THE WORTH OF ONE

THE WORTH OF ONE - A C H R I S T M A S STORY  By Tessa Harvey     Veronica was kicking the gravel driveway. It was weeks since she had heard from her travelling parents. Gus had met some junior boys, not that much older than he was. Keen to impress, he had pretended not to be interested at all in Ronnie, and she had felt the loss of his presence.     The other two girls seemed to have drifted away to be with others of a fairly similar age. It had not occurred to Veronica to question this. The fact that others had tried tactfully to tell her she was argumentative and bossy at times did not sit well with her. She became even more sullen and morose when her teachers chided her for work left undone or done badly and sloppily.      This morning she had woken up far too early and stolen down to the kitchen to purloin some supplies. Only the very senior students were allowed to do this and even then it was under supervision. They liked to slit bananas l...

THE WORTH OF ONE - A C H R I S T M A S  STORY   By Tessa Harvey     Just then there was a strident clamour of an electric bell.  It shattered the stillness. Aiden and Pamela bolted for the door. They struggled with the knob in their panic, enabling the principal to bar the way out. Jacob grabbed Melissa and headed under the biggest desk, leaving Veronica open-mouthed. It was only a bell! Augustus cradled his arm, looking uncertain.     "Calm down," called Mrs. O'Leary. "It is only a practice fire drill. Someone forgot to warn this class. Now line up sensibly near the door. Augustus and Veronica first, please, then Aiden and Pamela." Reluctantly they moved into place. "Now Jacob and Melissa. We go down to the school yard in two's following me. There is a VERY small fire rigged and one of the Junior children will show us how to use one of the school fire extinguishers.     Without looking back, the tall woman led the way firmly and the students...

THE WORTH OF ONE - A C H R I S T M A S STORY  By Tessa Harvey     "Jesus was born at Christmas." said the principal, firmly ignoring the interruptions. "He is the most important person in all the history of the world."     Aiden opened his mouth again, but the principal motioned for him to be silent, and he obeyed.     "Jesus is God.  He came to earth as a baby, grew up, was loved by many and died a cruel death so he could save us from all the bad things we have ever done. And." she added, raising her voice, looking in turn at each child, "every one of us is guilty of lying or stealing, being mean to others, thinking bad things. I know I am."     The children were silent, waiting. Something caused them to listen. The sun shone through the windows and they could hear the faint roar of the ride-on lawn mower. Still they waited.     "Jesus died and rose again from the dead. There is no grave for Jesus. He also came to show us the...

THE WORTH OF ONE - A C H R I S T M A S STORY   By Tessa Harvey     An outbreak of measles had seen as many children as possible discharged to add to their woes.     Augustus was able to go back to the school sick bay under the charge of matron and Doctor Phelps. After a day, he was able to start school with the others. His concussion had passed. Only his arm hurt a little. Veronica, Augustus, Jacob and Melissa were in a classroom with the two Sudanese children, Aiden and Pamela. The principal took the first lesson. It was called "The Worth Of One."     She asked the children what they believed about Christmas.  There were comments about gifts, family time. Veronica alluded to Christmas songs about a baby, angels, shepherds, kings. It sounded very confusing to Jacob and Melissa brought up in tension and computer games and frequent moves to different homes and schools.     Then Aiden said loudly, "Miss, we came here to learn, not listen t...

THE WORTH OF ONE - A C H R I S T M A S STORY By Tessa Harvey      The boy in the hospital bed moaned a little in his sleep, then slowly opened his eyes. He blinked a few times, obviously unsure of his whereabouts, then his uninjured arm reached out to grope on the bedside locker. "Jacob," he whispered, "where are you? You didn't read me a story last night." Then his hand found his battered old ball and he sighed, gripping it. Suddenly, fully aware, he saw the principal. "Oh," he said, "why are you here? Where is Jacob?" Then he realised something. "Oops," he said, "Jacob couldn't talk at first. It was like he was broken and his voice was rusty. I didn't mean to dob him in." "Do you know where you are, Augustus?" In answer Augustus moved, then groaned in pain. "The bus." Tears came and Gus plucked at the sheets,  anxiously. "Where's mum?" Just then a staff doctor and a male nurse e...

THE WORTH OF ONE - A C H R I S T M A S STORY   By Tessa Harvey     Sirens were heard approaching   and the waiting principal sighed with relief. She had had only four students to care for and felt keenly aware this accident should have been avoided. Augustus was lying where the bus had thrown him. The staff and students were relieved the boy did not appear severely injured, but he was unconscious and his arm looked broken. A shelter had been erected around the child from waterproof tents in the school equipment shed. A brazier was burning nearby to keep him warm in the still raging storm. Two senior students approached and asked to be allowed to go to the hospital with Augustus.     "We rang our parents," Nicola Fleming said, "and they would like us to be with him." She handed her phone to Mrs. O'Leary and the adults explained the children were cousins.     Simon and Nicola were known to the principal and she agreed, somewhat reluctantly. She rea...

THE WORTH OF ONE - A C H R I S T M A S STORY By Tessa Harvey     All that first week, the weather had been calm, clear skies, warm days. Most folk sailed through the seemingly endless still days in full acceptance of all this pleasant weather. But clouds were scurrying from above the horizon and gathering, always gathering, darkening until the beautiful sun was eventually dimmed.     A chill wind began to blow. Augustus, balancing on the wide school gate, waiting to form a soccer team, scarcely noticed. Finally he heard a heavy vehicle labouring up the steep incline to the school drive. At that very moment, the storm broke. Thunder growled, and sharp. bright lightning flickered and dazzled, then briefly illuminated, dark grey cumulus clouds  banked high above the sky. Trees thrashed, and crashed against each other.     The next clap of thunder was so loud that Augustus, startled, lost his hold on the now wildly swinging gate. The horrified bus driver ...

THE WORTH OF ONE - A C H R I S T M A S STORY By Tessa Harvey     Veronica knew deep down the principal was probably right, but she actually liked holding onto her grievances. And now there were new ones added. Her friends, Jacob and Melissa had gone for a walk somewhere and her trusty side-kick Gus had gone to stand near the school gates, hoping for some boys around his own age to play ball  or kick another ball around.     "I'm fed up," she suddenly yelled into the trees. Birds flew up, startled and so did several of her bunny friends. A loud voice accosted her in a rough parody of the local dialect. "Now then, our lass. What's to do? Mekkin' all this racket, fritting the poor birds and little bunnies. What ails thee?"     Startled, Ronnie wheeled round.   A tall figure was silhouetted against the noon day sun. He came nearer and she realised it was just a boy. "Oh you, you.....". Words failed her. "Go away!"     "Fine." T...

THE WORTH OF ONE - A C H R I S T M A S STORY By Tessa Harvey     Early the next morning,   the principal called the four first arrivals to her office. It was high up a flight of stairs with a commanding view of much of the school grounds and student boarders' buildings.     The children came in, followed by Brutus the cat, who had decided these children were in fact human kittens who needed herding and watching .     "Welcome," Maureen greeted them warmly. "Please be comfortable - and Brutus can stay. He is my deputy ranger." The children looked startled, but then they smiled.     "Could we talk freely?" Maureen asked, pleasantly. "I suppose so, er Miss." Veronica decided to be spokesperson. "My parents have gone away - and dumped me here."     Gus broke in "Lord Cyril Sebastian ain't my dad. I'm a bastard. So Lord has a son and a spare and I'm an under-spare."     "What about you Jacob?" continued M...

THE WORTH OF ONE - A C H R I S T M A S STORY  By Tessa Harvey     Jacob and Melissa were going through the trees and Veronica was just finishing some school work.     "I'll catch up," she called. Missy had been trying to keep her head up more and encouraging her brother as well. "No-one here suddenly whacks us around the head, Jacob." But Jacob was staring at a clump of rye grass near one of the huge oak trees. Shining things attracted him. He bent down on one knee and picked up some coins and a small mouth organ.     "The mouth organ is Gussie's!" he exclaimed, speaking normally in his excitement. "But who gave him money and why?" Missy queried.     Veronica hurried up, panting. "What ya got?" she asked. Then a sudden memory came to her. "I saw that man, Silas, give some money to Gus. It was the day he went missing! Wait - let's go and find out."     "Hang on," said Missy, "he won't talk to us....

THE WORTH OF ONE - A C H R I S T M A S STORY By Tessa Harvey     John Stevens was meant   to let the boy out after dark, just to give him a good scare, like. He did not know what old Silas Thwaite had against that blond kid, but he  himself had no love for lords and ladies. He reckoned they just lived off poor people and had a high old time, so he went to the pub and forgot about the boy.     At that moment Lord Sebastian was furiously berating his poor wife for having such a useless boy. Finally he flung another accusation at her. "He isn't even mine, is he, Eleanor? Looks just like that milksop, Lord Richard. A bastard. I will punish him for all this fuss. Going missing! A weakling! Well, he is staying at that school, even for holidays."     His wife had turned red, then very white. "Please," she pleaded, "let me at least visit him." But Lord Sebastian had stomped out of the room. Watching his disappearing back, she knew he had a mistress. "Wh...

THE WORTH OF ONE - A C H R I S T M A S STORY   By Tessa Harvey The next morning, Augustus was kicking a pebble around the school drive. His father would have to pay for the broken window and Gus was dreading the outcome. Already he liked the school and other kids would be arriving tomorrow.     "Hey boy!" a male voice called, "over here, mate!" The gardener was beckoning him around the shrubs. Gus hesitated but the man was holding out some coins in a grimy hand. "Get some lollies for you and the other kids. You know, sweeties," he added, impatiently. Dumb boy, the gardener thought. He gave the boy his trump  card. "I got spare glass in the shed. Can fix your window quick. Maybe no trouble, eh?"      Augustus was ecstatic. Dad will be furious, but I can get money to pay from my aunt. "Well, go on, boy, get some lollies and I will see Mrs. Smith. "No charge for the window." He winked.     A man was waiting, about ten minutes walk aw...

THE WORTH OF ONE - A C H R I S T M A S STORY   By Tessa Harvey     Maureen O'Leary, Dr. Arthur Phelps, and Alissa Smith sat together in a small lounge which was the domain of the school matron. They helped themselves to the beverages and small cakes and sandwiches supplied by Mrs. Eva Cooper, the lady in charge of the school kitchen. Jessica, the young intern, was back in the hospital a few miles away, still working, still  studying.     "Why are these four children here so early?" asked Eva, puzzled. Maureen answered: "For whatever reason, the parents or carers of these pupils had to bring them early. "Yes, Principal," the matron commented, snappishly, but they are too young. I did not sign up to look after kinder kiddies!"     "Matron, these kids have not very friendly backgrounds," Maureen answered, firmly. "I suppose the money helps," snapped Alissa in return.      Arthur was trying to deal with a cream bun and failing, mumbled...

THE WORTH OF ONE - A C H R I S T M A S STORY By Tessa Harvey     "Missy   is my name for friends," as always Melissa answered for them both. "Jacob is ten and I am nine and a half." She flushed slightly, hoping for acceptance. "My name is Gus. Please don't call me Augustus." "And I am Ronnie, not Veronica." "Both ten," added Augustus, "well, nearly. Dad says I am not having a posh education like my older brothers -so I am an under-spare." After a few moments, the others laughed and became friends.     A surly looking man had watched where the kids had gone. So Little Lord Fauntleroy has turned up here , he thought to himself. Serve him right if I dob in his whereabouts to some friends. He smiled, nastily and went back to his gardening, digging hard, aware Mrs. Smith was watching. I'll settle him , he thought. Settle up an old score. Alissa Smith was also watching. Taking care to be hidden behind most of the fusty o...

THE WORTH OF ONE - A C H R I S T M A S STORY  By Tessa Harvey     "Eww!" grumbled Veronica, "is that dog slobber?" She was feeling really out of sorts like a frog going over an unexpected set of rapids.      Melissa moved towards her. "Let's be friends," she whispered softly. Ronnie paused, a little ashamed. "Sure," she smiled. Encouraged, Melissa dug around in a hand-made flower-appliqued shoulder bag. She produced four delightfully delicious looking sausage rolls, four apples and a medium size bottle of water.     Gus was impressed. "Wow!" he exclaimed, "can we stop and eat and then play ball?"     The children settled on the sparse grass between the softly rustling trees. As the children munched hungrily, not even talking, the birds around them began to chirp, sing and flutter about. A small rabbit crept out, saw them and disappeared. That's my bunny, thought Veronica, cheered by something familiar.     "Why ...

THE WORTH OF ONE - A C H R I S T M A S STORY   By Tessa Harvey     The younger child already had her head lowered to support her brother and protect herself, but as the doctor rustled through his notes, he felt the boy move. He looked up over his funny round glasses. The boy was looking straight at him!     Startled, Melissa jerked up. Both children had the same astonishing deep blue eyes like a Swedish lake reflecting a clear summer sky.     "Where is your mother?" interrupted Anna, the young doctor. Melissa looked down, Jacob allowed his eyes to drift mindlessly, staring at the off-white paint of the wall. Arthur sighed. Perhaps he had imagined it, but he had seen clear intelligence in the boy's eyes.     The children were able to leave and join the other two new arrivals. Maureen, the principal watched them drift toward a small cluster of trees, dressed in shining, fresh new leaves. Mrs. Smith was moving to interrupt them, but Maureen cle...

THE WORTH OF ONE - A C H R I S T M A S STORY  By Tessa Harvey     Dr. Phelps regarded Jacob and Melissa. He peered over his perfectly round silver-framed glasses. Already he had checked the health or otherwise of Augustus, a bright cheery lad, and Veronica, noting her nervousness. How he wished parents and carers would sometimes explain a situation more fully. Some, not all of course, almost regarded children as commodities, useful or otherwise.     These children stood before him. The girl was fidgeting. The boy rigid. "Sit down, please," he said, as pleasantly as he could. He noted that both children sat down as one. "Ha!"  he thought, that is not autistic behaviour. But the notes said otherwise. Such a quick response to a verbal cue was not typical.     He glanced at his assistant, a very capable young student in her third year of medical training. She smiled slightly. So the young one agreed with him! "Melissa," the doctor paused, "do you thi...

THE WORTH OF ONE - A C H R I S T M A S STORY By Tessa Harvey A car had pulled up in the principal's gravel drive. Two children had left from the back seat. As soon as their car doors closed, the vehicle drew away swiftly, churning gravel as though there had been an argument. The sun shone in the teacher's eyes as she went to welcome the students. Puzzled, she watched them quietly walk up her steps. They had not waved goodbye. There had been no carer or parent coming with them to soften the strange sudden arrival. The boy was tall for his age, around ten, Maureen thought. The girl was about a year younger. But what startled adult and the other children were their bent heads. They did not look up. Veronica's mind raced. I thought my folks were mean to just dump me here to suit themselves, but these kids have been thumped in some way. Augustus is a good sort. Maybe they will let us be friends. Augustus though was horrified. He just wanted to run away. The food that meal was j...