A Sigh of Relief

He's in! Thank goodness for that!

It's been a tense couple of weeks at Media Manor. The Boy was among those waiting for his GCSE results and, as time wore on, he realised that when we suggested that perhaps a tad more revision was in line, our sole aim wasn't to ruin his social life.

In a year when, yet again, average results rose (and don't get me started on that), The Boy didn't, frankly, live up to expectations. Ours, the school's or his own.

There were tears (mine), mutiny (his), anger (Media Dad's). The problem was that he'd been offered a conditional place to follow his heart's desire at college in Lancashire - and while he'd got the right number of passes overall, he'd missed out on one of the stipulated subjects.

We had to wait a week before we could talk to the college. In the meantime, Plans B and C were formed, but it was still an anxious time. The important thing, though, was that The Boy knew we still loved him regardless and that there were ways forward - just not necessarily the ones we'd originally hoped for.

We found out yesterday, though, that they'll take him anyway, even though his science grade wasn't up to scratch. The rest of his application more than proved his passion for the subject, and I guess they'd rather have that than someone with straight As who's just dabbling.

He's learned his lesson, too. He knows he has to work, and it was a hell of a shock to think his dreams might be tumbling down around his ears.

I'm so pleased for him, so proud of him.

I cried again, too. Not with relief, though, but shock - when I paid the bill for his text books and specialist equipment. Still, I'm sure it will be worth every penny.