She nods to Audrey and walks over to us.
‘Hello, Mrs Miller and Skye, is it?’
I nod and shake her hand. I feel Skye pressing into my side.
‘I’m Miss Perkins, your class teacher.’ She extends her hand to Skye, who shyly takes it. ‘Hello, Skye, I’m so pleased to meet you at last.’
Skye glances at me and I give her a little nod. ‘Hello,’ she says quietly.
‘I thought we might go through so I can show you the classroom where you’ll be joining us. It’s break time, so all the children are outside . . . Mum can come, too, if you like?’
Skye nods, her face straining with tension. Part of me wishes I could just cuddle her and take her back home, but of course that’s not in her best interests.
We follow Miss Perkins down a short corridor, where she opens a brightly painted blue door with glass inserts at the end.
‘This is Fern Class. All the classrooms at St Benjamin Monks are named after things in nature.’
‘That’s nice,’ I say. ‘Isn’t it, Skye?’
She doesn’t answer me. She’s looking through the window at all the children dashing around in the playground.
The interior of the classroom is spacious and bright and the walls are covered with the children’s artwork. Judging by the papier-maché models on the tables, it looks as though they’re in the middle of a project on birds.
‘I thought it might be nice for you to sit here today,’ Miss Perkins pulls out a chair at the table next to her desk. ‘Next to your new classmates, Javeed and Hannah.’
The colour drains from Skye’s face and I look at Miss Perkins, puzzled.
‘I thought it was just a quick visit today,’ I say lightly. ‘I didn’t realise Skye was going to be staying.’
‘Yes. I believe Mrs Marsden has made arrangements for Skye to be admitted from today. But if that’s not the case . . .’
Skye looks up at me fearfully, but I’m too flustered to speak.
Why would Audrey take it upon herself to do that? I made it perfectly clear we just wanted a visit and to begin admission arrangements for September.
Miss Perkins crouches down so she’s on the same eye level as Skye. ‘I mentioned Javeed and Hannah because they’re both really looking forward to meeting you and they can help you with your papier-maché model. Have you made papier-maché before?’
Skye shakes her head and her forehead furrows. I hold my breath, certain she’s on the brink of bursting into tears.
‘She loves birds,’ I hear myself say. ‘She can identify all the popular types.’
I’m not going to leave Skye if she gets upset. She’s had enough upheaval in one week with the move.
‘I’m impressed!’ Miss Perkins pulls an exaggerated face. ‘If you stay today you could have your very own bird to take back to your new bedroom.’
Skye bites her bottom lip.
‘It’s very easy and lots of fun. What’s your favourite bird?’
‘I like owls,’ Skye says, looking down at her hands.
‘Oh, in that case, let me show you Oscar’s model.’ Miss Perkins holds her hand out to Skye, and after a moment’s hesitation, Skye takes it. The teacher leads her over to the far side where she picks up an impressive painted model of a tawny owl. ‘He based it on the owl in Harry Potter. What do you think?’
‘It’s very good.’ Skye nods. ‘The owl’s name in Harry Potter is Hedwig.’
‘Oh, well remembered!’ Miss Perkins exclaims and Skye smiles for the first time. ‘I always forget his name but he’s very cute, isn’t he?’
Skye nods. ‘Owls have brilliant eyesight, it’s so they can hunt their food at night.’
‘Spot on. Well, you could make one just like this and then hang him from your bedroom ceiling. How about that?’
Skye’s face brightens and I relax a touch as I see her confidence growing before my very eyes. Miss Perkins is quite obviously a complete genius when it comes to kids.
‘Perhaps you could tell the class a few owl facts later . . . is that something you’d like to do?’
Skye nods, still a little unsure. But Miss Perkins is very good at putting her at ease. And if Skye is willing to stay, it would be a massive weight off my mind to put the whole changing-schools issue to bed.
‘Let’s say goodbye to Mum then, and you can help me tidy up the models before everyone comes in.’
Miss Perkins winks at me and I give Skye a little wave. ‘See you later, sweetie, have a good day.’
She waves and