An Explanation of the Punishment

“They are the three from the leisure centre last week,” Layla begins.

“Then what are they doing here?” Anissa’s question is almost a cry for help. You can hear the pain in her voice.

“They’re here because this is Mr Altobello’s punishment for them. For what they did last week. They have been sent to work with the groundskeeper for the rest of the term.”

“But… they were animals.”

“Doesn’t sound sensible to me,” Abigail throws in. “If they couldn’t control themselves in the leisure centre, what makes you think they control themselves in the school.”

“Because Mr Altobello has given his word they’ll go nowhere near either staff or students. I think if they break Mr Altobello’s word, they’ll regret it. Not for long, just for the rest of their lives.”

“And Dr Stricture agreed to this?” you ask.

“She can’t turn down free labour. The groundskeeper’s old. He struggles to keep this place as good as everyone expects. He could do with the help.”

She has a point there. “I guess dealing with the woods at the back of the school would help. Finally do something with that burned out tower, what’s it called, the Pepperpot.”

“Oh no, they won’t be dealing with that. They’ll be dealing with the front of the school, not the back. Even the groundskeeper is not allowed to deal with the Pepperpot and the woods behind school. That’s out of bounds for everyone.”

Everyone? That appears wrong. OK, the back of the school is hidden, but it is the part of the school that needs the most work. It feels wrong that even the groundskeeper is not allowed back there. Surely, it’s a health hazard. But the other women nod their agreement, as if the back of the school is just an impediment. You let it slide