Lowewood Academy

From Violet Kynaston’s diary:

Robert Fritz said: “If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is a compromise.” He only said that because he never went to Lowewood.

*****************

The note read:

“Dear Mr Bangham,

I  really don’t think I’m any good at the harp. To make me play the Christmas concert would be a terrible sort of abuse – and I mean the listeners, rather than just me. I’m not doing it.

(more…)

“It was just… weird, that’s all.”

I looked expectantly at Alex. I knew this wasn’t the time for me to intervene, or to put forward my viewpoint. He just wanted to get this off his chest.

After a pause, he continued, as I’d expected.

“I mean, I know as Head Boy I’m allowed to punish fellow prefects. And apparently they’d all opted to be dealt with by me and Juliet rather than going to Mr Shaftebotham – and I understand that entirely. But still…” He trailed off into thought, and as before I let him have his silence.

“And from what Juliet said, they pretty much deserved every stroke, as well as the lines. Even so, it just felt weird, being involved in the punishment of Ollie like that. I mean, he’s my mate. And he’s a good bloke. Well, a bit weird recently, but on the whole, he’s a sound guy. I’m just glad I didn’t have to cane him. It was bad enough having to deal with Monty, considering he’s on the debating team with us sometimes. I’m not sure how I’d have coped if I’d had to thrash Ollie’s bare behind.”

“It was on the bare?” I asked, unable to stop myself.

(more…)

Tim and Sera
Sitting in a tree
K-i-s-s-i-n-g!

So went the now-familiar refrain.  I guess it was kind of official: Seraphina Townsend was all loved up!

Until now, I hadn’t really had a boyfriend since coming to Lowewood.  When I’d arrived in the fourth year, I’d had a pretty serious crush on Jason Oak but he’d never looked twice at me – he probably didn’t even realise I existed!  I remember Cassie telling me I should get myself into trouble with him so he’d have to punish me, which would put me on his radar!  But I couldn’t bring myself to do it, am far too wuss.  I’d had a couple of snogs at parties and things, but nothing serious.  Now, suddenly here I was, right up there amongst the cool couples in the sixth form.  Only Felix and Chloe in Dashwood were considered to be more established, but they couldn’t flaunt their feelings for fear that Juliet would eat Felix alive. 

Thankfully Tim had no such issues.  He was fit, sporty, bright and, as the saying goes, of good (if not actually titled) stock.  Mum would sniff a bit at the latter but then she’s an incurable snob these days.  No one half-reasonable could quibble with his boyfriend credentials – or they’d better not do so with me at any rate!  He was liked by most, didn’t have mortal enemies amongst the staff or prefects and the consensus was that he was an all-round jolly nice fellow and a good catch to boot!

I should have been on top of the world.

(more…)