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other than standing in a corridor listening to a moaning teenager.
    ‘My work experience,’ James said indignantly. ‘What happened to Copthorne Racing? I spoke to Terry Campbell about it and everything.’
    Meryl nodded sympathetically. ‘I know you had your heart set on that job, but Jay Copthorne called up and said that he’s always had boys in previous years and he’s keen to encourage more girls to go into engineering.’
    ‘But how come I ended up with Deluxe Chicken? I mean, what made you think I’d want to do that ?’
    Meryl shrugged. ‘Twenty-six cherubs will be doing two weeks’ work experience at some point over the next couple of months. I got together with the other handlers and we looked at your application forms. We gave everyone we could their first choice, but inevitably not everyone could have it and we had to assign them to the less desirable slots like Deluxe Chicken and the bowling alley.’
    ‘But it’s so dumb,’ James spluttered. ‘I mean, I’m not even sixteen but I’ve already got top grade A-levels in Maths and Further Maths. It’s hardly likely that I’m gonna spend my life frying chicken and wiping down tables, is it?’
    ‘Maybe you won’t,’ Meryl said. ‘But work experience is about going out into the world and finding what real jobs are like. We use all of our connections to get as many interesting job placements as possible and I’d love to send everyone off to some fantastic job. Unfortunately that’s not how it worked out this year.’
    ‘But it’s gonna be so crap,’ James moaned.
    ‘How can you even know if you’ll like something until you’ve actually tried it?’
    ‘Because it’s with Kerry and we don’t get on these days. What if I can persuade someone to swap jobs with me?’
    ‘Absolutely not,’ Meryl said firmly. ‘It took ages to sort all the placements out. If you’re allowed to swap or dodge out, everyone will start asking. And I know you and Kerry have a few problems, but you regularly hang out with the same group of friends. It’s two weeks in Deluxe Chicken; it’s not like we’re abandoning the pair of you on a desert island.’
    James was annoyed about not getting the job at Copthorne Racing, but Meryl was a fair person. She’d done her best for everyone, and like Shak said, luck had a way of evening out.
    ‘I guess I’m the chicken boy then,’ he sighed.
    ‘So what’s your first lesson this morning?’ Meryl asked.
    James shrugged. ‘Spanish, which is OK except that Lauren’s in the same class and she runs rings around me.’
    ‘I guess your day can only get better,’ Meryl smiled. ‘Can I get back to my coffee, if that’s everything?’
    As Meryl said this, she pushed open the door of the staff lounge. James glanced at the adults sitting inside and was surprised to see the grey head of CHERUB’s former chairman by a bay window.
    ‘Is that Dr McAfferty back there?’ James asked. ‘I haven’t seen him for yonks. He was a big help when I first came to campus and I wouldn’t mind saying hello if he’s around later.’
    Meryl’s lips thinned as she let the door close and stepped back into the corridor. She leaned towards James and checked who was around before speaking quietly.
    ‘Zara Asker had to drive out to Mac’s house early this morning. His wife, daughter-in-law and two of his grandchildren were on the aircraft that crashed into the Atlantic last night.’
    James felt like he’d been hit by a steamroller. ‘Bloody hell,’ he croaked, as he realised why Meryl had been acting so odd. ‘He must be in a right state.’
    Meryl nodded. ‘Mac has six children, but none of them live near campus. He broke down completely when he heard the news. Zara brought him back here because there was no way he could be left on his own.’
    ‘I can’t believe it.’
    ‘Nobody can,’ Meryl said. ‘Mac’s not fit to drive, so we’ve arranged for him to be taken down to his son’s house in London. Everyone on campus will