Wisps of Cloud Read Online Free PDF Page A

on. Finally, all ten classes were sitting in rows eating and talking quietly.
    "Thank you," Karla said. "That is the way we behave at Tui Park. When you have finished you may get a second item to eat if you wish and find your Mum or Dad. There will be no running or shouting at all. Is that clear?"
    "Yes, Miss Spicer," the voices replied.
    Peace was restored and the evening finished on a high note as supper was finished and the crowd dispersed. Several parents came up to say favourable things about the evening and Val appeared at the main exit door to gush away at those walking out. Murray was conspicuous by his absence and Karla assumed that he had already left,
    "Karla!"
    She turned to see Chrissy standing there.
    "Hi Chrissy. We did well. I loved the item your class put on and your art work was fantastic. Congratulations."
    "But it could have ended as a shambles. I tried to help but…" Chrissy shrugged. "I don't know how you do it. You had the kids eating out of your hand."
    "Not literally, I hope," Karla laughed.
    "I mean it," Chrissy said. "You've taught me more about teaching in the last few months than all those academics at the College of Education did in three years."
    "Let's say there is more to teaching than what the academics preach." Karla whispered, "I was never that good at university. Sure I gained my degree with modest marks but half the theory…" She shrugged. "Mutual respect is important, if you respect the children and vice versa you can't go far wrong."
    Chrissy nodded. "Oh by the way there's a certain School Property Manager waiting outside in that beat-up old pickup. He asked me to tell you he'd give you a ride home if you wish."
    "Ryan!" Karla gasped. "Why is he here?"
    "Oh Karla, you may be an excellent teacher but you are naïve when it comes to guys, aren't you?"
    Karla felt her face heat up but grinned at her friend's wide smile. "Nobody's perfect," she whispered and stepped away to find her jacket and mobile phone from where she had left them behind the stage.
    "Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Chrissy called out to her.
    "Yeah! Gives me plenty of choice," Karla replied. For some unknown reason her heart was racing.
    *
    Karla jumped into the Toyota Hilux but couldn't look at Ryan. "I've got my own car here, you know," she muttered as she watched the last few families leave the grounds.
    "So leave it here. It'll be safe in the school grounds for one night."
    Karla turned and saw Ryan's face. He looked as nervous as she felt.
    "But my place is over five kilometres from yours. Isn't it a bit out of your way."
    "Not really. I've packed a change of clothes and brought my shaving gear."
    "Why?" gasped Karla.
    "Well as you said it a long way between our two houses. I thought I'd stay at your place tonight. Perhaps we could go to our favourite bar first. After all it's only a little after eleven and there are only two more days of school in the term."
    Karla gulped. She had slept with Ryan twice since that first time and every time was more exciting and fulfilling than before and now her heart was racing and she felt more happening to her body as he grinned at her. "I haven't got the spare bed made up," she whispered in a mock protest.
    "We don't need it, do we?" he almost stuttered,
    "All night," she gasped.
    "Why not?"
    She nodded but remained serious. "Let's forget about the pub and go straight home." She turned. "I'm not going to make a habit of this, Ryan."
    He grinned reached over, grabbed her face to turn and kissed her firmly on the lips. At the same time a hand gently squeezed a breast."
    "Ryan!" she gasped as she noticed several people walking to their vehicles. "What if one of the parents sees?"
    "Who cares?"
    Karla smiled. "Yeah but keep your hands to yourself until we get home,"
    "And then!"
    "Oh shut up," Karla responded and hit him none too gently across the shoulders.
    They arrived home and within moments were both dressed in pyjamas and facing each other. He gathered her in his arms and