THE SENTINEL
AWAY WITH WORDS 

By Tessa Harvey

    The young woman hunched over her desk concentrating on her computer. Some senior girls came to the office. They waited a few minutes then one girl, tall and privileged-looking despite the school uniform, dinged the counter bell loudly and insistently. 
    Sylvia now self-styled Ms. Tyson to fit in this new county, which she considered far too rain-washed and backward, regarded the girl, icily. She did not like interruptions.
    "Have you no manners?" she demanded. She stood up, imposing in her new high heels. "Listen, little Miss Smart, you treat me with respect, or you wait longer."
    "So what," the senior girl replied. "You make us late for class, you are in trouble."
    "Is there a problem here?" Miss Tournier had materialised from nowhere. With just one severe look, the girls' courage fell to the floor. "Next time, come in the break." 
    The students retreated. Sylvia tensed. "Thank you for your sterling work, Ms. Tyson," commented the principal, and glided away.

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