“If you want to toy with the fundamental forces of the universe and command the powers of Hell, you’ve got to do the study first.”
“I beg your pardon?” a passing mother said.
“I was just telling her that if she wants to read Catullus, she’s got to do the study first,” Phil said hastily.
#graynes2

“As all the great scholars say,” Alastor noted, “when in doubt, hide the evidence.” #graynes2

She’d positioned herself near the stairs up out of the cellar, securing her escape route and displaying a spirit of Being Prepared which would be helpful if the Bursar ever did restart Girl Guiding at Grayne’s. #graynes2

Phil was genuinely horrified at the idea. He was a real living person and she wasn’t into random murder. Besides, it probably wouldn’t work. #graynes2

Ms Ellis blinked. It was like the sort of lizard which spends all day staring at the sun and then takes up staring at the moon in its spare time because it has some sort of thing for celestial bodies. #graynes2

Half the class screamed in shock, and the other half screamed because there was something to scream about. #graynes2

“One of the things we try to teach you here - among such vital points as there is no kill like overkill, grab the nearest weapon, never mix metals when choosing jewellery, and never draw to an inside straight . . .” #graynes2

“Grayne’s has occasionally managed to stump up a Huider and a group of enthusiastic participants. Unfortunately, something always eventually happens to make it unfeasible and we have to burn it all down, bury the ashes and salt the earth.” #graynes2

Alastor had a lot of opinions on free will, though Phil was never entirely sure whether he was for it or against it. #graynes2 #editing

Phil was aware of her hypocrisy, and rather hoped that God would take her good intentions into account if she were to, oh, fall out of a window tomorrow and fail to have time to repent everything. #graynes2 #editing

“The Head is still applying pressure through telephonic means, Mistress. Her prefects and minions are proposing more vigorous solutions, but she wishes to be . . . deniable. Our hands must be clean, she says.” #graynes2

Phil looked around the theatre cellar: the shadows that concealed the walls, the numerous bits of scenery and stage props piled up around the place which turned it into something from German Expressionist cinema, where a murderous somnambulist might come prowling out at any moment. #graynes2

Which was obviously unacceptable. Well, fairly obviously. Certainly not something that should be tried unless they were really out of other options. #editing #graynes2

“Sleep well, dear. Remember to check your bed for spiders and poisonous snakes. Our pupils are always so energetic on their first night back, so full of delightful high spirits.” #editing #graynes2