The Crunch Campaign Read Online Free PDF

the clock beside her bed. There was still time to make a lunch that’d be edible.
    Her mum turned to go, then stopped and came back to sit on her bed. ‘Ah, Katie, there’s something I need to tell you.’
    Nothing good ever came after those words. ‘Oh, not more bad news, Mum. I can’t handle it. Neither can you.’
    â€˜No, it’s good news, I think.’ Her mum fiddled with the corner of a sheet.
    â€˜Well, tell me. I need to get to school, remember?’
    â€˜Okay. Liam and I are kind of going out.’
    Katie gasped. ‘ What? ’
    â€˜We’ve been seeing each other outside work a bit. While you were away we had dinner and went to the movies a couple of times.’
    Katie blinked hard. Liam Parfitt – nice, not bad looking and Lorraine had always thought he’d make a good boyfriend for her mum. ‘But –’ She fished around for something to say. ‘Who looked after the kids while you were at the movies?’
    â€˜We left them in the car, of course. Georgie’s very grown-up for five.’
    â€˜You what? Mum! ’
    â€˜I’m joking. Liam’s mother looked after them, of course! Anyway, it’s no big deal. It’s just nice to have him – around. I’ve been worried about how to tell you, but I thought the best thing was to simply come out with it. Are you okay?’
    â€˜Sure, fine, why wouldn’t I be?’ Katie spoke too quickly, but her mother didn’t notice.
    â€˜Great. Because Liam’s bringing the kids over for dinner tonight. They’ll be here about six but it won’t be a late one, okay?’
    â€˜Huh?’
    â€˜You don’t have to cook for everyone, though, so don’t worry. Liam says the kids like simple food. I’m sure I can manage sausages and mashed potatoes.’
    Katie felt a flicker of relief. With a bit of luck, a terrible meal would put him off.
    She got to school just as the bell went. Mrs Sinnamon was waiting like a farmer, anxious to shut the gate after the last sheep. ‘Katie,’ she purred. ‘Welcome back.’
    â€˜Thanks.’ Katie was out of breath.
    â€˜Make sure you have a drink of water. It’s so hot already.’
    â€˜I will.’
    â€˜Did you have a lovely time in New York?’
    â€˜Great, thanks.’
    â€˜Good. I’m glad you’ve had a chance to get all that creativity out of your system! Now run along. You’ve got a new home-room teacher to meet. The other girls got acquainted yesterday. But of course, you weren’t here.’
    â€˜No,’ said Katie. ‘I’d better go.’
    â€˜Have a wonderful day.’
    Katie sped off – she’d forgotten that Mrs Devlin was leaving – she was okay, but a bit uptight about tidiness. Maybe the new teacher would be more relaxed.
    â€˜Katie Crisp, lovely to meet you. I’m Ellen Whitby,’ said the thin young woman at the front of the classroom, as Katie took her seat. The new teacher was twenty-three, maybe twenty-four, tall and thin with light brown hair pulled into a ponytail. She wore a dust-coloured hessian skirt and a loose cotton blouse. There were brown Crocs on her feet. Katie was wondering how she’d got through Mrs Sinnamon’s interview process. The principal of Mary Magdalene wore suits and shoes that looked like they hurt and she expected all her staff to do the same. Ms Whitby must have dressed up for the interview then gone back to normal, Katie figured. Good on her. So she relaxed a bit. In her experience, young teachers wanted to be liked more than the older ones did.
    â€˜I’m sorry I’m a bit late,’ she said. ‘I was talking to Mrs Sinnamon.’
    â€˜Well, I could hardly expect you to run away from that conversation, could I?’
    The class giggled.
    â€˜No,’ said Katie. Maybe this term she might have an ally in the staff room. That would be handy.
    Katie’s strategy at