What a drag

It was a bitterly cold day and I was on outside duty.  It was common knowledge that each day a group of older students would go up to the top of the field to enjoy an illegal morning hit of nicotine inhalation. The usual practice was for them to post a ‘lookout’ for any approaching members of staff  in order that any cigarettes could be extinguished fully fifty metres before the teacher arrived. On this occasion I could see that  the group had huddled all together with their coats/jackets/collars/hoods up, and with heads lowered to cope with the bitter cold wind. And no “Lookout” on duty. I similarly wore a heavy overcoat with my collar up. When I reached the circle of smokers – heads down and smoke up – a small gap appeared in the circle to allow a “new smoker” in, clearly not knowing that their newest member was me.When the cigarette being passed around came to me, I thanked them all gratefully but informed them that they were “nicked”!   The look on their faces was priceless.