Ed Master frowned at suchaminx. She was clearly flustered and lying through her teeth so everything was as normal. He dismissed her with a casual wave of his hand and a mumbled, vague threat and she turned and walked quickly away; her relief tangible.

Ed sat at his desk and considered his priorities. Dhyanna wasn't going anywhere soon and Ed had the keys to the locker in his pocket, so she was safe from prying eyes-and hands and other things. He went through the events of the last hour and suddenly realised that Marie had dropped something when she had so clumsily knocked into the coat rack that Ed knew full well should have been long since stored outside.

He stood. He yawned and then made his way slowly back to the deserted kitchen. Squatting down, he peered under the kitchen units and, spotting a familiar-looking item, he reached under the base unit and pulled out an extremely wicked crop. He recognised it immediately. It was Marie's favourite implement and the dread of each and every girl in Slothlands.

Ed stood, his knees protesting as he did so and Ed swore softly. He ran the crop through his hands enjoying the feel of it against his fingers. He swung round and marched out of the kitchen pausing only to switch out the lights as he went. He turned away from his study and walked in the opposite direction towards the classroom where he knew Marie would be teaching at that time.

As he walked Ed mulled over the day in his mind. He was in a good mood as his options became clear and he was almost smiling as he arrived outside of the classroom where he could hear Marie telling the girls to pipe down and shut up. He grinned at her use of idiomatic English.

He gripped the door handle gingerly and was relieved not to receive an electric shock as he had several times previously. Marie took her practical teaching very seriously.

"Ed..Ed Master" Marie stammered as he entered. She looked at the crop he carried and her hands flew to her face. Her eyes darted from Ed's face to the crop and back.

"Miss Gonzales, I'm so very sorry to disturb you" Ed said smoothly. "But I need to know; JUST WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU DOING SPYING ON ME?!"

Marie jumped as Ed seldom raised his voice. The girls froze and stared at Ed in shock. Ed held the crop in both hands and bent it into a bow and watched Marie following his movements like a hypnotised rabbit.

"I, er, that is I..." she tailed off, dismally aware that she had been caught and was about to suffer the consequences.