A cluster of teachers, most of them trying not to appear annoyed, had formed in the little corridor outside the Great Hall. Bernice and Alexander stood at the back, watching over the teachers’ shoulders as the hall filled with boys. There was an atmosphere of fear and anticipation in the air.

‘Do you really think this is going to work?’ asked Alexander.

‘What, do I think one of them is going to hold up the sphere and say: “Oh, you mean this?” Not really. I thought the headmaster was going to conduct a search or something.’ Benny glanced around the woodpanelled corridor and shivered. ‘I can see why people have nightmares about going back to school. I went to a place very like this. Mixed, at least, though. This place is all floor polish and testosterone. Oh my God.’

Smith and Joan had arrived at the end of the corridor, Smith carrying a very familiar umbrella, but now dressed in a teacher’s cape and mortarboard. He saw Bernice and wandered over. ‘Hello. What are you doing here?’

‘We’re the reason for the assembly.’ Bernice considered mentioning why, but decided against it. ‘And this is…?’

‘Oh, yes… this is my friend Joan Redfern.’

Benny curtsied to the woman. ‘I’m Bernice Summerfield and this is my friend Alex.’ She hoped that she hadn’t put too much emphasis on the my. The woman who stood beside Smith was surprisingly mature. Attractive, in a horsey sort of way. Nothing special, really. If the Doctor had to go and get involved with somebody, then it ought to have been a classic beauty or a great artist or an academic. ‘And what do you do, Miss Redfern?’

‘Mrs,’ Joan told her, icily. ‘I’m a teacher here. Did you assume that I was the dinner lady?’

‘Not at all. I’ve heard a lot about you. I meant what subject do you teach?’

‘Science. I’ve heard a lot about you, also. Aren’t you the young lady with the trousers?’

‘Often. Don’t you find these skirts a problem sometimes?’

‘Not at all. But then, I’ve never had call to do anything where they might get in the way.’

There was an awkward silence. Smith suddenly ruffled Benny’s hair, grinned and shrugged when Joan looked at him. ‘Are you still trying to find your Holy Grail?’ he asked. ‘The one that’ll turn me into a spaceman?’

Benny sighed. ‘I’ll explain all that to you one day.’

‘Well, perhaps you could start now,’ said Joan. ‘John was quite disturbed by the whole business.’

‘What, erm, happened to your finger?’ Alexander asked Smith.

‘A burglar chopped it off.’ Smith waved the bandaged stub about happily.

From the hall, the general sounds of movement suddenly cut off. Rocastle had taken the stage. The teachers began to shuffle on. Smith and Joan nodded to Benny and Alexander and followed them.