In Another Life (1993-1996)

I Got My Head Checked

The Harrow headmaster, Mr Oaks, looked down at me, frowning. I had just explained about the problem with the band for his prom, a issue he had so kindly put trust into me for sorting.

"Im sorry sir, he just didnt listen. Our relationship was a touchy one and his music meant alot to him."

"I understand miss Night but you have to be sure that we aer going to have an act for the end of year prom. All of the boys have dates and Im all ready being contriversal by holding a prom in the first place. If it dosent work, Harrow will be a stuffy private school being held by its balls by traditions forever." There was a glint in Mr Oaks eyes that reassured me that he wasnt angry at me, just dissapointed that his idea might fall through. He reminded me of a character I read about long ago, but the name exscaped me.

"Dont worry sir, Ill make sure you have entertainment, even if I have to perform myself." He sized me up.

"Im sure the boys would love that." Then he winked. I smiled back.

"Oh I bet they would, but I can sort out any boy. All my friends up north were lads, you see."

"Really? Your uncle told me you went to an all girls school."

"Oh no, I didnt. Im currently not at school as I have already finished my exams. The next question is Sixth Form, but im sure my uncle will sort something out for me. I dont know of any locals schools that accept girls, the closest one is in the city centre." Oaks looked at me again, studiously. I checked my watch.

"Im sorry sir, Ive got to go. Im expected in the studio." I was already half way across the room when Mr Oaks spoke again.

"You know, I am headmaster of one of the oldest schools in the outskirts of London. It has been my mission to drag this school into the 20th centuary. I let the first black pupil into the school in 1972. I introduced new languages instead of Latin in 1984. I sent 3 of my pupils to America to learn their cultures a few years back. The boys in this school have been educated to live in an old fashioned world. A world of top hats and bowties. None of them have experianced a class room with a woman in that isnt their teacher, nurse or cook. I feel that it is time to move away from these stereotypes. I feel that it is time for them to step into the light of a women lead world. So, miss Night, are you up for it? Would you like to join our school next year for Sixth Form? You could study any subject you like, and we'll reduce the charge, as I am such a good friend of your uncles." My mouth was open, my hand still reaching for the door. I hadnt expected that. Nodding slowly, I headed over to settle the deal by shaking the headmasters hand.

"Good. How about we put you on a Sixth Form introductionary program in the final couple of weeks of term? Then you could help me encorage some of the boys into the idea of prom. Liven them up a little bit?" He wiggled his eyebrows at me and I giggled. It was a small price to pay for the hours I would be saving instead of searching for a school. Ben would look after me, surely. He was good looking, clever and probably had half the school wrapped around his finger as a result of his charm. The Headmaster dismissed me with a twinkle in his eye, after informing me that he would post the details of my arrival after he had sorted them out.

I stepped out into the corridors, all lined with large wooden doors, and walked towards the stairs. Chatter reached my ears,echoing from out of the classrooms. It was Wednesday and the boys would eagerly be awaiting lunch. The idea of Ben sitting there boredin a classroom as I walked out into the early July sun made me smile. Wait till I told him I would be joining him at school next year!

One of the only locations I had learned in London was a little cafe called Lizzie's , about 3 streets away from the studio. It was the perfect place for me, with a 50's theme The main diner had black and white tiled floor with a celing to match. Red sofas sat around the tables. The menu served everything from The Full English Breakfast to Knickerboker Glories. Kids from the surrounding secondary school were frequently seen slurping away at a milkshake, chatting about their life and exams. Personally though, I perfered the coffee room, which was positioned the back of the store. Here there were bookshelfs that towered to the celing and the tables were made of solid oak to match the carved chairs. Against the only wall not hidden by books was 2 well-worn maroon setees. They had been sat on so much that the leather was cracked and the white sticking was fraying. Contrasting to the jukebox that played in the diner, a 1940s radio sat next to the counter in this room, more used than the grammar phone that also sat on a shelf.

The wide array of taste, and therefor customers, was thanks to the difference in style between the owner, Lizze, and her husband, Arthur. Lizzie was as mad as me, and she designed the idea for the 50's diner at art school, which is also where she met Arthur, who was studing Victorian architecture and design. Between them they had come up with the excentrics haven. The name came from the fact that Lizzie would actually man the counter whilst Arthur continued with his job as an architect.

When I walked into the back room, Arthur was leaning against the counter smoking a pipe whilst reading the newspaper. He bearly looked up as I approached him, chosing to instead study todays headline, president Bill Clinton Orders Missile Attack On Iraqi Headquarters.

"I dont see how you can read all that stuff, I find it depressing." Still not looking up he replied.

"Depressing? My dear, this is the now, we must embrace it."

"Says the man running a vintage cafe." Lizzie came round the corner from the kitchens, her black hair clipped up with whisps falling around her elfish face.

"Evie! Hey up sweetie, how are you? And wheres that boy? The musician? Id snap him up before some groupies do."

"I dont think youll be seeing him for a long while, Liz. We had a fall out, over his music infact. I dont know how to make up with him, cause he is taking it really far. Remember how I said his band would play at my landlords sons prom? Well he cancelled. Selfish git." Liz's eyebrows knitted together, making her looked like a demon pixie.

"Oh dear, that sounds serious. But when you brought him here, he was so taken by you. You know what I would do? Book another band, just incase, but dont rule them out. He adored you, and even though he is angry now, I dont reckon he would let you down. Now cheer up and have a hot choco on the house."

Heyy guys hope you enjoyed it. Im going to post a recomended playlist for the story? I think it would help you get into the story if you havent been getting it, sure helped me. BTW from a previusly chapter when Noel says "I dont know where you come from and I havent got a clue what your saying. But I beleve you when you speak." Its from the song She Is Love.xD xoxHollyxox