Victoria Goldenhorn couldn’t contain her giggle. ‘I remember that night, Harold. I did wonder what all the fuss was about.’ She handed her empty teacup back to Mr Bambuckle.

‘I remember that night too,’ said Damon Dunst, his love-struck eyes fixed firmly on Victoria.

Harold remembered the night more clearly than anyone. Though he also remembered Vex’s claims at inventing the app. ‘It’s true about the ParentalRental app,’ said Harold. ‘That’s how I came to know about it.’

Vex’s expression hovered between embarrassment and anger. ‘Whatever.’

Mr Bambuckle, on the other hand, slapped his thigh and smiled from ear to ear. ‘Harold, you have absolutely astonished me with your brilliant story. Remarkable.’

Harold looked at his teacher and then around at the attentive faces of his classmates. ‘You don’t think I’m a bad son?’

‘I would have done exactly the same thing,’ said Mr Bambuckle.

‘You would have rented other parents?’

‘No, I would have performed the kilt dance.’

Harold was chuffed. ‘Ha! I bet you wouldn’t know what to do.’

Mr Bambuckle’s bright green eyes wandered off as though they were searching through his memories. ‘Actually, Harold, I would have known precisely what to do. I spent many months perfecting the kilt dance when I travelled through Scotland. You most certainly do have a very rich heritage.’

Harold’s chest filled with an air of contentment and pride. It was a feeling he was not used to. It was a feeling his teacher had planned for him all along.

‘Mr Bambuckle,’ said Myra Kumar, with a cheeky tone, ‘can you give us a demonstration of the kilt dance now?’

‘Go on,’ dared Vex. ‘Do the kilt dance.’

‘There will be no more kilt dances in my school!’ It was Mr Sternblast. He had been eavesdropping at the doorway.

‘Ah, dear Mr Principal, won’t you kindly join us for the last minutes of the day?’ said Mr Bambuckle. ‘You have been in and out all afternoon – you’re most welcome to stay and have some refreshing Himalayan tea.’

Mr Sternblast’s moustache wobbled as though it was about to erupt. ‘I’ll do no such thing, Bambuckle. I’m not sure what your game is, but I’ve been far from impressed with what I’ve seen you dish out today. Report to my office immediately after the bell.’

‘I’d be most delighted,’ said Mr Bambuckle.

‘We’ll see about that,’ replied Mr Sternblast.

Vex sniggered under his breath. ‘About time someone put him in his place.’

Despite his comment, Vex had had a rather fine day. Intrigue had consumed him and he had quite enjoyed the feeling. As such, he wasn’t sure if he should embrace his new teacher fully, or take his rebellious attitude to the next level.

‘Mr Sternblast,’ said Harold, ‘can I please say something?’

‘If you must.’

‘I wanted to thank you for hiring such excellent teachers. I’ve had a really great day today.’

‘Me too,’ said Evie Nightingale. ‘Mr Bambuckle understands me.’

‘And me,’ said Victoria Goldenhorn. ‘I haven’t had such fun in class in a long time.’

Mr Sternblast’s moustache trembled even more violently. ‘Fun is not important! This school is about learning.’

‘We’ve learned a great deal,’ said Victoria. ‘We’ve learned how to design stickers and how to brainstorm app ideas.’

‘I never understood the point of brainstorming until today,’ said Scarlett Geeves.

‘Brainstorming is not learning, girl. And you’ll do well to keep your mouth zipped!’ snapped the principal.

Scarlett looked down at her desk.

‘My office, Bambuckle – don’t forget!’ barked Mr Sternblast, leaving the room.

‘I shall see you shortly, dear Mr Principal.’

After a moment, Victoria, who enjoyed school more than most, asked a question that earned her a dark stare from Vex. ‘Mr Bambuckle, do we have any homework tonight?’

Mr Bambuckle thought about this for a second. ‘I do think, Victoria, it is a most splendid idea. For homework, I want you all to come up with a quite ridiculous use for a bicycle. You can be as creative as you like.’

‘Is that it?’ said Carrot.

‘That’s it.’

‘Coooool.’

The bell rang loudly and the fifteen students stood to leave.

Vex, who had decided to take his rebellious attitude to the next level, edged his way to the front of the room and stood within earshot of Mr Bambuckle. ‘Enjoy your chat with Mr Sternblast,’ he said. ‘I’m sure it will be your last.’

While he was tempting fate, Vex sensed Mr Bambuckle had a few more tricks up his sleeve. He was looking forward to seeing how his new teacher would handle the situation.

‘I’m most certain I will enjoy the chat,’ said Mr Bambuckle. He clicked his fingers and his unicycle rode out of the corner of the room and into his waiting hand all by itself.

With his first day at Blue Valley School under his belt, Mr Bambuckle tucked his frying pan back into one of his jacket pockets and balanced on his unicycle. ‘I’ll be seeing you all tomorrow morning, I expect,’ he said.

‘See you tomorrow,’ replied a chorus of uncertain voices.

Although the students of room 12B had taken very quickly to their new teacher, the threats of Mr Sternblast rang in their ears more loudly than the bell. If they knew their principal – which they did very well – they knew it was quite likely this would be the last time they saw Mr Bambuckle.