This is the third story of Gervase Phinn, schools inspector in Yorkshire He begins the year with a spring in his step for in April he will marry Christine Bentley, head teacher of Winnery Nook School The well-named Mrs Savage still attempts to exert her power via incomprehensible memos, and Connie continues to rule the Staff Development Centre with a broom of iron and duster of disapproval at any dirty marks In the schools themselves Gervase Phinn faces every challenge with humour that is rarely far from the surface