"Oh no..." Trucy wailed. Thinking quickly, you scrambled up off the ground, brushing your best clothes down.

"Okay, Truce! I don't know what your Father's doing, but we need to make a good impression! Now, have you still got that jewellery box your Mother gave you?"

"Yes, it's on the mantlepiece where Daddy told me to keep it so it doesn't break!"

"Please may I borrow something very special from it?"

"My Mommy's... Ring?"
"Yes, we need to convince the Principal that your Daddy's at work. Now, general families tend to have a Mommy and a Daddy who are married, right?"

"Yes...?"

Sliding the ring on your finger, it fit perfectly, sparkling under the IKEA lamp hanging from the ceiling. Sighing, you glanced over at the 9 year old girl.

"Well... Tonight I am your Mommy. Now, go and let him in, I'll be in the kitchen Truce!"

Bounding to your front door, Trucy flashed her biggest smile at the man at her door.

He was an older man, but had an air of grumpiness about him that frightened her. Swallowing, she invited him into your house. Overhearing footsteps coming through the hall, it warmed your heart when the Principal complimented Trucy's choice of outfit. Clinking bottles and bowls around, you attempted to set the table as beautifully as you possibly could. The Principal was looking for gorgeous aesthetics, so the table seemed to be the first place to start.

"Would you like a drink, Mr Principal?" Trucy asked ever so sweetly.

"That is very kind of you, yes please, I would love one, Miss Trucy"

As she entered the kitchen to make the Principal a drink, you caught his eye. "You must be-"
"Mrs Wright" Cutting him off before he could begin to question you seemed the best option. "My husband isn't here just yet, you've arrived slightly early! He is on his way home from work I hear"

"No bother, we can wait by all means. I am Mr Schultz, Principal of Los Angeles Academy"

He seemed rather friendly, which was very deceiving judging by his long, bland face and razor sharp features. Biting your lip, you could only pray that Wright would make it home on time. It wasn't long before Trucy came through with a tray of drinks, passing the Principal his china mug first. Placing herself next to you, her feelings could be sensed quite well. She felt uneasy. The urge to start conversation was pressing, and the need was pressing moreso on you than anybody else. Just as you opened your mouth, a jingle sound came out.

It was the door bell. Excusing yourself, you walked over to the door, but halted, much to Trucy's surprise.

"Oh, why don't you show Mr Schultz the Amazing Mr Hat, Sugar?" Complying, it gave you time to answer the door in peace. Clenching your fists, the sight through the looking glass was not what you were expecting. Sighing, you opened the door in order to quietly moan at the guilty looking individual.

"I'm sorry I'm late, Pal! I had to get here as quick as I could"

"I'm just glad it's you and not that bastard Wright!" The hiss from your mouth forced the mans face to screw up inquisitively.

Trailing through to the kitchen, you offered him a seat. Poking your head through the heavy door that separated the kitchen from the living room, the Principal began to look rather bored. Upon noticing you, he ushered for your attention.

"Ah, Mrs Wright! Would it be convenient for me to take a tour of your household before we sit for dinner? I believe that it is a necessary process, that each living environment of our students is thoroughly inspected before coming to a decision"

Taken aback slightly, you shot your eyes at Trucy briefly.

"O-Of course. Dinner will be at the table upon your return..."

"Thank you, Mrs Wright. Now, Miss Wright, if you could tell me about..."

You were sure he was going into questions about her Father. Meanwhile, your former detective partner, Detective Gumshoe, was sat at your table with something to say.

"Mrs Wright? I didn't know you had gotten hitched, Pal!"

"We aren't, Detective... I'm just trying my best to keep this family glued together"

"I had forgotten that Trucy was having her inspection today..."
"You're still invited for dinner, don't worry"

Tapping your foot, on the kitchen tiles, you allowed your thoughts to run wild for a second. Though, the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs indicated it was time to serve the food.

A glorious feast of roast pork with sage and onion stuffing had been served by yours truly. Slow cooked with all the trimmings. As you sat down to eat, you observed the Principal's first bite.

"This food is delicious, Mrs Wright"

"Thank you..." You choked slightly. "Oh, I don't think you have met my former investigative partner, Detective Gumshoe. He is joining us for dinner tonight"

"Is your husband not joining us?" His tone became stern and his expression disappointed. Digging your fingers into the table, you searched your mind for a believable excuse.

"Mr Wright is a Lawyer in the next town over... He is on his way home"

"I thought he'd lost his badge, Pal- Ughn!"

A swift pinch to the knee cap shut Gumshoe right up. "He had to switch firms, Mr Schultz"

"I see. I do hope I will have the pleasure of meeting Mr Wright on this very evening"

Mumbling a subtle "Me too" under your breath, you had just started to eat when the keys in the door had broken the silence. Beside yourself with both anger and anxiety, excusing yourself once did not seem good enough for the Principal.

"I'm terribly sorry, Mr Schultz. I really need to excuse myself"

Several apologies later, you had finally left the awkwardness of the kitchen and stepped into the fire that was going to be your rage.