Bullying...Pay back.

The sun has a habit of rising exactly on time whether there is a life or death situation or simply a meeting with the headmaster at 9 am.
Sean awoke and he was deeply aware of the irony of the exquisite pink flushed sky on this troubled day and he wrote about it in his journal as his English teacher had encouraged him to do.

He dressed carefully making sure he chose the shirt that didn’t have the slightly frayed collar. His grey pants had a sharp crease. He appreciated the fact that Nan kept his school uniform immaculate and shook his head ruefully at the disappointment that was about to be unleashed into their lives.
Putting on each garment was like building up layers of courage that helped him to stand up to whatever the day was about to reveal.
He wet his hair and carefully slicked it down. He looked himself in the eye in the mirror, shut his eyes deliberately and walked into the kitchen to find Nan and Pops sitting uneasily on the edges of their chairs, sipping tea.

“A cup of tea for you Sean,” Nan said after he had refused a slice of toast. He nodded mutely and sat as a third stiff member of the worried tribe.

Eventually the three of them trailed into the cool reception area of the school after enduring the heat outside. Pops smiled deliberately at the bright eyed lady behind the desk and before he could speak she stood up and said,
“Good morning Sean. You must be Mr and Mrs Strachan,” she said smiling, like a robot thought Nan in a mild degree of panic. “Mr Timms will be a few minutes, would you please take seats.”

At last the door to Mr Timms office opened and the tall, silver haired headmaster strode across the room, hand outstretched. The three worried members of the tribe leapt to their feet.
“Sorry to keep you waiting…..It’s good to meet you, Mrs Strachan….Mr Strachan…..” he said shaking their hands as he spoke their names.
“Good morning Sean,” he added.

The three Strachans had difficulty in keeping their amazed mouths from hanging open! They had not been expecting such a warm welcome. Knots of unease began unravelling deep seated fears, Pops managed to smile and return his handshake with well mannered greetings in return.

Soon they were seated in comfortable chairs in his office and a tray of tea and biscuits arrived.
“You’re no doubt wondering what this summons is all about but I’ve selfishly wanted to keep this as a big surprise," he began.
It took everything Nan had in her to keep her mouth shut. A look from Pops in her direction said “Good girl Nan!” and they smiled weakly at each other.
I have asked the Director of the Board of school Trustees to join us. With that a neat man with a well trimmed beard appeared. His charm relaxed the little family entirely and soon they were all smiling, even Sean whose face lost the strained look of the past day and a half.

“It is my great pleasure, and honour,” the director cleared his throat, “to tell you that the school is extremely proud of you Sean. By the looks on your faces this news looks as though this is the surprise we were hoping for,” he said smiling gleefully into his beard!
“Sean’s English teacher says he is a young man of rare talent in his creative writing….amongst the best that he has ever taught. He is gifted!” he crowed rising onto the balls of his feet.
By this time Sean was blushing and when his teacher came through the door he was swallowing furiously…embarrassed, pleased, confused.”
“Sean I submitted your exam essay into a top competition and out of 300 entries you have been awarded first place.
We hope you will all be able to come to a prestigious black tie awards evening where you will receive a bursary to a university of your choice when you are a little older.” The teacher drew himself up proudly and stretched out his hand towards Sean and pulled the smiling boy up to stand beside him,

“Congratulations Sean.
You have made us all proud.”

The five adults in the room surrounded an astounded Sean and with beaming delight on each face, applauded him and toasted him with cups of tea!