Chapter 2

Monday, May 12th, 1986, Macgregor High School

As Nita walked into the school grounds after getting off the bus, she noticed a police car in the car park.

"I wonder why the police are here," she remarked to her friend Leigh.

They made their way to their hang-out under F-block and joined their friends. They climbed the stairs to their lockers. They removed their books for the first two periods and put their bags in their lockers, and then returned downstairs to chat with their friends until the bell rang.

When the bell rang, they walked the short distance to the parade ground for weekly assembly. They stood in the assigned area for year eleven students, and continued to chat about their weekends until the Deputy Principal, Mr Byrnes, stepped up to the microphone and arrested everyone's attention.

"Good morning students, welcome to our weekly assembly," said Mr Byrnes. "We begin with some very sad news. You may have noticed the presence of police officers in the school this morning. This is because one of our student-teachers, Miss Phillips, has gone missing."

There was a shocked hush across the assembled students.

"She was last heard from on Thursday night," Mr Byrnes continued. "If anyone has any information relating to her whereabouts, please approach myself or Miss Watson."

The assembly continued with other matters and then the students were dismissed to go to their first class. For Nita that was Biology, so she said a subdued goodbye to her friends and made her way to the science block, deep in thought. Miss Phillips had been assigned to her Biology class as part of her training to be a science teacher.

Nita met her friend Yvonne in the corridor. "I wonder what happened to Miss Phillips," said Nita to Yvonne as they entered the classroom.

"Maybe she just ran off," said Yvonne.

"I don't know," answered Nita. "She didn't seem the type."

The TARDIS materialized in a storage cupboard in the administration office of Macgregor High School. The Sixth Doctor poked his head out cautiously, wondering why the Old Girl had brought them here. He could hear voices in the office next door to the storage cupboard he was standing in.

"Mr Rostedt, the facts are that Miss Phillips was last heard of when she called her boyfriend after running out of petrol," said the voice. "The boyfriend agreed to pick her up, but by the time he found Miss Phillips' car, she had disappeared."

"Well, that's what he said, I suppose," replied Mr Rostedt. "But how do you know that he's not responsible for her disappearance, officer?"

"We are investigating that option, Mr Rostedt," replied the officer. "Please leave that to us. We would like you to find out if Miss Phillips had said anything to her workmates or students that might give us any clues."

"Very well," said Mr Rostedt. "I will do everything I can to assist you."

"Thank you," said the officer, standing. "We'll be in touch, and please call this number if you hear anything." He handed the Principal a business card, and then he and his colleague left the office and headed to their police car.

The Doctor ducked back into the TARDIS where his companion, Perpugilliam Brown, was waiting for him.

"Peri, we have a mystery on our hands," said the Doctor, puffing out his chest.

"A mystery?" asked Peri, excitedly, bouncing on her toes. "I love a good mystery! What is it?"

The Doctor filled Peri in on what he had overheard from the storage cupboard.

"So what are we going to do about it?" asked Peri.

The Doctor paused and thought for a bit. "We will be undercover police detectives, posing as a science teacher," he said, pointing to himself. "And a student-teacher to replace Miss Phillips."

"But I don't know how to teach!" objected Peri. "I'm a Botany student!"

"Close enough," replied the Doctor, nonchalantly. "You'll be fine."

The Doctor pulled out his Psycic Paper and headed for the doors. "Let's go."

Peri followed the Doctor out of the TARDIS. They paused at the door of the storage cupboard and checked that no one was around to see them come out. The hallway was deserted. The stepped out, walked up to the Principal's office and the Doctor knocked on the door.

"Come in," called Mr Rostedt.

The Doctor and Peri entered the office. "Good morning, Mr Rostedt," said the Doctor. "I am Detective John Smith, and this is my associate, Detective Perpugillium Brown." He handed Mr Rostedt the psycic paper, which backed up the Doctor's claim that they were undercover police detectives.

"Undercover?" queried Mr Rostedt.

"Yes," answered the Doctor. "We thought it would be more effective to pose as a teacher and student-teacher and infiltrate the school. People are more likely to talk about things to a fellow teacher than a police officer."

"Good idea," agreed Mr Rostedt. "All right, Miss Brown can go to the classes that Miss Phillips was looking after, and I'll assign some classes to you, Detective…er I mean Mr Smith."

"Actually, I would prefer to be called Doctor," corrected the Doctor.

"All right, Doctor Smith," said Mr Rostedt. "If the two of you would take a seat, I'll organize something for you."

The Doctor and Peri sat down, and Mr Rostedt picked up the phone. "Mr Lucas," said Mr Rostedt after a few moments. "I am sending a Miss Brown to your classroom. She will be replacing Miss Phillips." He hung up and looked at Peri. "Miss Brown, please report to the Science block, level 2, room 1. You will be assisting Mr Lucas."

Peri stood. "Thank you, sir," she said. "Err.. where is the Science block?" she asked.

"The next block over as you turn left out of this Administration block," replied Mr Rostedt.

"Thank you," said Peri, and waved to the Doctor as she walked out the door. As she left the room she heard Mr Rostedt say to the Doctor, "now, let's find you a class to teach. I assume you have some teaching skills?"

Peri laughed to herself as she exited the Administration block. The Doctor teaching? That she would like to see!