Twelfth NIGHT

It was a new year and Tally was at a crossroads - in which direction should she go?

- Tess Niland Kimber

Oh, remind me to take the decorations down later, when I come home, Tally’s husband Geoff said as he left for work after the Christmas break. ‘It’s Twelfth Night and it’s supposed to be unlucky if they’re still up.’

Tally nodded. ‘That's OK, I'll do it. I've not got much on today — and the last thing we need is more bad luck.’

Geoff smiled tightly and, resting his hands on Tally’s shoulders, said, ‘Don’t worry about finding a job, we'll manage. Besides, something's bound to turn up soon.’

Tally sighed gently. ‘I expect you're right.’

He kissed her goodbye and disappeared out of the front door.

The thing was, Tally thought, watching him hurry down the path to his car, she wasn’t sure she wanted ‘something’ to turn up. She'd loved working at Waterbank Secondary, covering maternity leave, but now Sarah was returning in January, Tally was no longer required. She could continue working as a supply teacher but, over the holidays, she’d given her career some thought and wondered if she ought to change direction.

Walking into the living room, she decided to start taking down the decorations straight away. Like their boys, Reece and Lewis, she was sad Christmas was over for another year. However, there was a part of her that enjoyed Twelfth Night. It was exciting to tidy away the decorations, return the house to normal, and look forward to what the new year might bring. Only, this year was different. This year, she didn’t feel excited.

'You'll find another post,' her older sister Fran had said when she'd visited for a Twixmas lunch. ‘Schools are screaming out for teachers with your experience and qualifications.’

Tally had screwed up her nose. ‘But do I want another teaching job? It’s changed so much since I qualified.’

‘Really?’ Fran frowned, reaching for another slice of the chocolate log Tally had made that morning.

‘I can’t imagine you not teaching.