TUESDAY’S CHILDREN

Mrs Grimes hesitated in the doorway. She glanced nervously at the man in the dark suit, then at Andrew Caufield, who was one of her Year 6 students. He looked at her imploringly.

‘We wouldn’t usually leave a pupil alone in these circumstances, Mr Stevens,’ she said.

‘Of course.’ Mr Stevens offered her a reassuring smile. ‘But I promise I only need a little chat with Andrew – ten minutes, max – then he can go back to his maths lesson.’

‘But if you could explain what this is about –’

Mr Stevens interrupted her. ‘Your concern for your pupil’s welfare is understandable but I promise you have nothing to worry about.’

Andrew looked at his head teacher. He didn’t want her to leave him alone with this man, but he already knew full well that she would.

‘Ten minutes,’ she said. She closed the door behind her.

Mr Stevens sat down opposite Andrew. ‘Now, Andrew, there’s nothing to worry about. I work for the government.’

‘As what?’ asked Andrew.

‘Exactly.’ Mr Stevens placed his briefcase on the table between them, clicked it open and pulled out a green folder. He extracted a pen from