Chapter XXV: St. Catherine’s
Much excitement amongst the Committee at the prospect of the boys ending up at St. Catherine’s. There’s a lot more to that school than meets the eye, as Rebecca well knows. Her scheme to introduce them to Antonia Mortimer worked perfectly. Antonia appears so straight and open, no-one could imagine…. But then, she and Rebecca go back a long way, and share a lot of interests! Well, better not say any more at the moment. I don’t want to anticipate developments. Suffice it to say we did all we could to clear the way for them. Anne’s completely on board with the plan. She had so much trouble with Simon when he was younger that she always quite liked the idea of nurturing his feminine side. A move to St. Catherine’s would represent the flowering of that growth. She was so grateful to Mum when she started the ball rolling by putting him in rubber pants.
Mum and I contacted Mrs Turner and we all got together to discuss how we could help her with Robert if Billy went off to boarding school. She’s a really nice lady, and we got on well. We agreed that I would help out with the school run. Also, he really likes animals, so I’ll be taking him to Holly End once a week to let him meet the horses, and maybe even start him on riding lessons. So we were hoping the boys would take to St. Catherine’s of their own volition. It would have been so unpleasant if we’d had to insist! But as you will see from Simon’s diary, it looks as though we’re not going to have any problems!
Tuesday 9 August. This morning Billy and I cycled over to St. Catherine’s. We had an appointment with Miss Mortimer at ten. We had to cycle past Miss Strickland’s house to get there, and we realised how close it was – only a few hundred yards further along the lane. We were both so excited when we turned into the entrance. There was a semi-circular gravel drive, with a big parking space and bike racks to the left of the main building. Beyond the parking space we could see other buildings and fields. But as for the school itself, it looked enormous. It had obviously started off as a huge Victorian mansion, orange-red brick with stone corners and windows and lots of turrets like witches’ hats. We pushed our bikes up to the main entrance, which was at the top of a broad flight of stone steps. We noticed there was a gulley about six feet wide all around the house, protected by bars. Below we could see the basement - darkened windows and pipework. “That’s the moat!” quipped Billy. We left our bikes next to the steps and climbed to the front doors – big black double doors with brass fittings. They seemed to be locked, so we pushed the bell labelled “HEADMISTRESS”. Nothing happened for about a minute, then we heard the sound of unlocking. The door opened. I suppose we expected to see Miss Mortimer, but instead we were greeted by a tall, slim girl with dark hair wearing a dark green jumper and skirt. Pinned to her chest was a blue badge with the word “PREFECT” on it in gold.
“Saunders and Turner? Please come in and follow me.” She turned and walked quickly ahead of us down a long, unlit corridor. We hastened after her.
“The main lights are all turned off during the holidays,” she explained blandly, without turning round, “so you won’t see the place at its best.”
“Is it a nice school?” asked Billy, nervously.
“You can ask me questions later. I’ll be giving you a tour. Here we are.” She stopped dead outside a green door, knocked, and entered. “Miss, Saunders and Turner are here.”
“Show them in! Boys, how nice to see you! Do come and have a seat. Alicia, I’ll call you in half an hour or so.”
“Yes, Miss.” And Alicia left us alone with Miss Mortimer.
“Welcome to St. Catherine’s, boys. I hope you’re excited. I certainly am.”
We smiled. She seemed such a nice woman. “Alicia is a prefect, then?” I asked.
“Yes, she’s in the upper sixth. Such a nice girl. Would you both like some coffee? And I have a few little pastries here too, in case you’re hungry.”
While we ate and drank, Miss Mortimer filled us in on the history and workings of the school. She told us the school itself had been founded in the Edwardian era. When she took over as head, things had been a little chaotic by the sound of it. But the present school was organised purely according to her principles.
“I don’t believe in asking teachers to oversee discipline. They are there only to teach, and I employ them solely on the basis of their academic abilities. Asking them to keep order as well has two adverse effects. First, it distracts them from the business of teaching. Second, it creates complicated relationships with individual students. And that is exacerbated by the fact they belong to a different generation. That is why I created the system of prefects. All the girls in the upper sixth get to be prefects. At any one time there are five prefects, and they change roughly every eight weeks. The order is decided by ballot, and then I draw up the schedule for the whole year. They have almost absolute power to discipline or punish. It is rare for any student to have to be referred to me, but if that were to happen the question of expulsion would have to be considered. That is why the prefects exact such complete obedience from the other girls. The first group of prefects this year will be Alicia, whom you’ve met, and four others whom you will be introduced to if you decide to take up the offer of places. Prefects, as you may have inferred, address students by their last names, and students address prefects as “Miss” or “Miss Smith” or whatever.”
Billy and I looked at each other. “I think it sounds like a great system,” I said, “I have a teacher who victimises me all the time. I’d much rather report to another student.”
“Well, it seems to work,” said Miss Mortimer. “Now, here are timetables for the coming year.” She handed us a sheet of paper each. “You would be expected to work quite hard, but we place of limit on homework of two hours per night, and none at weekends. We intend that you should do your learning in class. You will also see that you have a morning break of twenty minutes, a full hour for lunch, and a fifteen-minute break in the afternoon, unless your lessons finish early, which they will two days of the week. I understand there is only so much the adolescent brain can absorb in one day! Of course we aim to get you good grades in your exams so that you can go to university, but we also place great emphasis on your personal development, so that you will find there are numerous societies and pursuits available to you. Any questions so far?”
“Are we really going to get all this for free, Miss?” asked Billy. “I’m just asking because my mum’s not that well off, I don’t think.”
“Please don’t worry about that, Billy. It’s all taken care of. This is a wealthy institution. People pay substantial sums to have their daughters study here, and we also have partial charitable status because we subsidise several of our students for that very reason, that their parents could not otherwise afford to pay for them. In fact, we would encourage you, if you decide to join us, to board with us. I understand from your parents and guardians that your domestic duties can easily be taken care of, so you have no worries on that score. I think Simon’s sister and aunt have already spoken to your mother about the care of your brother – Robert, is it? – and he won’t suffer in any way. Quite the opposite.”
“When does term start?” I asked.
“Term this year starts on September the sixth, which is a Tuesday. You could come in a day early to settle in, if you wish. But before we make any plans, you’d better take a look around. Then you can decide on whether you want to do the trial period. If you want to join us without a trial period, you’d be very welcome of course. But it’s totally your decision, boys.”
“Thank you, Miss Mortimer.”
She picked up the phone. “Alicia? They’re ready, if you’d like to come and collect them.”
As we sat and waited for Alicia, Billy chatted with Miss Mortimer. I fantasized how nice it would be to be here, away from all the complications just around the corner. Geraldine’s party on the third. Would Sue find that costume, or had Billy’s ‘cunning plan’ worked? Thinking about costumes led my mind to the school show on the first. I’d almost forgotten about that! I knew what costume I was expected to wear for the opener. Whether it was that or the pink dress I’d got from Mrs Travers was irrelevant. No, what was really worrying me was the closer, and the leotard and pants I was supposed to wear. How embarrassing! I blushed at the mere thought. And then, in the back of my mind, there was the ‘punishment’ Sue had promised me for my behaviour in front of Geraldine. Could she have forgotten? No, don’t be stupid, I thought to myself. She was probably hatching up some evil plan at that very moment. But I was saved from further pointless speculation by the return of Alicia.
“This way, please. Follow me.”
“Thank you, Alicia. Bring them back here when you’re finished.”
Alicia led us back down the corridor to a wide oak staircase. “I’ll show you the classrooms first. She ran up the stairs, the concussion of her school shoes echoing in the empty stairwell.
“We’ll go up to the third floor first. On this floor, first and second years.” She marched us past modern, light classrooms equipped with double desks and computers and whiteboards, their walls hung with posters and children’s artwork. At each end of this corridor there were toilets, and spiral staircases wound upwards from stone portals.
“What’s up there?” asked Billy, craning his neck.
“Storage. And prisoners’ cells.” She smiled, enigmatically. I assumed she was joking.
We descended. The next floor was for the third and fourth years. Then down to the first floor.
“This is for the fifth and lower sixth. You’d be here if you joined us.”
“They’re really cool classrooms, Simon. They make my school look a real dump.”
“Mine too.”
“The upper sixth has one classroom on the ground floor at the back of the main building. I’ll show you. But first, the dormitories. They’re in the east wing. You can access them through doors on any of the first three floors.” She conducted us into a separate part of the old building. There were three levels with about ten double rooms on each level, five on each side, and a staircase at the east end. “About half the girls are boarders. If you decided to board, you’d of course share a room. Let’s have a look at one.”
She opened a door to reveal a cheerful room painted a pale green, with two desks, PCs, and two single beds, with a well-equipped bathroom en suite. The window looked out over a side garden with trees and neatly laid-out flower beds. “The ones on the other side look over the front drive,” said Alicia, “so these are better really.”
“Wow, it’s so nice,” mused Billy. “Imagine how great it would be for us here, Sim.”
After we had checked out the dorms, she led us back down the staircase, and past the head’s study, to a large, airy room which looked out over gardens and fields. This was the upper sixth classroom. There were desks, but they were arranged differently, around three sides of the room, each equipped with a PC. On the left was a door marked ‘PRIVATE’. Alicia noticed me looking at it.
“That’s the prefects’ room. Come on, I’ll show you.”
She unlocked the door with a key she produced from her skirt pocket, and took us into a room almost as big, with a few desks around the walls, a bookcase, armchairs, and a little side kitchen. Here there was only one strip of windows high up on the outside wall. At the far end was another door, jet black with a barred circle painted on it in red. It was fitted with a combination lock.
“Where does that go?” asked Billy.
“Never mind. Better for you if you never find out,” replied Alicia, mysteriously. She quickly changed the subject. “Now, all we have left to see are the new buildings at the back.” She led us out and through a back door. There was a short path through the nearest gardens leading to a large group of low, modern, grey buildings. These, it transpired, housed the school canteen, a gym, a swimming pool, a dance room, and a little theatre, with all necessary facilities such as toilets, kitchens, changing rooms, and even a bar! We were astonished. But I think we had already made up our minds some time earlier.
“We’ve gotta go for it, Billy,” I whispered.
“Too right, Sim. This place is amazing. I can’t wait to get away from that shithole I go to at the moment.”
“Yeah, and I can escape from Geraldine and all her disgusting little friends. I mean, I don’t know them, but I bet they are.”
“Okay. Trial period?”
“Forget it!”
“I agree. When do you think we’ll get our uniforms?”
“That’s all you care about, isn’t it?” I laughed. “Soon enough. Skirts?”
“You bet!”
By the time Alicia had conducted us back to Miss Mortimer’s office, we were bubbling over with enthusiasm.
“Well boys? What do you think of our school?”
“It’s amazing, Miss. We’d like very much to transfer here. We don’t need a trial period. We’re certain”
“Yes, totally!” added Billy.
“And we’d like to be boarders, too, if that’s all right.” I said.
“Oh, I’m so pleased, boys! I’m sure you’ve made the right decision.” And she actually got up and gave each of us a hug! If that had been Miss Benson, I’d have been expecting a knee in the crotch!
“Alicia, thank you for coming in today. Please look after the boys for the first week or so at the beginning of term. Make sure they get to know the ropes.”
“Oh, don’t worry, Miss. I will!”
“Thank you so much for showing us around, Alicia,” added Billy.
“No problem,” she replied. “But remember, please, when you start here, I’ll be ‘Miss’ or ‘Miss Kelderman’ to you. Get used to it. Familiarity to a prefect is an offence.”
“Oh, yes, of course, Miss. I’m sorry,” blurted Billy, turning red. “I won’t forget.”
Alicia – Miss Kelderman – left. Miss Mortimer looked at us ruefully.
“Yes, they’re very strict about that. About lots of things, actually,” she added, thoughtfully.
“But back to practicalities. I’ll be writing to your parents to confirm your places, and I’ll handle all the formalities with your present schools. Now, would you like your uniforms today?”
“Oh, yes please, if it’s possible, Miss,” said Billy, all excited.
“It is, Billy. We keep extensive stocks here. I’ll ask Miss dic-ks, the school secretary, to take you to the uniform room and get you sorted out. She picked up the phone and pressed a number. “Miss dic-ks, I have two new pupils for uniforms. Thank you.”
A knock at the door. Miss dic-ks entered. A plump, middle-aged woman with steel-blue eyes.
“Ah, the new boys. I’ve heard all about you, gentlemen. Please follow me.”
As she led us to the uniform room, which was near the front entrance, next to the school office, she eulogised about the school and about our joining it.
“I’m sure you’ll be happy here. The girls are all so nice! It’ll be so lovely to have some boys here too at last. I’m sure you’ll both be in great demand. Both so good-looking as well.”
We grinned at each other behind her back.
“Right here we are. Everything is arranged in sections. Now, first I need to take your measurements, then I’ll be able to find you the right sizes.”
As she measured us, she approached the crucial question with some hesitation.
“Now, boys, the Head did mention to me that you, er, might be gender flexible? I just need to confirm what…what type of uniform you’d be looking for. Obviously, we do have trousers available, as a lot of the girls prefer them, especially in winter.”
“No thank you, Miss dic-ks,” I answered boldly. “We’re really very keen to fit in and so we’d like proper girls’ uniforms please. Everything the girls wear.”
“Oh, of course…. Absolutely. But the summer knickers may not be suitable,” she laughed, indicating a box of shiny, lace-trimmed panties in a variety of designs.
“Oh, they’re beautiful!” cried Billy, diving (metaphorically) into the box and riffling through them.
“Oh, goodness…” said Miss dic-ks, a little startled. “Well, of course, you can have anything you want. You have an allowance of seven pairs of summer and seven pairs of winter knickers …panties, if you like …the same of gym knickers, the same of tights, of stockings, of knee socks. You have shirts and ties and jumpers and track suits, T-shirts, shoes, of course, skirts in three different lengths depending on the weather, oh, and even green school hats and straw hats for summer. Does that sound good?” We nodded enthusiastically. She smiled. “Let’s get started, then!”
By the time we had finished we had a huge mound of new clothes each. Miss dic-ks said that as we were going to be boarders, they’d be placed in our room ready for us when we arrived.
She seemed genuinely happy for us. She had a motherly way with her. Having sorted out our clothing to our mutual satisfaction, we said goodbye, and returned to Miss Mortimer’s office. She handed out some printed sheets of information for us to read, and by lunchtime we were on our bikes heading home.
“This is gonna be fun!” I said.
“Yeah. We’ll be together for once. And we might even get half an education.”
“I wonder what the teachers will be like?”
“Clever, probably. Not like our present ones.”
“It’s a month today, and we’ll be back here with our own room!”
“Yes. Let’s go in the day before, if we can.”
“Definitely!”
� Betty Pearl's Sissy Stories 20.1
Topic: Simon (Read 41411 times)
