Am I interrupting something?’ A face appeared over Slender’s shoulder. It was Mr Bill, the headmaster. Mr Bill was so old he needed a cane to walk. Behind him hovered the nervous-looking school nurse, Nurse Nellie. Mr Slender straightened up. ‘This student is hiding something in his pocket. I believe it may be a forbidden item.’ ‘Well,’ Mr Bill swung his pale, watery eyes onto me. ‘Is it?’ ‘Aaahhh, no?’ I offered. It came out as a question, but the headmaster didn’t seem to notice. He turned to Mr Slender. ‘Apparently it isn’t.’ ‘But . . . but I can see the outline of something!’ snapped Mr Slender. ‘Right there, in his pocket.’ ‘My eyesight isn’t very good these days,’ said Mr Bill pleasantly. ‘I’m afraid I can hardly see a thing. Can I, Nurse Nellie?’ ‘Not a thing!’ said Nurse Nellie, who was standing behind him with her arms out as though she was worried the old man might fall over. ‘He’s also late to class,’ said Slender, trying a new tactic.
