Donny knew it was in his interests to keep on the right side of them both; knew everyone round here, they did, could cause big problems for the school if they had a mind to. He tried to change the subject. ‘You having a flutter today, Alf? I’ve not had chance to look at the form, but I’ll do it as soon as things are a bit quieter. And we should check with Tony – he might have a few tips from his mate down the stables. Top lad.’ It was working – Alf seemed to be calming down, his cheeks less red.

‘On the flat anything can win. I’ve been having no luck though, been betting on donkeys lately; not won a carrot.’

‘No worries, let’s put our heads together later and see if we can win a placepot or something. And, don’t you worry about this lot in here, I’ll make sure you don’t have any more problems from them.’

And there it was, Alf was back on track. No doubt he’d be back again in future, but for now he was happy. Donny turned and crunched along the gravel path heading back into the school as Alf shouted after him, ‘Oh yes, and you can make sure they keep the noise down too. Every morning I have to listen to them shouting and screaming – tell them to put a sock in it.’

‘Will do, Alf, see you later, mate.’ Donny’s mind was on other things now. He was first in as usual; the rest of the staff wouldn’t be far behind but he liked to check things over, make sure everything was just so before the kids started to arrive. His phone started ringing again, but this time he ignored it.

Donny sat in front of his computer nursing a hot cup of coffee. He’d never been big on breakfast. A banana was enough. He peeled away the bruised yellow skin and took a big bite, concentrating as he started to read through his emails. The door opened and Tina Davies, the deputy head, walked into the office and flung her coat onto the back of her chair. She patted her hair down. ‘Bloody freezing out there, isn’t it?’

Donny rubbed at his body with his hands. ‘Tell me about it. I found a polar bear in my car this morning it was that cold.’ He grinned.