Chapter 5

On the third knock, a woman with a stern looking face, hooked nose, weird eyes, rake-thin figure and hair pulled back into a knot at the back of her head looked at them.

“Welcome to Lotaholes Castle. You four are the new students, I presume?” said the woman in a clipped, no nonsense voice.

“Y-yes, m-ma’am…” stuttered Darren, the bravest of them all.

“Good! I’m Lady Radeyes, the assistant principal of Lotaholes Academy. Have a seat in the main hall while I instruct Cook to prepare some food. You just missed dinner,” said the woman, walking through an open door at the other side of the room as Sapphire turned beet-red with embarrassment when her stomach rumbled.

The four of them sat on the chairs in silence, waiting for Cook to come. Before long, a squeaking sound was heard. An amply proportioned woman entered, pushing a trolley laden with cakes, sandwiches, fruits and drinks. The woman’s round face was beaming, and wisps of hair had escaped from her hair-net to fall around her face, forming a contrast to the assistant principal.

“Eat up, my dears, it isn’t often I get to show off my culinary skills in this school.”

The trolley was put in front of them, and having missed lunch, they devoured the food hungrily, manners thrown out of the window for the moment.

When they had all eaten their fill, the trolley was wheeled away. Then, they started discussing all the weird happenings of the day.

“Have you noticed that, even though the walls are full of holes, its not in the least droughty in here?” asked Amber.

“Yeah, notice what the cook said. She doesn’t get to cook that often in this school. Don’t you think its weird? I mean, in a school this size, the students have to eat a lot…” said Sapphire.

“That’s not the worst of it. The assistant principal’s name is Lady Radeyes, but in my opinion, Lady REDeyes would suit her more. Have you noticed? Her eyes are red, and I don’t think they are contact lenses!” exclaimed Azure.

“Don’t get your knickers all in a bother, I wouldn’t be surprised if the headmaster has two heads,” said Darren drowsily.

“Hey, don’t jinx it!” said Sapphire indignantly. “I wouldn’t like to meet anyone with two heads.”

Just then, Lady Radeyes entered.

“Amber, Azure, Darren and Sapphire, the headmasters would like to see you now.”