STRANGLING ANGEL by Alison Wassell (1st place, Flash, Aug24)

Logbook 1894

26^th January

Punished several children who arrived late. Attendance poor, weather bad. Miss Harriet Caldwell appointed by the Board as Assistant Mistress.

When, on first meeting, Harriet Caldwell calls her by her first name, Agnes realises she will be more of a burden than an asset. She lacks gravitas, smiles too much, and has an over-familiar manner with the children, as though wishing to be their friend, rather than their teacher. Wisps of dark hair escape from her untidy bun in a way that, fetching as it is, is not appropriate in the schoolroom.

9th February

Had cause to speak to Miss Caldwell, not for the first time, about her general demeanour. Copy books of Standard III very untidy. Four children sent home with sore throats.

When Agnes catches Harriet, her skirt gathered up to reveal her slim ankles, engaged in some kind of chasing game on the playground, she feels compelled to reprimand her. Harriet, her hair more dishevelled than usual, her cheeks pink, throws back her head and laughs, exposing her pearl-perfect teeth.  Do children not deserve fun and fresh air, she asks. The air, in the town, is far from fresh, thinks Agnes. She has not the heart to say it.

16^th February

Inspected Girls’ needlework and found it most unsatisfactory. Miss Caldwell’s conduct continues to give cause for concern. Attendance Visitor reported several cases of diphtheria.

Agnes finds Harriet comforting Dolly Whittle whose father, a coalmonger, perished recently in an accident involving a runaway horse. She holds the child on her lap, rocking her as she howls. Agnes retires from the room before Harriet sees her, but speaks to her later of the undesirability of such intimate contact. Harriet laughs, and this time there is a harshness in the sound that Agnes has not heard before. She turns away without replying.

27^th February

Joseph Dobson dead from diphtheria. New sewing supplies arrived.

1^st March

Lily and Seamus O’Rourke died of Diphtheria.

5^th March

Albert Cummings, William Temple, Alice Hobbs, Dolly Whittle died of diphtheria.  Ordered building to be liberally sprinkled with disinfectant.

It goes on and on. They are just names to Agnes now, but Harriet takes each one hard. Grief buckles her legs and Agnes catches her, holds her as she sobs. She places her hands on Harriet’s hair, which has come loose, strokes it as she shushes her. How long has it been since she held someone so close?

29^th March

School closed by medical authority on account of diphtheria epidemic. All classrooms to be thoroughly cleaned. Miss Caldwell gravely ill.

Agnes puts down her fountain pen. She closes her eyes and pictures Harriet, laughing. She imagines her once perfectly pink throat now coated ugly grey-white. Such an evil sickness. They call it the strangling angel. She puts her hand to her own throat, beneath the high-buttoned neckline of her blouse. Then she swallows, pushes her thoughts away, gathers up her belongings, and leaves.