THE WORTH OF ONE - A CHRISTMAS STORY 

By Tessa Harvey

    Huddled over her schoolwork in an otherwise empty classroom, Veronica struggled with some math problems. The glowing strawberry jam was lovely, but the cold toast and meagre amount of butter was not. Only an elderly kitchen assistant had tiredly supervised Veronica's solitary breakfast.

Out of the corner of her eye, Veronica checked the small window at the top of the door....no flash of face as Mrs. Smith scowled and disappeared silently. Trying to catch me out, thought the girl resentfully. "Why am I here alone, anyway? No-one will explain."

Suddenly footsteps clattered down the outside corridor, drawing nearer. Obviously not Silent Smith! There were two sets of clattering feet, one lighter and quicker. Another girl at last. But it wasn't...

A small, smiley boy peered round the dumpy figure of the matron, Mrs. Toogood. Matron tried to smile, ingratiatingly. "Veronica, Lord Cyril's son, Augustus is here to study with you for a while."

She emphasised the word 'study' with an unpleasant glare. "Please look after him....or else" was implied.

The boy clutched a satchel of books. He had unruly sandy hair, blue eyes and, as the imposing figure of the matron turned to him, the smile disappeared. A solemn, haughty look challenged the middle-aged lady. "Well," she hesitated, "I know you will behave impeccably, Lord Augustus."

The boy wore clean, dark blue jeans and a grey sweater. "Thank you, matron," he said, dismissively.

As soon as the clatter of matron's boots had faded, the boy flung down his books and hooted with laughter. It was unexpected and infectious. For the first time in days, Veronica giggled, happily.

The sun shone again and warmed her soul. "When can we escape?" the boy grinned as he asked. "I'm Gus and you are Ronnie?"



 


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