‘Before your metamorphosis, we could guess what you were from your symptoms – sugar cravings, back ache, the onset of your ability. Mature Finwips can recognise each other just by...well...being in close proximity. We don’t know how, exactly. You won’t be sniffed out for a year.’
‘Sniffed out? Well that’s just marvellous,’ snapped Alice. ‘As if it’s not enough to turn into a fairy after school on Tuesday, it now sounds like I’m going to be sent on a mission to rescue some weird old bloke!’
‘WE’RE NOT FAIRIES!’ shouted Thomas and his grandad defiantly.
‘So you say.’
‘They are,’ mouthed Grandma silently to Alice, as she walked out to the kitchen.
‘And Theo isn’t weird,’ muttered Grandad.
Alice could feel her eyes starting to well up with tears but she fought them back. ‘Why me? There must be someone else who can do it. This is a mistake.’
Grandad shook his head. ‘It has to be someone who can get an invitation to the Rowbottom’s Christmas ball at the castle – we think that’s where Theo is being held. It’s heavily guarded by day and night, with dogs patrolling after dark. According to our insider, Daniel, the only time it won’t be guarded is the night of the ball. He’s a Finwip without wings, who for some reason can’t be detected at all, but as a daytime employee, he can’t be at the party. Plus, he’s terrified of losing his job. ’
‘So why can’t one of you adults sneak in?’ demanded Alice.
‘The risk is too great,’ replied Grandad. ‘If Brian identifies a Finwip on his property, they’re in trouble. Unless they’re paying to visit the castle during the day – we’ve tested that already. He doesn’t refuse our money.’
Alice didn’t like the sound of this at all.
‘Don’t upset yourself, it’s all a bit overwhelming, I understand that,’ said Grandad calmly. ‘But you haven’t just got us to support you, you’ve got a whole community of Finwips. The difference is that you’re very young. And fortunately, perfectly placed to help us out.’
‘But I just want to be normal,’ she whined, with her head in her hands.
‘You are normal. A perfectly normal Finwip.’
*
In the car on the way home, Alice sat with her arms folded and a scowl on her face. Thomas could sense how bad it was, even in the dark.
‘Oh, Alice, cheer up will you? It’s great being a Finwip and I thought you liked the village?’
‘I do. But I don’t need any more hassle. I get enough of that at school.’
‘School should be a breeze now, with your ability.’
‘Bah! Easy for you to say! You don’t get teased for being brainy in Oxford, do you? You’re all brainy, that’s why you’re there.’
‘They’re only jealous, Alice. They may be popular now, trying to be cool by not making an effort, but they’ll regret it later. You’ll have a rewarding job while they’re cleaning toilets, or sweeping the floor at a hairdresser’s.’
‘I can’t see Lucinda cleaning a toilet!’
‘Well, next time she and her mates are giving you grief, just imagine her doing that and smile sweetly. You’ve got to pretend to be nice, anyway.’
‘I don’t do nice.’
‘Really? And there I was thinking what exquisite company you’ve been this evening.’
‘Just shut up and drive,’ snapped Alice, unable to hide the smile emerging from her annoyance.
‘Touché.’
Chapter 7
A Close Shave
Friday morning brought more top marks at school. Alice knew today would be difficult, having to face Lucinda after what she had discovered last night – she could have done without an A+ for her science project. She had forgotten all about it, having handed it in a fortnight ago. The results weren’t read out, but Lawrence turned round from the bench in front and saw the grade on Alice’s folder. Within seconds, everyone knew her result. The usual noises of discontent could be heard. Katy Smackwell excelled herself, flopping down on the workbench and pretending to put her mouth over a gas tap. The coven was in hysterics. Alice wished she had the power to turn on that gas tap with her mind. Telekinesis would have been a much better gift than intelligence, she thought.
As Lucinda turned around to pull a predictable face, Alice remembered what Thomas had said about her cleaning toilets. She fabricated the biggest smile she could manage. In fact, the more she thought about Lucinda using a toilet brush, the more she wanted to laugh out loud. The expression of concentration on her face, as she struggled to maintain that smile without splitting her sides, made Alice look both insane and menacing. Clearly alarmed by this, Lucinda turned back to face the front.
Sarah was snorting with mirth. She actually thought Alice had mastered that expression purposely to confuse Lucinda. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, but Alice wasn’t going to let on. Hey, it had worked and she hadn’t even opened her mouth.
Sadly, Alice’s self-satisfaction was to be short-lived. At break-time, she and Sarah went to the school hall for the charity cake sale. Sarah had brought in a Victoria sponge this morning. In light of recent events, Alice had forgotten to bring anything. Still, at least she could buy plenty, as each class had its own stall. Sebastian was organising theirs with Lydia, one of the quieter girls in their class.
The coven was already at the Year 8 stall choosing their cakes. ‘Fairy cake, Alice?’ asked Lucinda. Alice started to go red. Did she know something? Or was she just trying to be nice?
‘More like a goblin cake, judging by that daft face earlier,’ said Katy. The coven giggled.
‘At least that face wasn’t permanent,’ replied Alice, looking at Katy in pity.
Lydia chortled.
‘What’s funny?’ demanded Lucinda, irritated by Alice’s wit. ‘Have you only just seen your new haircut in the mirror?’
Lydia’s face fell. Alice and Sarah were mortified – no one was nasty to Lydia, she was too nice.
Alice looked down at the floor and spotted Lucinda’s new shoes. They were hideous, shiny black dolly shoes with a bow on the front.
‘It seems money can’t buy taste,’ she remarked, nudging Sarah. Everyone laughed except the coven, though Olivia couldn’t help smiling briefly. Alice regretted it as soon as she had said it. Imogen wouldn’t be pleased at all.
Lucinda was furious and couldn’t think of a comeback. Red-faced, she turned to look at the cakes on the table. ‘Which one did you make?’ she asked Sarah.
‘That one,’ she replied proudly, pointing at the impressive sponge, oozing with jam and cream.
Lucinda looked at it closely. ‘There’s something missing,’ she said, and spat out her chewing gum on top of it. Sarah shrieked. Sebastian pushed Lucinda away in disgust.
‘You’re sick,’ he concluded, shaking his head. ‘Just like...’
He was interrupted by what sounded like a war cry from Alice. Full of rage, she lunged towards Lucinda but Sarah just managed to pull her back by her blazer.
‘Don’t,’ she pleaded. ‘It’s not worth getting into trouble.’
But it was too late for that. Alice felt a familiar burning sensation across her upper back. Horrified, she broke free from Sarah and raced out of the hall and down the corridor towards the toilets, pulling her rucksack off her back as she went.
She darted into a cubicle, slammed the door and took off her blazer. She knew what was coming and pressed her clammy hands and forehead against the cool door. Sure enough, as she stood hunched over and sweating, those formidable wings tore though her shirt once again. She heard rapid footsteps – Sarah had followed her.
‘Alice, are you alright?’ she called anxiously. She banged on the door of the cubicle. ‘That is you isn’t it? There’s no one else in here.’
‘Don’t let anyone in!’ ordered Alice. ‘Especially not Lucinda!’ Sarah could hear the panic in her voice.
‘Why, are you ill?’
‘Not exactly,’ she whispered. ‘Look up.’
Sarah saw the tips of two glorious wings quivering above the cubicle.
‘Oh, no,’ she sighed in dismay, darting to the door. She looked out into the corridor to make sure no one was coming. Sebastian was right outside and made her jump.
‘Is everything OK in there?’ he asked. ‘Lydia sent me to find out.’
‘Er, no. Stand outside this door and don’t let anyone in. Alice isn’t well.’
Sebastian nodded, looking worried.
Sarah dashed back in. ‘What can I do Alice?’ she asked. Alice kicked her rucksack under the door.
‘There’s a blue glass bottle in the front pocket – could you pass it to me please? I’ve no room to move around.’
She found it straight away.
‘Can you pass it over the top? I can’t even bend down I’m so cramped in here.’
Sarah was rather short and couldn’t reach over the door, so she went into the next cubicle and stood on the toilet. She looked down at her friend over the partition wall. ‘Oh, dear,’ she said calmly. At least she was prepared this time.
‘Can you do me a favour and spray my back at the base of the wings please,’ asked Alice.
Sarah knew the spray wasn’t close enough to reach, so she climbed up onto the cistern and leaned over. One foot slipped, pushing off the ceramic cover, which fell to the ground with an almighty crash. Sarah was fine, perched on the partition, but the door to the corridor flew open.
Sebastian stuck his head round.
‘What was that? Is everything alright?’
He looked up and saw a guilty-looking Sarah sitting on the partition wall. A bemused expression came over his face and he scurried out, closing the door behind him.
Alice had tried to crouch down to hide the top of her wings.
‘It’s OK, he’s gone,’ Sarah confirmed. She sprayed her friend’s back where her shirt had ripped open and was amazed as she watched the huge, damp, but strangely beautiful butterfly wings fold themselves neatly back under Alice’s skin.
Alice breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Thanks,’ she sighed, sounding exhausted.
‘Any time,’ said Sarah as she jumped down. ‘But you’ve got to learn to control your temper. Lucinda deserved whatever you were going to do – I’d love to see her get a good slap! But you need to remember these wings.’
‘I know,’ said Alice quietly. ‘You’re right. But it makes me mad when she’s so nasty! She shouldn’t get away with it.’ Nor should her father – though she thought it best not to tell Sarah about Brian Rowbottom until tomorrow. Even she might lose her cool when she heard about the kidnapping.
‘Do you want to swap shirts?’ asked Sarah. ‘Your mum will be suspicious if you lose another one this week. I can tell mine I caught my back on something.’
‘Oh, yes please,’ replied Alice gratefully. ‘That would save some explaining, thanks.’
Eventually, they both emerged from the toilets and Alice opened the door to thank Sebastian for keeping watch.
‘Everything alright now?’ he asked. Alice nodded, though wondering how she would get through the rest of the day. Sebastian smiled and rushed off.
‘Sorry about that Sarah. Are you still OK for tomorrow, I haven’t put you off coming to the village, have I?’ asked Alice.
‘Of course you haven’t. Nothing will surprise me any more where you’re concerned. I think I’m lucky, there can’t be many people who have a friend with wings.’
‘Don’t you believe it,’ said Alice. ‘Just wait and see.’
Chapter 8
Another Transformation
Alice felt quite peeved that Sarah took to the tree lift immediately. Thomas was with them – it had been useful to tell their parents that he would walk into town with them. As a rule, he slept for most of the day on Saturdays, but used the excuse of Christmas shopping to leave the house with the girls this morning. A far cry from Alice’s initial mistrust of the lift, when she held on until her knuckles were white, Sarah was thoroughly enjoying herself, as if on a ride at the fair.
‘I can hardly believe this!’ she declared, smiling, her eyes darting everywhere as they travelled below ground.
‘Stop it,’ said Alice, annoyed. ‘You look an idiot, grinning like that. You’re supposed to act like a mature, responsible friend when we get there.’
‘Alright, alright. I’m new to this. You have to admit though, it is brilliant, a lift inside a tree. Give me that.’
‘Oh, I suppose so,’ replied Alice, wishing she could be as laid-back as her friend. Perhaps Imogen and Fay were right to think that Sarah was a positive influence. She certainly had been a good friend lately, there was no denying that.
At first Sarah hadn’t believed Alice when she told her about Theo being kidnapped by Lucinda’s father.
‘NO WAY!’ she screeched. ‘No wonder you went for her yesterday! I’ll never be able to look at her in the same way again.’
They stepped out into the corridor and Alice sent the lift back up for her brother, who was waiting. There wasn’t room for three people in there.
Sarah looked around, studying everything in detail. ‘Incredible,’ she declared. ‘All this down here and we’ve been walking over it every day without knowing.’
‘I know what you mean,’ agreed Alice, beginning to feel quite proud to be part of it.
The lift arrived and Thomas stepped out.
‘Greetings, earthlings!’ he said in his very best alien voice, waving his arms in a welcoming gesture. ‘Let me take you to our leader!’ Alice rolled her eyes and shook her head at his daft behaviour. He pushed in front of them and led them to the door of the library.
‘I’ll leave you to it,’ he said. ‘You don’t need me this morning. I’m going to let my wings out and see what’s to eat. Good luck.’
‘Wait! How do you make your wings come out?’ asked Alice. ‘When you want them to, I mean.’
‘Rather than in the loo at school?’ joked Thomas. ‘Imogen will show you a quick and easy way for now. The other method takes a while to master.’ He disappeared into the changing rooms.
Alice took a deep breath and knocked on the library door. Imogen called them in. She stood up to greet them and held out her hand to Sarah.
‘Very glad to meet you,’ she said. ‘I’ve heard a lot about you.’
Sarah shook hands. She couldn’t take her eyes off Imogen’s exquisite robes and fantastic lilac-streaked hair.
‘Why haven’t you got your wings out today, Imogen?’ asked Alice, disappointed that her friend couldn’t see them.
‘We shall be going outside shortly,’ she explained. ‘We can let our wings out afterwards.’
They sat down opposite Imogen on a large, brown leather sofa. This room was new to Alice too and they both looked around in awe. The ceiling had wooden beams, possibly just for decoration, and the wooden floor was adorned with three vast patterned rugs. Around each rug were three sofas and four small tables, upon which tall glass lanterns with real flames were positioned to light the room. Everything was arranged symmetrically, which Alice liked. On the two longer sides were bookcases from floor to ceiling and at the end of the room where they were sitting, a wonderful open fire. Botanical drawings adorned the walls and were also embroidered on the cushions.
‘As you have gathered, Alice, you have a very important role here,’ began Imogen.
‘Is this to do with finding Theo?’ Alice interrupted. She didn’t want Imogen to beat around the bush.
‘Yes...I suppose your grandad guessed? John’s very sharp, he doesn’t miss a trick!’
Alice nodded.
‘In Finwip communities we look after each other. The safety of every one of us has a direct impact on all of us. For example, if the police were involved, questions would be asked and secrets discovered.’
‘Surely that’s a good thing?’ asked Sarah, puzzled.
‘Not if you’re a Finwip. They would want to know why he was kidnapped, why he has a special ability and then tests may be carried out.
They might discover his wings and then our communities. Our peaceful Finwip society would be finished, we would be treated as mutants.’
Alice was stunned, that hadn’t crossed her mind. ‘I still don’t see why you can’t ask someone else, who’s not a Finwip,’ she protested.
Imogen frowned. ‘If an outsider were caught trespassing, they would be ‘dealt with’, shall we say, by Brian’s heavies. If that person went to hospital and the police asked questions, would they hold their tongue? No, because they’ve nothing to lose. They would tell them we sent them and the secret would be out. The only alternatives are your grandma, who couldn’t get an invitation, and Daniel, who won’t risk his job at the castle. We also considered another member of Theo’s family, but his daughter won’t allow it. You can understand her fear.’
Alice nodded. ‘What if I get caught?’ asked Alice, horrified. ‘Will I be ‘dealt with’ in the same way?’
‘I think even Brian would draw the line there,’ replied Imogen.
‘And if Theo isn’t rescued?’
‘Brian is making too much money too quickly - greed is clouding his judgement. People have noticed how many businesses and properties he has bought recently. They are already asking questions.’
‘What do I have to do?’ Alice asked miserably.
‘Well, the first step, as I said before, is to become friends with Lucinda Rowbottom.’
Alice’s face fell. ‘That’s not going well,’ she admitted.
‘I’d say that’s an understatement,’ added Sarah.
‘Well, one way or another, you need to be invited to the Rowbottoms’ Christmas party at the castle. You haven’t got long - it’s taking place on Saturday evening and you finish school on Wednesday. That gives you three days to work on her.’
‘Oh, blimey...I just don’t see how. She’s rich, fashionable, horsey...I don’t even know how to ride!’
‘That won’t be an issue,’ Imogen assured her. ‘I think we’ve got something that Lucinda won’t be able to resist.’ She stood up and fetched a camera from the drawer of a very grand, ornate wooden dresser at the far end of the room. ‘Follow me,’ she said with a smile.
Alice Parker's Metamorphosis (Book 1 of the new adventure series for children) Page 7