Ladies First: Finale
Chapter Nine
While I waited for the results to come back(2 weeks), I couldn’t stop thinking about the 29th question. What book did this quote come from, “People seem to think that if a man is a Member of Parliament he may do what he pleases.” It was either The Belton Estate by Anthony Trollope, or the guide to parliament for dummies. I thought it was The Belton Estate, but I wasn’t sure.
3 days after I had taken the test Charlotte came in late.
“Where were you?” I hissed,”we always walk to school together”
“Well I’m sorry I was just a bit busy convincing my uncle to give me your test early,” she said as if she said the weather outside was nice.
“Did you get it?” I asked anxiously, my hand outstretched to receive it.
“Sorry, I can’t give it to you, I was only able to convince him to let me see it as your handler, but I can tell you that you got a fifty out of fifty. And guess what, NO ONE HAS EVER HAD A PERFECT SCORE!!!!!!”
I said the first thing that came into my head,”Handler?”
“Well you can’t exactly expect the college to let people in if they could have cheated, someone had to supervise you. And is that really the first thing you thought of? Not, I CAN’T BELIEVE I DID IT!”
“Girls, are you going to participate in this class or would you like to tell us what your conversation is about?” Our teacher asked, almost bored.
“Sorry Mr Gengy,” we said in unison. I passed Charlotte a note, “after school, my house?” She nodded her head.
When we reached my house I grabbed the mail and flicked through it and saw
‘The first perfect score in history. Please come to Gogenschmere to receive your certificate of acceptance
Sincerely
Bob Joe headmaster of Gogenschmere’
“ I DID IT!” I screamed
“See! I’d hate to say I told you so but I told you so!”
“I have to show Mama!”I said as I rushed inside.
“Tell me what?” Mama asked
“Yeah what happened Danielle?” Grace added.
“ I got into Gogenschmere!”
“Oh no not this again” Mama teased.
“ I’m not kidding! Look” I protested waving the paper under her nose.
“ And I suppose this was your idea Charlotte?” She said without looking up from the paper.
“Yes ma’am” she said, sounding rather proud.
“Okay, we’ll come and see you get your certificate,” mama said, sounding rather excited, a trip out of town, who wouldn’t be?
***
I went with Mama Grace and Charlotte. It was quite exciting, but it was also nerve wracking. I kept wondering if that nightmare of a man, Mr Frail would be there, but I realized he was long dead.
Finally we reached the town of Gogenschmere. There were huge crowds in front of the college. Gee I wonder what that’s for. I climbed out of the bus first. Wearing a gorgeous navy blue dress, I looked like I was going to prom.
I snuck behind the crowds and got near the stage. 5 minutes later they called up the person with the highest score. Nervously I climb up. The sound was non existent, you could hear the breeze brush through the town.
A spectator yelled,” Imposter!”
Another yelled “give us proof!”
I walked up to the mic and said,” hello my name is Danielle hampford and I would like to thank you for this unique opportunity. I’m sure that I will do very well in this college. If it is proof that you seek, I have my test right here, and if that isn’t enough you can ask me some questions and I’m sure that you will find them correct.”
“2673 times 853” someone yelled
I didn’t even have to think,”2280069.” I heard someone scramble, probably for a calculator.
“Holy smokes she right,” he said in aghast.
“I hope that this is enough evidence and I will take this,” I said, plucking the certificate from the prize givers hands.
Epilogue
Pulling on my white scrubs I got ready for work. My husband was still asleep in bed snoring while I kissed him.Twenty years at it and it never got old.
When I walked into the hospital’s entrance I saw a newbie, a girl. I walked up to her, she cowered back in fear, I had risen ranks fast. A well known nurse, the first woman to get a job, that’s me.
I caught her eye and said softly,”You’re going to do fine.” She smiled softly as I walked away.
