Lowewood Academy

Lowewood is a very lonely place during the holidays. Absolutely everyone goes home and I’m left to wander the corridors like a forlorn ghost, waiting for the sound of feet to start tramping the corridors again. The silence echoes, and if you concentrate, you can almost hear voices on the air, the long-gone sounds of past pupils, cries of excitement at matches won, voices raised in admonishment or anger, girls sobbing in the night. Because they turn off the heating, the atmosphere solidifies, until you are floating through the petrified amber of a frozen school – until the Bentleys and Jaguars start rolling through the gates and the whole school shakes itself, like a slumbering animal rousing itself from sleep.

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If the walk there was daunting, the sight which met me as we entered the gym was immeasurably worse.  Most of the equipment was packed away, leaving the hall vast and echoing.  But my pace faltered as I saw the small group waiting for me at the far end, with the one item which had been left out: the vaulting horse.  Richard prodded me forward again and I slowly proceeded until I was standing before the assembled cast: Mr Tough, arms folded and face grim, flanked by my team mates Amelia (complete with a spectacular black eye, courtesy of Jess!) and Catherine on one side and by Dashwood’s games’ captain, Jason Oak, on the other.  Having thus delivered me, Richard joined the latter and the line-up was complete.  I could hardly bear to look at them as they silently communicated the weight of their disapproval.

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I trust you all had a wonderful Christmas, and may I be the first to wish you all the best for 2007. As I’m sure you’ve already guessed, I’m writing this from the comfort of home, so please excuse me if this entry is somewhat shorter than usual; the Farthingdale drinks cabinet is awaiting my attention, and it would be rather rude to ignore it at this time of year, methinks.

We’re not obliged to make blog entries during the hols, but there are a couple of bits of news I thought may interest you. Firstly, I’m sure you’re aware by now of the disgraceful behaviour of a certain Miss Somerton at the Formingham Show….. well, I’d like to make it perfectly clear that despite the fact that Christmas has decided to thrust itself inconveniently upon us, I haven’t forgotten the shame I felt at finishing last. I’m pleased to say that Mr Tough dealt with this horrible matter in a typically robust way - but I’ll be keeping a strict eye on Miss Somerton when we get back to school!

My dear mother (whose ability at choosing appropriate gifts at Christmas leaves much to be desired) came up trumps this year by giving me a rather splendid wooden bath brush. I don’t think I need elaborate further. On my return to Lowewood, I’m sure it will come in very useful to inflict sore bottoms on some of the more badly behaved members of the academy. (more…)