Page 15 of What Did I Miss?

As soon as the recess bell reverberates throughout the gym, Makayla’s students dump the volleyball equipment and scamper out the double doors.

She remains behind, reorganising the team bibs by colour and disassembling the net.

She’s not in a rush. In here, she doesn’t have to worry about bumping into Beau.

Her solitude is short-lived, however. Ebony bursts in, bringing the morning chill with her. ‘I’m not doing it, Mak, I’m not!’

Beau isn’t far behind, veins in his neck flaring and his face all blotchy. ‘Makayla, I have to talk to you.’

Ebony jumps in first. ‘Beau said—’

‘It’s Mr Shepherd,’ he reprimands her in a tone that surprises Makayla. It has little effect on Ebony, who scratches her forehead with her middle finger.

‘He said if I don’t participate in the class debate, I’ll have detention every lunchtime until I do. He can’t do that. Tell him.’

Beau’s eyes plead for back-up. As much as Makayla wants to offer collegial support, she doesn’t believe punishment is the best approach.

It hasn’t worked with Ebony this far, and since Beau’s the one stuck with her during breaks, he’s also punishing himself.

Maybe that’s how they do things at Cordington College and in the Army, but it won’t fly at this school.

Mustering yoga-teacher calmness, she asks, ‘What’s the debate topic?’

Ebony wobbles her head. ‘I don’t know. Some crap about euthanasia. Who cares? It’s not like I’m gonna do it.’

When Makayla was sixteen, she had to debate the same topic, which just goes to show how archaic the curriculum is. Rubbing her temples, she fails to come up with a solution that will satisfy these hotheads.

There’s rattling at the entry. Jeffrey appears. He click-clacks across the rubber flooring in his Italian leather lace-ups.

‘I’m doing a school tour,’ he hisses, eyes darting back to the door where prospective parents must be waiting. ‘What seems to be the problem?’

‘Sergeant Shepherd is being a c—’

‘Ebony!’ Makayla cuts her off in the nick of time. ‘Take a break. We’ll chat later.’

Ebony storms off, booting stray volleyballs as she goes.

‘That’s unacceptable,’ Beau says. ‘I’m not letting her get away with that.’

He moves to follow her, but Makayla stands in front to block him. Her palm goes to his chest to pull him out of his frenzy and into the moment.

‘Take a deep breath,’ she whispers, doing it herself and hoping he’ll copy.

They stare at each other, breathing deeply until his pace slows to match hers. The soothing rhythm reminds her of how they recovered on Saturday night, when their breathing synced.

Remembering Jeffrey’s presence, she lets go and steps back. ‘Ebony’s too worked up, and so are you. If you confront her, you’ll hit a dead end and make things worse. Grab a coffee and get some air. Okay?’

Beau nods and leaves with his hands deep in his pockets, shoulders hunched.

It’s a nightmare that he and Ebony have gotten off on the wrong foot.

Makayla knows she’s partly to blame. If she’d sat him down when he first started and shared effective strategies instead of sabotaging him, they might not be in this predicament.

It’s time for her to step up. She turns to speak to Jeffrey, only to realise she’s alone.

‘Jeffrey!’ she calls as he’s striding towards the exit. ‘Are you free later? I’d like to discuss another matter.’

‘Yes, yes. My office, after school,’ he says, like it’s a burden to do his actual job.

Makayla’s knees bounce as she waits for Jeffrey. Sitting in the principal’s office has that effect on people. She wasn’t nervous about speaking to him until now. What if he dismisses her request, or laughs in her face?

Jeffrey’s chair gasps as he lowers himself onto it. ‘So, what can I do for you?’

Cutting to the chase, she says, ‘As you know, I’ve been the year ten coordinator for three years, and while I’ve enjoyed the experience, I’m ready for more.’

What she’s really saying is more shaking things up, less chasing absentees. They need to re-engage their students. There’s only so much Makayla can do when she’s drowning in admin.

She goes on. ‘I heard that Goldbrooke received a significant grant last term.’ Politicians only remember public schools when they’re campaigning. ‘I was thinking—’

‘That budget has already been allocated.’

It takes all her willpower not to ask follow-up questions. The staff often joke that he funnels money into his wife’s jewellery store business. Agnes probably started that rumour. Doesn’t mean it’s not true, but now isn’t the time to accuse the man of embezzlement.

‘Okay then.’ Makayla scrambles for a Plan B. ‘Are there any other positions that haven’t been advertised?’

‘It’s funny you should ask.’ He leans forward; the remnants of his garlic-heavy lunch are overpowering. ‘A new role has been brought to my attention, and I think you’re perfect for it.’

‘Great. What is it?’ Excitement bubbles within her chest.

‘Beau’s mentor.’

Makayla’s certain her heart is flatlining. ‘That’s not quite what I had in mind. I’m interested in a position where I can improve things for our students.’

‘Doesn’t that begin with offering them the best teachers?’

If he believes that, why hasn’t he fired Alcoholic Agnes?

‘All graduate teachers require a mentor to guide them through the accreditation process,’ he says. ‘From what I’ve seen, Beau respects you.’

More like spanks her. That doesn’t exactly scream mentorship material.

‘I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but aren’t those spots usually assigned to our senior teachers?’

‘Makayla.’ He sounds exasperated. ‘Haven’t they done their fair share? Besides, all of them have families and other commitments.’

Her blood boils. Is he palming this off to her because she’s single and childless?

Jeffrey soaks in the silence, as though if he waits long enough, she’ll graciously accept his offer.

He loses the stand-off. ‘Why don’t you view this as a stepping stone? When something else becomes available, I’d be happy to put in a good word for you.’

‘Really?’ The education department is a lot like the show Survivor – alliances mean everything.

‘I won’t force you to be Beau’s mentor, but—’

‘I’ll do it!’ Climbing the career ladder is on her list, after all.

‘Just to clarify, this is an unpaid role, but it comes with great prestige.’

Makayla curbs her eye roll. No one who works in this industry is in it for the money.

Unless they’re at the top of their game and reaping principal-like perks.

Maybe in the future, she can have an office like this with a sleek desk and plush carpet.

Only she won’t hide away in it all day like useless Jeffrey. She’ll do things differently – better.

‘Wonderful. Here’s the paperwork.’ He dumps a folder in front of her that’s thicker than a vanilla slice.

Of course Jeffrey destroyed a rainforest to print out a document that could have been viewed on screen.

He walks her to the door while she searches for her manners.

Thanks for suggesting I work with the man I’ve boned twice.

‘Thanks for the opportunity.’

So much for avoiding Beau Shepherd.

Climb the career ladder ?