"Will you step into my parlour? Said the Spider to the Fly."

"SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!" Erin stressed.

She whispered her curses through gritted teeth as she rewound her Dictaphone and played it back for the umpteenth time. Michelle and Clare glared at her with disbelief while Orla messed about with the multiple buttons on a push button office telephone. They had been sat in isolation in an empty classroom for the better part of two hours. The end of the school day was approaching, and for them, it truly felt like their last. The only outside contact had come from Miss Mooney, who had the displeasure of contacting their parents to attend the school immediately.

They awaited what felt like their last day at Our Lady Immaculate College, something that Patrick O'Driscoll was now able to make a reality with the false narrative he had fed to the Police. It felt incomprehensible to Clare that the Police would simply take Patrick's word at face value, but when she reminisced on their past indiscretions, it suddenly didn't seem too hard to believe. Still hoping that Erin had something that could fight their case and prove their innocence, Clare's lip wobbled with impatience and panic.

"Come on Erin, where is it?!" Clare shrieked, her voice vibrating Erin's eardrum.

"Jesus, Clare! I don't know!" Erin shot back. Her own cack attack came to the forefront.

Turning back to the Dictaphone; Erin had found the last piece of audible material she'd recorded, and pressed play again, sure of the position. Pressing the tiny speaker hard against her ear, the volume turned up to the maximum; Erin listened in vain for the smallest minuscule tone, but there was nothing.

Michelle growled and kicked a chair in anger. "Fuck sake, Erin! The one time we need yer fucking Dicko phone to work…" She was then cut off by Orla.

"Well, that's grand, so it is. But can I speak to someone in a higher authority?" Orla asked.

"Who are ye talking to, Orla?" Michelle asked, spying Orla was speaking on the telephone.

"Well, I thought I was talking to the Police but all this fella wants to do is just tell me the time. I can't get a word in." Orla answered with a perplexed look on her face.

"What?!" Erin stressed.

"We need to tell the Police that they made a mistake. They need to let James and Marco go." Orla stated casually. Michelle snatched the phone and slammed it down.

"The Police aren't gonna help us, Orla! They're already here in case ye forgot, and they arrested James and Marco because Mr O'Driscoll has convinced them that they started that fire!" Clare shouted, her voice reaching a higher pitch level.

"But they didn't!" Orla whined loudly. "They didn't!" Orla started to weep. Shutting her eyes tight, Orla held her head. Michelle walked over and cradled her.

"S'alright, Orla…. Could ye not have said that any louder, Clare?" Michelle snapped turning to Clare.

"I'll say it as loud as I like, Michelle! Has it not dawned on ye that we are well and truly FUCKED this time?!" Clare screamed. Now standing, walking towards Michelle.

"That's not true! There must be some way we can prove we weren't to blame for this!" Michelle stood her ground.

"Ach, and ye think they'll believe us with our track record?! Catch yourself on Michelle! Ye heard what he said… Mr O'Driscoll's just been waiting for a chance to kick us out…. and now he's got it!" Now only a few centimetres away. Clare began to weep as well. Michelle was silent.

"Erin! Can ye put that thing down?! It's obvious ye didn't record sweet fanny fuck!" Michelle snapped. The reality had begun to dawn on Michelle. They heard a knock at the door. A stern-faced, elderly looking nun opened the door and motioned them to follow her.

"Sweet Jesus, I feel like we're being lead to the gallows, girls!" Clare fretted.

"Wha' is it, Orla?" Erin asked, seeing the look of concern now adorned on her cousin's face.

Orla looked at her three friends. "When we go to our next school, we're still gonna be together, aren't we? aren't we?" Orla asked again, fidgeting with her wee fingers. Anxiously awaiting a reply.

Erin put an arm around her cousin. "Orla…. We're always gonna be together. Somehow." Doing her best to settle Orla. Erin smiled faintly.

"Well, it wasn't exactly the way I wished to leave, Erin. Lord knows we came close a few times before…. But at least you'll be going out with me." Clare was now surprisingly calm, seeing the fret in Orla's eyes; Clare seemed resigned to go down with the sinking ship with her best friends instead of bailing on them. "Christ but I hope my mammy doesn't kill me!" And there it was, a cack attack, right on queue as always.

"Ach, fuck it! Let's just get it over with. The fat prick obviously can't wait any more. I ain't scared of that two faced bastard. It's our mammies that make me shite the tights! Just don't none of yers start balling your eyes out, otherwise that fat bastard will likely get a hard on. Fucking creep." Michelle said, standing up, ready for the inevitable.

"Well, there's a mental picture I could have done without." Erin moaned.

"Aye, thanks Michelle." Clare chimed.

"Do ye reckon he'd be able to find it, ye know under that massive belly he's got?" Orla asked. While Erin and Clare were shocked at what she just said, Michelle burst into a fit of laughter.

"Ach, Orla. Sometimes, I just love ye!" Michelle giggled. Orla smiled warmly.

"Come along now!" The elderly nun stuck her head round the door again, ordering the girls out.

As always, Michelle led the way out of the room. Erin took Orla and Clare's hand into hers as they caught up and walked beside Michelle. Following the Nun down the eerily silent corridor; their footsteps made the only audible sound as they walked together. They trembled with the certainty of their immediate fate of expulsion from school.

James groaned from the pain in his hand as he tried to look out the rear window of the police car. Marco looked out the window next to him, but they couldn't see anyone. Strangely they'd been left alone to sit inside the Police car. Their handcuffed hands clasped behind their backs made it very uncomfortable for them to sit.

"God! I hate being closed in like this!" Marco sighed sadly.

"I didn't know you was claustrophobic." James quizzed.

"I'm not, I just don't like being closed in like this." Marco replied.

James chuckled faintly at the line Marco had stolen from the 1996 Only Fools and Horses Christmas trilogy. Marco then saw James sported a sulky expression. "What is it, Jay?" He asked, mirroring the same look.

"I just don't understand…. How is it the police are going along with what O'Driscoll is saying without even looking into anything?" James pondered, confused by the whole thing.

"Oh, come on James! How many times have we watched The Godfather? and Goodfellas? If what Erin said is true, I wouldn't be surprised if half the police force were in his back pocket!" Marco then paused to see the same frown again on James' face.

"He probably has and all." James admitted. His frown grew more evident, his eyes were heavy.

"This is really gonna fuck things up now, isn't it?" He asked. His gaze became distant. "The girls will probably get sent off to separate schools…. They'll send me to the boy's school, that's for sure now…. Shiiiiiit! What's this gonna do to your apprenticeship?" James asked, his voice rising.

Marco sighed sadly. He shook his head. There was no answer to give. Just then, two officers appeared on either side. Opening the doors, they pulled the boys out. In a bizarre move. The officers then removed the handcuffs and began to escort James and Marco back towards the school.

"What's going on?" James asked.

"Maybe they've set up the firing squad round the back, you know, like in Schindler's list?" Marco joked nervously.

"Huh, if they miss your mouth, I'll be surprised." James shot back.

The Nun came to a stop outside a familiar classroom. The wooden walled classroom where they served many hours of detention together and alone now seemed to be their place of execution. Michelle entered first. Claire quickly walked behind her, Erin and Orla walked in together. Father Peter was sitting at the main desk, with the newly arrived Mr. Bailey, the head of the school board. Only Clare was aware of who he was, given that her mother had recently had a meeting with him about their plans to move. His presence only made the tightening in her chest increase tenfold. As they sat; they acknowledged the fact that Patrick O'Driscoll wasn't there.

"Take a seat, girls." Mr Bailey said blankly.

They sat in the front line of desks. The two men sat in silence, not making eye contact with any of them. The classroom door opened again and in walked Miss Mooney, dragging the trolley which housed the Television and VHS player. While Miss Mooney exited the room, Erin reached into her pocket for her Dictaphone, but the groups' blood run cold as she saw Miss Mooney re-enter the room followed by Mary, Gerry, Joe, Sarah, Geraldine Devlin, and Deidre Mallon. Orla frowned as Coco Pops whined as Joe walked past her. Stealing a moment, he patted her on the shoulder. Their mothers all wore looks that shifted between bewilderment and anger. Erin went to speak.

"MAMMY, I swear to God we didn…"

"Sit down please, Miss Quinn." Mr Bailey said, speaking with an impartial authority. "Everyone please take a seat." He requested to the parents.

"Erin…. Sit down!" Mary said.

Erin noticed that her Mammy's words didn't sting as much as they normally did, but enough for her to sheepishly comply. All the parents were solemn as they took a seat at the left side of the classroom. None of the girls could gage what they were thinking. Orla looked over at Granda Joe; who was holding Coco Pops, he returned her gaze with a half-smile, winking at her. She smiled back.

"Oh my god, oh my god." Clare whispered; her whole body shook as if she were in a blizzard.

At that point, the door opened again. This time, Chief Constable Byers walked in. He took a seat at the desk next to Mr Bailey, carrying what appeared to be some video tapes. Clare shot out of her seat.

"SIR!" She shouted. Repeating her previous encounter with the man, doing so, she made Michelle jump.

"Sit the fuck down, Clare!" Michelle hissed.

"Are these what you were talking about?" Mr Bailey asked Constable Byers, motioning at the stack of tapes.

"They are." Byers said affirmatively.

"Well, let's just wait for the last few to arrive then we'll begin." Mr Bailey replied.

The door opened again. In walked the two officers, along with James and Marco. The girls all locked eyes with them. The officers guided the boys to desks along the front line. The boys gaged the looks from the parents. The tension in the room was high. James and Marco looked at each other.

"Father Peter, do we need to sit at these desks?" James asked.

"No, it's not mandatory James." Father Peter said.

The boys got up from their seats and sat on the desks right behind the girls; James sat with Erin and Michelle in front of him, while Marco sat behind Clare and Orla.

"Are we ready now?" Father Peter asked Mr Bailey.

"…..Almost." Mr Bailey spoke as if he was expecting something, or someone.

His attention was then drawn towards the door. He heard an approaching noise that bellowed from outside the classroom. Patrick O'Driscoll finally barged into the room. The parents were silent but shot scowling looks towards the large man. Coco Pops growled and bared his teeth at the sight of the man.

"FATHER PETER! WHAT EXACTLY DO YE THINK YER DOING FA…Mr…. Mr Bailey?" Patrick stopped dead in his tracks. He was taken aback by the man's presence who then turned towards Patrick.

"Good afternoon, Mr O'Driscoll. Take a seat." Mr Bailey's tone was impassive.

Patrick looked as if the wind that just been sucked out of his sails as he cautiously went sat at the right side of the classroom. MadStab then walked in, walking straight over to stand behind Patrick. Looks of shock dawned the faces of the mammies as they acknowledged the bruises and dried blood that was evident on the handkerchief he was holding.

"By Christ! Ye look like ye got yer arse kicked!" Joe spoke towards MadStab, chuckling slightly.

"Now, are we ready?" Father Peter asked again.

"Mr Bailey! Sir! If I may speak!" Patrick quickly interjected. Standing from his seat, he spoke as he walked to stand in front of the desk and in front of the girls.

"While I am very grateful for your presence here this afternoon, I would rather you not hassle yourself with this minor matter that I am fully capable to handling of behalf of the school board. As advisor to Father Peter, I would have made sure this whole terrible incident would have resulted in the proper action."

"Arse kisser." Joe snidely remarked.

"Daddy!" Mary sniped quietly.

"And what action would that be, Mr O'Driscoll?" Mr Bailey asked. Patrick was astounded that he would ask such a question.

"… Well….. with all due respect sir….. it would be a simple formality to expel these students!" Patrick said, still confused at Mr Bailey's oblivious attitude.

"Are ye trying to say our wains are responsible for this?!" Mary piped up. Patrick's demeaning nature quickly surfaced as he turned to face her.

"THAT. Is exactly what I am saying!" He snarled towards Mary. Facing them, Patrick began to vent towards the whole line up of parents.

"For the past two years, your children have been nothing but a moral detriment to this school. And from what I see, I can easily understand why."

"Who in God's name do ye think yer talking to, ye fat bastard!" Joe snapped. He charged towards Patrick, who began to back tread.

"Don't' Joe! Its what he wants!" Gerry said. Placing his hand on Joe's shoulder.

"Mr McCool, this is not the place for this. Mr O'Driscoll, remember yourself!" Mr Bailey said. Patrick was dishevelled, but quickly regained his demeanour. He smugly regarded the elder patriarch.

"It's alright, Joe. Sit down." James had walked over to Joe, clearly rattled by the arrogance of Patrick O' Driscoll, who turned to Mr Bailey and continued to speak loudly.

"I warned you Mr Bailey, did I not? I warned you that boy was a security risk." Pointing at James. Erin and Michelle scowled a hateful glare towards him.

"But even I would never have thought he would go so far as to endanger the girls of this school through such a malicious act! Along with his little friend here, who took it upon himself to inflict physical harm upon my nephew there, who was only trying to prevent them to committing said act!" He bellowed, now looking at Marco.

"YOU LYING BASTARD!" Joe shot up again. Gerry barely grabbed hold of him.

"How dare you! Our James, English as he is, would never do such a thing!" Deidre stepped forward, hissing each word towards Patrick. "Ye no different now than when you were younger Patrick. Ye walk around acting like yer holier than Christ himself. But the truth is; Yer nothing more than a snivelling, two faced pathetic excuse of a man!" Deidre's eyes were like wildfires. Patrick stepped back again.

"I will not stand here and have you speak about my daughter and niece in this manner! I swear, ye say one more word and I'll gladly crack my wooden spoon right across yer bald fat head" Mary joined in, baying to unleash more upon Patrick.

"My daughter and myself have suffered through enough without having to contend with the likes of you talking down to us like yer better than everyone! Especially with the mess your daughter got herself into!" Geraldine now stepped up. Patrick's blood began to boil.

"And ye have the most appalling mole on the back of yer head! So ye do! Christ, but what yer wife must deal with having to look at such a thing. Poor girl's stomach must turn every time she looks at it!" Sarah remarked.

"Christ, I'm glad someone finally said it!" Michellle gasped. He group sniggered.

"Mr O'Driscoll, for the last time…." Mr Bailey spoke loudly.

"I will not be spoken to by the likes of yourselves. Ha! No wonder yer children are such a depraved collection of immoral character, I guess the apple doesn't far from the tree! Mr Bailey. I think it is time that we finish this business. For the sake of all that is moral… EXPEL these students for the act pf arson, have these…. People removed from the school and let the Police deal with them!" Patrick sneered.

"Well, if that's the case. You should remove yourself as well!" A voice spoke behind him. Patrick turned.

Everyone looked towards the now open door to the classroom. The girls, James and Marco gawked in amazement. Patrick's face turned white. The parents were just as shocked. There in the doorway, clutching what appeared to be a grey flat object, was none other than Sister Michael herself. She took the few steps and came into full view to everyone in the room.

"Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen….. AND Patrick. It's been a while." She said. Her tone as expressionless as it always was.

"Good afternoon, Sister Michael. You're looking well." Orla smiled and waved.

Sister Michael turned towards her. "….. Thank you, Orla." She said, her tone unwavering to show a hint of emotion as she walked past Patrick as if he didn't exist. The man stood aghast at the mere sight of her. Father Peter stood from his chair and stood aside to let Sister Michael sit at the desk with Mr Bailey and Chief Byers. Clare looked as if she'd seen a ghost, as did Erin and Michelle. James had a slight crook on his mouth as Marco simply smiled.

"Well, girls? Boys?! Is there nothing you wish to say?" Sister Michael barked.

"Good afternoon, Sister!" They all said in unison.

"That's better!"

"What in GOD'S NAME ARE YOU DOING HERE?! AND WHAT ARE YE DOING SITTING AT THAT DESK?! THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU!" Patrick barked, finding his voice once more.

"Oh, but it does… Pat…. rick! It so very does."

"Mr O'Driscoll…."

"Oh, for Christ sake, Richard. Just call him Patrick, let's not beat about the bush!" Sister Michael lashed. Patrick's skin crawled.

"Yes, maybe we shouldn't." Mr Bailey said looking at his watch. "Patrick, the investigation ended, and Sister Michael has now been reinstated as Headmaster." He said bluntly.

"SINCE WHEN?!" Patrick barked.

"Yesterday….. Oh I'm sorry…. I must have…. Forgotten." Father Peter spoke up, an obvious hint of sarcasm was heard in his voice. He looked at Patrick with distain as the rotund man gawked with shock.

"And now, for the sake of everyone here. I was going to mention before Mr O'Driscoll interrupted… that this conversation is being tape recorded." Chief Byers finally spoke. Quickly glancing over at Erin.

"Tape recorded? For what?" Patrick asked, sounding slightly concerned.

Ach, in sweet Jesus' name Patrick. Will you please just SHUT UP!" Sister Michael vented. The man froze in utter disbelief. The parents noticed the blatant sniggering from the group. Mary brought herself to shush them.

"Thank you, Sister Michael. For the tape, Sister George Michael has now entered the room." Byers commented.

"George Michael?" Marco said, he looked at James who nodded at him.

"Mr O'Driscoll: For the tape, Can you please confirm that You stated to my officers earlier that you had strong reason to believe that the fire started in the storage room was in fact started by one James Maguire, and one Marco Galluci in an act of arson at Our Lady Immaculate College. Correct?"

"….Y.. Yes. I did." Patrick stumbled. Byers' eyes narrowed.

"For the tape, I am handing a video cassette taken from the CCTV security system from Our Lady Immaculate College and am asking Constable Jenkins to play it for us." Chief Byers' eyes were locked on Patrick. MadStab looked as if he'd now seen a ghost.

"CCTV? WH….. When was this installed?" Patrick cried.

"Yesterday…. Ach. I'm sorry. I was so busy helping with planning for the disco, I MUST have forgotten that too." Father Peter snapped his fingers with annoyance.

"That's fine Peter, there's no need for the dramatics. Funny how we requested the funds for this system as far back as September last year. Strange that, isn't it Patrick." Sister Mchael said impassively. Patrick swallowed hard.

"Christ, look at his face!" Michelle whispered as the officer pressed PLAY.

"For the tape; We are viewing CAMERA #3 overlooking the storage room's entrance door at time 10:47am." Jenkins declared. Watching the silent footage. MabStab and Shannon were seen carrying the crate full of bottles into the storage room. Patrick stood frozen, as did MadStab as he saw himself and Shannon leave shortly afterwards.

"Fast Forward to 12:03pm, Jenkins." Byers ordered. Doing so, Erin appeared to ponder something. Jenkins fast forwarded to the time.

"For the tape, the time is 12:03pm." Jenkins said.

The footage then showed Erin and James approach the door to the storage room. Erin felt her heart pound as everyone watched the couple looking around before sharing a lingering kiss. They then smiled at each other before entering the storage room. Mary gasped, feeling herself boil with embarrassment. Everyone turned to look at them. James shuffled awkwardly as Erin's face turned red from the stares of the parents. She covered her reddened face once she caught the gaze of Sister Michael, turning away, she then caught the wide-eyed look of her mammy.

"Erin Josephine Quinn!" Mary shrieked.

The footage had certainly incited a mixture of reactions. Chief Byers looked over and saw Gerry hide his face with embarrassment, unable to cope. Joe stared blankly at James, who gulped with worry. The look from the man reminded Marco of how he first met Joe when he arrived in Derry the first time round. Sarah stared dumbfounded at her niece. Deidre slowly shook her head at James.

"Sneaky motherfuckers!" Michelle whispered. "Didn't think ye had the balls, Dicko!" She smiled at James.

"Michelle!" Deidre shouted.

"Would ye mind explaining exactly what that was all about, my girl?" Mary shouted, completely astounded.

"Please mammy…" Erin's face contorted not knowing where to look.

Joe turned to Gerry. "Will ye get yer face out yer hands, Gerry! Say something, for Christ's sake, yer stupid shite!"

"Exactly what am I supposed to say here Joe?" Gerry shrieked.

"This is what I was talking about! You southern free state bastards and yer depraved ways! Well I hope yer happy! Your carrying on with my Mary corrupted this lad and turned him into a sex maniac!"

James buried his face into his hands while Michelle did the same; she couldn't control herself and burst out laughing. She reacted as Clare slapped her leg hard, causing Michelle to stop.

"What was that for?" She moaned.

"Don't stoke the fire Michelle!" She whispered in a blind panic. Her voice almost resembling Donald Duck.

"Well, I've certainly not missed this!" Sister Michael said.

"Please! PLEASE! Can we return to the matter in hand, and hold back on the domestic side of things?" Mr Bailey requested, sounding anxious. The families quietened down, still reeling from the footage.

"Fast Forward Jenkins." Byers commanded. Erin thought again. "Now PLAY." The footage then showed MadStab and Shannon enter the storage room. "Fast Forward again." Byers said. Then the other girls were seen entering the room. The parents sat and stared intently at the footage. The footage became grainy and distorted.

"Fast Forward." Byers ordered. The footage was wound forward, and they watched footage of Marco breaking down the storage room door, Orla taking a fire extinguisher into the room, and James and Orla carrying Shannon out to safety. MadStab sat frozen. The officers were now stood behind him.

Erin whispered to herself. "Fast Forward….. FAST FORWARD." She cried. Everyone turned to look as she reached into her blazer for the Dictaphone.

"Ye think this proves anything?" Patrick snapped arrogantly. "That doesn't show Danny being responsible for the fire! They're all in there together! They probably just put the fire out cos they started it, and they were scared they'd get caught! My nephew is certainly completely innocent! They are the ones with the track record for starting fires! They are the perpetrators!" Patrick yelled. "If ye even think of charging my nephew with this ridiculous accusation… I promise you. I will have yer job, Byers!"

They then heard a crackling piece of audio. Sister Michael turned and saw Erin who now stood next to her, with her Dictaphone held out at its maximum level. The parents and friends stood in awe as the audio played out.

"We're gonna light this cloth, and then smash the bottle down. Once the flames get to all of these…. Be somewhere else!"

"Ye can't be serious Danny! This is fucking mad! What if we get caught?!"

"We WON'T get caught! All we need to do is start it and run. Ye find the nearest teacher and tell them ye saw that ayetye prick running out the building! And yer Da said he'll take care of the rest!"

"But what about the school? What if someone gets hurt?!"

"WILL YE SHUT THE FUCK UP SHANNON! What do ye care, Hi?

Erin re-wound and played it again. A determined scowl was etched on her face as Sister Michael turned to see Patrick's face aghast again. The officers moved in on MadStab. He yelled in protest as Byers shoulder barged past Patrick to stand in front of a now handcuffed Danny.

"Danny O'Driscoll. You are under arrest for suspicion of committing the act of Arson. You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention, when questioned, something which you may later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be taken and given as evidence." Byers said sternly.

"NO! WAIT! SHANNON WAS IN THERE! SHE SAW EVERYTHING! SHE'LL TELL YE WHAT HAPPENED!" Danny shouted in desperation.

"Jenkins. Bring Miss O'Driscoll in." He ordered. Sure enough, Shannon was quickly escorted into the classroom, having sat outside the classroom with Sister Josephine. She walked in meekly and looked towards Danny, then her father, then towards the group of friends, then at Sister Michael, who still appeared impassive.

"Miss O'Driscoll….. Can ye please repeat to me what ye told my colleague a short while ago." Byers requested. Shannon was silent, apprehensive, almost afraid to speak.

"It's alright Shannon, just tell them." Sister Josephine gently assured her, rubbing her arm gently.

Her face was still dirty from being stuck in the storage room. Michelle felt her chest tighten, still expecting the girl to ship them as the culprits, despite saving her life. Clare was frowning frantically. Orla just looked at her, regarding her sad expression. Erin leant forward, awaiting her answer. James and Marco held their breaths. Feeling the weight of the world on her young shoulders; Shannon began to well up with emotion, something that aggravated Patrick.

"Ach, for Christ sake Shannon, tell them!" he shouted.

Shannon shook with fright. She looked at Danny, but unable to look at him any further; Shannon turned into Sister Josephine and started to weep. Through her loud wails, Shannon pointed her shaking finger square at Danny, condemning him without a word. Chief Byers' face bore a heavy look of sympathy and anguish. He turned and glared coldly at Patrick, and then at Danny, who could be seen shaking. Byers' glare was unmoving as he gave the next command.

"Constable Jenkins. Take him away."

Danny could be heard panicking as he was escorted out of the classroom. Patrick O'Driscoll stood flabbergasted. He then saw Sister Josephine escort Shannon out of the classroom. His anger grew deep within the pit of his stomach; it rose to the surface of his narcissistic self. He spun in the direction where the girls and their families stood, ready to unleash again but was met with Sister Michael standing right in front of him. Her posture was strong and unmoving. Patrick stopped cold, but his tongue was perpetual as he gaged her and Chief Byers.

"I will have yer jobs for this! You haven't heard the last of this!" Patrick angrily declared. Glaring one last time at the families before about turning to exit the classroom. An officer then stood in his way. Patrick stopped cold again, gaging the cold stare from the officer.

"Excuse me. I have to get past." Patrick said with a condescending tone, baring his teeth.

"You're not going anywhere, Patrick. We have only just begun." Sister Michael said, her tone was strong and unmoving.

Father Peter motioned the families and the group to stand in front of the desk. Mr Bailey spoke. Engaging the parents and the girls.

"I just wanted to assure you that your daughters, and nephew are no longer suspected of any wrongdoing, as well as yourself, young man." He said to the group as a whole.

Chief Byers then addressed the small congregation. "Rest assured; we will see to it that the one responsible is punished to the fullest extent of the law. But I would like to say well done to Miss McCool for her brave act in extinguishing the fire so quickly. And for Miss Mallon in saving a student's life. As well as Miss Quinn for displaying an impressive resourcefulness in helping us discover who the true culprit was. But as far as yourselves go; For the tape… Chief Byers is declaring that the matter is now closed." Chief Byers said, smiling at the group, winking quickly at Erin, who flashed a nervous smile back.

"Thank ye very much, Mr Bailey. Chief Byers. Sister Michael. Grand to see ye back. We'll see ourselves out." Mary sighed wth relief, crossing herself; she was grateful that the girls and the lads had been cleared.

"If you would Mrs Quinn, I would like you all to wait. There is one more piece of business we must handle." Sister Michael said, looking towards Patrick, and then towards the group.

The girls and James knew what that meant. Marco spotted the look they gave each other, sensing they weren't out of the woods just yet. Patrick O'Driscoll stood powerless as the row of parents walked past him. Joe walked in front of the girls as he exited the room, followed by James and Marco.

"Arsehole." Joe said, passing Patrick.

"Fat Prick!" Michelle whispered enough for Patrick to hear, but not Sister Michael. His face went red.

"I BEG YOUR…." The door slammed. Before he could vent; the officer forcefully led Patrick to a chair. Sister Michael, Chief Byers and Mr Bailey shared the same stone-cold glare towards him as the officer pressed down on Patrick's shoulder, sitting him down in a chair in front of them. Patrick was shell shocked at the abrupt change of tone within the room. All eyes were now on him.

Sister Michael began. "So, Patrick, can ye begin to tell us about your association with a man called Stevenson?" She asked, hissing every syllable towards him. Patrick's face went white as a sheet. A bead of sweat trinkled down the side of his head.