D I Self actually did sod-all towards finding Cal and Flossy; he was more interested in looking down Mrs Beauchamp's cleavage and eating her best biscuits. It was his assistant Jac who got an update for the worried Headmistress.

"I went to check round town a bit. The Post Office near here did have a small boy going in and using his savings book to withdraw some cash, earlier today."

"What sort of Post Office lets a small boy withdraw money without reporting it?" Mrs Beauchamp gasped.

"Um, it seems that Marie Claire was on the counter today."

Miss Freeman snorted.

"Oh, WELL, then…" she said, rolling her eyes and making Mrs Beauchamp's heart pound.

Cal's bid for freedom had, in fact, fallen through. He'd managed to get the rabbit food from the Pet Shop, but when he'd tried to book a single to Birmingham at the railway station, the clerk had become suspicious and asked where his mum and dad were. Cal had legged it and was now once more hiding in the Haunted toilets in the playground with Flossy.

The reason the toilets were thought to be haunted was that the kids had been told by Mrs Beauchamp herself had told them the playground and the toilets weren't at all safe places for kids to be. Mrs Beauchamp had been thinking paedophiles, but the innocent kids had thought she must mean spooks.

Mr Keogh came to join them at break. He mentioned that Lofty was doing his best to be brave and had learned some new sums as well, even though he'd had to go out twice to throw up. On discussing the absent rabbit bandit, Mr Keogh had asked:

"Do you think it's worth checking out that old playground?"

Everybody leapt to their feet. Self said smarmily:

"Now, don't you worry, lovely Connie, we'll solve this one."

Mr Keogh said, enough under his breath to get away with it but loud enough to make Miss Freeman giggle nervously:

"Get ON with it then, Selfie-Baby."

"Mr Keogh!" said Mrs Beauchamp sharply, but she actually had some colour back in her cheeks. If only that poor little rabbit was safe… and, yes, stupid Cal too. But it was already early November and turning cold….

"I think it would be good if some of his classmates come along to talk to Caleb. The little lad who was in charge of the rabbit, his brother, and two more… you two will do."

Max and Zoe beamed at being chosen.

"Stupid idea, Jac…" Selfie was beginning to sneer.

"I like the idea. Cal needs to hear them before he hears the police."

"Oh well if YOU say so, Mrs Beauchamp, but what if the kid does something violent?"

"He won't", Connie replied serenely.

What a woman. What a WOMAN, thought Selfie.

What a tosser, thought Mr Keogh.

Cal was talking to Flossy.

"Think we'll have to hitch-hike soon, girl, they're too snoopy at that station. I need to get you somewhere warm or you'll get Rabbit Death Flu. But tonight I'll wrap you in your blanket and we'll hug up together under my coat."

Then he heard Mrs Beauchamp's voice:

"Cal, sweetheart. If you're in there with Flossy come out. You're not in trouble."

She was talking through the police loud-hailer. Cal had to tell her the truth.

"I'm sorry Mrs Beauchamp. I got cross because Miss Freeman laughed when I asked if she was a Lebsion so I ran off with Flossy. I was going to kill her with a carving knife-"

Lofty's colour drained even more and Zoe and Max shook their fists in perfect unison.

"-But then I couldn't because she's gorgeous and lovely. So I wanted to take her to a fun place like Birmingham and spoil her rotten. But they asked nebby questions at the rail station so we're fuggytives now."

"Cal, please let Flossy go. She could be really ill if you keep her in the cold… and so could you."

A sob from the hut. Then:

"I'm putting Flossy out."

Lofty wondered for one horrible moment if Cal would throw Flossy's body out. But Cal put the basket out and then retreated back in the toilets, and as Lofty ran to hug Flossy he could see she was safe and not scared.

"Come on out yourself lad, you've had your fun", bawled Self the Selfish.

"Not coming. I'm evil because I was nearly a rabbit murderer so I'm going to stab myself with this carving knife and DIE."

Looks of despair all round.