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The following evening, I was pressing a skirt when my cell rang. When I heard Miss Clare’s voice I immediately thought Annie’s symptoms were back, though she’d been bright as a button when I’d taken her back to school.
“Is Annie all right?” I asked, fearing the worst.
“As far as I know, my dear.”
I smiled at the endearment. Away from St. Agnes’s I transformed from a novice teacher to an old girl.
“Although Anne is the reason for my call.”
Instantly I envisioned trouble. Misdemeanours were seen to by Bonnie Stevens, the discipline mistress. For the head mistress to call it must be serious. My voice shook as I enquired what Annie had been up to.
“I am not always the bearer of bad news, Elizabeth. Quite the opposite, in fact. As it happens, I received an invitation to the official opening of the Refugee Trauma Unit at the children’s hospital, but as the quarterly meeting of the Independent School’s Association has been moved to Tuesday, I can’t go. I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving to give it to than you.”
I was speechless.
“There’s no need to thank me,” she said tartly.
“I’m so grateful,” I said hastily. Having me there will mean so much to Annie.”
“Quite. I’ll leave the invitation in your pigeon-hole. You can collect it in the morning. Now as you are deputising for me, a substitute teacher will take your classes tomorrow. Naturally, I shall expect a full report.” She wished me good evening and terminated the call. I was still in a bemused state when my PA, as I think of Siri, announced another call.
“Karim, I’m so glad you called. In point of fact, I was about to call you. You’ll never believe what’s happened,” I said, thrilled as a lottery ticket holder with six winning numbers. “The Headmistress can’t go to the function at the children’s hospital and she’s given me her invitation. I’ll get to see Annie present the bouquet to Kate. Isn’t that wonderful?”
After a ten second silence I said, “Are you still there?”
“Sorry ... your news took me a moment to process.” He sounded agitated. The reason soon became apparent. “I’ve been working on my speech all afternoon. As my resignation is effective as of 5:00 PM tomorrow, I’d hoped to get out of making one, but the CEO insisted.”
“I’m sure the audience will be engrossed to hear what it’s like living in a war zone from someone with first-hand experience. You are going to talk about Syrian refugees being deported from Turkey back to a war from which they fled?”
“Yes, though it’ll be a pointless exercise ... it’s going to take more than speeches to get through to these people. The only thing the politicians are interested in is the effect an influx of refugees has on their nations’ economies.”
“Maybe the conflict in Syria will end soon?”
“You of all people must know it won’t.”
I was dismayed by the despondency in his voice. “You shouldn’t underestimate the difference you will make in those poor soul’s lives. I envy you ... I wish I was going with you.”
“What’s stopping you?”
“Oh Karim, please ... you know my situation. It’s senseless going over the same old ground.”
“You’re right ... sorry I bit off your head. I didn’t phone to quarrel with you ... quite the reverse. There’s a Meet and Greet for VIPs at the conclusion of the ceremony. I’m expected to be there. I know it’s short notice, but will you come with me as my guest?”
“Oh Karim ... I’d be honoured.”
“Good. I’ll get your name added to the list of invitees. Could you bring your passport to my place tomorrow morning around ten?”
“My passport! Seriously?”
“No one gets in who hasn’t been cleared ... the future King and Queen of England will be there.”
My stomach did flip flops even though the concept that someone is special by birth is contrary to my republican beliefs. When I had myself under control, I said, “Wouldn’t it be easier if I dropped my passport off at your office.”
“You’d never get through security.”
“Is it really that tight?”
“It has to be ... now I have to attend a heads of department meeting tomorrow morning ... it should be through by ten and I’ll slip home. But in case it runs over time, let yourself in. I’ll leave the key in the meter box.”
“Okay. I’ll pick up some croissants for brunch.”
“Great. See you tomorrow.”
