Alice-Miranda at School

by Jacqueline Harvey

  Alice-Miranda found that she completed the first section in less than the thirty minutes she had allowed—which was just as well, because some of the long divisions were tricky and took more time than she had hoped. The geography section proved a breeze. Alice-Miranda spent a lot of time traveling with her parents. A special hobby of her father’s was to plot their route on a map and quiz Alice-Miranda about the names of the countries and various cities. Her heart practically leapt for joy when she saw the question about Rajasthan. Their dear friend Prince Shivaji lived just outside of the capital, Jaipur, in the most magnificent old palace.

  Alice-Miranda was quite enjoying Miss Grimm’s test. She glanced up at the clock to check how much time she had left. Three sections to go and ninety-two minutes.

  The science section didn’t trouble her much either. At home when Mrs. Oliver wasn’t busy cooking meals for the family or teaching Alice-Miranda how to cook, she liked to indulge her passion for home chemistry. Dolly often took Alice-Miranda down to the basement, where she had a laboratory set up. She was trying to invent a freeze-dried pasta sauce and various other nutritious supplements for adventurers. You see, many years before, her own husband had tragically died in his attempt to become the first man to walk the entire perimeter of Europe unassisted. Dolly always blamed herself for not packing him enough nourishing foods. Alice-Miranda had only to think of all the experiments she and Mrs. Oliver had conducted, and the science section was done.

  Art was one of Alice-Miranda’s favorite subjects. From a very young age she had loved nothing more than spending an afternoon with her mother wandering through galleries. Her favorite was the Louvre in Paris, although she liked it as much for the beautiful building as for the artwork inside.

  The final section, history, took the least time to complete. There were questions about Ancient Rome, Ancient Egypt, the Second World War and finally about King Henry the Eighth. Alice-Miranda checked for spelling mistakes and read through the whole paper. She was satisfied that she had done her best, and that was all anyone could ask of her.

  There were fifteen minutes left until her three hours were up. But Alice-Miranda felt that she had checked as much as she could. She turned to face Miss Grimm, who was sitting at her desk writing.

  “I’ve finished, Miss Grimm,” Alice-Miranda announced.

  “Really?” Miss Grimm glanced at the clock on the wall. She supposed that the child had tired of it all and decided to give up. “Bring it to me,” she commanded.

  Alice-Miranda stood up and walked toward Miss Grimm. She was about to hand it to her when Miss Grimm pointed at the corner of the desk. “Leave it there,” she barked.

  “It was a lovely test, thank you, Miss Grimm. I really enjoyed it. There were so many interesting words and the questions were great fun.” Alice-Miranda smiled.

  Miss Grimm stared over the edge of her spectacles. “Fun? You thought the test was fun?”

  “Oh yes, Miss Grimm. I loved that question about King Henry the Eighth and his wives. Wasn’t he the most awful man? Fancy chopping off your wife’s head when she upset you—how dreadful.”

  Miss Grimm had a most uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach.

  “Miss Grimm, ever since I came to Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale I have loved every minute. But I have this niggling worry and, well … it’s all to do with you, really,” explained Alice-Miranda.

  Miss Grimm glared at this infernal child with her chocolate brown curls and eyes as big as saucers.

  “Miss Grimm, may I ask why you never come out of your study? All the girls would love to see you. They miss you. I know you are terribly busy. It must be very demanding to run a school like this and do it so well.”

  Miss Grimm put her hand up to silence Alice-Miranda—but she would not be quiet.

  “It’s just that everyone needs you. I know Miss Higgins does a wonderful job delivering all your messages and things but it’s you the girls want to see. And Mr. Charles and Howie and Mrs. Smith—when she gets back from America, of course—and all the teachers must want to see you too.”

  Alice-Miranda walked around to Miss Grimm’s side of the desk. She hesitated, then reached up and gently touched her shoulder. Miss Grimm recoiled as though she had just been hit with forty thousand volts. She leapt from her chair and ran toward the door at the other end of the study. Alice-Miranda could have sworn she heard a sob as Miss Grimm threw open the door.

  “Get out of my study!” she screamed, turning around. “Get out and do not come back!” Miss Grimm disappeared through the door, slamming it behind her.

  “I’m sorry, Miss Grimm, I didn’t mean to upset you,” Alice-Miranda whispered.

  Alice-Miranda let herself out of the study. Miss Higgins looked up from her typing and saw Alice-Miranda’s forlorn face. “Oh, dear girl, was it really that bad?”

  “No, not at all. The test was great fun and I told Miss Grimm that myself,” she replied.

  “Well, what is it, then?” Miss Higgins stood up and walked toward Alice-Miranda. She took her hand and led her to the settee in the corner.

  “I’ve upset Miss Grimm. I didn’t mean to. It’s just that, well, I asked her why she doesn’t come out of her study. I told her that we all miss her and that the girls and the teachers and all the other staff would love to see her and then …” Alice-Miranda hesitated.

  “And then?” Miss Higgins prompted.

  “She ran out of the study through that doorway at the end and I think she was crying. I mean, she yelled at me, which is quite usual, but I could have sworn that she was upset.” Alice-Miranda stared into Miss Higgins’s eyes.

  “Don’t blame yourself, Alice-Miranda. She’ll be fine. I’m sure she’ll be back to her old self in no time at all,” Miss Higgins said reassuringly. However, privately she wondered if perhaps something had changed.

  “Whatever happened to Miss Grimm, Miss Higgins? Why does she hide away from everyone? Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale is such a wonderful school but she doesn’t get to enjoy any of it at all. I don’t understand.” Alice-Miranda sat back against the frame of the couch.

  “I’m sorry, sweetheart, but it’s not something I can discuss,” Miss Higgins replied. She wanted to tell Alice-Miranda about Miss Grimm. She wanted to tell her everything. But Alice-Miranda was just a child and she didn’t need that burden. She wanted to tell her that Miss Ophelia Grimm had once been the most stylish and outgoing woman in the school. She had roamed around the grounds talking to the staff, admiring their work, chatting with the girls and teachers. She had had girls into her study for tea and laughed as they recounted their mishaps in the science room and at camp. She had been so young and so happy. And then she had fallen in love.

  “Will you tell her that I’m sorry I upset her?” Alice-Miranda asked quietly.

  “Of course, dear girl. Now, you must be starving. I know that Mrs. Oliver has baked a special cake for you. In honor of finishing that test. Why don’t you run along to the dining room? I’ll be down shortly.”

  Miss Higgins stood up, took Alice-Miranda’s hand and directed her to the doorway. She opened the door and watched her go. Alice-Miranda looked back and smiled.

  “Thank you, Miss Higgins.” She turned and headed off down the hallway.

  Alice-Miranda walked quickly to the dining room. It was after eleven a.m. and she was late for morning tea. Her tummy gurgled noisily and she was looking forward to whatever treat Mrs. Oliver had whipped up.

  The dining room rattled and chinked with the usual sounds of teacups and cutlery. But as she entered, Millie—who had been keeping one eye on the doorway—jumped up and shouted, “She’s back!”

  Immediately Jacinta Headlington-Bear leapt onto her chair and shouted, “Three cheers for Alice-Miranda. Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray!”

  Alice-Miranda could hardly believe the scene in front of her. She was suddenly bombarded with questions.

  “What was it like?”

  “Was it hard?”

 
“How do you think it went?”

  She hardly had time to catch her breath.

  “When are you getting kicked out?” Alethea snarled.

  “Yes, when are you getting kicked out?” the three marionettes echoed. Alethea shot them a stare and they immediately sat down.

  The room finally settled and Alice-Miranda began to speak. She was so little that the girls couldn’t see her. Much to everyone’s surprise, Mr. Plumpton grabbed a chair and lifted Alice-Miranda onto it.

  “Thank you, Mr. Plumpton,” Alice-Miranda said. His nose glowed red and he smiled awkwardly. “Thanks, everyone. The test was great. I rather enjoyed it and I hope that I have done quite well. But I suppose I will just have to wait and see.”

  Miss Reedy smiled at Alice-Miranda from the teachers’ table.

  “Well, young lady, now it’s time for morning tea.” Mr. Plumpton picked her up and set her back down on the floor.

  “Goodness, I hope you haven’t been waiting for me,” Alice-Miranda gasped.

  “Yes, we have,” said Alethea. “Reedy said that we should wait until you got back because you’ve had to do a big test—poor little pet.”

  “Well, that was very kind of her and of you all.” Alice-Miranda smiled at Alethea, who rolled her eyes and looked away.

  Morning tea was delicious. Mrs. Oliver hadn’t cooked just one cake. She’d cooked four different types and they were all favorites of Alice-Miranda’s. There was devil’s food cake, which is the most delicious chocolate concoction, hazelnut torte, sponge cake filled with cream, and strawberry butterfly cupcakes.

  Afterward the girls were given an extra half-hour of playtime before they had to return to class. Miss Reedy asked Alice-Miranda to come to her study. Alice-Miranda went through the test—well, as much as she could remember.

  “My dear girl, it sounds as though you have done very well.” Miss Reedy sat staring at this simply amazing child. “Let’s hope that Miss Grimm gives you the results soon and doesn’t make you wait too long.”

  “Yes, I hope so,” Alice-Miranda agreed.

  “Now, as I understand, the next part of your program involves a rather strenuous physical challenge. I’ve asked Charlie if he can give you some lessons on setting up your tent and getting a fire started—those outdoorsy type things which I assume you haven’t had a lot of experience with,” said Miss Reedy, glancing at her watch.

  “Well, to tell you the truth, Miss Reedy, I have been camping a few times. You see, Daddy helps out with an organization that builds schools for children in different parts of Africa. The last two times he has been he took me and it was wonderful. He taught me how to put up the tent and to build a fire and to cook my own meals. It’s funny, but Daddy said that everyone should know how to look after themselves. But I don’t suppose he thought I would need those skills just yet,” she finished with a grin.

  “That’s wonderful, but I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt for you to have a refresher with Charlie this afternoon,” said Miss Reedy.

  “What about my lessons?” Alice-Miranda asked.

  “The faculty have decided that there is really not much point in your having your lessons until we know that you are staying for good. Better to spend the time preparing for your Wilderness Walk and then your sporting match.” Miss Reedy picked up the telephone on her desk and dialed the number for the greenhouse.

  “Hello, Charlie, it’s Livinia Reedy. I have Alice-Miranda with me now. Should I send her to you?” she asked in a rather clipped and businesslike manner. “Yes, now would be perfect. She will be there in five minutes.”

  Alice-Miranda stood up. “I suppose I should be going,” she said.

  “Yes, and work hard, my dear. Although it sounds like you have had lots of camping experience for a child your age, I’m sure that Charlie can teach you a few new tricks.”

  Alice-Miranda thanked Miss Reedy and let herself out the door.

  Meanwhile, Miss Grimm sat in the depths of her wardrobe with a mountain of tissues at her side. She had broken her cardinal rule. She had been unmasked. Through a haze of tears she had tracked Alice-Miranda as she left the office and headed to the dining room. The ridiculous scene that followed was more than a little disconcerting. Then Livinia had taken the girl back to her study. Unfortunately that room did not have cameras. It was not a place where Ophelia had expected to need intervention—but she was wrong. The little brat had got to Reedy. Of all people, reliable Reedy; an English teacher of great renown who wore no emotion on any sleeve.

  But it seemed that they were all against her. Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale had routines. There were things that happened and things that didn’t. Staff knew their places and they just got on with it. It didn’t matter whether they were happy or not. As long as the results were achieved then no one would question a thing. They would leave her alone and she could run the school as she saw fit. But this child, this tiny girl with chocolate curls and eyes as big as saucers, had set everything on its head. She had even seen that mad musician Mr. Trout laughing in the quadrangle with a group of girls. Outrageous behavior indeed.

  Ophelia left the wardrobe and went to wash her face. She would need to look at the examination paper at some stage. She straightened her blazer, smoothed her skirt and strode back into the study, determined not to let Alice-Miranda upset her any further. The paper lay on her desk, exactly where the child had set it down.

  Ophelia sat in her leather chair and reached for the paper. Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones was printed neatly across the top of the front page. As if I wouldn’t know it belonged to her, Ophelia thought. Twit. She turned the page and began to read. Red pen in hand, she prepared to unleash inky fireworks all over the page. But a surge of disappointment rose from the bottoms of her feet. The first answer was correct, and the second and the third. In fact, there was nothing on the first page to warrant any response other than a tick. Ophelia’s immediate thought was that the girl must have cheated. But she had sat not three meters from Ophelia’s own desk, and she herself had watched the girl most of the time. She must have had some sort of radio microphone with Reedy feeding her the answers.

  But in her heart Ophelia Grimm knew that wasn’t true. Livinia Reedy would never risk her reputation in that way—not even for this child.

  She read on. The answers weren’t just correct, they were detailed and they were insightful and … they were incredible. At the end of the paper she folded her arms on her desk, and then raised one hand on which to rest her head. Ninety-seven percent. She hesitated before writing the mark on the top right-hand corner of the front cover. Apart from one long division question, the entire paper was correct. She slid the test into her bottom drawer. She would give the results after the next two tasks. It was best not to give the brat false hope.

  Alice-Miranda spent the afternoon with Charlie. She unrolled and pitched a tent; then he showed her how to take it down and refold it to fit neatly back into the bag. He was amazed when she gathered kindling for a fire, set the fireplace with rocks and even managed to get some sparks to start it.

  He showed her pictures of plants she could eat if she lost her own food supplies and, more importantly, he showed her all the things that she shouldn’t touch lest they make her sick or give her hives. Alice-Miranda asked loads of questions and made sure that she understood everything he told her. Going camping with her father was one thing, but being alone in the forest for five days was another entirely.

  As Alice-Miranda knelt beside the fireplace, carefully smothering the last sparks with a handful of sand, Charlie knelt down opposite her. He knew she was more than capable of completing Miss Grimm’s challenge, but there was something troubling him. It had started with the broken orchid and the crumpled blanket in the greenhouse. He hadn’t made much of it at the time; probably some of the girls sneaking about after dark, he’d thought. Even the next day when he found cake crumbs and an empty bottle of ginger beer in the rowing shed it hadn’t worried him greatly. But then last night there was a shadow
outside the greenhouse. Too big to be one of the girls and too late to be any of the staff. It was a man for sure, a hobo perhaps. Probably not dangerous, just hungry and tired, he had told himself.

  Alice-Miranda’s big brown eyes met Charlie’s blue gaze. “Is there something the matter, Mr. Charles?” she asked, puzzled. “You look awfully serious. Did I do something wrong?”

  “No, no, child. You’ve done everything just right,” he sighed.

  “I’m excited, you know. And just a little bit nervous,” she admitted. “It’s quite a challenge Miss Grimm has set for me. But I know I can do it.”

  Charlie thought for a moment. He didn’t want to frighten her, but he did want her to be extra careful.

  “Well, lass, you take good care of yourself out there and if there’s any trouble, you just come straight back to school.”

  Alice-Miranda reached across and squeezed Charlie’s hand.

  “Oh, Mr. Charles, don’t you worry about me. I will be just fine. There’s nothing out there to hurt me. Goodness, there are no lions or elephants at Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale, I’m sure.”

  Charlie stood up and dusted himself off. For some reason he felt better. If there was a hobo, he’d likely have his hands full if he came across Miss Alice-Miranda.

  “Now,” he said, “Mrs. Oliver said that she has some special food she wants you to try out.”

  Alice-Miranda brushed the sand from her hands. “Oh, I know what that will be! Did you know that under our house she has her own laboratory? She experiments with all sorts of foods. I think she must have made some progress on her freeze-dried lamb roast with spring vegetables.” Alice-Miranda licked her lips at the thought of Dolly’s roast.

  “She said she could give you enough food for a month and that it wouldn’t weigh any more than what you would usually take for a couple of days. The woman must be a genius,” said Charlie, in a very admiring tone.

  Alice-Miranda said goodbye to Charlie and headed for the kitchen. Dolly had a range of foods for her to sample—except they didn’t look like food at all to begin with.