Room 2D

From Uniform Girls 8 It was a rather damp and muggy Autumn afternoon. Earlier, the ground had been filled with excited, enthusiastic kids running, jumping, throwing a variety of objects, or simply horsing around. By and large, they were unsupervised. Technique was at a discount. Being there and doing something energetic was all. That was the reason, reflected Herb Wainwright, why British athletics, on the international scene, was in such an abysmal state. We got ecstatic about winning a bronze, very excited about coming fourth or fifth, even gratified if one of our team reached a final. It wasn’t good enough in his view. The Americans, the Russians, the Germans were out to  win . Coming second or third was considered a failure. That was the difference. Britain, in this present age, lacked the true competitive spirit. Herb gazed around the near-deserted ground. Hurdles had been left lying on the track, javelins lay like cas...

From Uniform Girls 37 St Hilda’s College was a substantial Edwardian property situated on the edge of town and set in several acres of mature grounds and gardens. It had been a family residence until after the Second War when the combined effects of swingeing Labour Government taxation of the upper middle classes plus the virtual impossibility of getting and keeping domestic help had forced its sale. After one or two uncertain years it had taken on its present incarnation: a finishing college for girls. Such establishments are perhaps more rare nowadays than a generation or two ago but they are still in surprisingly strong demand. From girls’ parents rather than girls themselves. Parents in the unfortunate position of seeing Deborah or Melanie or whoever with little of tangible value for their time at school. Nothing with which to get them into a proper university or college certainly. So what are Deborah or Melanie to do: work ...