by Enid Blyton
‘I agree,’ said Lucy. ‘Let’s just keep it between the four of us for now. And we had better keep a careful eye on Delia in the meantime, and see if anyone else’s belongings disappear.’
‘I say!’ said Julie, suddenly. ‘Didn’t Delia and Gillian have tea in town together this afternoon? It would be interesting to know where Delia found the money to pay her share, for she always seems to be broke.’
‘Perhaps Gillian treated her,’ suggested Bonnie.
‘Well, we can ask her,’ said Amy. ‘Here she comes.’
Just then Gillian came into the common-room, looking nothing like the happy, carefree girl who had gone to tea with Delia that afternoon.
The strained expression was back on her face, and she looked very pale. But Julie, intent on finding out what she wanted to know, didn’t even notice this, and called out, ‘Hi, Gillian! Come here a moment, would you?’
Bonnie, knowing that Julie wasn’t the most tactful of souls, stepped forward and said, ‘Are you all right, Gillian? You look awfully tired.’
‘I’m fine,’ Gillian assured her brightly. ‘Did you want something, Julie?’
Julie opened her mouth, but, once more, Bonnie forestalled her, saying, ‘Well, it’s no wonder that you’re tired, with all the activities that you do. Going out for tea with Delia must have been a pleasant break for you.’
Julie, who had been rather put out by Bonnie pushing herself forward, suddenly realised what the girl was doing. She was leading up to the question tactfully, rather than being blunt, and perhaps causing offence. And, by using such tactics, she was likely to get a great deal more out of Gillian, thought Julie, staring at little Bonnie with admiration.
‘Oh, yes, we had a marvellous time,’ Gillian was saying now. ‘And a super tea! I was so grateful to Delia for inviting me.’
‘She’s such a thoughtful girl,’ said Bonnie, smiling sweetly at Gillian. ‘So generous with her time.’
‘And with her money,’ said Gillian. ‘I’ve spent all of my pocket money this week, so Delia treated me. Wasn’t that kind of her?’
‘It certainly was,’ said Bonnie. ‘Especially as poor Delia never seems to have very much money.’
‘Well, it was jolly lucky for me that she had just received a postal order from her grandmother,’ said Gillian. ‘Otherwise I shouldn’t have had such a splendid treat.’
‘Well done, Bonnie,’ murmured Lucy, patting the girl on the back, as Gillian moved away. ‘You handled that perfectly.’
‘I should say!’ agreed Julie. ‘Why, you didn’t even have to ask Gillian who had paid for tea, for she volunteered the information.’
‘It was simply a question of leading her in the right direction,’ said Bonnie modestly. ‘And now we know the truth. Delia received some money from her grandmother.’
But the others weren’t convinced, Julie saying darkly, ‘Hmm. Well, I think it’s rather a coincidence that Delia happens to be in funds just as Millicent’s purse goes missing.’
‘I agree,’ said Amy. ‘I shall certainly be keeping an eye on my belongings from now on.’
‘And I shall be keeping an eye on Delia,’ said Lucy. ‘We all should. I know that we have agreed not to say anything to Pam and the others until after half-term, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t watch Delia, and make sure that she doesn’t get the chance to steal anything else.’
‘Well, we don’t know for certain that Delia is the culprit,’ said Bonnie, looking unusually grave. ‘And I, for one, would like to make absolutely sure that we have our facts right before we start making accusations.’
‘You’re quite right, of course,’ said Lucy. ‘And I would never dream of accusing Delia, or anyone else, for that matter, without proof. All I am saying is that it won’t do any harm to watch her.’
‘I suppose not,’ said Bonnie. ‘But we must be careful that Delia doesn’t realise what we are up to, for if it turns out that she is the person who took Millicent’s purse, we don’t want to put her on her guard.’
Delia, meanwhile, quite unaware that she was under suspicion, was turning over some rather disturbing and unwelcome thoughts in her own mind. She was remembering how Millicent’s notebook had been in Gillian’s possession, and was wondering how the girl had come by it. Had Gillian taken it from Millicent’s bag? And, if so, was it possible that the girl had taken the purse as well?
Delia felt very troubled indeed, for she liked Gillian very much, and the thought that the girl might be a thief was horrible. Delia had so enjoyed the time they had spent together, and had been secretly hoping that the two of them might become close friends. But, if Gillian turned out to be dishonest, that would be quite impossible.
Just then, Gillian herself came over and sat down next to Delia, a smile of genuine friendship on her rather white face. Delia was unable to stop herself smiling back and, as she did so, she realised something. If she wanted to be a true friend to Gillian, she had to be loyal and believe in her. And, looking into the girl’s open, honest face, Delia’s suspicions fell away. Of course Gillian wasn’t a thief! Why, she just couldn’t be, for surely she, Delia, couldn’t possibly like her so much if she was dishonest.
Oddly enough, Millicent herself was the person who seemed least affected by the loss of her purse. She had quickly put it out of her mind, for an idea of how she could improve Gillian’s violin solo had suddenly come to her, and she was now sitting at the big table working on her score. She had been upset to discover it missing, of course, and sorry that she could not pay Nora back, for she had been brought up to believe that one should pay one’s debts promptly. But she would be seeing her parents at half-term, which was only a few days away, and they would see that she was in funds again. There were far more important things in life than money, anyway, thought Millicent, feverishly scribbling down notes. Such as music. Now, if something happened to stop her working at that, it really would be a disaster.
9
Half-term
The whole school was thrilled that it was half-term, though of course the more dignified fifth and sixth formers did not show their excitement in the riotous way that the younger girls did.
Coming out of the dining-room after breakfast on Saturday morning, Felicity and Susan were almost knocked over by a noisy group of first formers, all rushing to their common-room so that they could watch for their people to arrive.
‘Slow down, you kids!’ said Felicity sternly. ‘It might be half-term, but that is no excuse to go tearing around the corridors like mad things.’
Miss Potts, walking by in time to overhear this, smiled to herself. She could remember having to reprimand young Felicity Rivers for exactly the same rowdy behaviour when she had been a first former, eagerly awaiting the arrival of her parents.
‘Sorry, Felicity,’ chorused the first formers. ‘Sorry, Susan.’
As the younger girls walked away at a more measured pace, Susan said rather wistfully, ‘What a thing it is to be a first former. I can remember when we were just like those kids, and felt so excited about half-term that we could hardly keep still.’
‘Well, I feel just as excited now as I did when I was a first former,’ admitted Felicity, with a grin. ‘Of course, I have to keep it inside now that I’m a fifth former, but when I think about seeing Mother and Daddy again, and the marvellous time we have ahead of us, I could dance for joy!’
‘What a pity that we are too old and sensible to do just that,’ laughed Susan. ‘I would love to see the faces of the younger girls if they saw us fifth formers dancing a jig all the way to the common-room.’
Mam’zelle, who happened to come round the corner at that moment, caught the tail end of this remark and gave a little start.
‘Ah, non, Susan!’ she said, with a frown. ‘You must remember that you are a so-sensible fifth former now, and behave with dignity at all times. If the dear Miss Grayling were to come along and catch you dancing jigs around the school she would be most displeased.’
‘Yes, Mam’zelle,�
�� said Susan meekly, though her eyes twinkled.
‘Don’t worry, Mam’zelle,’ said Felicity solemnly, taking Susan’s arm. ‘I shall escort Susan to the common-room, and make sure that she behaves as a fifth former should.’
Once the little French mistress was out of earshot, the two girls burst into laughter, and Susan said, ‘Dear old Mam’zelle! Trust her to get the wrong end of the stick.’
The rest of the fifth formers were in the common-room waiting for their people to arrive, all except Delia, who had been called to Miss Grayling’s room.
‘I say,’ said Amy to Bonnie. ‘You don’t think that Miss Grayling has found out about Delia taking Millicent’s purse, do you?’
‘For heaven’s sake, keep your voice down, Amy!’ hissed Bonnie, looking quickly over her shoulder to make sure that no one was close enough to overhear. ‘How can Miss Grayling possibly know that, for we aren’t even certain of it ourselves yet. And I don’t think that Millicent reported the loss to Matron, so I doubt very much that Miss Grayling even knows that it’s missing.’
But Delia certainly looked very down in the dumps about something when she returned to the common-room, and Gillian went across to her, saying kindly, ‘What’s up, old girl? Don’t tell me that Miss Grayling gave you a row?’
‘No, nothing like that,’ said Delia rather dolefully. ‘But she did give me some disappointing news. You see, my father is still overseas, so he won’t be able to come and see me for half-term. Miss Grayling had a telegram from him a short while ago.’
The fifth formers were very sorry to hear this, even Amy, Lucy and Julie, who were all more than half-convinced that Delia was a thief.
‘What a shame!’ said Pam. ‘But perhaps your aunt and cousins will come instead.’
‘I doubt it,’ said Delia, with a brave attempt at a smile. ‘To be quite honest, I hope that they don’t, for I don’t like them and they don’t like me. I would rather spend half-term on my own than in their company.’
‘Well, you shan’t spend it on your own,’ said Gillian firmly. ‘You are going to come out with me and my people.’
Delia’s grey eyes lit up at this, and she cried, ‘Oh, Gillian, that is decent of you! Are you sure that your parents won’t mind me tagging along?’
‘Of course not,’ said Gillian. ‘They will be pleased to know that I have made a friend.’
A warm glow came over Delia at this. Gillian had said that she was her friend! And that made the girl more convinced than ever that Gillian couldn’t have taken Millicent’s purse, for if she had, then she, Delia, must be a pretty poor judge of character.
‘There are some parents arriving,’ said June, who was standing by the window with Freddie. ‘I say, they’re mine! Most unlike them to get here so early. Come on, Freddie!’
Freddie, whose own parents were unable to come, was looking forward to a lively day out with June, her parents and one of her brothers.
As the two girls went out of the common-room, Pam and Nora moved across to take their places at the window.
‘There are several cars arriving now,’ said Nora. ‘Can’t say that I recognise any of the parents. Half a minute, though! Amy, that’s your mother. I didn’t recognise her at first, for she has a simply enormous hat on, but then she looked up and I knew who she was at once.’
There was no mistaking Amy’s mother, for she was very beautiful indeed and always wore the most exquisite clothes.
Cars arrived thick and fast after that. Julie’s people turned up next, then Nora’s, and then Millicent’s.
The girls noticed that Millicent looked very like her mother, for Mrs Moon had the same dark eyes, long face and intense expression. Her father, however, looked rather jolly, and Pam remarked under her breath, ‘I can’t imagine what he has to look jolly about, though, living with Millicent and her mother. I don’t suppose that it’s much fun!’
But Millicent looked very pleased to see her parents, her serious face breaking into a wide smile that quite transformed it.
Soon all of the parents had arrived, and Felicity was thrilled to be with her mother and father once more.
‘Well, darling,’ said Mr Rivers, giving Felicity a hug, then stepping back to take a good look at her. ‘Being a fifth former obviously suits you, for you look very well indeed.’
‘Yes, and I do believe that you’ve grown a little taller since the holidays,’ said Mrs Rivers, slipping her arm through Felicity’s.
‘I don’t know about that,’ laughed Felicity. ‘Though I probably look a little older, what with all the responsibility of being a wise, sensible fifth former!’
Delia, too, was enjoying herself, for, although she missed her father, Gillian’s parents had gone out of their way to make her feel welcome.
‘I do like your mother and father so much,’ said Delia to Gillian, as the two of them went off to get cups of tea for Mr and Mrs Weaver – and themselves, of course. ‘Your mother is so pretty and kind. And your father reminds me very much of my own, for he has exactly the same sense of humour.’
Gillian, of course, was delighted at this praise of her parents. The girl seemed much more like her old, carefree self today, for she was looking forward to spending a happy time with her people and her friend. What was more, there would be no time for her to practise either tennis or music today, or even to think about them, and Gillian had to admit that the break was very welcome.
The morning seemed to pass in a flash, for there were mistresses to talk to, and displays of needlework and art to look at. Then, of course, the girls had to show the parents their common-room and dormitory, not to mention the grounds, which always looked very beautiful at this time of year.
Once the parents had seen and admired everything, it was time to go out for lunch. Some parents, like Amy’s and Bonnie’s, took their daughters out to hotels or restaurants. Others, like Julie’s and Felicity’s, had brought magnificent picnics with them, which they took to the beach.
Mr and Mrs Weaver took Gillian and Delia to a very nice restaurant, where they had a most delicious lunch. Over pudding, while Gillian chatted to her father, Mrs Weaver spoke to Delia, her warm, charming manner making it easy for the girl to relax. Soon Delia was confiding far more than she had intended to Mrs Weaver. Gillian’s mother listened sympathetically, and laid her hand over Delia’s, saying, ‘Poor child! It must be terribly difficult living where you know you are not really wanted.’
‘Well, I feel much happier now that I am at Malory Towers,’ said Delia. ‘It means that I only have to spend the holidays with my aunt and my cousins.’
Mrs Weaver looked thoughtful for a moment, then, at last, she said, ‘You must come and stay with us for part of the holidays. Not if your father is home, of course, for I know that you will want to spend time with him. But if he is still at sea, then you will be most welcome, and I know that Gillian would like to have you.’
For a moment Delia was quite speechless, but at last she managed to stammer out her thanks.
Mrs Weaver smiled, and said, ‘Well, my dear, there is a little something that you can do for me in return.’
‘Of course,’ said Delia at once, feeling quite prepared to do anything for this kind and sympathetic woman.
Mrs Weaver glanced up and, seeing that Gillian and her father were still deep in conversation, she lowered her voice, and said, ‘I would like you to keep an eye on Gillian for me. She has told me all about the tennis team and the school orchestra, and I feel that she is over-working. She seems happy enough at the moment, but I know my daughter, and she has lost some of her sparkle.’
Delia nodded gravely, and said, ‘Many of us fifth formers feel the same, Mrs Weaver. But Gillian simply can’t be persuaded to give up one or the other. I shall do my best to try and make sure that she doesn’t overdo things, though, you may be sure.’
In fact, Delia felt most honoured that Mrs Weaver had entrusted her with the task of looking after Gillian, and she meant to do her utmost to keep her word.
&nbs
p; But there was no need to keep an eye on the girl at half-term, for Gillian seemed determined to push everything to the back of her mind and have fun. All of the fifth formers enjoyed their half-term break enormously, feeling tired but happy when it came to an end on Sunday evening.
‘My word, what a super weekend,’ said Pam with a contented sigh, as she settled down in an armchair.
‘Wasn’t it just?’ agreed Freddie. ‘June, your brother is an absolute scream!’
‘Back to the grindstone tomorrow,’ groaned Nora. ‘Why does half-term always fly by so quickly?’
‘You need cheering up, Nora,’ said Susan, getting to her feet. ‘And I know just the thing! My parents brought me a box of chocolates yesterday, from my grandmother, and I think that now is the time to open them.’
Susan went across to the big cupboard in the corner of the room and pulled open the door. Then she gave a little cry.
‘What’s up?’ asked Felicity, alarmed.
‘My chocolates!’ said Susan. ‘They’re gone!’
Pam and Felicity went over to join her, Pam saying, ‘They must be there! Chocolates don’t just vanish into thin air.’
‘Well, I put them on that shelf, and you can see for yourself that they are not there now, Pam,’ said Susan, looking rather upset.
‘I’ll bet someone has moved them,’ said Felicity, rummaging around in the cupboard. ‘I was looking for a book in here the other day, and someone had knocked it on to the floor.’
But though she hunted high and low, the chocolates were nowhere to be found, and Pam said, ‘Perhaps someone has hidden them for a joke.’
‘Not a very funny one,’ said Freddie. ‘I was looking forward to one of those chocolates.’
‘I can’t think that anyone would have done that,’ said June. ‘Rather a first-form-ish sort of prank to play, if you ask me.’
‘Yes, it is, rather,’ said Julie. She glanced swiftly round the common-room, saw that Delia and Gillian were absent, and added, ‘I don’t think that Susan’s chocolates have been hidden. I think that they have been stolen!’