Every generation deserves its own impossible school story. This one was written almost thirty years ago but is set in 1956 — the year Lauden McVey, best known for her golden age crime fiction, published her first boarding school novel for girls under the pen name Darcy Andrews.
Beryl had hoped to arrive at St. Nicola’s making a good impression. She had not counted on the twins, the suitcase, or Miss Beech — and she had not yet worked out what to make of Heidi.
Beryl arrives at St. Nicola’s in the finest traditions of midnight feasts, hockey sticks, terrifying mistresses, and girls who are frightfully decent… except when they aren’t.
Beryl Goes to School
Chapter One
Beryl clambered into the train with her new suitcase and found an empty compartment. She waved from the window at her parents and pet sheep on the platform as the train moved out of the station.
“Goodbye mummy, goodbye daddy, goodbye, Dolly,” she said as she wiped a tear from her eye.
When they were out of sight she settled into a corner seat to read her School Friend. Her brand new school hat with its maroon and cream stripes was on the seat beside her. She did not want to arrive at St. Nicola’s looking untidy. This was her first term at her new school and she wanted to make a good impression.
Suddenly there was a great clatter. Two girls hurtled in with a heap of hockey sticks and flying pigtails. A large suitcase filled to bursting point tumbled on the floor.
“Oh crikey!” said a voice.
“Oh crumbs!” said another.
Beryl looked in astonishment.
“I am Milly,” said one pigtail.
“And I am Molly,” said the other.
Beryl looked and blinked. “We are identical twins,” explained Milly. Or was it Molly? “We are in the second form. Help us put this bag on the rack. We have cream buns for tea.”
Beryl stood up and the three girls lifted the great bulging suitcase into the air. At that moment there was a piercing noise. The suitcase crashed to the floor with the girls tumbling on top of it. The leather strap had given way. All the contents spilled onto the floor.
Beryl looked up. There, at the door stood a tall woman in a pleated skirt in school colours with a whistle on a thong around her neck.
“Oh crikey!” said Milly, or Molly.
“Oh crumbs!” said Molly, or Milly.
The woman gave two more short blasts on the whistle.“Girls, girls. I am shocked,” she said in a sharp voice. “Why are you cavorting on the floor like this? Take two demerits each.”
“Sorry Miss Beech,” chorused the adorable twins.
“You, new girl. Pull up your socks,” said the tall Miss Beech sternly. “What is your name?”
Beryl gulped. “Beryl,” she said.
“Beryl, what?”
“Beryl, Miss Beech,” said Beryl, remembering her manners just in time.
Miss Beech glared sternly.“Now girls, let me introduce my niece Heidi,” and from behind her she pulled a tall dark-haired girl. “Her name is Heidi and she is not very intelligent having been brought up in France. I want you to take special care of her. That is all.”
“Thank you, Aunt Ursula,” said the new girl.
Ursula!!! Miss Beech’s name was Ursula! The twins burst into irrepressible laughter. Miss Beech fixed them with a steely glare. She pushed the girl into the compartment.
“And Beryl. I am the Supply Mistress for Form Three. I see I shall have to keep my eye on you.”
Miss Beech spun around on her gym shoes and marched out of the compartment. It was then that Beryl noticed a malicious glint in Heidi’s eyes.
Beryl’s heart sank.
