June Conlon (Newsies) pt3 Final Adventure

Chapter 6: Miss Crawford's Secret

"What do you think is wrong?"

The children had gathered at the stair case, all wondering what was wrong with Miss Crawford.

When Miss Crawford is nervous she starts to clean everything: the stairs, dust in the corners, even the outside steps.

"It must be something big" Rick had suggested "But the question is, will she tell us?"

"Probably not" Mike had stepped in "Seeing she keeps everything a secret from us" That was true. Miss Crawford makes sure to not tell a soul if she's keeping a secret, even if you gave her gold!

"Well I'm going to find out" Lavender stood up and looked towards June. Hoping she would join her. June nodded before standing up and heading down.

"Hey! Wait for us" Alex nearly tripped as James and Mike followed. June was glad they went as well. Miss Crawford could trust them the most, seeing they were the oldest.

Lavender knocked on the door, of the kitchen "Miss Crawford?"

"Yes?" Miss Crawford looked up from cleaning the sticky table. Tommy had accidently spilt the jam jar that morning.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes. Yes, why wouldn't it be?" She went back go her job. The group looked at each other knowing something was off. June realised something sticking out of her pocket.

"What's in your pocket?"

"Nothing!" Miss Crawford snapped back in shock, trying to hide her pocket. At this point they knew she was hiding something. Alex had stepped forward with a smirk "Miss, I've been here since I was a baby. Ya like a mother to me-"

"Flattering, Alex" Miss Crawford crossed her arms, making the rest snicker.

"So you would tell me anything. Wouldn't you?" Alex smirked cheekily

"Alex, actually all of you, sometimes there is things I should know. And some things you should know" She turned back to Alex "Now go back to your cleaning. Also if I wouldn't hide anything massive from you. You have the right to know-"

"That you have a date!?"

Everyone had turned to James, with shocked expressions. He was reading out a later, which was probably the thing in Miss Crawford's pocket. His eyes scanned the page, as shock was written over his face.

"Who's Mr Green?" James laughed out, trying to figure out who he was as he kept on reading.

"Give me that!" The paper was snatched from James. He just laughed seeing Miss Crawford so flustered.

"Oh I know him" Lavender snapped her fingers, after thinking "He's the post man, isn't he?"

June nodded. She remembered seeing the man every now again. He was very kind anytime he spoke. Tommy wouldn't stop talking about him, saying he would play little magic tricks. Now Tommy wants to be a post man, just like him.

Now thinking about it, June had remembered times when Miss Crawford talked to Mr Green. She would put her hair behind her ear, smile more, she even remembered him staying first tea once.

"Now that's a good couple" Mike pointed out. That's true. They were both smart, funny and caring to everyone. It was a match made in heaven.

"Listen" Miss Crawford spoke. She indicated to June to close the door, so the little ones wouldn't hear. "As much as I....like Mr Green. I will not go on this trip with him"

"It's a trip?" June questioned, seeing that was a bit if a leap from a date.

"It's in New Jersey" James spoke out. Getting a glare from Miss Crawford, because he read the letter. "It is, he would like me to stay for a couple days. Saying it's his holiday-"

"And he wants to spend it with you-"

"James!"

Miss Crawford carried on "But I must refuse. I can't just leave" She placed her cloth away as everyone looked at each other. June spoke "Why not?"

"Who would look after you? I can't just leave you" She began saying "Oh, what am I going to say to him?"

It seemed, even though she didn't want to admit it, Miss Crawford wanted to go. June realised how much she's done for everyone. Always changing plans for them, making them food, caring for them. She does it all by herself! Most places have lots of people looking after children and doing everything.

"We could always get a babysitter?"

"Ha, I don't think that would happen. You think someone would want to look after 10 children" Miss Crawford laughed, starting to clean the dishes.

"Don't they have someone on stand by?" Mike questioned "You know, in case you're sick"

"They're too busy with big orphanages now a days, anyway the time I did you all scared her off"

"She was evil" Alex called out. June shivered remembering the old hag. She was like a wicked witch from a children's book.

Miss Crawford was sick one winter and they had a stand by. She gave everyone horrible cold porridge, made them get up extra early and, the worst thing in June's eyes, banned stories.

"Come on" Lavender walked over to the loveable lady. She gave her a pat on the shoulder "There must be someone in New York who would want that job"

"But we only have a week!"

"Trust us" James had walked over as well "We'll get someone in that time"

--------
"No way"

"Oh no!"

"Maybe try somewhere else"

"Nope"

It's only been the morning after and it felt like a flash. They were desperately trying to find someone, seeing Miss Crawford had said yes to the offer.

"There must be someone" June spoke out loud as they sat on the steps. Everyone nodded but they didn't know who. Though they still had a couple days left. Millie was looking over a peice of paper they wrote for people, so they knew what they were singing up for.

"Maybe we should score out the 10 kids part"

"It's better then telling them now then later though" James looked over the paper as well. Maybe they weren't going to find anyone, maybe Miss Crawford's date was going to be ruined. Who would want to spend their time looking after 10 kids?

"Hey, what about Jack? Couldn't we stay with them?" Ryan spoke out, the younger ones all nodding.

"I think Jacks too busy at the moment" June put her hand on her head. She knew if something was happening with Harlem Jack would be involved. She remembered them saying, when she first met them, that Harlem had broke inside their lodge once. Race mentioned they stroll a pocket knife his father had gave him.

"Come on let's get inside....it's tidy day remember" The children groaned as they entered inside. As much as they loved Miss Crawford and what they were doing for her. They hated tidy day. It was they day the full house had to be clean top go bottom, no exceptions.

"Rick, Ryan, pick up the papers won't you?" Lavender called as everyone went inside

"Sure!" The two twins grabbed the papers on the steps. Though, Rick thought it would be funny to trip Ryan up. So as Ryan went to grab a paper Rick kicked him over.

"RICK!" Ryan shouted as some papers flew away. Not realising the papers flew away Ryan ran after Rick. Trying to get revenge.

The papers flew across the street, the wind picking it up, making it fly across further. People didn't realise or the ones who did didn't care. To them it was just a paper, which it basically was.

One of the papers finally landed in an alley. Most people wouldnt notice it . Though, someone who noticed the smallest things stopped to have a look. Taking in the paper they began to read.

"Now that's very interesting"

A Harlem accent smirked.

Sorry it's been a while 😂
Thanks for reading xoxo