The Board Room was empty for the first time in my experience. It was actually a minute after the appointed time, and Bronwen and Daphne were not there. This was quite upsetting.

I had already run through the possibilities as having done damage to Mister McGreagor they might send me away, or return me to the dreary employment from which I had been rescued by my transfer to the ICE.

I looked around the room. Everything was just as normal, the tea tray was set ready, the adgendas placed in folders before each chair. I resisted the temptation to waste time in reading what was to have been discussed.

The chairs usually occupied by the other directors were slightly out of place, closer together. I went closer to see if I could discover why that should be.

On the floor between the chairs was a presentation bag, with holographic tartans shining from the words printed upon it. Globo-Fashion, it spelt, a free gift from the visit on the last outing the students had been on. A plastic cover had been left on the table, like those used when posting magazines. I used the tip of my knife to flip it over in order to read the blurb about it being a free gift - the name of the venue had been printed on it too.

I left the room and went towards the private apartments, looking in on the secretary at the offices and enquiring for the other directors.

'They went down to the Board Room, about five, maybe ten minutes ago.' she said briskly. I moved on towards the more private rooms. I checked them, and discovered that both dresing rooms were in considerable confusion, as though they had been searched.

I continued on along the corridor - the ICE was once a much larger organisation and had shrunk, leaving unused accomodation.

I heard giggling, and discovered my two fellow directors standing before a large wardrobe. Both were dressed in white blouses and tartan skirts, but contrary to their normal good taste, they had added accessories of other tartans, waistcoats, scarves - tied around a waists or twisted into a turban, and there were all sorts of items strewn over the bed, all plaid or chequered.

For a few seconds I watched undetected, then they must have seen me in the large mirrors on the wardrobe doors, and they turned to face me.

'Come and help us choose - you know about kilts and things - they're the latest fashion you know.'

It seemed that strange things were still happening, but there did appear to be a reason for them now.