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out. Trouble ahead.” Angus suddenly said, and nodded in the direction of the far corridor as two burly uniformed figures approached.
    “The terrible twins. What have we done to deserve this?”
    Sure enough, the two school janitors, Tony Smith and Gordon MacFarlane, approached as they checked each of the empty classrooms before locking up for the evening. Tony was tall, with a ramrod back and puffed-out chest and, as ever, he was immaculately turned out. Gordon was shorter and stockier, but also strode around with the authority of an ex-army officer. Both men were feared and to be avoided due to the pleasure they took in enforcing the pettiest of school rules and their habit of dispensing discipline with the maximum level of sarcasm. There was a rumour in the school that Tony and Gordon were ex-SAS – a notion that neither janitor made any effort to dispel. There was another rumour, too, that they were actually ex-traffic wardens. This was the story that Jack and Angus thought more likely.
    The boys looked for some way to avoid the two men. But it was too late. Soon the two large figures were looming over them, Tony peering down at Jack over a carefully trimmed moustache, an eager twinkle in his eye.
    “Well now, what do we have here?” Tony said.
    “One waif and one stray,” Gordon chimed.
    “It’s Mr Christie and Mr Jud, is it not?”
    “Yes Mr Smith,” Jack said.
    Tony turned to Gordon and impersonated Jack’s voice mockingly, “Yes Mr Smith.”
    Gordon laughed and repeated in a squeaky voice, “Yes Mr Smith…”
    Tony said, “Remind me, Mr MacFarlane, what is the penalty for loitering in school grounds twenty minutes after the final bell, outside the designated zones?”
    Gordon turned back to Tony taking his time to consider the answer. “Mmm… I don’t know, Mr Smith. Outside the designated zones, I think the penalty might be a detention… but actually, we could make up any penalty we want.”
    Tony looked back down at Jack. “Shall we do that boys… shall we make up a penalty?”
    “But… we were going to the library…”
    Gordon exhaled sceptically making a sort of drawn-out ‘psshht’ sound as he did so. Thankfully, just at that moment, Pendelshape emerged from his classroom and marched down the corridor towards them.
    “Good afternoon, gentlemen, anything I can help you with?”
    Tony and Gordon’s manner changed instantly. It was as if the sergeant major had appeared and they snapped to attention.
    “Good afternoon, Dr Pendelshape. I believe these are your pupils?” Tony said obsequiously.
    “Yes, Tony, they’re with me. They were just off to the library – weren’t you?”
    “No problem, sir – we were just closing down for the night. You know the rules, sir.”
    “Very good – you can leave my room open for a little longer… I have the keys.”
    “Sir.” And with that Tony and Gordon slunk off in disappointment.
    “Right lads – along to the library – and I’ll make those calls.”
    *
    Five minutes after reaching the library, Angus was already fidgeting with boredom.
    “Stop it,” Jack said, trying to focus on his maths homework.
    “I can’t. I’ve got an idea.”
    “Great. Not another of your ‘good’ ideas…”
    “Yes,” Angus said. “One of those.” He lowered his voice and looked up and down the silent aisles of the old library furtively. “It’s our big chance.”
    “What is?” Jack was getting worried.
    “Well – Pendelshape is in the staffroom, making calls. The terrible twins are out of the way… and…”
    “And what?” Jack asked.
    “And, well, we know that Pendelshape has left his door open.”
    Jack hissed at Angus across the table, “No way!”
    The prim librarian, still sorting returns, briefly raised her eyes above her reading glasses.
    “Angus – I’m not standing guard while you sneak in and rummage through Pendelshape’s cupboard to get back all the stuff he’s confiscated off you…”
    Angus looked hurt. “I only care