THE HEADMASTER FROM HELL

Part 44 - THE HANDYMAN

Dale returned home to his mother Elsie who was quite elderly and frail now as she had become a mother to Dale, her only child, late in life. So she was the age that his grandmother would have been if she was still alive and Elsie had had him at an earlier age

''My boy, my son'' Elsie said and hugged Dale ''Son i missed you so much and i am happy you're home'' She began to get tearful

''Mum i missed you too'' Dale said also tearful

''Please promise me you'll make a fresh start, be a very good boy, and never go back to prison'' she begged him ''I wouldn't be able to stand it if you went back inside again''

''I swear i intend to stay out and never go back to prison'' Dale told her honestly. He really didn't want to go back to prison ever. He wanted to stay out and make a go of his life and forget about everything

The next day Dale had to report to his parole officer who would be supporting and supervising him for a little while until his parole period was over

''Well Dale the first thing we need to do is get you a job'' his parole officer told him

''Yes Sir i agree'' Dale replied ''I want to work Sir''

''Yes and you should. It will help you a lot if you are working. So i already have a list of potential employers. You will now ring them all to arrange an interview. Its down to you to try hard to impress them all Dale''

''Yes Sir''

''Now then Dale'' his parole officer continued ''You might want to pay special attention to this employer''

He pointed to one of the names on the list. Dale saw the name Mr Hamilton

''Mr Hamilton is the headteacher of a school Dale'' the parole officer explained ''And he is looking for a handyman. Now the reason i say you want to pay special attention to him is because he got in  touch with us only this morning to ask if anyone was fresh on parole and needed a job. He wants a young male for the job and he wants to give an ex offender a chance. He is very enthusiastic and he contacted us only today as i said. So Dale you must call him to arrange an interview. It does seem like this would be an opportunity for you to find work very quickly''

Dale agreed ''Yes Sir'' he said. He could see that Mr Hamilton was obviously a good option since he had rang the parole office that very day asking for ex offenders. It was a chance Dale knew he should take at once while it was fresh

So after he left the parole office he got on the phone to Mr Hamilton

''Hello may i speak to Mr Hamilton please?'' he asked

''Speaking'' a posh male voice said

''Well i am Dale and i am out on parole Sir'' Dale said politely ''My parole officer said i should call you about a job Sir''

''Oh yes well i am very happy you've called me Dale'' the posh voice said ''very happy indeed''

At the school Nigel was standing alone, in the yard looking lost, when a group of boys including Robert, Jake and Callum approached him

''Hello Nigel'' Callum said with a smirk

''Hello'' Nigel said

''So how are you finding it at this school so far?'' Robert asked him

Nigel shook his head angrily ''Don't like it wanna go back to me old school''