Out into the corridor now, moving slowly along to the west staircase because that is the one nearest to the side entrance.
I freeze as the floorboards creak, then start walking again, more slowly and more carefully.
I hear a noise from downstairs, two floors down, on the ground floor.
A door bangs quietly – that must be the inner door with the spring closing device. It’s always difficult to shut that one silently!
They’re coming up the stairs now, quietly, but I can almost sense them climbing slowly and warily.
They know I’m duty prefect tonight and they know I’d like nothing better than to catch them coming back late without permission after a trip into town.
They’re on the first floor landing now, and I can barely conceal my excitement.