Free Taking Charge by Bridgitte Lesley

started playing the backup music.
She took the microphone.
“Everyone on their feet!” They all started to clap and sing Queen’s
We Will Rock You. Dorothy and Henry stood up and joined in. Joy
stood and sang and stomped her foot as she sang. Tanya stared and
grinned. She could feel her heart beating. She felt
excited.
    The end of the song came up. Joy
smiled. “I think that is going to be the school hymn!” Everyone
cheered.
“Parting words. Sneakers. Changes will be made and you will know by
Monday what they are. Your parents are welcome to join us on a
Monday morning for assembly. My door is open. The first change we
are going to make. We will sing our hymn once. I will say my
parting speech. The teachers will all get up.” She nodded as all
the teachers got up.
“We will start the hymn again and they will walk out to their
classes. You will slowly start moving. From the front row. And you
will head to your class. By the time we have finished our hymn the
assembly hall will be cleared and you will be at your first class.”
Joy nodded.
“Are you with me?” There was a loud chorus of ‘yes’.
    Joy started the song again and the
teachers all slowly walked out of the hall. The pupils sang as loud
as they could. Joy nodded and the pupils from the front row started
walking out in two rows. They sang on top of their voices as they
slowly walked out of the hall. Joy stood on the stage and sang and
watched. The song came to an end and Joy smiled. The last pupil had
walked out just in time. Joy took her laptop and packed everything
away.
“Mister and Mrs. Gibb. Join me up here for a few seconds.” They
both walked up to the stage and took a look.
“Rather frightening isn’t it?” Harry grinned and nodded. Dorothy
smiled.
“Actually I would like to apologize.” Harry nodded.
“So would I.” Joy smiled.
“Any chance of a rave?” Dorothy grinned.
“I don’t know what a rave is.”
“A very noisy discotheque. Mirror balls. Bright lights. And one
loud singer.” Harry roared with laughter.
“We can do our best.” Joy nodded.
“Get the other parents involved. Give the orders. I am making you
two in charge. But the meetings take place behind closed doors. No
children allowed.” Dorothy chuckled and nodded.
“Are you sure the marks are going to go up?” Joy smiled.
“What do you think?” Dorothy grinned.
“I think so.” Joy nodded. She shook their hands.
“Sorry. I am Joy Sheridan.” They both shook her hand.
“Nice to meet you.” Joy smiled.
“I need to dash.” They all walked out of the hall together. Dorothy
and Harry waved. Joy smiled as she headed for her
office.

CHAPTER 7
    “ Miss Rose. Divert your phone and head to
my office please.” Penny scrambled to find her notepad. She put the
phone on divert and walked through to Joy’s office. “Take a seat.” Penny sat down. She could feel her palms sweating.
She was nervous. She knew she was going to be reprimanded.
“Miss Rose. I need you to do a few things for me please.” Penny
nodded.
“I need a name plate made. For each teacher. The name will read
Mister, Miss or Mrs., their full initials, and their surname. A
name plate made out of Perspex. And the name to be engraved. The
Perspex to be clear and the names in black. The letters at least
fifteen centimeters high. Each name plate must be the same size.
Whatever the size the plates must be the same size and the letters
the same.” Penny nodded.
“I need a name plate for your desk. One that says reception and one
with your name.” Penny nodded.
“I want the dead flowers removed from your desk.” Penny nodded and
lowered her head.
“Put in an order for a fresh bouquet of flowers to be delivered
every single Monday morning.” Penny nodded.
“The name plates need to have a hole drilled on either side and ask
them to have a set of screws with each name plate.” Penny
nodded.
“All for now.” Penny smiled.
“Thank you Miss Sheridan.” Joy nodded and smiled as Penny