Click. They glanced up and saw their teacher walking through the doorway. “Er… Miss- Mister, can I help you?” The professor asked. “Oh, I’m sorry, Sir. I was told you had a spare copy of Lord of the Flies - the library sent me here, you see.” “Ah, yes yes. It’s around here somewhere,” he said, opening a cabinet and rifling through it. They replaced Orlando on the shelf and turned back to the teacher who had just brandished the book in triumph. “Here you go; please do return it within the month. I don’t need another one of my books to go missing.” “Thank you, Sir, it’s very kind of you.”
“Who are you, I have not seen you around here before?” “Firnn, Char-Charlie. I’m Charlie Firnn.” The professor nodded, ignoring or not noticing the verbal stumble. “I’m new. I just got here this morning from London.” “Ah, very good. London’s a pleasant place, though very busy. I much prefer it here in Scotland. I’m Professor Burns, one of the English Literature teachers, beloved by all my students! That end bit is only partly a joke,” he added with a wry grin. Charlie smiled slightly and nodded their head. “Thank you again for the book, it was nice to meet you.” Burns nodded and sat down in his armchair, giving a slight wave to Charlie as they left. By Arlo Evans
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