A Practical Joke
“Anna! Annie! Let me copy, will you?”
Valeries whisper rippled through the entire classroom, drawing Miss Victorias attention from the register she was filling out.
“Titus! Enough now, please. Do your own work!”
“But Miss Victoria, its so difficult!” Valerie protested, never at a loss for words.
“Who said it was supposed to be easy? Besides, Valerie, Annas got a different paper from yours. Theres no point asking her.”
“How can that be? Shes sitting right at the front!”
“Thats just how it is,” Miss Victoria replied with a small, knowing smile, mimicking Valeries melodramatic tone. “I gave her a special assignment.”
“Thats not fair at all!” Valerie grumbled, scowling at her exercise book before quickly searching for another avenue of salvation.
No one noticed how Anna, sitting quietly at her desk, shrank into herself, too nervous to even raise her eyes from her exercise book.
All the teachers knew what Anna meant to the classa magic wand for everyone in need. Bright as a button, clever as anything, and everyone made use of her willy-nilly. Any refusal led to immediate sulking.
But Anna wasnt spiteful. She allowed her classmates to copy her work when they asked, but following her mums advice, she tried to do so without raising teachers suspicion.
“Annie, darling, I know what a kind-hearted girl you are. But look after your own interests, too. If you want to get into the school you dream of, youll need good marks. Dont put your certificate at risk because others cant be bothered to learn a few rules.”
Her mums words were sensible, but Anna couldnt help sighing. If only her mum knew how tiring it was to be the teachers pet in a class where no one cared about anything
Annas mum had moved her to this school after separating from Annas father. The reasons were many, not least that Anna had a little brotherher fathers son from his new marriage, begun before her parents had even split.
No one thought to explain anything to Anna. The adults sorted their own problems, while Anna sat in her room with nothing but a sketchbook and pencils, methodically shading sheets entirely black, taking care not to let any white show through.
It was Annas grandmother who first noticed the state of her artwork.
“What on earth are you doing? Look what theyve put you through!”
Although she was Annas paternal grandmother, she took Annas mothers side in everything.
“She takes after her father! He was forever going gallivanting, as long as we were together. Some people never change Rotten to the core, the both of them. The only difference is that mine always came homeand never with children in tow.”
“And you forgave him?” asked Annas mother, Olga.
“What choice did I have, dear Olga? I loved him. And I knew he loved me, too, or he wouldnt have kept coming back.”
“Was it hard, forgiving him?”
“Thats putting it mildly! I never really forgave him, so much as endured it. It was sheer torment now that I look back. Was it worth it? No, probably not. But its too late to change anything. Strange to say, but be thankful your husband had a child with someone else. Youre like me, you know Youd have forgiven him, too, and taken him back, wouldnt you?”
“I dont know It hurts so much”
“I understand. But remember that Anna is caught between a rock and a hard place now. The child is innocent, you must see. My son wont listen, but youve always been sensible. Im so sorry its come to this. Think how to spare Annas feelingsshes not to blame.”
“Yes, youre right. Weonly weare at fault”
So Annas mum did what no one expectedshe sat her six-year-old daughter down and explained, simply and gently.
“Annie, your father and I arent going to live together anymore, not in the same house.”
“Why?”
“Were getting divorced. You and I will live together, just us, and youll see your dad on weekends or whenever he has time. Annie, dont cry, look at me! Hell always be your dad! Hes not going anywhere, I promise!”
“And you?” Anna scrubbed at her angry tears. Grown-ups were so foolish, always having things their own way!
“Im going nowhere, my love.”
“Dont leave me”
Only then did Olga understand what her daughter had been terrified ofthe darkness, hidden behind the pencil scribblings, was the fear her mother would leave too.
It took time and patience for Olga to help Anna grasp what was happening and ease her mind, but things got better, slowly. Anna saw her father, not as often as she wanted, but enough to learn that it was Annas mother whod been left, not Anna herself. Her dad spoiled her, worked out arrangements with Olga that put Annas interests first. She even joined them on seaside holidays, doted on her brother, and found a way to be friends with her fathers new wife. Irina was genial enough and really did care for the children. There was nothing to quarrel over.
Still, it all left a mark on Anna. She sometimes wondered if her father had left because she was lacking in some way. He seemed to do well enough with Irinaraising a son, planning for more children, living calmly. So why did he not want to bring her up?
Her mother and grandmother insisted she was loved and wanted, but the worm of doubt gnawed at her, making it hard to believe none of it was her fault.
It was a subtle pest, hiding away when Anna felt confident, but always returning in hard momentsor when she craved certainty.
At first, it went unnoticed. It was only a matter of trembling knees when she was called to recite a poem at assembly in year one.
Shed practised all week with Mum, rehearsed in front of the mirror with feeling, and felt sure she knew her little piece off by heart. In nursery, shed been trusted with the most important parts, learning even the hardest poems. But this time, it all went wrong. She took up the microphone, found her family in the crowd, and her mind went entirely blank. Tears streamed down her face, but not a word would come.
The deputy head squatted next to her, giving her cheek a gentle wipe.
“Would you like to try again later?”
Anna could only nod.
Luckily, Miss Victoria remembered her own question, and waited for Anna after school on the steps.
“There you are! Will you recite your poem for me now? Id dearly love to hear it.”
It may seem trivial, a missed poem at assembly, but for Anna it meant everything. She stood tall, let go of her mothers hand, and recited the verse from start to finish so beautifully that the adults who watched applauded.
“Well done! I knew you could do it!”
“But I couldnt before” Annas eyes filled with tears again.
“Couldnt you? You just did it, and look at all of usclapping for you! It doesnt matter you did it now instead. Anna, you did splendidly. Take my word for it, and Im the deputy head! Do you understand?”
“I think so”
This moment stayed with Anna, and when, years later, Miss Victoria became her form tutor, she was truly happyhere was someone, she knew, who was one of hers. Shed keep her secrets, support her, understand her if things went wrong.
Miss Victoria really did keep an eye on Anna.
“Such a sensitive girl you have! So clever, so brightand delicate. You really ought to look after her. Have you thought of sending her to a maths specialist school? Shes so gifted, and here Well, its just an ordinary comprehensive. Our children, most of them, arent driven by study or ambition. Maybe thatll changetheyre still young. But its hard on Anna; she tries not to stand out, to blend in. Its like wrapping her in three duvets and tying her up for good measure. Do you see?”
Olga understood, but there was nothing she could do for now. The school Miss Victoria suggested was on the other side of town. Annas fathers family was expecting another child, her own mother was in poor health, and Olga was working two jobs, trying to save up for a larger flat; the one-bedroom place theyd inherited after the divorce was already cramped.
“Bear with it a little longer, Annie. When Ive sorted our affairs, well figure out your schooling,” Olga would say, closing her eyes in exhaustion as Anna snuggled up beside her on the sofa.
“Dont worry, Mum. I can manage” Anna replied, as cheerfully as she could, while secretly worrying about school.
“Can manage, can you? Well, that wont do! Tell me everythingdetails, please!”
Anna laughed as her mum tickled her, before pouring everything out truthfully.
No one openly bullied Anna, but shed hear things whispered behind her back:
“There goes Anna showing off again! Did you hear her answer that history question? No chance of top marks for the rest of us now, thanks to her. Why couldnt she be normal for once?”
No one said such things to her faceuntil one day, things changed.
“Annie! Ten minutes to go, Ill never finish in time!” Valeries urgent whisper prompted Anna to slide her scrap paper over.
Miss Victoria, distracted by a text message, failed to notice.
Victor, her desk mate, quietly slipped his exercise book closer so Anna could check his sum for him.
“Thanks,” Anna whispered, tapping an incorrect step on his working.
There was no need for words; Anna and Victor had sat together since primary school, understanding each other perfectly. A scribbled sum, a nodand Victor began correcting his mistake.
The scrap paper passed to Valerie, and the rest of the lesson passed in silence.
After the bell rang, however, chaos arrived.
“Are you right in the head!? You just sat there like a statue! End of term, and Im failing because of you! Great friend you are!” Valerie railed, thumping Annas desk.
“Valerie, thats not fair,” Annas voice was calm, but inside, she burned with irritation.
Why, for heavens sake, did she always owe people something?
That phrase”for heavens sake”was her grandmothers, a gentle replacement for all manner of oaths, forbade to Anna as a girl.
“Youre a lady, not a docker!” Gran would say. “Act like one!”
“Youre a lady too, Granyet you curse sometimes, Ive heard you!”
“Im rather past my sell-by date!” Gran would laugh. “At my age, Ive earned my pipe and a naughty word or two. You havent! A young lady shouldnt need her mouth washed out with soap.”
“But boys swear too!” Anna would retort.
“Thats different. Rememberwhats allowed for men isnt always for you. Its unfair, but there you are. You dont want to be just a mate to your chosen young man, do you?”
“Why ever not?”
“Because proper men dont marry their mates! Theyll pal around with you, but marry a different woman. Got it?”
“I suppose so Gran, was it like that with Mum and Dad?”
“To an extent. But thats their story. Ask them yourself. All Ill say is, a girl must keep a bit of mystery, gentleness, like your favourite poem. Swearing ruins the grace and charm men look forwell, most men.”
“What does it bring, then?”
“Something less savoury. Dont make me spell it out, Anna!”
“Remembering youre a lady, are you, Gran?” Anna would giggle.
“Now and again, I try”
Now, Anna bit her tongue. Part of her wanted to use Valeries own coarse language, but something held her back.
“Val, lay off her.” Victor snapped as he crammed his physics book into his bag. “Its your own fault! Why does everyone have to help you?”
“Because were meant to look out for each other!” Valerie grumbled, softly punching Annas desk yet again. “And you! Playing the hero when you always copy too!”
“Thats not true!” Anna finally lost her temper. “What rubbish! Victor does his own workand I only help if theres a mistake. Ive had enough. Didnt I help you? Then whats your problem?”
She seized her bag, shoved past Valerie, and rushed from the room, fighting tears as the whole class watched in mute fascination.
Valerie didnt follow, but muttered under her breath:
“I see what you are, Anna. Youll get your comeuppance yet. Youd do well to be a bit more humble.”
They didnt speak for the rest of the day. Or the next. Or the week after.
Valerie cut Anna dead, and the class watched expectantly, wondering what tricks the former friend might invent.
Valerie was never short on imagination, especially when it came to stirring up trouble for those whod crossed her. Life could become absolute hell at her handsa lesson for anyone who got in her way.
Anna wondered uneasily what punishment awaited, but Valerie surprised her.
“Anna, for heavens sake, stop sulking. Its been two weeks. Lets make up.” Valerie smiled so broadly that Anna briefly let her guard down.
“Im not sulking”
“Looks like you are! Anyway, never mind. So, what will you do for New Yearsstay at home, or go somewhere?”
There wasnt a hint of grudge in Valeries voice, so Anna relaxed. Just a spat, she thought, easy to put behind them.
How foolish she was to trust her. Because Valerie was not one to forgiveespecially not an imaginary slight.
So when Anna found a strange note in her bag, she did not connect it with Valerie.
“Anna! I really like you! Victor.”
The handwriting looked very similar to Victors, her seatmate. It never occurred to her that someone else might have written it.
Unbeknownst to Anna, Valerie had spent the previous week helping Mrs Gale, their English teacher, carry stacks of essays. Shed identified a boy in the parallel year group whose writing looked much like Victors, and persuaded himby pleading and by threatsto pen the note for her plan.
“This will make you cry, Anna dear!” Valerie grinned, slipping the note into Annas bag.
In the changing room after PE, Anna was practising her volleyball serve, while Valeries friends kept her distracted.
“Come on, Anna, that was weak! Hit harder!”
No one showed a trace of guilt when Anna extracted the note from her bag.
“What have you got there, Anna? Goodness me! Secret admirer, is it? Girls, lookVictors fallen for our Anna!” Valerie snatched the note and waved it above her head. “Ooh, well need to plot our next move!”
“Valerie, give it back!” Anna protested.
“Oh, calm down! Well, youre right, actuallyno need for plotting Victor! Victor!” Valerie darted from the girls changing room, banging on the door to the boys side.
Anna went pale.
That she liked Victor was a secret known only to her diaryand, just possibly, her mother.
“Is that so bad, Mum?”
“Why?”
“It seems early”
“Is it ever too early for love, Annie?”
“But do I really love him?”
“Not yet, probably. Thats called something elseinfatuation. The anticipation of love. Imagine standing in a doorway, peeking through, seeing joy and pain and everything in between. Love is powerful, and it brings the fiercest emotions. But life without it is nothing at all! We all yearn for that person, Anna, someone to hold your hand, to understand you, to stand by you. Its a hard thing, finding that someoneand harder still to trust them. But even standing on the threshold is wonderful. The stirring of first love is a gift. You know, I never felt anything finerexcept, perhaps, the day I had you.”
“So youre saying its good?”
“Its wonderful, with a bit of sense and care, Annie.”
“Mum”
“Ill say no more. I know youre sensible. Tell me about this boydo I know him?”
“Yes”
Anna nursed her secret as one might cradle a fragile vase, terrified shed betray herself. But she was secretly happy with her feelings.
Valerie, of course, was quick to catch onwatching how Anna whipped the note shut, the flicker of her eyes towards the changing room door, wondering when Victor had managed to slip her a secret message. Had Anna not been startled by Valeries loud shouts, shed have realised Victor couldnt have written it just thenhe was on her volleyball team.
The boys spilled out of their changing room, howling with laughter as Valerie waved the note and Anna pressed herself back in dread.
“Whats going on here?”
Miss Victoria appeared from nowhere, and the class fell silent. They knew her knack for arriving at the least convenient momentand that everyone would face consequences if she thought it necessary.
“Miss Victoria, we have news!” Valerie blew a kiss to the note and waved it as though it were a prize. “Anna and Victor! Betrothed!”
“Valerie, what nonsense are you spouting?” Miss Victorias eyes flashed. “What is that in your hand?”
“A note! Victor wrote it to Annasaid he likes her!”
A titter started through the class, but Miss Victoria cut across it.
“Enough! Silence, please. Anna?”
In that moment, Anna remembered her first assembly, Miss Victorias steady eyes, her encouragement.
“You neednt be afraid! I know you can do it!”
Before she knew it, Anna stepped away from the wall, walking over to her teacher, who was watching her just like a motherwith worry, but with kindness, too. Yes, kindness!
“Valerie took my note. I didnt want her to show anyone.”
“I understand. Victor?” Miss Victoria turned to the boys, and then, to everyones surprise
“Yes, it was me,” Victor said. He brushed past the others, came to Valerie, and snatched the note back.
“You shouldnt read other peoples letters, Valerie.”
“You liar!” Valerie shrieked, realising her game had failed.
There would be no ridicule, no mockery, nothing that would destroy Annas confidence. Valerie simply didnt realise that Annas dignity was always a mask for quiet fearfear of being judged if she slipped up.
Yet, somehow, something changed in that moment. Annas chin lifted and she straightened, no longer from fright.
No!
She felt a flutter between her shoulder bladessurely not wings? How ridiculous. People cant fly, after all.
But why did she feel so light, as though she might soar above the battered parquet floors and leave every fear behind?
“Valerie?” Miss Victoria frowned.
“What!? It was just a joke. Hes lying” Valerie was on the verge of tears.
“Enough,” said Victor. He handed the note back to Anna, folding it neatly into her hand. “Its for you. Dont show my writing to anyone again, all right? Miss Victoria, will we still have an essay today? Mrs Gale said we would, but Im not prepared”
“Well, at least youre honest! Yes, youll have an essayon a subject very much relevant to today. Off to class, now. The bells gone, and youre not even dressed yet. Hurry!”
And off they all wentyear seven B, not sparing another glance for the furious Valerie, barely hiding their smiles at a triumphant Anna and Victor, and the little white note Anna clutched tightly in her hand.
Shed carefully paste that note into her diary, and guard it jealously until, on her own wedding day, shed present the old book to Victor.
“Here, husband!”
“Whats this, my wife?”
“Our beginning”
“And you trust me enoughto let me read it all?”
“You know everything already!”
“Not quite. Whats left for me to know?” Victor would ask, holding Anna close as their wedding guests shouted Best wishes! and joy rang out.
“Do you remember telling me about loveand thresholds and doors?”
“I do!”
“Did you ever step through that door?”
Annas eyes would shine as she whispered, and Victor, despite the hubbub, would catch every word:
“Of course I did. And I shut the door behind me. I dont just fancy you any longer, Victor”
“What do you mean?” Victor would say, surprised.
“I mean I love you! Do you see?”
“Now I do! Are you happy, Anna?”
“Blissfully!”
