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

twenty-four hours before the school concert.
    “Have you seen him yet?” Louise McPherson, the school’s secretary caught Jane’s arm as she led her children back to class.
    “Seen who?” Jane asked, her eyes catching sight of Louise’s excited face.
    “The School Inspector. He’s gorgeous . All smouldering dark looks and come-to-bed eyes. You’ll like him and you should ask him out. I know he’ll jump at the chance. He’s not wearing a ring and I’m sure he hasn’t got a significant other,” Louise peered over her silver rimmed specs, speculation and a measure of anticipation lit her hazel eyes.
    Louise was always trying to fix her up with one man or another. “That’s a School Inspector you’re talking about and you can’t know whether he has a girlfriend just by looking at him,” Jane gently scolded the older woman.
    “It helps if you know the secretary for all the borough’s Inspectors like I do. Martha’s a close friend and she tells me Mr. Andrews hasn’t had a steady girlfriend for ages. She says he’s a lovely man and you two would be really good together.”
    “Martha doesn’t know anything about me.” Jane laughed. The situation was ridiculous. Now she had two interfering biddies trying to sort out her love life, but she was more amused than angry. “We might hate each other on sight.”
    “Martha knows him and I know you, so what more do you need? Now promise me you’ll give him that lovely smile and he’ll fall into your open arms,” Louise sighed.
    “I promise,” Jane whispered but didn’t hold out much hope. She hadn’t been nicknamed ‘Plain Jane’ at school for nothing. She didn’t expect the man to fall in love with her; she’d settle for a good report on her lesson.
    Yes, that was all she could hope for.
    ****
    “Now then children, I’d like you to meet Mr. Andrews. He’s going to sit in with us this morning.”
    Jane introduced the school visitor to the class. Some of the children smiled, a couple called out hello and two waved. The children were so friendly and indicative of the town they lived in.
    She’d done the right thing when she moved back after the break-up of her short-lived marriage. In the heart of London she’d been lonely, but here she’d been accepted straight away - especially when they discovered she’d been born here, despite her strange Scottish accent. It hadn’t taken long for the delicate brogue of the region to filter back into her voice, making her feel settled and wanted.
    “Good morning, children.” Mr. Andrews sat on one of the little chair looking much like a giant in one of their story books. “I’m here just to watch and see what you do.”
    She couldn’t look at the man in the dark suit with the folder on his lap. She was nervous enough. This was her first year of teaching Reception. She was prepared for today - had written out her lesson plans, had made copious notes, but terrified she’d forget something.
    Louise was right; he was drop dead gorgeous and his voice was to die for. The silly old lady had been reading too many romance novels and she thought everyone had their soul mate waiting out there for them. But Jane tried that. She’d thought David was the only one for her, but three years of marriage taught her that the concept of people falling in love and living happily- ever- after was a myth. It was created by ladies like Louise who read silly love stories.
    No, it was time to do what she was good at and leave all the lovey-dovey stuff to other people. She glanced up at her teaching assistant, Mandy, who winked, nodding her head in support, her mouth full of a warm smile.

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,