I felt a rush of panic. I could cook but organize forty people? I wasn’t sure I was up to the task. However, my anxiety soon lifted as the scenery began to change. Ahead, I could see miles of coastline stretching in front of us, the sun sparkling on the sea and I felt my spirits rise despite my apprehension.
Derek took a turn off the main road, drove up a narrow lane, turned right through an open gate and came to a stop outside a grey brick farmhouse on top of a hill. ‘Home sweet home,’ he said as we got out of the car. ‘This is Hazelmere House.’ I looked around. The views were stunning. At the bottom of the hill, I could see a bay surrounded by dense woodland; nestling on the shore was a village with rows of cottages painted ochre, blue and pink. I breathed in the fresh air. ‘I feel like I’ve landed in heaven,’ I said.
Derek grimaced. ‘Best wait until you’ve seen the set-up before you make claims like that.’
A spindly man with glasses and thinning hair came forward to meet me. He introduced himself as Geoffrey Brown, the headmaster.
‘Thank God. I’m so pleased you’re here,’ he said as Derek got back into his car and drove off. ‘Come on, put your bags down and let’s show you round, then you can get started. The building has two floors and a loft area.’
As I followed him inside, I noted the exposed brick walls everywhere and overhead beams. ‘On the first floor are the teachers’ rooms and classrooms and this is my office,’ Geoffrey continued as he opened a door into a large sunny space with a study which led into a double bedroom and bathroom.
‘Very nice,’ I commented. I was eager to see where I’d be staying. If the girls’ room was anything like this, it would be wonderful.
He looked pleased. ‘Isn’t it?’
‘And where are the people who opted for the commune life to sleep? Maybe I could leave my bag there.’
‘Ah … There aren’t many of you and one left yesterday. The men, Bruce and Jerry, have opted to live in one of the outbuildings. I’ll show you where the women are.’ He led me to the back of the building where he opened a door into a corridor that led to a bathroom. ‘This is where the women will be. There are only four of you, so we’ve put you in here.’
‘What? I … but this is a corridor?’ No windows, no natural light, no drawers or cupboards, just a hard floor and bare walls and a pile of sleeping bags rolled and stashed in the corner.
Geoffrey looked uncomfortable. ‘Only in the daytime. No one comes through at night apart … er to get to the bathroom,’ he said as he pointed to the stairs, ‘and there’s a couple upstairs in the loft. I … er, there was nowhere else to put you.’
‘But …’ I was shocked, lost for words, part of me wanted to laugh, say, ‘you are joking, right? Now show me where I’m really to sleep.’ But Geoffrey wasn’t laughing and was moving on. I followed him, wondering how to deal with him. I was about to object but then held back. Perhaps this was part of the mess that I’d been sent to sort out. I’d hold my tongue until I got a better idea of the lay of the land and then I’d begin to make changes.
‘I’ll take you to what will be your domain,’ said Geoffrey as we left the corridor and headed for a stone stairway, ‘it’s the barn area downstairs which serves as a kitchen, dining room and laundry.’
‘I was told that there are forty people here – where do they all sleep?’
‘Some of the teachers have found places to rent in the village down by the bay. My wife and I have to be on site, plus a couple of teachers and the women, like yourself, who want to live the commune lifestyle. And there’s Hugh, he’s our handyman, he and his girlfriend are up in the loft. He does his own thing.’
We reached the lower level, where Geoffrey opened a door into a large barn full of wooden tables and chairs on the right and an open kitchen area with a large fridge and two stoves on the left. The area was full of people, many who looked harassed as they tried to prepare food or to quieten squealing children. Everyone appeared to be in everyone else’s way.
‘As you can see, we share the kitchen and dining facilities, which is why you’re here. So … yes, I’ll leave you to it.’ He gently pushed me forward then disappeared. I stood there looking around. A few people gave me a cursory glance but no one took much notice of me. They were all immersed in their individual tasks, chopping, feeding, frying, eating, but no system or method to the chaos.
I realized I was shattered after the travelling so I made my way up to my new luxury guest quarters. I entered the corridor, rolled out my sleeping bag and made myself as comfortable as I could.
A moment later, a big bear of a man with shoulder-length hair and a beard came into the corridor. ‘Oops, sorry, I didn’t realize anyone was here,’ he said, although he made no move to leave.
‘I’m Mitch. Just arrived.’
‘Oh yes. Hi. Welcome. I’m Hugh. I live upstairs.’ He held out his hand for me to shake. ‘Sorry about having to go through your room, but there’s no other way up to the loft.’
‘Maybe you could knock on the door then. Just in case anyone’s changing.’
‘Sure. Sorry, though most of the girls change in the bathroom.’
I looked around. ‘Yes, I can understand why they’d do that. So what do you do here?’
‘Whatever’s needed. Grow vegetables so that the school can become self-sufficient, any DIY around the place. Let me know what you need
