She dropped her pen in surprise. ‘Why would Queen Elizabeth come here?’ she asked Flynn without any thought.

He gave her a puzzled frown in response. ‘Huh? Elizabeth? The Prince’s daughter?’

‘Oh… no. I meant her mother...’ She shook her head, disgusted with herself. With one stray thought, she had almost given up the goose already. If she kept this up, at the very least, people were going to think she was more unusual than just being from a distant place of the British Empire.

‘It’s not the Queen… just emissaries,’ James controlled the conversation. ‘Quite routine, although it hasn’t happened for some time.’

‘Why’re they here?’ a student enquired.

James shook his head. ‘That’s not for you to worry about at the moment.’

But the boy – Elvie believed his name was Urggukar – was frustrated by the lack of an appropriate answer. ‘Everyone keeps saying that. We’re not fools, or children anymore. You trust us with magic, but you can’t trust us with the truth?’

‘You’re brave students, aren’t you? Like a pride of lions – if ones still coming into their roar. You’ve made a strong point, however, and I commend you for appealing to the logic of your history teacher.’ He pondered for some time, rubbing his thumb back and forth along his jawline. ‘Very well. The argument is made – the die is cast! But I will protect you – some truths are too much for children, even ones learning magic.’

‘The simple fact is, a magician of prominence in the Court has died. Shall I go on?’ He took in the nods and ignored the gasps. ‘He didn’t die naturally, but, and this is a big thing, he did have several enemies – and that is all I will say. An investigation is underway – the King himself is concerned at the politics. But you do not need to fear – protection is established for all students. You’re watched at all times, even if you think you aren’t. Fear is unnecessary.’

‘So they’ve caught the killer?’

‘Did I say anything about a killer? Hmmm, I think not. I said the conditions weren’t natural. Do not let your imaginations run wild – there will be an investigation and there will be answers. But you’re safe.’

Elvie wished they hadn’t asked.

A student with glasses kept pushing: ‘Surely the Sentinel would have stopped someone from coming onto the island.’

Urggukar wouldn’t let the topic go. ‘If there’s a… oh, whatever… If there is a killer, why would the Queen’s delegation come here and put themselves in danger too? Are they here to investigate?’

‘Didn’t I just finish saying there was no danger?’ James countered. ‘But it’s a great question, and I’m happy to say that I won’t give you a great answer! Now, seeing as this class has shied so far from its purpose, we will break for some lunch. There’ll be no more answers from me today. Besides, I hear it is roast lamb rolls. How delicious!’

The thought of lamb rolls had other’s running out the door. Some students, particularly Urggukar, wanted to say more, but James started packing his belongings with determination. Eventually, the fierce student took the hint and left without further comment.

Elvie made her way to the front of the class.

‘Sir?’ Elvie interrupted.

‘Please call me James, Elvie. After all, we have met before. Not every student can say they have had the pleasure of my company as they’re chauffeured to the Court. But, having said that, if you’re here to ask the same questions as the others, then I’m going to give you the same answers.’

Elvie laughed. He had endeared himself to her so quickly, but she was hoping he would answer a question. ‘No, I had a different question. As we talked about current events today, I thought that I could ask you about something in the newspaper from not too long ago?’

‘I’d also like to steer clear of the Germany topic if it’s all the same to you.’ Elvie nodded. ‘Then, of course, we learn history to learn about the current.’

‘My, ah – sponsor,’ his eyebrow rose a fraction but she carried on. ‘He was reading a newspaper about Cottsbury Castle burning down and I didn’t want to ask him too much about it at the time. Can you tell me anything?’

James eyes clouded over as he weighed her question. ‘It’s a lovely castle. I’ve been there myself, but I assume it isn’t the castle burning down which is significant. What you wouldn’t have seen in the paper is that the occupant of the castle was caught in the fire. The end of his life was a tragic loss.’

‘Oh,’ she frowned to herself, noticing the pain creeping onto his face. ‘I’m sorry if you knew him. I didn’t mean to pry, but I’m not used to people close to me dying where I’m from… so I didn’t think.’

‘Ah. Where’s that?’ He asked it so innocently she nearly answered.

‘London.’ It was the best she could do on the spot.

His eyes crinkled and his nose twitched like he attempted to dislodge a beetle, so she gave a quick wave and broke for the doorway.

‘I’ve always loved London,’ he said, forcing her to turn back. ‘Especially the famous restaurant on the Strand.’ He looked out the window and rubbed his hands. ‘Donoghue’s. Have you been?’

Trapped. Elvie tried not to show it, but inside she panicked. He knew! He definitely knew, and he was going for that trick of seeing if you know the place you claimed to be from. The very first day! It must have been so obvious!

Relax Elvie, she mentally commanded. Relax. He had no real reason to suspect anything, and even if he did, well, who would suspect time travel after all?

She smiled brightly and took a stab in the dark: ‘I’ve never heard of it, but I only arrived from Australia a few months before.’

He nodded, not giving away whether her response was correct or not. ‘Shame, it has some lovely food. And your travels must make for an amazing tale – but for now, you need to eat and get to your next class. Good luck with them.’

He’d dismissed her, and she didn’t know why. As she made her way out of the classroom, she glanced back to find him rummaging madly through his books, desperately searching for something.

Elvie moved to join her fellow students at lunch.