Christmas With Mr. Jeffers by Julie Kavanagh Read Free Book Online Page A

was ‘just a baby’.
    “What’s your name? ” he asked quickly before she guessed anyone spotted him on this side of the street. “I’m Tommy.”
    “Jane,” she had looked up into eyes of the deepest chocolate, whose warmth belied his gruffness. His hair was scruffy, a mass of dark brown which screamed out for a comb, and there was a graze on his chin from a fall.
    He nodded quickly and held out the teddy. “Do you want it? I’m too old for it now. Its name is Mr. Jeffers.”
    Jane nodded enthusiastically, her hands held out to gather the cuddly creature to her chest. Its softness seemed to cuddle her back.
    “Got to go,” Tommy muttered as his mother’s voice called his name.
    She looked up as he backed away.“Thank you,” she said in a whisper.
    Christmas-Scotland
    Jane smiled to herself as she stood to leave the bus. She’d never forgotten that boy’s kindness and, how he and Mr. Jeffers had saved Christmas for the little girl she once was.
    She was still grinning as she moved carefully along the slush-covered streets, through the playground and into the warmth of the primary school where she taught. Bright coloured garlands hung from the stark white ceilings. Cotton wool snowmen were stuck to every available wall and the gentle tinkle of sleigh bells sounded as she passed the Principal’s office.
    “Jane,” Mr. Reynolds called as Jane stepped down the corridor, “could you pop back when you’ve hung up your coat?”
    “Two minutes,” Jane waved as she for the staff room to grab a hot drink from the machine. He waved her to a seat before sitting in front of her.
    “I need your help,” the rather plump man sighed deeply, his brow creased with the worry. “I know you’ve had your own problems recently, but we have a School Inspector popping in this morning and I feel you’re the best person for him to observe. You don’t mind, do you?”
    Jane smiled again; the Inspector had picked a good morning to visit. Crossed fingers- this was going to be a great lesson.
    “No, I don’t mind at all and please don’t worry about me,” Jane looked up into Jack Reynolds’ caring grey eyes. “It’s all sorted out between David and I. I won’t let it affect my work again.”
    The two weeks she’d spent sorting things out were a stark reminder of why it hadn’t worked out for her and David. She didn’t know what she’d seen in him in the first place, but least said, soonest forgotten, as far as she was concerned. She didn’t need anything from him, not even the memories.
    “That’s good to hear,” Jack Reynolds returned Jane’s warm grin; she was popular among the staff and children alike. He’d hate to lose her. “I didn’t mean that I worried about it affecting your work,” Jack quickly corrected himself. “I meant I’m glad that it’s all sorted out.”
    Jane reached to touch him gently on the arm before she turned away.
    “I know what you meant,” her smile was warmer as she trod past the multitude of oddly- shaped snowmen and snowflakes towards her classroom.

Chapter Two
    The first part of the morning Jane spent in the large airy hall, practising Christmas carols for the school performance. Little Beth cried as she always did whenever they tried something new, but a quick cuddle and a few gentle words had her donning the cute sheep costume again.
    Jane sighed and lifted a hand to wipe the tear from the corner of her eye before anyone else noticed. She was so emotional at this time of the year but it was a good feeling of warmth that filled her.
    “Ok, Milton Class, you were wonderful. Beautiful! I’m so proud of you all.” Jane stood, her hands applauding her class’s effort.
    Okay, Brian couldn’t sing a note in tune and unfortunately he was the loudest of the lot, but no one else seemed to notice. Little Beth cheered up and everything was going good, but Jane had her fingers crossed. In her experience there was always something that went wrong on the day and there were still