Chapter 1 - "New Teacher..."

'This is your classroom. Sorry to throw you in at the deep end. I'd love to give you more time to settle but we've got three teachers who aren't in today called in sick and are short 2 of them. I'm going to have to teach the year three class myself' he mumbled.

'It's fine. I've seen all the lesson plans for the next month all set up. I've just got to teach them. I've been in touch with the last teacher and Ms Brown gave me the email for the other year 3 teacher. I'll just go and speak to him should I need any help?'

'Of course. In a few days we'll change the name of the class. The class is at the moment 3OD, but it will be 3OD' he explained.

'Brilliant' Clara hummed picking the register up off the desk and having a quick read of names, at least so she could get a few in her head.

All the kids would be 7 or 8, so a good age.

She then smiled at Mr Foster who explained behaviour management quickly and told her the Monday timetable.

9-10 ; Maths
10 - 11 ; Science
11 - 11: 20 ; Break
11:20 : 12:20 ; English
12:20 :1:20 - Lunch
1:30 : 2:00 - Assembly
2 - 3 : PE
3 - 3:30 : Homework, Spellings and Handwriting

It seemed pretty text book to her. She just hated PE. Thankfully the other year three teacher... Mr Smith... he takes the PE lessons so he takes all 40 kids. He's brave I have to admit.

But saying that she will be in charge of English soon she hoped so she knew she would have to take all 40 kids at some point.

- - -

The day got off to a good start for Clara. She managed to get her boundaries set and had a few annoying children.

A few of them pushed her limits right over the edge so the very first lunchtime she had at the school she didn't actually have which meant that she didn't get a chance to meet any of the other of teachers or even go near the staff room until half past 3.

There was already a few children in the class that she had already favourited - but that was pretty unethical.

So at 3.30 she decided it was time to go and introduce herself to her buddy technically as he was the one that knew all about the school and could show her around properly and help her prepare for Tuesday.

'Hi. What are you doing in here?' Clara asked as he spotted one of the boys from her class hanging around.

She was sure she took all the kids didn't have a parent pick then up to the office.

'I'm waiting for our Dad miss' he said.

She couldn't actually remember his names which was quite embarrassing for Clara but she blundered in anyway.

'Well you should wait at the office like all the other children' she hummed as a man with a little girl in his arms wandered into the room and raised an eyebrow.

'Who are you?'

'This young mans class teacher. You know you should pick your children up from the office like all the other parents Mr...'

'Smith' he said with an angry sort of face but not too angry because it was quite amusing at the same time.

'Oh well what makes you an exception to the rule?'

'The fact that this is my classroom and these are my kids. I'm guessing your miss Oswald. I was expecting to meet you earlier?' He said with a smirk.

'Huh?' Clara stumbled embarrassed at her having gotten herself accidentally involved with something that just doesn't matter too much to her - but at the end of the day she was just getting on with her job.

'The way that you have gone red in the face proves I am correct... Henry buddy take Islas hand and go and wait in the library. I'll. e 10 minutes' he smiled encouraging them out of the room.

'Bye Miss Oswald' Henry said with a cheeky wave, and took the little girl out of the room with them.

'I--'

'Don't apologise. You didn't know. Of course I've been teaching here 5 years and never had any questions but heck this is new to me too' he smiled.

'Your kids go to the same school you work in?' She asked without even thinking about it then realised she hadn't even introduced herself properly and had jumped straight in with the awkward personal questions.

'It's the easiest thing to do when your a single parent of three' he hummed.

'Are both of them here?'

'Henry is as you know... he is in your class being November born as you have the older side, and Isla is 3, she'll be 4 in January, she goes to the nursery and is dropped here after school. It's the only way I get everything done' he explained.

He didn't need to explain. It was none of Clara's business really - but in some ways she was glad she knew for future purposes.

'I'm so sorry. I've just blundered in here on my first day and annoyed you. I'm Clara'

'And I'm John. Your taking over Ms Browns class. Quite something to live up too but I'm sure you will' he laughed. 'Would you like a quick tour of the school?' John asked.

'Actually that would be pretty good. I haven't had a chance to get my head around anything here yet' Clara mumbled as he pointed at the door.

'I've only got 15 minutes before the kids get restless. There's no time like the present' he smiled.

- - -

So this is a new book that I'm just testing out. I've got plans if people like it? I dunno if it's worth the read?

It won't be daily updates like my other book options but as I plan to bring it to a close on book 4 - I needed another story to get gripped with.