be punished nervous, and cherubs could no longer do something wrong because they could take the punishment if they got caught. Oddly, while Zara generally punished kids less severely than Mac had done, it was tales of the harshest penalties that circulated around campus and she’d gained a fearsome reputation.
‘I’m very much torn about how to punish all of you,’ Zara began. ‘The whole affair was instigated because Mr Large tried to blackmail Lauren, but that doesn’t excuse the way you acted.’
Kyle spoke boldly. ‘I’m the oldest and it was my idea to get revenge. I’m prepared to accept full responsibility.’
Zara smiled. ‘And how much longer are you with us, Kyle?’
‘Just over seven weeks.’
‘So if I punish you and you don’t fancy it, you’ll just quit a few weeks early,’ Zara said.
Kyle realised he’d been rumbled and looked down at his lap.
‘I know I haven’t been chairwoman for long, Kyle, but I’m not a complete idiot. It’s Hayley I feel really sorry for in all this. As she doesn’t know that CHERUB exists there’s no way I can have you make it up to her. I just hope that her feelings weren’t too badly hurt.’
James shrugged. ‘She didn’t seem all that impressed, so I don’t think she’ll be upset if she never hears from me again.’
‘Sensible girl,’ Zara said. ‘First of all I’m going to deal with you five standing along the back. I’m giving each of you two hundred punishment laps, to be run over a three-week interval along with eighty hours’ gardening duty—’
‘But that’s not fair,’ Kerry shouted, ‘I was barely involved.’
All the other agents turned to give Kerry dirty looks, even Bruce.
‘You were in the restaurant, which means you were more involved than me or the twins,’ Rat pointed out.
‘Quiet,’ Zara yelled. ‘If you’ll just let me finish. The laps and the gardening duty will be suspended for six months. If you break any other rules before the end of September, you’ll serve this punishment, plus the punishment for whatever else you did wrong.’
Kerry was pleased by this. She hardly ever got in trouble and reckoned a suspended was as good as no punishment at all. The four boys were also relieved, but didn’t relish having to tiptoe around on their best behaviour with a big punishment hanging over them.
Zara continued. ‘James, you played a major role, but you weren’t an instigator. I’m giving you two hundred laps and a hundred hours’ decorating duty, but I’m suspending everything except fifty laps, which I want you to run before you go off on your mission.’
James was fairly happy with this. He liked to run a couple of times a week and twenty-five laps was a ten-kilometre run, which took him less than fifty minutes.
‘Now I want those of you who’ve received their punishments to leave the room. I need to talk with Kyle and Lauren in private.’
Bruce spoke as they headed out of the room. ‘Can I just ask: has Mr Large been kicked out?’
Zara nodded and everyone started to smile.
‘You’d better wipe those grins,’ Zara said sternly as the six kids headed out. ‘If I see any of you gloating about this, I might just decide to unsuspend some of those laps. Mr Large would almost certainly have been dismissed at his disciplinary hearing, so all you’ve really done is brought a lot of trouble upon yourselves.’
James was the last one out of the room. As he closed the door, Lauren and Kyle looked anxiously towards Zara.
‘Kyle,’ Zara said, breaking into a friendly smile. ‘I think we’ve reached the end of the line, don’t you?’
Kyle was confused. ‘Pardon me?’
‘This was mainly your idea and you’re the most senior agent involved. But I can’t punish you effectively because you’ll just leave. You passed the bulk of our exams last year and you’re only studying maths. I’ve spoken to Meryl Spencer. She’s just bought a sizeable house off campus and says she’d be happy to have you as a lodger for a couple of months until you set off on your travels.’
Kyle gasped. ‘But—’
Zara raised her hand. ‘There’s not enough time for you to prepare for another mission. I think the only reasonable solution is for you to pack your things up and leave campus a few weeks earlier than planned.’
‘But what about my lessons and stuff?’
‘You can come back on to campus to attend the revision sessions for your maths A-level. And I believe James has been tutoring you, so you can come back for that, but only