Phrontistery Of Monster Kind - Six Feet Deep

Chapter 23

It was later in the day when all the staff were called into an emergency meeting, which most likely meant we ran out of wine in the hidden liquor cellar.

I was trying to convince Mors to have our year meetings down there, but he thought it would reduce our meeting to a mandatory social event. Perhaps if I changed it to one on ones, he'd be more inclined. That or he wasn't much of a wine drinker.

Maybe Walton would want to shift our music lessons there. Wouldn't be good for the acoustics, or productivity, but would benefit our morale.

Mors and I were the first to arrive. Most shuffled in with coffee, Mayor had a cigarette which she promptly snuffed out when she sat at the head of the small worktable in the staffroom.

Everyone else gathered around, taking any available seating. Some rested in the armchairs and lounges, others were at the table seating.

Mors and I sat on a loveseat, a distance apart. We exchanged a look; I smiled at him. He averted his gaze. He stiffened and when I followed his gaze; I caught Walton onlooking, smirking to himself. I glared at him, internally screaming for him to keep whatever perverted thoughts he had to himself.

All he said was, "You're early for once."

"My classroom is on this floor."

"Yes, that's the reason why you're early," he smirked, and I had to bite my tongue from making a comment with so many people around. He knew too well that I would be last if I wasn't helping Mors when we got the message.

Celestinus came in and took the place between us, forcing me to shuffle further apart. I sulked only causing Walton to laugh further. Arsehole.

"Has he said what the meeting is about yet?" Celestinus asked, looking between me and Mors.

Oh, so the man can speak without me initiating it? Next, you'll tell me he can talk about a not work subject related to me.

"No, but it better be worth wasting our time," Mors said.

Harro was the last person to enter, welcoming everyone as he took his place in the centre for the meeting, "Thank you all for coming here so quickly," Harro clapped his hands together, gaining those who were chatting's attention. "As much as I hate to disturb your weekend, presenting matters have arisen that concern all of you." He eyed several staff members before continuing, "As some of you are aware, representatives for the school board assessed our school last trimester and after some evaluation has deemed our school unsafe."

"How so?" I asked. All the staff looked at me at my interruption. "I mean, the school isn't crumbling. There are no water leakages. We do have a problem with aeration, but we could probably install air conditioning or new fans."

"With the foundations, internal air conditioning can't be installed. We have issues with the plumbing, whoever installed it post the creation of the castle botched the job, half the pipes don't work, especially the ones near the art rooms." Starla, the art teacher, nodded to this. I gulped. "Some windows don't open, so we can't get air in or out when we fumigate while other rooms don't have any at all."

I sank back in my chair.

"They have a series of renovations they want us to make before the end of next year."

"So, they aren't closing us down this year?"

"I asked them for more time, as I have to get the landowner's permission."

"I thought you said you had permission to do whatever you wanted to the castle," Mors said. "You've been saying that for years."

Oh. He was buying time.