Mr Bambuckle listened attentively to Slugger’s story. The rest of the class watched on too, intrigued as to how the teacher would respond. Carrot in particular, who had no idea of Slugger’s intent until now, was utterly absorbed.

‘Well, dear Slugger,’ said Mr Bambuckle eventually, ‘I commend you for having the courage to tell me the truth. Honesty is always the first step in being true to yourself.’

Slugger sighed with relief.

‘However,’ said the teacher, ‘we must consider the consequences.’

Slugger’s head drooped. A punishment he could handle. His favourite teacher dealing it out, not so much.

Mr Bambuckle signalled for Carrot to stand. ‘Slugger, examine your classmate.’

‘What do you mean?’ said Slugger.

‘Look at him,’ said Mr Bambuckle. ‘Study him.’

‘Ummm … okay …’

Mr Bambuckle stood behind Carrot. ‘Slugger, what do you see?’

Slugger thought about this for a while. ‘I see Carrot Grigson. I see my friend.’

‘That is all,’ said Mr Bambuckle.

‘Wait,’ said Slugger, ‘you’re not going to punish me?’

Mr Bambuckle’s blue jacket shimmered in the afternoon light. ‘My dear boy, you’ve already punished yourself. Anyone who wrestles with right and wrong like you have, has experienced quite enough anguish as it is. I’ll leave it up to you to continue moving forward.’

Slugger nodded slowly, glowing with the confidence his teacher had instilled in him.

‘There is just one other matter concerning the situation,’ said Mr Bambuckle. ‘When the time comes, I shall speak to Vex regarding his role in the story.’

‘Hey! Where did Scarlett go?’ said Miffy suddenly.

‘She was here a few minutes ago,’ said Victoria.

‘I see brake lights further down the road,’ said Sammy. ‘I think she’s gone.’

‘She has gone,’ said Miss Frost, who had returned to the camp fire.

The students had been so engrossed in Slugger’s story, they had failed to notice Miss Frost tap Scarlett on the shoulder and lead her away from the camp site. Scarlett had wanted to call out to Mr Bambuckle and her classmates, but she could not find the right words or bear to interrupt Slugger’s story. She was sent away without a farewell or any kind wishes, expelled from Blue Valley School.

Unlike his pupils, Mr Bambuckle had in fact noticed his beloved student leave. While he had longed to reassure Scarlett that things would work out in the end, he trusted in the girl’s resilience. He knew she could survive at any other school, and he looked forward to the day he would welcome her back to Blue Valley.

Miss Frost, meanwhile, took full control of camp. Her position allowed her to dictate terms, and she was using this power to stamp her authority over Mr Bambuckle. Discipline was the new order.

The rest of the afternoon and evening was a disappointment to the students. The assistant principal made them memorise sums and spelling words, stopping only for a quick dinner break, before working them long into the night.

The children eventually went to bed feeling rather sorry for themselves.

The morning sun broke over the horizon, illuminating the dew on the tents. Damon rolled over in his sleeping-bag. He’d slept like a baby, courtesy of the Himalayan tea Mr Bambuckle had brewed for him before bed.

Slugger had slept like a baby too. He sucked on his thumb through the night, deep in subconscious reflection.

Roused by the brightening sky, the students emerged from their tents and yawned.

Miss Frost greeted them with the snap of a clipboard. ‘Right, see to it that you pack up everything before breakfast. Ensure your tents are folded correctly.’

The children, not wanting any more drama, obeyed robotically. This was how things had been done before Mr Bambuckle had arrived at Blue Valley School, and it appeared they were fast headed back that way.

‘Hey,’ said Damon, ‘look what I found!’ He sheepishly handed Mr Bambuckle the pole he had lost while trying to set up the teacher’s spare tent.

‘No speaking!’ hissed Miss Frost.

As the students set about packing up their things, Miss Frost pulled Mr Bambuckle aside.

‘We’ll be reporting to Mr Sternblast immediately upon our return to school. There is, of course, the issue regarding Chugger’s dangerous scissors to discuss. You must answer for a breach of Section J in the student safety document.’

Mr Bambuckle chuckled. ‘I’d be delighted to spend the time with you.’

The teacher watched as Slugger helped Carrot pull down his tent. Carrot tripped over a tent peg and Slugger caught him just before he hit the ground. The boys laughed and Slugger patted Carrot on the back. He then muscled his friend’s tent neatly into its bag before attending to his own.

‘Look at that,’ said Mr Bambuckle. ‘I believe you’ll find outcome RF4-A says a thing or two about taking action after reflecting. It seems Slugger has done both just splendidly.’

Miss Frost’s lips twitched.

A shadow passed overhead.

‘What was that?’ said Albert, adjusting his glasses to get a better look.

‘I believe the speckled-dagger vulture has decided to make an appearance,’ said Mr Bambuckle.

Dodger twittered anxiously from inside one of the teacher’s pockets as the shadow passed over them again.

‘What utter nonsense,’ snapped Miss Frost. ‘It’s likely an eagle. There’s no such thing as a speckled-dagger vulture. You’ll do well to stop filling the children’s heads with ridiculous stories.’

‘And you’ll do well to mind yours,’ said Mr Bambuckle.

‘I beg your pardon?!’

But it was too late. A large dollop of bird dropping splashed on top of Miss Frost’s silver hair, completely smothering her diamond bobby pin in sticky, smelly yuck.

‘Ah, yes,’ said Mr Bambuckle. ‘The speckled-dagger vulture is rather notorious for doing that.’

Miss Frost shrieked and flailed her arms, running away in the direction of her car.

‘She looks like one of those inflatable car yard men,’ said Damon.

‘Indeed,’ said the teacher, with a wry smile.

The children hauled their suitcases to the camp fire area and sat down. The space left by Scarlett – an empty log – was already felt.

Mr Bambuckle blinked brightly in the morning sunlight, a knowing look on his face. ‘I suppose it’s time we check on Vex.’

‘I’ll do it,’ said Sammy, dashing over to his classmate’s tent.

The teacher’s green eyes glistened like emeralds as he awaited Sammy’s report, and it was only a matter of seconds before the news was broken.

Sammy rushed back to the logs, panting. ‘He’s gone. He’s taken his bag and vanished!’

The students gasped.

‘He left this note behind,’ added Sammy, handing a piece of paper to the teacher.

Mr Bambuckle grinned from ear to ear as he read the note. ‘It seems Vex has gone on an adventure,’ he said. ‘I hope you’re all ready for one too.’ The much-loved teacher’s brown hair ruffled in the wind. ‘I know I am.’