A director of education and the president and vice-president of two headteachers’ associations found themselves in uncharacteristic hot water on a Gordon Cook Foundation trip to Charlotte, North Carolina.
Driving around in darkness, hopelessly lost, the intrepid trio of Alan Blackie, Nigel Lawrie and John Nethercott latched on to a Federal Express security van, since the company shared a basement with the hire firm’s garage.
The van sped into a basement, hotly pursued by the hired car. As both entered, a metal grill came crashing down behind.
The terrified, black American van driver, fearing a gun-toting raid, promptly legged it.
Only some smooth talking prevented three of Scotland’s best facing a night in the cells.
It was the wrong garage.
