would imagine that Charlie would more often than not, be tied up by his mother by not “asking permission” from the girls, but I can’t imagine that there is a prearranged signal that would signal the girls asking permission, like saying, “please don’t hurt me” or things like that would get him out of trouble. After all, it would break the mood of surprise kidnappings if he would have to say, “Could I please tie you up?” With Lisa there is probably that arranged signal, but with Cassie and the three girls, there isn’t. Perhaps Charlie and the girls could talk it over so next time, he won’t get in trouble when he attempts a stunt like this?

What next? I agree that Cassie Sr is probably teaching in Suzie’s school most probably, or even Suzie’s old school! Maybe she’s teaching at both if it’s possible? I wouldn’t be surprised that in the morning, Cassie Sr teaches at Suzie’s old school, and in the afternoon, she would teach in Suzie’s new one. Perhaps Bobby and Suzie could enlighten us if they had Aunt Cassie as a teacher?

I do wonder how Jenny is getting along as a babysitter. Probably very experienced already, as would Alicia as she would be dealing with little Andrew too!

How would Cassie react when the ten year old Freddie, the classmate of Margo and Britney, would now be living in England? Probably very shocked! After all, Pippa just said that it was a pity he wasn’t in Holderness! I do wonder what school would he attend? Probably the same school as Patty, Rachel, Louise, and Fiona!

Anyway, I’m looking forward to the next update!!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby The Wrapster » Sun Sep 14, 2014 8:46 am

In fact, Freddie is becoming Louise's stepbrother!!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby KP Presents » Mon Sep 15, 2014 2:29 am

“Sorry Bobby,” I said shaking my head, “you just took me by surprise. When do they arrive?”

“Tomorrow morning, so they get a chance to adjust their body clocks.”

“Their what?”

“Get used to our time zone. I’ll see you Saturday.”

“Sure,” I said as I put the phone down and went back in.

“Mum just said we’re all invited up to the hall Saturday,” Lisa said as I came in. “Any idea what’s going on?”

“One or two – but I can’t say anything just now. Especially as I’m not quite sure myself.”




“Well, if nothing else it makes the school run easier,” Dad said as he dropped Jenny and me off at the school gates. “You two all right for getting back tonight?”

“I’m going with Mary and the girls into town after school, but I’ll be back by six,” Jenny said.

“And the girls are coming back with me,” I said.

“Well, so long as you’re all safe – I’ll see you two tonight,” he said as he drove off.

“You know the rules?”

“I know – see you tonight,” I said as Jenny walked one way, and I walked the other. It was stupid, I know, but the years really did not mix that much.

I went over and joined the other girls before the bell rang and we went into our form rooms. As we did so, Aunt Jo was sitting at the front of the room, waiting for us all to sit down.

“Right then,” she said as she closed the door, “when I call your name out, say ‘here’. Cassandra Craig?”

“Here,” I called out, to some sniggering from the boys behind me.

“Michael Johnson, in your first French lesson you are going to discover that your name in French is a sniggering matter as well. Want to get it over with now?”

“No Doctor Frost,” the boy behind me said, as Jo carried on with the register.

Once she had finished, Jo looked round and said “now remember, from today you go to the classrooms assigned on your timetables. If at any time you cannot find the room, don’t be afraid to ask an older pupil – actually, two older pupils. That way, if you get the same answer they’re not trying to play a trick on you. Also remember, back here after lunch for register before you go to your fourth period class.”

As the bell sounded, she looked to the door and said “Walk quickly and quietly to your next room. On you go now.”

“English first,” Lisa said as we walked out, “I wonder what we’re going to be doing?”

“Just so long as it’s not another essay about what we did during the summer,” Pippa said with a groan.

It wasn’t – and the day passed fairly quickly after that. The only strange thing was the whispers behind me from some of the boys – but I ignored them and just kept on at my work.

My reward for my diligence and hard labour? Maths and PSHE homework.

“That’s a weird name, PSHE,” Lisa said as we walked back – Pippa’s mum had picked up the other three after school.

“Yeah – just sounds like talking about ourselves to me,” I said as we walked into the house.

“Hi Mum,” I called out, “Lisa and I are going up to my room.”

“All right – homework?”

“Yeah,” I groaned.

“Get it over and down with then – you’re not going to have a lot of time over the weekend.”

“We might as well do it together,” Lisa said as we went into my room, and took out our books. The maths was easy enough – it was the PSHE that was fun.

“Write a paragraph about somebody that inspires you, and why they do,” I said as I looked at it. “Oh no, who could I pick to write about? More to the point, the people who inspire me – really inspire me – I can’t write about.”

“Oh, like who?”

“Brian and Sarah?”

Lisa looked at me for a moment, and then nodded. “Point taken on that one. What about your aunt Cassie?”

“Possibly, after all she’s brave and fearless. But she’s married to my form tutor – do you think that’s allowed?”

Lisa nodded and then said “Well, I don’t know who I’m going to write about either – unless…”

“Hmm?”

“I’m going to write about a boy I know who is very brave, and has to overcome a great deal to be able to talk to others.”

“You’re not going to write about Frank Cottrell are you?”

“No – Stephen Hawkins,” Lisa said with a smile, as we started to write.

No, I’m not going to tell you who I wrote about in the end – not just now anyway. An hour later, Lisa went home and I came down to see two of my favourite people sitting in the front room – Patty and Rachel. They were both reading a book, and making notes in a jotter.

“Homework,” I said as I looked at them.

“Yes, O great and learned older cousin,” Patty said as she stuck her tongue out at me, “our mums are out, so we came here to get this done. What have you been doing?”

“Same as you, but with Lisa – want a drink?”

“Please,” Rachel said as she looked up and nodded, so I went into the kitchen where Mum was giving the twins their tea.

“Homework all done,” she said as there was a ring on the front doorbell. “Can you see who that is please Cassie?”

“Got it,” I said as I walked down the corridor, and opened it to see Louise and Fiona standing there.

“Hi Cassie,” Louise said, “Is Patty here?”

“They both are – come on in,” I said, letting them come into the room. Although they both went to a different primary school from Patty and Rachel, it was still light enough for them to sue the short cut through the woods to come and visit.

“Hey there,” Patty said as she looked up, “did your dad get back all right Louise?”

“Yeah – he arrived this morning, but Fiona’s mum said I would go back later tonight. Apparently he’s got a big surprise for me.”

“Sounds intriguing – any idea what?”

“No – all he said was that it was really big. What are you two doing?”

“Reading The Twits,” Rachel said as she put the book down, “but I’m done for now. Did you pass the farm?”

“Yeah, we did,” Louise said quietly. “Frank and Eric were doing their chores – Mark apparently was out.”

“I can guess where,” I thought to myself as I went to get more drinks.

“Before I forget, Jenny’s going to be looking after you and the twins tonight while your dad and I go to the cinema,” Mum said, “so do what she tells you, all right?”

“Yes mum,” I said as I rolled my eyes and carried the drinks through.

“So are you coming to the Hall tomorrow as well,” I heard Patty say as I came in.

“Yeah – Fiona’s mum is taking all four of us up. I wonder how Suzie’s got on at her new school?”

“According to Bobby she’s fine, if up to her eyes in homework already. We’ll find out tomorrow anyway. How are you getting there?”

“Mum and Dad are going to drive us up,” I said, “you two as well I think. Aunt Jess has to work tomorrow morning.”

“Sounds fun – can we…”

“No we can’t,” Mum said from the doorway. “There will be people to meet when we get there, who do not know us, so that is not going to happen, all right?”

“Have you seen Janey yet,” I said as Mum left the room.

“yeah – Mum took me to see her and Aunt Connie last night. She’s really cute, isn’t she?”

I nodded in agreement – she was really cute.




I smiled as we turned into the gateway of Wissenden Hall – the place was almost a second home to me now, and as we pulled up alongside the other cars I could see Bobby’s mum and dad waiting outside.

I’d put on a knee length denim skirt and a white short sleeved blouse today, with black shoes, while Jenny was wearing a blue dress with buttons down the front. Dad was wearing a jacket – a rare thing for him on a Saturday – while Mum had on a blue cardigan over her white dress.

Patty and Rachel both had on smock tops and leggings, which was fine for them as we got out, and I helped Jenny with the twins.

“Hey there,” Bobby’s mum said as she hugged my mum, “how’s the proud new mother?”

“Wondering what she has let herself in for – is she coming up later?”

“Yeah – so come on in, some of the others have already arrived.”

“There you are,” Suzie said as we came in. She had on a pair of pink jeans and a white jumper, and dragged the three of us into a corner as Jenny went over to talk to Alicia and Bobby.

“Did you tell her?”

“Tell who?”

“Louise – about who is staying with us?”

“No – I haven’t told anyone, but I do know.”

“You know – how?”

“Lisa met them when she was in the states.”

“Oh yeah – of course she would,” Suzie said as, with a masterful piece of timing, Lisa and Charlie came in with their parents.

“Hey there,” she said as she came over, “how’s the new school for you?”

“Strange, especially given Bobby and Colin are prefects now,” Suzie said. “Listen, you need to keep a big secret from…”

“Lisa? Lisa and Charlie Williamson, is that you?”

The voice had an American twang, and as Lisa slowly turned round her eyes nearly popped out of her head.

“FREDDIE!!!! What are you doing here,” she said as she hugged the sandy haired boy.

“Oh, didn’t Suzanne tell you? Mom and I are staying here for a few weeks until the wedding.”

“Wedding? What wedding? Cass, you know anything about this?”

“Oh it’s Cass now is it,” Bobby said as he came over and gave me a hug. “Freddie, this is Cassie Craig – unless you’d prefer Cass, that is?”

“I like Cassie, thank you very much,” I said as I nudged him in the ribs. “Pleasure to meet you Freddie – how come you know Lisa?”

“We met them when they stayed with some mutual friends of ours – the Dale family?”

“Oh my goodness – you know Jannifer?”

“Sure do – hey Mom.”

I looked over to see a dark haired woman walk in with Mr Boyle.

“His mom – sorry, mother, is Mr Boyle’s sister,” Bobby said. “And wait until you see who she is going to marry.”

“Quiet, they’re here,” Bobby’s dad said as he looked out of the window. We all stopped talking and waited as Mister Boyle went to open the door, and then watched as Louise and Fiona came in, both of them with scarves tied over their eyes.

Louise’s dad came in and kissed the dark haired woman, before he said “all right girls, you can take the blindfolds off now.”
Read stories of ordinary women in distress at http://www.kppresents.com

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby John Kennon Smith » Mon Sep 15, 2014 3:52 am

Nice!!!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby John Kennon Smith » Mon Sep 15, 2014 4:36 am

I can't wait to see their reactions!!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby Imp Caesar Augustus » Mon Sep 15, 2014 6:55 am

Oh this would be very good! I can't wait to see Louise's reaction!!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby Tom Ford » Mon Sep 15, 2014 7:20 am

Louise would be shocked, shocked, shocked!!! First she’ll have a stepmom, then she’ll have a stepbrother! Good thing is that she knew them before when she went with her Dad on a vacation to Maine a few years back!

I know Cassie already knows, but I believe that the full import of the news will only be felt by her during that day when it will be formally announced! I do wonder when would the wedding be?

Charlie and Frank would be happy that there would be a third boy in their club their age! And one that is just as enthusiastic and as skilled at playing ropes! And one who already knows Louise and Lisa!

I do wonder where is Erik studying? If I would guess, at Patty, Rachel, Louise and Fiona’s school. But he’s going to need help, as the American school system is different from the English school system. For one thing, he is going to have to wear uniforms!

But he’ll get used to it! And I’m sure Charlie would persuade him to do some dastardly plot with him to kidnap the younger, even the older, girls!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby John Kennon Smith » Mon Sep 15, 2014 8:44 am

Great chapter!!

Re: An Education: First Day

Postby John Kennon Smith » Mon Sep 15, 2014 8:45 am

Great update!!