Taking Charge Read online

  “You pushed in!”

  “No. I had an invitation. Big difference!” Michael shook his head.

  “So what was the plan?” Roland smiled.

  “After breakfast we are heading straight out. We will stop for lunch on the way. We will make it home just in time.” Graham nodded.

  “In time for what? Joy have you got bangers on that plate of yours?” Joy shook her head.

  “No!”

  “Pity.” Roland shook his head.

  “Then we will be in time.” Graham nodded.

  “In time for what?” Quartz rolled her eyes.

  “So that we are not on the road in the dark.”

  “Ohhhhhh!” Joy smiled and shook her head. Shane nodded.

  “And you are staying?” Joy nodded.

  “I am staying.”

  “Right. Here?” Joy nodded.

  “Right here. You can e-Mail me. And no spam and do not send me those stupid jokes.”

  “Those jokes are not stupid. They are hilarious!”

  “What is funny about a man sitting on a toilet?”

  “Did you read the toilet paper?”

  “Who reads the toilet paper?” Joy shook her head.

  “Who writes on toilet paper? Oh don’t answer that Shane! Do not answer that!” Shane grinned. They all roared with laughter. Joy grinned.

  “Okay it was funny. But don’t send me nonsense.”

  Graham grinned.

  “We will form a fan club and send you e-Mails.” Joy grinned.

  “Graham. Have you got Feta on your plate?”

  “Yes and I hate the stuff!” He put it on a little plate and they passed it down to Joy.

  “Why do you have Feta on your plate?”

  “I found it there.” Joy shook her head.

  “Did you enjoy my breakfast which I handpicked for myself?” Graham nodded.

  “I certainly did. And the little sausages were nice too. You have rather a good sense of taste. But not the Feta.”

  “You have no class.”

  “I have class. I ate that stuff you gave me last time. The nice white cheese in. Oh pass me some of that Feta!” Joy grinned as she took a few blocks and the Feta cheese travelled back to Graham.

  Joy looked up as Emery walked in.

  “Yo Prof.!” Emery grinned.

  “Prof. why is your bike standing in the middle of the road?” Joy closed her eyes and shook her head.

  “I like it there.” Emery nodded.

  “Well the coppers like it too. And they are writing you a ticket.” Joy shook her head. Joy carried on eating her breakfast and Roland got up and walked to the front door. He grinned. There were police at the bike. But they were admiring it and not writing a ticket. He walked out. He smiled as he moved Joy’s bike back to where it was originally parked. They all chuckled. Bruce chuckled.

  “I have been watching them move this bike about. Are they pulling a prank?” Roland nodded.

  “Continuous!” They all grinned as he walked back inside.

  Everyone finished their breakfast. They all walked out. Joy hugged her parents and family. Quartz smiled and kissed her.

  “We love you honey.” Joy smiled.

  “Love you Mum.” She stood on the side of the road and climbed on her Harley and put her helmet on. Everyone hooted and waved as they left. Joy started her bike and headed to town. There were a few things that she needed to do.

  Tanya grinned. Jordan came and took a seat with the family.

  “Did you hear any of that?” Jordan smiled.

  “Oh I heard a tiny bit. Saw her breakfast getting little legs. So was that her family or?” Tanya nodded.

  “The three brothers and herself. And her Mum and Dad. Jordan those are all Doctors and really learned people. They are really educated.” Jordan smiled.

  “Did you see the bikes they were riding? Those are all worth quite a bit.” Tanya pointed.

  “Oh heck! She left something.” Jordan walked over. He picked up the card and flipped it over.

  “Professor J Sheridan. It must be her credit card. Gold?” Tanya smiled.

  “You can leave it at the bank and she will probably report it and she can collect it there or they can send it to her branch.” Jordan nodded.

  “I could.” Tanya giggled.

  “Did you hear how they kept moving her bike?” Lloyd grinned and nodded.

  “Up and down. They seem to kid with her all the time.” Zeba smiled and nodded.

  Craig walked over.

  “Did you see a card lying anywhere here?” Jordan nodded.

  “This one?” Craig smiled.

  “The lady came to fetch it.” Jordan got up and walked to the front of the pub.

  “Hi.” Joy smiled. She spoke softly.

  “Hi. Thanks. I was a bit worried about that.” Jordan smiled and looked at her and handed her the card. He also spoke softly.

  “I know you.”

  “Never been here before.” He nodded.

  “Take that hand out of that glove.”

  “Undress in front of you? I don’t think so.” Jordan smiled.

  “Thanks for last night.” She winked and walked out.

  “Never been here before.”

  “I know you were under cover.” She chuckled.

  “Now I am an agent. Heavens alive!” Jordan grinned.

  “Come on. Put me out of my misery. Tell me it was you.” Joy walked up to Jordan.

  “And if it was. Which it wasn’t. What you gunno dooooo?” Jordan smiled.

  “Oh lend me some sugar. I am your neighbor!”

  “Ha! Shake it. Shake it. Like a polaroid picture!” Jordan roared with laughter as they both sang the lyrics to the song.

  “You are good.” Joy smiled.

  “It definitely wasn’t me.” Jordan smiled and nodded. He spoke so quiet so that no one would hear.

  “Why don’t you want anyone to know?” Joy smiled and shook her head. Jordan smiled.

  “I am Jordan. By the way. Nice to meet you Professor Sheridan.” Joy whispered.

  “Just Joy. Please don’t mention the Professor bit.” Jordan spoke softly so no one could hear.

  “Why?”

  “It complicates matters.” Jordan smiled.

  “Nice to meet you.” He put out his hand. She put her hand in his.

  “You can come as a blonde or a brunette. But come. On Friday or Saturday. Please. Please come.” Joy smiled.

  “I have so much to do. I don’t even have anywhere to sleep for the night. Honestly. I have to get organized.” Jordan nodded.

  “Come on Friday. Saturday. I am open every single day. Every single night. Come. Come when you are ready.” Joy smiled. They were still holding hands.

  “You own Jordan’s?” Jordan nodded.

  “I do.” Joy smiled.

  “I’ll come. Some time. But I need to keep a low profile.”

  “Why?”

  “Because this town isn’t ready for me yet.” Jordan smiled.

  “But I am.” Joy smiled.

  “Jordan. I am different.”

  “I know you are.” Joy smiled.

  “When I need a job I might be on your doorstep.” Jordan smiled.

  “Are you that worried?” Joy sighed.

  “I am. I shouldn’t be. But I am.”

  “No need to be. Where are you going to work?” Joy whispered.

  “I am your new school Principal. Don’t tell a soul!”

  “Serious?” She nodded.

  “I have to go. I need a haircut.” Jordan looked at her hair. She wore it short.

  “Looks fine to me.” She shook her head.

  “I have a plan.” He smiled.

  “Okay. I lock up at nine tonight. Come and have a cup of coffee.” Joy looked at Jordan.

  “Nine? Is there a back door?” Jordan nodded.

  “You can park at the back. I will open up for you.” Joy smiled.

  “See you.”

  “Are you going to come?”

>   “Can I resist that invitation?” Jordan smiled. She slipped her hand out of his. She smiled and walked off.

  Jordan watched as she walked off. She turned and almost whispered.

  “Bye.” Jordan smiled.

  “Bye.” She smiled and climbed on to her bike and rode off towards town. Jordan smiled as he watched her. She was lovely. She was beautiful and she had a lovely figure. He smiled to himself. The town was in for a huge shock if she was the new Principal. He realized that she would have to be careful. She needed to get to know the town folk first before she could be herself. He smiled as he turned and walked back to the folks.

  Tanya smiled.

  “Isn’t she lovely? With that short hair. You wouldn’t think it would be nice on a woman but it suits her.” Jordan smiled and nodded. He sat down with everyone.

  “Joy Sheridan.” Tanya nodded.

  “But don’t call her Professor. She doesn’t seem to like it much. Or there is a reason. I wonder what she is a Professor of? She doesn’t look like a Professor. But then the other people. I heard the word Doctor used many times this morning.” Jordan chuckled and nodded.

  “Did you take a look at the bikes?” They all nodded.

  “All Harleys. That must be kind of a Harley club.” Jordan smiled and nodded.

  “All of them?” They all nodded. Dalton shook his head.

  “There was a Triumph.” Anne nodded.

  “But I like all the tassels and things.” They all nodded.

  “And they all wear leathers. Trousers and jackets. Did you see their boots?” Anne nodded.

  “Really nice.” Tanya smiled.

  “I would love to ride a bike. But one like that.” Zeba smiled and nodded.

  “A teacher on a motor bike. That would not set a very good example. Would it?” Tanya smiled and nodded.

  “I guess.”

  Jordan sat and listened. Things were all falling in to place. And the town was in for quite a shock. Their Principal was a biker. Not just a biker. But she was outgoing and fun. He wondered what they would all think of her. He knew she was in for a tough time. A lot of the folk were rather old fashioned. They had already been up in arms knowing that a woman was going to take over as the Principal. Jordan smiled. Zeba looked at Jordan.

  “Now something triggered that smile.” Jordan chuckled and nodded.

  “I think today worked well.” Lloyd nodded.

  “I think it did. Is there a good profit in the buffet?” Jordan nodded.

  “Some eat a little. Some eat a lot. It balances and evens things out.” Tanya smiled.

  “The Feta cheese. That was clever having cheese out.” Jordan nodded.

  “Did a small cheese table. Some people like that kind of thing.” Anne nodded.

  “We saw the Feta bit.” Tanya chuckled and shook her head.

  “I wonder if she is the youngest or the oldest?” They all shook their heads. Zeba smiled.

  “She looks pretty young to me. Twenty one or two. Somewhere there.” They all nodded.

  The family soon left and Jordan was on his own. He sat for a while thinking of Joy. There was something about her that he really liked. For the first time in his life he had looked at a woman. When he held her hand he didn’t want to let go. He had felt so good. She had done something to him. He felt excited. He felt happy. A lot happier than he had been before. It wasn’t that he was unhappy. But he felt different. He looked around the bar and smiled. He got up and walked to the bar. He looked at all the bottles behind the counter. He needed to get a few different things in stock. Things that women would like. Everyone drank the hard tack but a few bottles of different types of liqueurs would work. He took the brochure from behind the counter and moved to one of the tables and sat down.

  He looked through everything in the brochure and started making a list. He kept on thinking ‘I wonder if Joy would like that?’ Jordan smiled as he made the list. He thought back to the Friday evening and the fun that they had had. She was full of fun and she laughed all the time. She had made such a big difference and had really drawn the crowds. He wondered if she had a boyfriend. Whether she was dating. If she was on her own then there probably wasn’t a boyfriend. But then she would be settling in town. And there were a lot of men. A lot of men who would be interested in her. Jordan sighed. He wondered if he had any chance. He would find out later when she came for coffee.

  CHAPTER 3

  Joy took a look around town. She walked over to the barber and smiled as she walked through the door. Alfonso looked at her.

  “Yes?” She smiled and looked at everyone.

  “I just need a trim.” Alfonso looked at her and roared with laughter.

  “I have never had a lady in here ever before. They always go over the road to the hairdressing salon.” Joy smiled.

  “Can I take a chance on you?” Alfonso grinned and nodded and waved her to the chair.

  “Are you sure about this?” Joy nodded. Alfonso smiled as he took the spray bottle out and wet her hair. He chuckled as he started to trim. He did a perfect job. Taking off just a few millimeters. Joy got up and looked in the mirror.

  “Now that is how I like it. See you in a few weeks Alfonso.” Alfonso smiled as she took cash out of her pocket and handed it over. He took one note and handed the rest to her.

  “There we go lassy. Are you happy?” Joy nodded and smiled.

  “I will definitely see you in a few weeks’ time.” Alfonso smiled as she walked out.

  Joy headed over to the town and walked in to the Mercedes dealership. She looked at the four by fours and took a good look. She got in to a few and decided on the one that she wanted. She hopped out and the salesman walked over.

  “Young man! Please do not climb in the cars like that. I have been watching you.” Joy nodded and turned around.

  “And you are?” William backtracked and looked at Joy.

  “William Scott.”

  “Well then I take it a test drive is out of the question.” William stammered.

  “Heavens no. I am sorry. I didn’t realize.” Joy smiled.

  “Forgiven. Now this one here. I would like to take it for a test drive. How do you work? Can I buy off of the floor?” William nodded.

  “These are our demo models. We do have stock at the back.” Joy nodded.

  “I would like to test drive the navy one.” William nodded and they walked over to the four by four. He handed the key to Joy. She hopped in and adjusted the seat and the mirrors and started the van. William smiled as he watched. Joy drove out of the dealership and drove through town. She drove back to the dealership and parked the vehicle on the shop floor. Joy nodded.

  “Do you have this. Exactly the same. Navy.” William nodded.

  “Yes we do. It arrived yesterday.” Joy nodded.

  “I have a few things to do. How fast can you push through a sale? I would like it this afternoon.” William stared.

  “Good. If we can do the paperwork please.” William nodded and walked through to his office. Joy filled in all the paperwork and signed and handed the forms to William.

  “William I would like a discount for cash.”

  “Cash? I have never sold a car cash before.” She nodded.

  “Cash. Can you please find out for me. When I come back I will have the cash. Please make sure my vehicle is ready.” William nodded.

  “Real cash?” Joy smiled.

  “In the form of a cheque.” William smiled and nodded. Joy walked out.

  Joy took a slow stroll through town. Everyone greeted as she walked by. The folk seemed quite friendly. But she knew it would be a bit of a battle to get them on her side. But she would. She had plans for her school. Things were going to change. And so would the results that came from the school. The school was far below average. Most of the pupils seemed to be failing. She would change all of that.

  William sat at his table and looked over the forms. He stared. He whispered to himself.

  “Professor?” He was on the phone in second
s. Finding out what to do. How to do a cash sale. How he could register the van in an afternoon. There was so much to do. He had to get the forms to the bank for them to approve the loan. William got up and sat down again. There was no loan involved. He didn’t need to go to the bank. All he had to do was phone the bank and get approval on her account so that he could accept her cheque. He smiled as he got busy making arrangements. Life had always been so slow paced. Just one sale had really made William work for his money.

  Joy smiled to herself. She had asked for information to be sent to the post office so that she could go over the details of each teacher and the rosters that they were following. She walked over to the post office and Jill smiled.

  “How can I help dearie?” Joy nodded.

  “A parcel for Professor Sheridan please.” Jill nodded and took the parcel from the shelf.

  “Did she send you? I don’t know if I am allowed to hand this over to you. This is school business. But then again. You did ask and no one else has been in.” Joy smiled as she took the parcel.

  “It will be fine.” Jill nodded.

  “I see you have fresh goods for sale.” Jill nodded and walked from behind the counter. She showed her the packs of biscuits and cakes. Joy smiled as she took a pack of biscuits and put them on the counter. Jill smiled and took her cash. Joy walked to the door.

  “Where do I find the wholesaler?”

  “And what is it that you are looking for?”

  “Exercise books. The hard covered ones.” Jill nodded.

  “And a few other things.” Jill walked out the door and pointed to the wholesaler. Joy smiled.

  “Thank you.”

  “Jill.” Joy smiled.

  “Nice to meet you Jill. I am Joy.” Joy shook her hand and smiled as she walked off.

  She walked into the wholesaler and took a look around. Garth walked up.

  “How may I help?” Joy nodded.

  “I don’t see anything funky.” Garth blinked and shook his head.

  “No Ma’am we keep the basics. We don’t really do funky. We don’t have any need.” Joy nodded.

  “Do you have a brochure?” Garth nodded and they both walked to the counter. He took out a brochure. Joy smiled and nodded.

  “Take notes Garth. I am going to tell you what I need.” Garth nodded and took his notepad. He listed everything that she wanted. He didn’t say a word.