Christmas With Mr. Jeffers (2 page)

Chapter Three

“Did anyone bring a toy today?” Jane sat in her wooden chair, her tote bag sat on the floor by her knee.

A little girl, Angel, with messy hair, put up her hand. Jane smiled. This girl was the shyest in the class. She was new and struggled to participate in any –class activities. She knew Angel coped better in small groups, and this was the first time she’d offered her hand for anything. She was making progress.

Jane waited until Angel joined her at the front before asking her anything about the doll in her hand. Two little girls sat in the front row; they were always in the front row together and were always sniggering nastily at this shy child. They thought her name was silly but Jane thought it suited the delicate little thing. She had an ethereal feel about her with her beautiful blue eyes.

“Janice, Michaela, would you like to sit at the back?” Jane’s voice had a tone of authority and both girls shook their heads. “I don’t want to hear your voices, do you understand?” The girls nodded. Jane noticed the man making notes and she sighed inwardly. Would he think she couldn’t control her class?

Angel’s voice was clear as she told the class about her doll. It was obviously homemade but with skill. Laced with love.

“My mummy made it for me and told me to name her after my most favourite thing in the world,” Angel hesitated probably because she thought they would laugh at her.

Angle’s words captivated the children’s attention. Even Janice and Michaela craned their heads to listen.

“Would you like to tell us her name?” Jane asked gently, her hand on the little girl’s arm.

“I couldn’t call her Mummy‘’ so she’s called ‘Ice Cream.”’

The children laughed, but they also clapped. They didn’t think the name was silly; they loved ice cream too. Jane glanced over at Mr. Andrews; the man’s head was bent over his folder as he wrote more notes.

Daniel Jenkins waved his hand, calling out as he always did, “Miss, miss, did you bring a toy?”

“I might have…” Jane grinned, leaned over and pulled the teddy from her tote. She sat the threadbare toy on her lap. “Milton class, I’d like you to meet …”

The man cut her off, “Mr. Jeffers”.

Jane turned to look at the man; his eyes were of the deepest chocolate and his mass of dark brown hair screamed out for a comb although it was obvious he’d tried his best with it.

“Tommy?”

“Jane.” Tom smiled, it lit his eyes with unexpected warmth.

He waited at the back of the class until the children were dismissed for break.

“I never thought I’d see him again,” Tom said as he held the tatty little bear in front of him.

“I never thought …” Jane began but stopped. She wanted to tell him how much the teddy bear meant to her, how many secrets the much-loved toy kept, but this was about work, not her past. What she wanted to say wasn’t appropriate to say to a School Inspector. He was here to judge her work, not to relive childhood memories.

“Mr. Andrews?” Jack Reynolds, the school Principal peered into the classroom, his eyes taking in the scene of the man holding the teddy and not understanding the situation. “Are you done here? There’s a call from your office.”

Tom stood, a bright flush flooded his face as he handed the toy back

“Yes, of course, Jane and I know each other from childhood, we were catching up. Thank you, Mrs. Stewart, it was a lovely lesson.” Tom nodded his head and followed the Principal out of the room.

****

Jane was as pretty as he remembered her. He’d never forgotten and it wasn’t just because she had his precious toy. He’d written it off to a ten-year olds crush. What were the odds of him bumping into that little girl again and her having Mr. Jeffers with her?

One in a ... billion?

It was a small world. He’d been attracted to Jane, but noticed the telltale white mark on her left hand of a ring not long off her marriage finger.

Chapter Four

Jane watched Tom leave. He didn’t look back, but then what did she expect? They were strangers just as they had been that wintery day so many years ago. But, she’d watched his face when he held Mr Jeffers and a spur of the moment idea had her calling his name.

“Tom- Mr. Andrews!” Jane stood, her hand extended. She caught up to him and stopped. “I believe this belongs to you.”

He accepted the toy just as Mr. Reynolds called out his name and he left for another classroom.

****

Jane sat in her living room, idly watching a soap opera. The coffee in her favourite mug was cold and she’d barely tasted the ready- prepared meal she’d eaten. Picking up her empty plate and cutlery, she carried them to the tiny kitchen to wash.

Jane glanced into her small bedroom and at the empty space at the end of her bed where Mr. Jeffers usually sat. In the year she’d lived in this flat, he’d been there to comfort her. When David threatened all sorts of things, Mr. Jeffers had been there to cuddle and offer his own kind of reassurance, his soft fur scented with her perfume giving her the strength to carry on no matter what.

Now he’s gone back to his owner.

A quick shower and a set of comfy pyjamas and Jane was ready for bed.

She couldn’t sleep, her mind turning over the events of the day. How odd was it that Tom should turn up and in her classroom? How strange that it should be the very day she’d brought Mr. Jeffers to school when she’d never done it before. Closing her eyes tightly to stop the tears which threatened to fall, she sighed softly.

She wasn’t a child and didn’t need a toy to comfort her. Mr. Jeffers was back where he belonged. It wasn’t something to cry over, but it was a long time until she fell asleep.

“How did it go?” Louise was waiting at the school gate the next morning, her cheeks red from the cold and her hands wrapped up in hand -knit- bright orange mittens. “Did you ask him out?”

“It went ok,” Jane nodded but she didn’t really want to talk about it. Her day had started badly when her ex called and demanded the return of several CDs he claimed she had taken. “And no, I didn’t ask him out.”

“Why not?” Louise seemed disappointed. “He was just your sort. You two would have made a lovely couple.”

“Louise, you’re a dear but I don’t need your help with my love life. Mr. Andrews wasn’t my sort and, to be frank, I don’t want to be part of a ‘couple’. Been there, done that and I don’t want to do it again, thank you.”

“Only trying to help.”

****

Tom was at at his computer when he received a phone call. Martha could be very odd when the mood took her.

“Tom, is that you?” Martha breathed down the phone, putting on her sexy voice. Tom grinned, this woman could be a lot of fun. He enjoyed their conversations and it beat sitting here working any day.

“Martha, you’ve just phoned my office. Who else would it be?”

“You might have an incredibly beautiful woman sitting on your lap for all I know,” Martha oozed. For a sixty-year-old lady, she had a very sexy voice when she tried, and boy, was she trying right now.

“The only beautiful lady in my life is you,” Tom teased back, but that wasn’t the complete truth.

He’d met Jane again and he couldn’t get her out of his mind.

Not to mention, Mr. Jeffers was taking up space in his briefcase because he couldn’t bear the thought of leaving him alone in a strange place.

“Have you finished the report on yesterday’s visit yet?” she asked.

“Not quite. I have a few questions,” Tom hesitated, an idea forming in his head. “I think I may have to go back to the school.”

“Good idea,” Martha grinned. “The Principal just called to invite you to their Christmas concert. He thought you might enjoy it.”

“Perfect,” Tom agreed. His eyes caught sight of a furry leg sticking out from his briefcase. “I can complete my report and have it ready for tomorrow morning.”

It was only to return Mr. Jeffers to her care, but truth was he wanted to see Jane again.

He’d slept badly and knew the furry toy wasn’t in the right home. For all he knew she might have a child of her own missing the teddy. He didn’t want to cause the same sadness in another child. Yes, he was going to see Jane and give her back the bear.

“And just in case you’re wondering, Jane Stewart isn’t married any longer,” Martha added before she hung up.

Chapter Five

The hall was magical. - Glittery icicles hung from the high ceilings, and snowflakes - seemed to be suspended in air above the gathering audiences. The walls were covered with silvery paper, reflecting the twinkling light of the huge evergreen tree in the corner
.
Proud parents
and grandparents filled up the rows of blue chairs in front of the stage. Mandy stuck her bright red head through the blue curtains eyeing the growing crowd, her bottom sticking out like a huge pudding.

“Oh, you should see it out here,” she tittered, closing the curtain again as she turned to face Jane. “It’s filling up fast. I’ve never seen such a rush for seats.”

Jane blushed.

Mandy continued, “And why shouldn’t I say what everyone else is thinking? You’re the best teacher we have and the parents know it. You have such a wonderful way with the children and this concert is going to be great,” Mandy reached to touch Jane on her arm before rushing away to stop little Mikey from climbing into the crib. “Oh no, you don’t. That’s for the baby Jesus.”

The singing was beautiful. Pure voices saturated the entire hall with joy and love as the small children sang their hearts out. Even with Mary dropping baby Jesus it didn’t mar the presentation. Jane and the children took four bows before the curtains closed and the children were ushered back to their classrooms to remove their costumes before they were damaged in the excitement.

“Mrs. Stewart,” a familiar voice called her name.

“Mr. Andrews.”

“Can I talk to you in the staff room? And it’s Tom. Call me Tom.”

“Tom it is, then,” she smiled.

They walked down the hall, and he shut the door behind them after they entered the room.

“Let me congratulate you on a fantastic show. That was the best performance I’ve seen this year.”

“The children were wonderful,” Jane agreed, wondering why Tom’s hand was still on her arm-
not that she was complaining.

“I hear you were in charge of the entire thing, which speaks of true dedication.”

Jane beamed; his praise meant a lot to her.

“I wanted to …” Tom looked around for his briefcase. “Look, I’m sorry. I have to go back to the office, but I wondered... would you like to go out for a drink? Tonight?”

She blinked in surprise, but answered, “Yes, I’d love to. It’s on me.”

“I can’t let a pretty lady like you buy me drinks,” Tom blustered. “I have some things to finish off before the holidays but give me your number and I’ll phone you as soon as I’m done.”

Jane wrote down her number on a slip of paper and then watched him go.

Tom thinks I’m pretty
?
And he wants to go out... with me?

“Jane, are you ok?” Louise paused to stand with her as they both watched the tall man climb into his car. Just wait until Martha heard about this.

“I’m great,” Jane beamed “I’m just great.”

Chapter Six

The end of the day was too long in coming, the children were over -excited and there was little point in trying to calm them. Both Jane and Mandy were exhausted by the time the parents had collected them. Jane rushed out wondering what she was going to wear tonight for her date with Tim. She had anew red dress with the buttons down the front. It was a perfect fit and she hadn’t had the opportunity to wear it.

Tom left a message to say he’d pick her up about seven.

When the door rang just after six thirty she ran to the door and threw it open.

“Going somewhere special.”

“David? What are you doing here?” Jane spluttered at the sight of her ex- husband.

“What kind of welcome is that for your husband?”

“
Ex
- ex-husband. What are you doing here?”

“I’m here bearing gifts,” David stepped into the small flat, making it seem so much smaller with his height. A large bag hung suspended from one hand. “It’s the season to be friendly.”

Jane followed him into her living room and groaned as he made himself comfortable on her- sofa, his large feet plonked on her glass coffee table.

“I asked why you were here,” Jane asked again. “You can’t stay here, I’m going out.”
“So I see. Is that a new dress? David barely lifted his head as he flicked through the channels looking for something interesting to watch. “Is it a date?”

“I’m seeing an old friend. Why aren’t you with Sally?”

“We had a bit of a falling out,” David waved a hand as if dismissing the thought of Sally from his mind.

“You can’t stay here,” Jane muttered firmly a she retreated to her bedroom and shut the door.

****

Tom knocked on the door. But, instead of Jane he found a stern-faced man.

“I’m here to pick up Jane. I’m a little early,” Tom muttered, trying to peer around the man, looking for Jane, but she was nowhere to be seen.

He came early because he couldn’t wait to take her out and tell her how he felt about her and how he’d never really forgotten her.

“You’re here to pick up my wife?” David growled, his pale eyebrows gathering together.

“Your wife? I thought…”

“You thought wrong. Jane and I are together and you shouldn’t be here.”

“I’m sorry,” Tom stuttered. “I obviously misunderstood, but if you could give this to Jane...”

He handed her husband Mr. Jeffers wrapped up in shiny paper with a big red bow on the front. David nodded, took the present quickly and closed the door in Tom’s face.

****

“Did I hear the door?” Jane asked and frowned at David’s presence in her kitchen,

“Fancy a coffee?” David reached for the kettle and made the pretence of filling it from the tap.

“No, I don’t want a coffee and I don’t want you here. Didn’t you get the message when you received the divorce papers?” Jane glared at David.

“You’re looking good. You must have known I was coming.” David grinned.

“If I knew you were you coming, I would have... moved!” she snapped. Anger boiled through her. “And now, I want you to leave.”

“But what about us?”

“There
is
no ‘
us
’. You destroyed us when you started seeing that woman-was it Sally, or was she only one of many?”

Jane waited and waited, peering out at the window to look for Tom. By ten o’clock it was evident he wasn’t coming. No doubt, he’d thought better of it and she couldn’t really blame him. One failed marriage was hardly a striking endorsement for any new relationship.

She hung the new dress back in the wardrobe, slowly running her fingers down the length of the tiny pearl buttons. She shook out her hair, wiped off her carefully applied make-up and moved slowly around to tidy up her flat. Placing her foot on the bin’s pedal to throw away a small bag of rubbish, she noticed the shiny bow on a present.

“Mr. Jeffers!” Jane cried. She pulled the bear out of the bin and hugged the toy to her chest.

Tom had been here; he’d brought Mr. Jeffers home. His carefully written note explained it all, but why hadn’t he come in?

“Tom?” Jane dialled the number she’d been afraid to use before.

“Jane, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were still married. I would never have…”

“I’m not married. David is most definitely my ex-husband and I made sure he damn well knows it,” Jane stated firmly. “I didn’t know you’d been here. David didn’t say anything.”

“I don’t want to get between...”

“I wanted you here tonight. David was the one who needed to go.”

Tom sighed at the other end of the line. “It’s a little late, but I know a decent Chinese and could pick something up.”

“Sounds good to me. It will be just the three of us.”

“Three?”

“You, me, and Mr. Jeffers.”

There was a pause before he said, “There’s a lot of things I wish I’d said to you over these years. I can’t seem to get you out of my head... and I’m not ten any longer.”

Jane held the phone to her heart long after Tom hung up.

All this time Mr. Jeffers was a keeper of their relationship... waiting for her and Tom to meet again.

She cocked her head and looked at Mr. Jeffers.
Had he planned her and Tom’s chance meeting?
She swore Mr. Jeffers’s face changed and he was smiling from the end of the bed.

Jane pulled her special dress out of the wardrobe and wiggled it back over her head.

It was going to be a very special Christmas indeed.