06 Educating Jack Read Online Free PDF Page A

deerstalker hat to reveal a head of close-cropped, steel-grey hair, then glanced down nervously at his size-ten brown brogues, highly polished to a military shine. ‘I couldn’t wait any longer, Vera,’ he said. ‘I simply had to speak to you. It’s been on my mind all week … in fact, I’ve thought of little else since the accident.’
    ‘Would you like a cup of tea, Rupert?’ asked Vera, recognizing that this hero of distant battlefields was struggling to cope with something as yet unknown.
    The major appeared grateful for the diversion. ‘Yes please, quench the old fires, what?’ He undid the button of his brown checked jacket and nervously fingered the immaculate knot in his East Yorkshire regimental tie, resplendent with its vivid white, gold, black and maroon stripes. Finally, he took a white handkerchief from the pocket of his cavalry twill trousers and mopped his forehead. Vera served the tea, sat back in her chair and waited until this huge bear of a man was good and ready. She was puzzled. It wasn’t like Rupert to be in such a state.
    Meanwhile, in Class 3, Joseph looked equally harassed. He was trying to bring his ‘How to Get to Heaven’ discussion to a logical conclusion and he hoped the children had finally grasped the concept.
    ‘Now, boys and girls,’ he said, ‘if I sold my car and gave the money to the church, would I get to heaven?’
    ‘No,’ chorused the children.
    Encouraged, Joseph pressed on. ‘And if I cleaned the church and kept it tidy, would I get to heaven?’
    ‘No,’ they answered, led by nine-year-old Betsy Icklethwaite, shaking her head vigorously.
    ‘Well done,’ said Joseph enthusiastically. ‘And, Betsy, why wouldn’t I get to heaven?’
    ‘’Cause y’not dead yet,’ said Betsy.
    It was at times like this that Joseph wondered if he had chosen the right profession and, once again, he glanced at the clock as morning playtime beckoned.
    In the school office Rupert had finished his tea. He put down his cup and saucer, took a deep breath and began.
    ‘Vera,’ he said quietly, ‘I believe that sometimes life hangs on a moment.’ He leant forward and held her hand. ‘And I believe
this
is that moment, my dear.’
    Vera recognized the gravitas in his words. ‘What exactly is it you wish to say, Rupert?’
    ‘It’s about getting married,’ he said.
    Vera held up her sapphire engagement ring and smiled. ‘And of course we shall … next summer, as we planned.’
    Rupert sighed and shook his head. ‘No, Vera, the accident changed all that for me.’
    The colour left Vera’s cheeks. ‘Rupert … what do you mean?’
    ‘Don’t you see?’ said Rupert. ‘For a moment I thought I had lost you. I couldn’t bear to see you in hospital.’ There was sadness in his eyes and anguish in his voice. ‘Now you’re well again I want to look after you … sooner, rather than later. I know I shouldn’t have come into school to ask you this, my dear, but I couldn’t wait until the Harvest Supper.’
    ‘Oh Rupert,’ said Vera, ‘ask me what?’
    ‘My dearest, let’s marry at Christmas and start the new year together … as man and wife.’
    Vera turned to stare out at the distant Hambleton hills. ‘Rupert, this is so sudden and … I would need to talk to Joseph.’
    ‘Of course you must, but please let me know soon.’ Then he kissed her lightly on the cheek. ‘I love you so very much,’ he said, ‘and now you know how I truly feel.’
    Suddenly the bell rang for playtime and it seemed to break the spell. Vera opened the office door. ‘Rupert, I need to get on. I’ll talk to you tomorrow,’ she said. Her mind was in a whirl.
    As I arrived in the entrance hall, Rupert was standing there, clearly preoccupied.
    ‘Good morning, Major,’ I said, resisting the inclination to jump immediately to attention.
    ‘Ah, good morning, Jack,’ he said, snapping out of his reverie.
    ‘Would you like to join us for coffee?’ I asked.
    He hesitated and looked at his