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Author: Nanette Welsh
IF I WERE A CARPENTER
Chapter One
"Get down from there!" Miss Harper shouted in a peremptory, but friendly, manner, at four tousle-headed, pimply-faced youths. They were standing on the top of a half-finished wall and reluctantly, blinking in spring sunlight that had been washed to a pale yellow by persistent rain, obeyed the command. But not before squinting first to see just who was shouting.
Young people, Miss Harper thought, especially boys, just did not see what dangers lay before them; tell them something awful would happen in the next couple of minutes if they carried on doing what they were, and they could blithely ignore you. Anything that might happen in some future however close or distant was vague and immaterial to them. They always ignored any warnings and almost always failed to see any danger signs. Coincidentally those thoughts were in some essence prophetic, but not even she could have guessed how much so.
The Spring was indeed welcome, for the Winter of 1962 had been hard indeed. The school pipes had been frozen for weeks, even now everyone could hardly believe their luck, especially the school’s head who was relieved that work on the new block could at last continue. He was a worried little man, head of the school when it was a Grammar. Now it was a Comprehensive and ‘things’ had changed. New staff, different types of children and he was yet to see whether that whether ‘never the twain should meet’ or if the more ebullient, and down-to-earth staff of the Secondary School would fit in with the scholarly attitudes of his original staff.
The lads, once on ground level and out of the direct sunlight, could see for sure who had demanded they get off the wall. This done they lost the sulky expressions, the sharpened, needle-like darts they kept in the bottom drawers of their minds, always ready to fire at anyone in authority who told them not to do something. This was because, as teachers went, Miss Harper was very popular, across the near invisible divide that had formed the moment the schools were merged. What is more she achieved this without being regarded as soft. And so, as they slouched past her, they were grinning in a friendly, almost conspiratorial manner. They knew that she would not report them to the Head but deal with their misdemeanour herself.
"Sorry Miss," one of them called as he passed her.
"Yes well," she answered, making a mock-fist and shaking it at him. "You shouldn't have been there! And you jolly well know that. It's dangerous, building sites always are; particularly with any of you lot around; so get, go on!" She gestured fiercely. They got! -- and as they departed in the direction of the playing field she was smiling herself, inwardly. It wouldn't do to let them see it though. Then she remembered something and called after one of them in particular.
"And you Michael.” Miss Harper said in fierce tones none of them believed, not even she. “Don't you be late for my lesson again this afternoon!"
"No Miss," he shouted back, "promise!"
Turning she watched him cross the playground, vaguely aware she was not alone. She shook her head wryly.
She knew that although absolutely sincere, Michael would be unlikely to keep his promise. He never did. But according to his version of morality, it was very unkind to tell anyone a direct lie. Lies upset people, and he genuinely did not like upsetting people. So he always found some way round telling the exact truth. He always made extravagant promises; genuinely meaning all of them, but rarely ever fulfilling any of them! For example he would promise to tidy the books in the class library. Then he would come up with a perfectly plausible excuse for not having done so.
He always got away with his various wrong doings and broken promises because he was an absolute charmer. He could charm the skin off a rice pudding! Not even Andrew Markham, a very shrewd old teacher approaching retirement, could do anything with him. As a rule Andrew could get anything he wanted out of those in his care. He was Michael’s Head of Year but had to admit the lad had even him beaten! He was an almost perfect example of the lovable rogue.
God help any woman who fell in love with him when he was older, Miss Harper thought! Whoever it was would be in for a very rough, but probably very enjoyable, ride! She sighed with a mixture of fondness and exasperation for them all. Then she turned to go on her way round the yard but became aware she was being observed, very acutely.
Miss Harper, although in her early forties, was well aware that she could be regarded as good looking. She knew that she certainly did not look her age or anything approaching it. She was quite used to being on the receiving end of admiring looks from men. Not that she ever did anything to encourage them.
Her hair, a full, beautiful deep brown, she often wore loose because she knew it suited her neat oval face. Her skin was lightly tanned as she did quite a lot of walking and in the Summer Holidays, often went on archaeological digs. She had been doing this ever since she was child when her parents had been alive. This lifelong physical exercise had made for a firm, compact well formed body. A body that would have looked wonderful in a bathing costume. One of the skimpy things made for film stars and models. However it must said that Miss Harper was no model, nor had she any inclinations in that direction!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Judith instinctively knew she was being looked at right now! And like any other woman was curious to know by whom. Without turning she knew it would not be a member of staff. She, and they, knew each other far too well!
Glancing to her left she found herself looking into the clear, brown eyes of a tall, young Afro-Caribbean, in overalls. He was obviously employed by the firm who were working on the new block for the school. He had an amused expression on his honest, open face and Judith felt a momentary annoyance. It was rapidly dispelled as she realised that he was not laughing at, but with her! There was genuine warmth in his eyes and something else which, as yet, only flickered in some quiet corner of her mind. It was so fleeting she forgot it instantly. Judith returned his smile a little uncertainly. She was friendly by nature and possessed an openness and confidence most people were drawn by. So quite why she should feel uncertain was a mystery. Her smile though, when it came, was warm and welcoming.
She was therefore a little surprised when the young man rapidly dropped his gaze and began a close examination of his feet! He also began twisting the chisel, he happened to be holding, round and round nervously. His hands, she noted, though large and capable lacked many of the calluses and knots many workmen’s hands possessed. What is more they looked as though they would be capable of great gentleness. He would handle things with great delicacy, she thought, and for some reason was immediately startled.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to stare," he stammered in an embarrassed tone.
Miss Harper for some reason found herself blushing, something she hadn't done for years. Not since she had been the gawky, unsure teenager of elderly parents. She had been over protected and was for her years, very, very innocent. It was rare for her to think ill of anyone. She preferred to look for that which was good in them. A few people had taken that to mean she was slow, only to discover they were very wrong! But there was an element of youthful naivety in her nature which was very attractive.
In spite of her instinct to hold back Judith found the young man’s gaze was both very attractive and compelling. In other circumstances she might well have found it embarrassing but there was something about him. In fact he was a very good looking young chap. Her eyes could not help noticing his firm, broad shoulders. He held himself well and had a very straight back. He was, she suspected, usually a very confident individual.
From the brief view she had had of it, his smile was lovely. It was welcoming her in. Similar to the open door of a house you just knew was ready to welcome any stranger inside. She hurried to say something which would set his mind at ease, hers too perhaps.
"That's all right. I know you didn't; but we have to keep them,” she indicated the backs of the departing lads with her thumb, “out of your way."
He nodded.
"Yes I know. It’s dangerous but they're fascinated by the place." He observed acutely, absently dusting his hands on his trousers. “So would I have been at their age.”
These final few words seemed out of place, for to Judith, the young man didn’t seem all that much older than the boys! But they indicated a maturity of mind his physical youth belied.
"They are," sighed Judith somewhat wearily. "They don't mean any harm," she added by way of excusing them, "but they just don't seem to see the danger!"
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