I thought it best to give the family time to adjust to their new tutors before I showed my face at the Hall again, so a show and a nice meal it was. We went to see the new production at Shaftesbury Avenue: Prince of Thieves: The Musical. Starring Robbie Williams as Robin Hood, Paris Hilton as Maid Marion, and Ricky Gervais as the Sheriff. Music, book, and lyrics by no one you’ve ever heard of. Tickets were not a problem; Molly did a Jedi mind trick with the theatre staff, and we ended up in a private box. Afterwards we went to the Ritz and ordered the very best of everything, secure in the knowledge that we had no intention of paying for any of it.

Hey, I keep the world safe and humanity protected. I’m entitled to a few perks and privileges.

“An interesting production,” I said to Molly over pieces of lightly browned toast piled high with Beluga caviar.

“Yes . . . but why is there such a preoccupation with translating successful films into stage shows? And why didn’t they sing the Bryan Adams song? It’s all most people remember about the film anyway.”

Several bottles of really good champagne later, we stiffed the waiter with an imaginary credit card, tangoed giggling down the Ritz steps, and used the Merlin Glass to take us home. We stepped through into the Armoury, where the Armourer was waiting for us. He did not look at all happy.

“What the hell did you think you were doing, landing me with those four psychopaths? I have enough trouble looking after the psychopaths who work under me! And I have more than enough work to do, without babysitting your special-needs friends!”

I looked around, but there was no sign of any of my tutors. I fixed the Armourer with an only slightly owlish look.

“Uncle Jack, what have you done with them?”

He sniffed loudly. “I handed them over to Penny, and let her take care of them. You know she loves organising things. And people.”

I looked at him, shocked suddenly stone cold sober. “You did what? She’ll never be able to handle a dangerous bunch like that! The Blue Fairy alone could walk all over Penny without even raising a sweat, never mind Mr. Stab! Where are they now?”

“I’m sure I don’t know. Ask Penny. Now get out of here. I’ve got a pocket universe that needs stabalising.”

I activated my mental link with Strange, in the Sanctity.

“Red alert, emergency, emergency!”

“Oh, hello Eddie! Welcome back. Did you have a nice time in town? Did you bring me back a present?”

“Never mind that now . . .”

“You didn’t, did you. You forgot all about me.”

“Where’s Penny, and the four tutors she’s supposed to be looking after?”

“At the lecture auditoriums, of course. She’s already got the first tutorials up and running. It’s all terribly exciting!”