"Options... I've ran out of Options..." (Book 3)

Chapter 138 - "Disciplinary..."

Chapter 138 - "Disciplinary..."

Clara's PoV

'Can I have cake?' Poppy asked as she ran into the kitchen and pushed a stool towards where John had just put the cake down and gone back out to collect the presents.

I was so overwhelmed this afternoon that I didn't even get a chance to open the presents. My hormones completely took over me and I was left in a crying state for quite some time after cutting the cake.

Especially since my 11 year old daughter had been lovely enough to actually arrange and organise the whole thing.

'Of course you can. Just give me a chance to find some bowl--' before I could even finish that sentence she was standing in front of me with her Minnie Mouse bowl and spoon waiting patiently for cake.

I knew as soon as I gave her cake that the others would come lingering and I was very much correct when Henry appeared and so did the bloody dog.

'Can we have cake?' He pouted.

'You can have cake' I said pointing at him. 'But you can't' I said aiming at the dog as if he knew what I was saying but he bowed his head me knowing as soon as Henry had run off that he would give the dog some cake.

- - -

'Are you sure were good?' I asked as John threw his shirt off and climbed into bed with me.

'Why wouldn't we be?' He asked leaning against the headboard and pulling his book from the bedside table. 

'Why wouldn't we be?'

'I dunno. I had a crazy moment and for some reason you have just forgiven me? I just find it a bit confusing that's all?' I said sitting up and leaning on my elbow as he got his Granddad glasses out and perched them in to his hair like an old man.

'We've had crazy outbursts between us. We've got way more important things going on at the moment. If you needed a few days away to recuperate then that's how it is isn't it?'

'Umm. I guess so' I shrugged. 'Are you sure though?'

'Stop asking that. I'm absolutely sure' he said poking his nose back into his book.

'Okay. In that case will you help me run over what I can say to the panel on Monday when they try to dismiss me from my job?' I asked hopefully.

'Oh. Well they'll just give you a warning surly?'

'I don't know if it's that simple John? I work with kids. I'm put in charge of kids well fares on a daily basis. I can be held completely responsible for this' I pointed out.

'I can't believe she wouldn't drop the complaint. I did try' he mumbled.

'I can't blame her. As a teacher I would never blame another teacher for an accident because I totally understand what goes on and how teachers can get a little confused but some people don't understand that and don't feel like that' I pointed out.

'Well if the worst comes to the worst you just stay at home' he shrugged as if that was the answer which it wasn't.

'My job is my life John. I do my job because I love it. Not just because of the money. And anyway... I don't want to take money off of you if I can help it. I like earning it myself'

'So your not in the school Monday?'

'Nope. Stuck in meetings all day... that's if I'm still a teacher by three o clock.

- - -

'I've been working at the school for years. Why would I intentionally want to ensure that a pupil got hurt? Why would I want the coach to crash? Aside from anything else my own daughter was on that coach? Why would I want to risk her?'

'There's no specific answer as to why things are done... Sometimes they just are'

'I'm pregnant? Why would I risk my baby and my job?' I scoffed trying to get my point across.

'She does have a point there' Mr foster agreed.

I knew he was on my side. And I knew that Adrian and Miss Grayling had both admitted that they had done the same thing and since there was no injury on their part they got off. Plus a complaint hadn't been made about them whereas a complaint had been made about me.

'Look. I didn't do it on purpose' I mumbled. 'But I can see and understand why people are upset. I didn't know that you couldn't take a child to the toilet on a moving coach and I didn't realise that it was going to be an icy day. Can't control the whether unfortunately' I said in my defence as I was told to be quiet which made the entire room go silent.

'Listen. Your record is squeaky clean. I can see that you've taken kids on trips lots of times and there has never been a problem. Your colleagues agree and have given character testaments that it isn't you so your being let off with a warning'

'What?' I said confused.

'The teaching game is getting harder and harder. As an ex teacher of 35 years many people don't see what we do and what we are put through behind the scenes. I don't think you did anything wrong per-say but you did endanger a student... this it will go on your record' he explained.

But I didn't care about that. It was what it was. He was letting me keep my job and that was all I could ever ask.

- - -

'How was it?' John asked as soon as I walked into his office and shut the door with a tiny smirk.

'I get to keep my job. No questions asked' I grinned as he came towards me in relief and I wrapped my arms around his neck tightly embracing him.

Other than the bump getting in the way it was a nice relief.

I didn't feel stressed or upset or even worried about anything. I still had my job and it was thanks to John for talking Adrian and Miss Grayling into agreeing to doing the same thing. Everyone had put their livelihood on the line.

And then John locked his office door.