The Awesome Planet

Chapter 23 Life Experience Part 2

Chapter 23
Life Experience Part 2

Picture - Claudia Montenson
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Kavin walked through the gates of Crown Road Secondary School and discovered Mrs Reddington rushing about the hall with a pile of posters.

“Good morning, Kavin. I’m just putting the Children In Need posters up for this year.” Mrs Reddington explained as she greeted the young man.

“Oh, alright. What’s that?” Kavin questioned.

She but then muttered something to herself before replying “Well, if you don’t know what it is, then you don’t deserve to be told.”

Leyla walked into the hall, glanced at one of the posters and marched over to her boss. “HIlary, Children in Need is months away! Why are you putting up posters in January?”

 “Because this year, being my first as headmistress, want to raise even more money than previous headteachers of this school such as Mrs Kelly and that, erm, Mr Slogan that came after her but only stayed a couple of months. This school does not have a good reputation, and if we want more students coming in, we need to put Crown Road on the map!” Hilary Reddington gasped, babbling through that whole speech without even breathing.

“Whatever.” Leyla stated as she carried her mountain of textbooks to the staff room.

“Kavin?” Mrs Reddington asked. “I need to speak to you later.”

“When?” Kavin asked back, already hating his boss.

“End of school. Today.”

“Fine. But it had better be a good excuse because I’m sick of you messing me around.”

“Sometimes, Kavin, I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. Oh, and do get that dog muck off your shoes. It absolutely stinks.”

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“Thank you Mr Hooper. Enjoy your game of twister and see you tomorrow!” Rosalinda exclaimed as her favourite customer left the shop.

Dora came out of the staff room and stood next to Rosalinda. Rosalinda looked behind her and smiled sheepishly.

“Rosalinda?” She asked through gritted teeth.

“Yes Dora?” Rosalinda asked through non-gritted teeth.

“Didn’t I tell you to order these books? Don’t answer that. I told you to put this order through and you have disobeyed me. I am very disappointed in you. We won’t be able to order them until tomorrow and now it will take two weeks for them to get here! Go and get your bag. Have an early lunch hour. Hurry up, GO!”

Rosalinda left the till and ran into the staff room. Belinda came out at the same time.

“Belinda. Work on this till until Rosalinda comes back.” Dora instructed as she marched downstairs.

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“Ellen, pick those books up this minute!” Dora screamed as she ran downstairs to the ‘crime scene’.

“It was only an accident Dora. I’m sorry.” Ellen apologized.

“Well, sorry doesn’t cut it. Look now, you’ve broken the spines of three books. That’s coming out your wages and you’re getting an official warning.” Dora snapped as she walked off to the back of the shop.

“She’s always like this with the newcomers,” Phyllis reassured Ellen, “And there’s so much more pressure on her this week with an annual inspection on Friday.” Phyllis gathered her things and stuffed them into her bag.