The Right Call
The People's Friend|October 15, 2022
My daughter's favourite teacher might just have inspired me, too ...
The Right Call

THERE’S a new supply teacher,” Gordon says when he returns from the school run. He reassures me that Elodie was fine going into class, but his face tells a different story.

Our daughter’s struggling to settle in the reception class months after starting school, and a succession of different teachers covering for Mrs Peterson, who is off on long-term sick leave, hasn’t helped.

My husband kisses me before he sets off on what we laughingly call the commute” to his office at the bottom of the garden.

I finish my coffee and, although my head is full of worries about Elodie, make my way to my study, which was the dining room in a former life, and try to focus on lesson planning.

It’s not that don’t enjoy tutoring secondary school students online, but it’s not what imagined I'd be doing at this stage in my life.

I miss being in the classroom, the interaction with colleagues and school life in general.

Sometimes even miss staff meetings.

“You could go back to it, Nessa,” Gordon says whenever he catches me looking wistfully at the website of my last school.

“We need to get Elodie settled before we make big changes,” say.

He must know this is not the real reason for my reluctance, but he goes along with it.

I surprise myself by having a productive morning and, as a reward, read a novel for an hour after lunch.

At half past three brace myself for Elodie’s return, her unhappy tear-stained face and list of reasons for not going back tomorrow.

Instead, her smile is so wide can see it as she and Gordon come walking down the street.

Her father is less cheerful.

“The teacher mistook me for Elodie’s grandad,” he grumbles.

We’re older parents, so this isn’t an uncommon occurrence, but Gordon is sensitive about it.

Esta historia es de la edición October 15, 2022 de The People's Friend.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición October 15, 2022 de The People's Friend.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE THE PEOPLE'S FRIENDVer todo
It captured everyone's imagination
The People's Friend

It captured everyone's imagination

A letter penned in 1897 by a Sunderland choirboy has inspired an origami quilt of memories. Bill Gibb finds out more.

time-read
2 minutos  |
February 25, 2023
The UK has amazing marine life
The People's Friend

The UK has amazing marine life

Bill Gibb looks at the work of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue as they celebrate their 35th year.

time-read
4 minutos  |
February 25, 2023
It's About Time
The People's Friend

It's About Time

Retirement was supposed to be a fresh start for Caroline, if only she could get a moment's peace!

time-read
7 minutos  |
February 25, 2023
A Breath Of Country Air
The People's Friend

A Breath Of Country Air

Renowned nature writer Polly Pullar takes a lighthearted look at rural life.

time-read
3 minutos  |
February 25, 2023
A Test Of Courage
The People's Friend

A Test Of Courage

Yasmin’s dad needed her but could she reveal her secret project?

time-read
10+ minutos  |
February 25, 2023
We Work Together
The People's Friend

We Work Together

Office life just wouldn’t be the same without Ethan...

time-read
7 minutos  |
February 25, 2023
The Art Of Laughter
The People's Friend

The Art Of Laughter

Gillian Thornton visits Hampshire to enjoy the artistic talents of cartoonist Norman Thelwell in his centenary year.

time-read
3 minutos  |
February 25, 2023
Life After Linda
The People's Friend

Life After Linda

It was just Dan and his father now and they needed time to adjust...

time-read
7 minutos  |
February 25, 2023
ES! There in the corner are the speakers
The People's Friend

ES! There in the corner are the speakers

In her weekly column, Maddie Grigg shares tales from her life in rural Dorset...

time-read
2 minutos  |
February 25, 2023
Lovely Glen Lochay
The People's Friend

Lovely Glen Lochay

Willie Shand braves the cold temperatures to enjoy a Stroll near Killin in Perthshire.

time-read
6 minutos  |
February 25, 2023