James+Powell


 * //WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR//

Being a Series of E-Mails forming a Novelette**
 * By James Powell OF 2G**

1st September 2007 To: __LauraJesson@hotmail.com__ From: __HughJesson@hotmail.com__

Hello, Mum!

Well, here we are again, back at you-know-where. Derek and I arrived last night. We never like coming back. Had supper when we got back to school. We saw all the usual faces: Tom, arguing over whether the custard was lumpy or not, Nathan telling us jokes (always the same, and in the same order, but we never mind) and, of course, Matt relating to us all the bloodiness of historical warfare. Rather inappropriate as we were eating! Dr. Locke gave us all the gen about Rookwood School’s high hopes of us this term, but most of us never listened. We were all tired after the long ride from the station in the school bus. I am e-mailing this to you from the dorm. Derek pulled out his treasure chest of chocolates and sweets, so we all had a feast. Hope none of the teachers discover it. They’ll only want us to share it!

Well, I must stop now. It’s Lights Out in 5 mins.

Talk to you tomorrow,

Hughie.

XXXXXXX

\2nd September, 2007 From: HughJesson@hotmail.com To: D.E.Lewis@rookwoodschool.org

Derek,

How about going down to the cricket nets this evening, say after prep? We need to get in some practice.

From: D.E.Lewis@rookwoodschool.org To: HughJesson@hotmail.com

OK, see you there.

3rd September 2007 To: LauraJesson@hotmail.com From: HughJesson@hotmail.com

Hello, Me Again!

School is a definite bore. We’ve been here for three days now. It’s like living in a ghetto. But there are silver linings on the stormy cloud horizon. Lots of new people here. Girls and boys. Rugby started yesterday. Tom scored two tries. No such luck with yours truly, I’m afraid! There’s a “new bug” here, called Alfie. Sounds like a nice chap. Boy, can he run! He’s got rockets in his toes! He may be the new secret weapon against Highcliffe. The food is just as bad as ever. The Rst. Beef is rubbery and the Yorkshire Puds taste like nothing on earth! Latin was the order of the day. Nathan got into a bit of a “spot”. He translated “Oh, dea”, meaning “O, Goddess!” as “Oh, Dear!” The laughter went on for a good minute and ½. Thanks for letting me bring my laptop. It means I can talk to you now.

Lots of love,

Hughie.

XXXXXX

4th July, 2007 From: LauraJesson@hotmail.com To: HughJesson@hotmail.com

Hughie, Darling,

Sorry I haven’t been back to you, but I’ve been rather busy. Dad has just been appointed a QC. Isn’t it wonderful? He found out on his birthday. He particularly liked his present that you gave him. “Swing When You’re Winning” is a great hit. We watched “Brief Encounter” last night. I cried at the end, it’s a very sad film. The sun is trying to come out here, but not really succeeding very well. Ben is outside playing on the lawn with his rubber bone, very funny to look at. I hope that you’ll keep well, lovely.

Love you lots, my darling,

Mum.

XXX

P.S. Happy Independence Day!

5th July, 2007 From: HughJesson@hotmail.com To: LauraJesson@hotmail.com

Dear All,

Please can you send me 15 pounds? I know it’s an odd way of starting, but I’m broke. Derek sends you his best. Must stop here, I’m in the middle of prep.

Au revoir,

Hughie.

XXXXXX

7th July, 2007 From: HughJesson@hotmail.com To: LauraJesson@hotmail.com

Dear All,

I can have a longer chat now. Prep’s over and I’ve got nothing to do. I’ve been reduced to doing some revision for those grotty exams! There’s talk of us going on a trip once they’re over. Should be fun. There’s another “new bug” here that we’ve noticed. She’s a girl called Celia Harvey. She’s a peculiar girl. She’s tall, with a round face, curly brown hair and green expressive eyes, a bit like a younger version of you, really, Mum. In fact, she looks just like you in that picture when you were a girl that’s on the mantelpiece. She doesn’t say much, just wanders around in a sot of trance. I expect that she’s just getting used to the place. But, well, it just doesn’t seem right. She seems a nice girl. We’ll go and talk to her tomorrow, you know, ask her to join our little duo. You’re always telling me that making new friends is one of the best things in life.

What do you think?

Lots of love,

Hughie.

XXXXXX

7th July, 2007 From: AlecJesson@hotmail.com To: HughJesson@hotmail.com

Hughie,

It certainly sounds like a good idea. From what you tell us, Celia seems to be a nice girl. But your mother is not sure

Good luck,

Dad

9th July, 2007 From: HughJesson@hotmail.com To: LauraJesson@hotmail.com

Dear All,

We’ve found something awful out. Celia is being bullied! We met her in the cloisters during morning break. She was sitting on a bench in the shadows and she looked up with the most startled and most expressive eyes that I’ve ever seen. Her eyes crinkled up and she barely whispered, “Don’t you think that you’ve done enough?” “Enough what?” I asked, not having a clue what she meant. “Ruining my life!” she burst out. “I tell you that I’m sick of it. Go away, just please go away.” “Hey, hey, now come on now.” Derek sat down beside her on the bench and gently patted her on the arm. “Come on. We wouldn’t do a thing like that to //you.//” “And why not?” she sniffed, but it was obvious that she was recovering herself. “Because…well, because...” He shot me a glance that cried out for support. “Because you’re different from all the other girls. We… we like you, Celia. I mean…” But it was too late. She had collapsed into Derek’s arms, sobbing soft wet tears into his neck and her arms were wrapped tightly round him. She wouldn’t let him go. He was her saviour, the one who would help her through the hell of her life. He looked round awkwardly. He was acutely embarrassed. Several people were looking and pointing at us, laughing. I tried to pretend that I wasn’t there. I don’t know how long we stayed there, maybe a minute. Finally, she broke away. “Sorry. ‘M alright now.” “Now tell us. Who’s doing it?” I asked. But at that moment the bell rang for third school.

10th July, 2007 From: LauraJesson@hotmail.com To: HughJesson@hotmail.com

Hughie,

I’m shocked at this discovery, really I am. The best thing you can do is find out from Celia who exactly is doing this bullying and then go and see your form master. You were right to write home and tell us, darling. Take this advice and go and see your master as soon as you can.

Love,

Mum

XXX

11th July, 2007 From: HughJesson@hotmail.com To: A.G.Bancroft@rookwoodschool.org

Sir,

May Derek Lewis, Celia Bourne and I come and see you sometime in the near future? It’s very important. It concerns a school matter. Please can you e-mail me back or speak to me in class tomorrow?

Thank you, Sir,

Hugh Jesson

12th July, 2007 From: HughJesson@hotmail.com To: LauraJesson@hotmail.com

Dear Mum,

Good news! We went to see Mr. Bancroft yesterday and it was a success. It turned out that the bullies are three boys and two girls. They always “get” Celia every lunch break. It is mainly verbal, but also sometimes physical, but they are usually too smart for that. Mr. Bancroft listened to her story, said that she had been very brave and she had done the right thing to do. He said that he would “deal with the situation”, which really means that he’ll be having a word with Dr. Locke today. Celia is feeling much better now that we’ve stood by her. I have a feeling that she’s going to have a happy time at Rookwood School.

13th July, 2007 To: HughJesson@hotmail.com From: __Laura__Jesson@hotmail.com

Dear Hughie,

Well done, darling. You’ve done a very kind thing in standing by Celia. We’re very proud of you. Dad says can you send us another e-mail when you hear of further developments.

Well done, my marvellous darling,

Mum.

XXXX

14th July, 2007 From: HughJesson@hotmail.com To: LauraJesson@hotmial.com

Mum,

The “developments” are complete. The “gang”: Dennis, Kamran, Malcolm, Michelle and Carrie have been dealt with. In other words, they’ve been expelled. The school has a zero tolerance on bullying and these five have broken that rule. Can’t say I’m sorry to see them go. They didn’t deserve to get in here in the first place. Goodness knows how they did anyway! We were passing the door and we heard Dr. Locke speaking quite loudly. I think that the girls were crying, but I’m not sure. They were certainly “on the carpet”! Celia squeezed my hand as we passed. “Thank you so much,” she murmured. She really is a nice girl, you know. And I am pleased to announce that the duo has now become a trio.

Lots of love,

Hughie

XXXXXX