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By mid December and the beginning of the school holidays, Noel could finally see progress being made around Kent Drive School. The builders had completed the three main blocks and were well on their way with the administration area. Kate's block was ready for the new year while painters and other sub-contractors were tripping over each other in their effort to get as much completed as possible before Christmas. A site had been cleared for the prefabricated building but this was still to arrive.
Outside, though, the scene was different. Trenches crisscrossed the grounds with water and sewer pipes competing with gas and electricity for space. Paths were nonexistent and the parking area was covered in heavy gravel that trucks churned up every time they arrived. The area beside the school had topsoil added and lawn grass sown but this would not ready for use until autumn or even the next spring.
The Auckland Education Board made the other staff appointments with four staff, including Caroline Bolton, being direct transfers across from Summerhill Heights School. The rest were mere names on a piece of paper until the people concerned made themselves known. Glenda Coxon, a plump woman in her forties, the senior teacher introduced herself to Noel the day after appointments were announced and seemed pleased when she was told she would be in charge of the middle syndicate in Open Plan Block B.
The rest of the staff were all women ranging in age from a twenty-year-old probationary assistant to a woman older than himself. All appeared enthusiastic but apprehensive when they met Noel and the senior staff. The biggest surprise, though, was on the Monday before Christmas when Noel was in the process of finally shifting into his new office, assisted by a very enthusiastic Alexia.
"Where do these folders go, Dad?" she asked as she staggered in with her arms full.
Noel glanced up. His daughter's blonde hair had dropped over a suntanned face and her eyes sparkled across a freckled nose.
"On the table Sweetheart," he replied. "Are you sure you don't want Mum to run you across to the swimming pool for a swim. You've been working all morning."
"Later, Dad," Alexia replied. "There are two more loads of folders Mum's sorted out in her room." She straightened up and swished her hair back. "There's a lady waiting outside to see you. I think she's another teacher."
"Okay, thanks," Noel replied and inwardly cursed. There was so much to do he didn't relish the interruption.
However, his memory was jolted when a vaguely familiar voice came from across the room.
"Hello Mr O," the female voice said.
Mr O! He hadn't been called that for years. He glanced up and saw the smiling face.
"Oh my God," he exclaimed. "You look no different but what are you doing here!"
"I hope I do." The young woman laughed. "I was a bit of a podgy in Form Two."
It was Wendy. She looked a little older but her features were no different. Noel grinned and remembered how heavy she had been in the swamp. She probably was a little slimmer now but the modern skirt and yellow blouse rather than cotton dress could account for that.
"Wendy!" he gasped and stepped forward. The formal handshake became a hug before he stepped back. "Are you up in Auckland for the holidays?"
"Noel," Wendy retorted. "Don't you read your mail?"
"We haven't had a letter from you for quite a few months," Noel replied and again his mind drifted back. The monthly letters from Wendy when she was at high school continued for several years but slowly became less frequent until they heard from her only two or three times a year. She'd graduated from Dunedin Teachers" College and, the last they'd heard, she was half way through her probationary assistant year.
"I'm one of your new staff members, Noel," Wendy stated. "I applied for the job and won it. I was going to ring but decided there was no reason to stay in the South Island so, as soon as I could get my things packed, I flew up." She frowned. "Wasn't my name on your list of appointments?"
"No," Noel replied and reached across to a file on his desk. He opened it and found a letter from the Education board that listed his new staff.
"There's a Miss Lillian McEwen," he said. "I glanced at the names but didn't think I knew anyone on it."
"Oh not again!" Wendy snorted. God she even sounded the same as the schoolgirl he remembered. "Remember, it's my first name that I hate and never use. When I first went to Teachers College, they put it on the records. I thought I had it all sorted out but every so often it still comes through. Now, the damn Auckland Board has got it wrong."
"But it's really you?" Noel asked.
"It's me," Wendy persisted. "Why, are you disappointed?"
"No, not at all. I'm thrilled. It's such a surprise that's all."
At that moment, Alexia stumbled in with another load of folders, plunked them on her father's desk and glanced shyly up at the visitor. "Sorry, Dad," she said and went to leave.
"My God, Alexia!" Wendy gasped. "You look a spitting image of your mother."
Noel literally jumped in shock at his ex-pupil's words and stared at his daughter in a new light. Of course, she did look like Lisa. Alexia had Lisa's blonde hair, long face and slight build but by seeing her everyday, he hadn't realized...
"She does," he gasped as memories again flooded back. He hadn't really thought of Lisa for ages and when he did, she had become a blurred image of ideas. Now though, he pictured her directly, her smiling face and laughing eyes. Emotions charged through his body...
"What's wrong, Dad?" Alexia's voice interrupted him. "You look strange."
"It's nothing, Sweetheart." Noel gulped. "This is Miss McEwen. She's one of our new teachers. I taught her way down in Ashleyvale when you were just a baby. Now she has grown up and is a teacher at our school."
Alexia turned and smiled slightly. "And she knew my real mother," she said in a hushed voice.
Wendy flushed and placed an opened hand over her mouth. "Oh, I'm sorry, Noel," she apologized. "The words just came out."
"No, that's okay," Noel answered. "Sarah, Alexia's grandmother still lives with us. In fact, she's in the next room doing office work. Alexia knows about Lisa, don't you Sweetheart."
"Yes," the youngster replied. "Mum and Grandma told me everything. My real mother had this terrible accident and died when I was a tiny baby. Mummy was a teacher at Dad's school and later married him."
Noel glanced at his new assistant. The only thing they hadn't told Alexia was that her mother had been only kept alive so she could be born. This was a little hard for someone so young to cope with.
Wendy saw Noel's eyes and nodded slightly as if she understood his fears. "That's right," she said. "Your mother had blonde hair and blue eyes just like you."
"Did she?" Alexia smiled. "That's why you said I looked like her?" She turned to Noel. "You never told me that, Dad," she said. However, before he could reply, she ran to a connecting door and opened it. "Grandma, come here!" she ordered.
Sarah arrived looking quite flustered and stopped. "Oh my God," she whispered as if she had seen a ghost. "Wendy!"
"Hello, Mrs. Woolstone." Wendy smiled warmly. "It's been a long time."
The two women stepped forward and again it was hugs and an explanation as to why Wendy was there. The whole scenario was repeated a few moments later after the three walked across to Block C where Kate was working.
"I knew you'd both come here," Wendy explained. "The jobs were advertised in the Education Gazette, I applied and here I am, a country girl in the big city."
"Have you got anywhere to live?" Kate asked. Noel noticed her voice seemed slightly formal.
"Yes. A friend of a friend got me a place." She chatted on and seemed pleased when the conversation turned to the school and she was told she would be in the junior syndicate with a home class of six-year-old children.
"I'm in the Block B because I'll be a Standard Three," Alexia added proudly.
"You've grown up so quickly." Wendy laughed. "It's so strange having familiar faces way up here."
"It does, doesn't it?" Kate added. Again, her voice seemed cooler than Noel expected.
After Wendy was shown around and finally left he caught Kate alone and slid an arm around her. "I have a feeling you weren't too impressed with our new teacher, Sweetheart," he said.
Kate turned and glanced up. "Was it obvious?"
"Only to me," Noel replied. "What's wrong?"
"Oh, I don't know, Noel. It just doesn't seem right that she decided to come here. Remember that crush she had for you and now, at the first opportunity, she gets a job in your school. This is more than just an old friend returning, Noel."
"I doubt it," he replied.
Kate cuddled in close. "If you say so," she said. "But I'm telling you now, if that young lady has eyes on my husband she is going to have one hell of fight on her hands."
"Kate!" Noel pulled her in and found she was shaking. "I haven't told you for a week or so but I love you. That has never changed since..."
"Margaret," Kate whispered. "Remember your fling with her. It started when you were still with Lisa, didn't it? If you did it then, couldn't a sexy woman attract you now?"
Noel flushed as more memories flooded back. "I never married Lisa," he whispered, "She encouraged me to... Damn, Kate, I'm not about to do anything like that, now. Why should I?"
"I'm getting older, Noel. I was never slim like Lisa or Wendy for that matter..."
"Kate!" Noel snapped. "Stop it! Have I ever once said anything except I loved everything about you from your lovely smile to luscious body?"
"No, Noel, you haven't." Kate replied. "And I love you great hulk of a man. I guess I felt a pang of jealousy that's all."
"There's nothing to be jealous about," Noel replied. "Even if that is the reason Wendy has come here, it takes two to form a liaison and I'm not interested in her. My God, she was my pupil. It's a bit like having a kid sister, nothing more."
"Good," Kate replied and kissed him with a long passionate embrace. "I'm sure she'll be an excellent teacher. I remember how she practically ran your class all those weeks you were grieving over Lisa."
"Yes, she did but I also remember, that beautiful young woman I fell in love with helped me too."
"Thank you, Noel," Kate whispered. "We've come a long way together." She stepped back. "Now where did Alexia get to?" she added and walked to the door.
*
GAINING PERMISSION to use the council grounds was a problem. Apparently Kent Park, as the area was called, had been leased to a local cricket club all summer for the next few years and the club was not prepared to let the school children on it.
"It's oh so typical," Kate complained. "A couple of dozen fanatics can ruin it for over three hundred children."
"A couple of dozen?" Noel asked.
"Yes, the Seaview Cricket club is just about in recess. It seems several old fogies run the show and at the beginning of the summer the whole junior section of the club walked out and joined one of the newer clubs across town. The ones left have hardly enough members to keep a team in the top grade. They're coming second to last in the local competition."
"More hot gossip," Noel drawled.
"Yes and there's more," Kate added.
"Go on."
The water supply for their pavilion and to water the grass comes from us."
"What do you mean?"
"The water pipe connected to the school is the original one feeding their pavilion. When they connected the school up, they ran a side pipe to the cricket pavilion. There's a valve on school property that feeds onto them."
"Who told you that?"
"Roger showed me." Kate smirked.
Roger Innes, the newly appointed caretaker, was a somewhat grizzled old chap who came with a reputation of being a hard worker but someone who had an independent streak. Noel had selected him from over fifty applicants because he felt these traits were necessary in the school.
Noel sighed. "And his plan?" he said.
"We could accidentally turn the valve off," Kate said. "Roger suggested it but thought it was more appropriate to go through me than to ask the big boss directly."
"Damn," Noel said. "I'll talk to the school committee but I promise nothing."
"It's going to be a hot January, I heard." Kate added.
*
THE POMPOUS LITTLE man with a bald head and long nose should have given up cricket decades before, Noel reckoned. But the sport was probably his life and one little empire where he could exert a bit of authority.
"If you do not increase out water supply immediately we shall be taking you to court," he practically yelled. "There's not enough pressure to operate our sprinkler system and the whole field will be brown in two weeks. We have five very important matches coming up and need a green infield."
"Well, Mr. Tremaine," Noel said in a cold voice. "It is indeed unfortunate there is only a small pipe leading to the park. As you can see, we need the water to get our lawns growing. Without a lawn, there will be nowhere for our three hundred and fifty children to play on in February. Perhaps you can ask the council to lay in a new pipe."
"It's adequate," hissed Tremaine. "You bastards turned the valve down."
"True," Roger said. He stuck his chin out and glared at the man. "If it wasn't turned down, there would be no pressure to operate our sprinkler system. Our lawns are at a crucial stage of growth."
"They'll never be ready in February, anyway," snorted Tremaine.
"Possibly not, but we have to try, don't we? " Noel replied, "Now, if we were allowed use of this side of Kent Park it wouldn't be so urgent, now would it?"
Howard Tremaine stared at the principal. "You are doing this on purpose!" he snorted.
Noel glanced at Roger and saw the twinkle in the elderly man's eyes. He was enjoying himself.
"Come now, Mr. Tremaine, surely you see our situation. February is the hottest month of the year; we have no swimming pool and only a small asphalt area that will be almost too hot to walk on in the summer heat. Without a grass area where can our children play? "
"So you won't open the valve?" Tremaine snorted.
Noel shrugged and glanced at Roger. "Could we open it a little, Mr. Innes?" he asked.
"It's your decision, Mr. Overworth." The caretaker stroked his chin as if deep in thought. "I wouldn't advise it, though. We don't want our new lawn to burn off before it even gets established."
"You bastards," Tremaine hissed again. "I know you dirty little game. We'll sue!"
"Go ahead," Noel said in a soft voice. "It'll take six months at least to come to court, probably longer. You're lucky you're getting any water at all."
His eyes caught those of his visitor and held. The man squirmed and glanced away.
"What do you want?" he hissed.
"Access to this side of the park, including those large shady trees," Noel snapped. "We will keep well away from your main pitch."
"And in exchange?"
"Well, our lawns won't be quite so important then, will they, Mr. Tremaine?"
"It's blackmail," the man grumbled.
"Is it?" Noel flashed back. "I think of it as a civil duty. The welfare of our children are important, Mr. Tremaine. We need playground facilities."
"I'll need to talk to my committee." Tremaine whispered and stood up. "And I shall still be talking to the club's lawyers."
"That is your democratic right, Mr. Tremaine," Noel said and held out his hand, "Thank you for coming."
The man reluctantly shook his hand and stalked out.
*
THREE DAYS LATER, THE Seaview Cricket Club relented and allowed Kent Drive School the use of all the park except a roped off central area where the main cricket infield was. The valve was turned on fill and, as Roger noted, it didn't affect their own water supply for the lawns one little bit.
"I may have made a miscalculation there, Noel," Roger declared but that mischievous twinkle was still in the old grey eyes.
"Nobody's perfect," the principal replied with a shrug.
"True," Roger grunted.
Noel was glad he'd chosen Roger as their caretaker and was sure the man would be an asset to the school.
*
IN HER USUAL FORTHRIGHT manner, Kate decided to approach Wendy and ask her why she applied for the position. She found her younger colleague at the other end of the block and came straight to the point. Wendy sucked on her lip and held Kate's gaze after the question was thrust upon her.
"It's not what you think, Kate." She replied so quietly that she was hardly heard. "In fact, my reasons are really quite boring."
"And what are they?" Kate replied bluntly.
"Security, I guess," Wendy replied. "Oh I admit I had a crush on Noel when I was at school and after Miss Woolstone died so tragically I felt so sorry for him." Her eyes remained on her companion. "I suppose you were the same."
"Yes." Kate nodded.
"It was no fun at home, you know. Mum was okay but my father was so strict and remote I couldn't relate to him at all." She grimaced. "I still can't. You know, we went to church every Sunday, my parents never smoked or drank and any sort of social contact was frowned upon, away from the church that is.
I spent four years at Southland Girls and quite enjoyed it but I looked forward to Noel's and your letters more than those from Mum. Dad never wrote, not once." She hesitated and stared out the classroom window before continuing. "Even though I never saw either of you for years, you became my substitute parents but I guess I was living a bit of a fantasy world.
I went to Dunedin Teachers' College and my parent's ingrained values, more or less stuck with me. While my friends went out socializing and drinking, I stayed home and just did my college work. I did well but, in hindsight, it was at a cost. I was pretty lonely at times."
"I was a little like that, too," Kate replied in a softer voice. "My parents were also strict Presbyterians and actually put me off religion. We were pretty conservative down south, weren't we?"
"Sure were," Wendy replied. "My PA year was in Balclutha so I went back home last year. It was the worst thing I could have done. Poor Mum tried so hard but Dad was as unbending as ever. Half way through the year we had a blazing row and he merely grunted at me the rest of the time."
"And your social life?"
Wendy laughed. "Oh, I went out with a few boys. A couple were really quite nice but I guess the ones who asked me out were as quiet as myself and quite boring. The one different guy I went out with was all over me and God, was I terrified?"
Kate smiled.
"Anyhow," Wendy continued, "I had to get away from down there and saw the vacancies at this school come up. Here was someone I knew and I wouldn't be totally alone so I applied for a position here as well as a couple of dozen others around the North Island. I won three, actually; one in Wellington and another in Hawke's Bay but accepted this one." She stopped and pouted. "As I said, a really boring life."
Kate flushed and warmed towards her younger friend. "I think you'll enjoy it here, Wendy and you are welcome. Alexia has quite taken to you, you know."
"She's a great kid," Wendy replied. "You can both be proud of her."
"We are," Kate replied and lapsed into her own thoughts for a moment before standing and looking around C4, Block C, Alcove 4, Wendy's home space. "I like your charts...." The conversation turned to school things as the pair chatted away like old friends, which is what they really were.
*
THE HOLIDAYS PROGRESSED at far too great a speed with Noel and Kate really working right through until mid January when they forced themselves to have a week's break and rent a cabin at a small beach in Northland. It was a lazy time of swimming and sunshine, Alexia swam with her father in pounding waves that Kate refused to go in. At night there were campfires on the beach with burnt sausages to eat. Sand went everywhere, in hair and food. Insects insisted on biting any bare skin available but it was fun and a typical New Zealand holiday.
At the end of the week, it was back to the city. The evening was hot and shadows long as the principal walked around his domain accompanied by his wife. Between them both was a sunburned little girl holding both their hands. Blonde hair was tied back in a ponytail above dancing eyes.
During their week away a lot had been completed at school. Concrete paths had been laid and an area as large as a double tennis court asphalted. The lawn grass was beginning to green but still couldn't be walked on and Roger had completed a fence along the roadside boundary. At the rear, a temporary wooden walkway had been built across the lawn to Kent Park with its lush green grass and row of shady trees. Everything was like before opening night of a grand opera. The new school was about to become a living identity of teachers and pupils, parents and support staff; a world of social action and a new beginning for the Overworth family.
Everything was ready and waiting.
*