Fabulous Five 026 - Laura's Secret

by Betsy Haynes

  Trudy turned to Mr. McCall and gave him a nudge. "Then will you let me in on it? This doesn't seem like the daughter you described."

  He cleared his throat. "Laura has gone to great lengths here to make a point."

  Trudy looked interested. "Oh? What point is that?"

  Mr. McCall looked at Laura, who smiled at him with sweet innocence. He rolled his eyes. "Oh, brother," he mumbled, and Laura stifled a giggle.

  "Laura and I had a discussion about what she would wear to meet you tonight," he explained.

  Trudy gazed at Laura in surprise. "And you wanted her to dress like that?"

  Laura's father let out a heavy sigh of defeat and collapsed on the couch. "I just wanted you to see Laura in pretty, feminine clothes."

  "I'm his baby," Laura added wryly. She sat down next to her father and rested her hand on his shoulder.

  Trudy's eyebrows shot up. "Just how old are you, Laura?" she asked, sitting down on the other side of Mr. McCall.

  "Thirteen. I wanted to wear my black skirt and silk blouse."

  "Sounds nice," said Trudy.

  "Short black skirt and unbuttoned blouse," her father elaborated.

  "Oh." Trudy nodded. "I see why your dad wanted you to wear the yellow dress instead."

  Mr. McCall sighed again. "How about meeting me halfway, Laura?"

  "Sure," agreed Laura. "Anything's better than what I'm wearing now."

  "I'll accept the short skirt—I guess that's the fashion now—if you'll keep that blouse buttoned up," he said.

  Laura grinned. "Deal."

  Her father nodded. "Good."

  Laura put out her hand to Trudy. "Hey, thanks. You're okay."

  "Oh, yeah?" Trudy said, grinning. "Well, you're okay, too, Laura."

  "Thanks." Laura sank back into the cushions on the couch. "It's such a relief."

  "What's a relief?" asked Trudy.

  "That you're dressed that way," she answered. "It's good to know that my dad has taste after all."

  CHAPTER 8

  "Laura McCall, I have something to say to you!"

  Laura was walking down the hall with Tammy, Funny, and Melissa after school the next day when a voice stopped her in her tracks. She knew immediately whose it was.

  Laura took a deep breath, as if she were trying very hard to be patient. "Is there a problem, Alexis? What is it this time?"

  Already some kids in the hall had stopped to hear what would certainly be another terrific argument between the two girls.

  "Yesterday you said you had proof that I was a thief," Alexis said.

  "I do," Laura replied.

  "Yeah, right, that little scratch," Alexis said scornfully.

  "That proves the bracelet's mine," Laura insisted.

  "Well, I'm going to give you the chance to prove something else," Alexis told her.

  "What's that?"

  "Prove that you're not a liar," Alexis answered.

  The crowd around them was getting bigger. Laura threw Funny a warning look as she spotted The Fabulous Five on one side and Shane Arrington, Paul Smoke, and Dekeisha Adams on the other side. She wished Shane wasn't there. He was the cutest boy in seventh grade, and his presence made her nervous.

  Now she looked back at Alexis, who was staring at her, her eyes filled with anger.

  "Prove I'm not a liar?" asked Laura. "What do you mean?"

  "Prove that you have a maid," said Alexis. "If you can, then everyone will know that you're not a liar!"

  Laura gulped.

  "But if you can't prove it," Alexis went on, "then they'll know that you invented the maid story to impress everybody and that you lied about my stealing your bracelet."

  Laura heard a murmur run through the crowd. Everybody was obviously waiting for her answer.

  "I'd prove it if I could," Laura announced, trying to sound confident, "but the maid comes in the mornings when we're all at school." Then she had an idea. "I could have her write you a note."

  Alexis laughed sarcastically. "Oh, that would be great proof! After you wrote the note yourself."

  Laughter rippled from the kids surrounding them.

  That was a stupid mistake, Laura realized. She caught a glimpse of her three best friends standing stiffly beside her, silent as usual.

  "Okay," Laura said boldly. "Then why don't you skip school with me—any day you choose—and come to my apartment? You can meet the maid yourself."

  There were more murmurs in the crowd.

  Laura looked around at the kids. "In fact, any of you who want to can come," she invited. "I'll prove I have a maid!"

  She wondered briefly what she would do if anyone agreed to come to her apartment to see the maid. She searched the faces. They looked impressed with her offer, but no one seemed ready to skip school. That was good. Her courage was growing.

  Laura looked directly at Alexis. "Come on, Duvall," she challenged. "How about tomorrow? Come to my apartment!"

  Alexis's eyes narrowed. "You know I don't skip school, Laura."

  Laura shrugged. "Too bad. I could have proved to you once and for all—"

  "What's your maid's name?" Alexis interrupted.

  "Chantal," Laura said. "She's French."

  "Chantal?" Alexis asked. "What's her last name?"

  Laura's mind raced. "Uh, DuBois. Chantal DuBois, if it's any of your business."

  "Interesting," Alexis said thoughtfully. "And where does this Chantal live?"

  "Why do you want to know that?" Laura asked carefully.

  "Well," Alexis answered. "I just thought we could find her and clear this up, once and for all."

  "Find her?" Laura asked in a small voice.

  "Sure," explained Alexis. "There are only two employment agencies in town that represent maids."

  "Oh?" asked Laura, her legs feeling weak.

  "Well, since we have a maid," Alexis went on, "I asked my parents for the names of both agencies. Now I can call them and ask about a Chantal DuBois. I'll see if they know her."

  "Oh," said Laura, grabbing for the first idea that came to mind, "well, that wouldn't help you, anyway. My dad got her through a private ad in the paper."

  Alexis smiled. She wasn't defeated. "Well, let's just look in the phone book. There couldn't be more than one Chantal DuBois in town."

  "Good idea!" someone from the crowd shouted. "That's a weird name!"

  "Oh, but she doesn't live here." Laura was thinking fast. "She lives in some little town a few miles from here."

  "Which one?" Alexis demanded.

  Laura shrugged. "I have no idea." She smiled. "Sorry."

  Alexis glared at Laura. Then she glanced helplessly around. "Don't you all think it's pretty convenient that everything I suggest won't work?" she asked, loudly enough for everyone in the crowd to hear. "There doesn't seem to be any way that Laura can possibly prove her maid story."

  "Except if you come to my apartment tomorrow morning," Laura said with a small, triumphant smile.

  Once again she glanced around to see if anyone would take her up on her offer. There were still no takers. She breathed a silent sigh of relief.

  Alexis took a step backward, then whirled around and marched away down the hall. A large group of kids followed her, among them The Fabulous Five, Laura noticed. She watched them go. She was pretty sure she had won the battle.

  Then she looked at the few kids still hanging around. Thank goodness Shane was gone—and she didn't think he had followed Alexis. Some kids were starting to leave now, but others were glancing sideways at her. They still didn't believe her!

  Maybe she hadn't won the battle after all.

  Laura turned to Tammy, Funny, and Melissa. "I guess I settled that," she declared, watching her friends' faces carefully.

  Tammy stared at Laura as if she were searching for the truth in Laura's face. Funny and Melissa looked at the floor.

  "What's the matter with you guys?" Laura demanded.

  Funny finally looked up at Laura. "Laura," she said evenly, "we haven't even seen
your maid—and we're your best friends."

  "So you have to see my maid before you believe me?" Laura huffed. "Some friends!"

  Tammy gasped. "But we are your friends!"

  "Real friends stand by each other," Laura said. "They don't doubt each other's honesty."

  "I don't doubt you," Tammy insisted. "Can't you believe that?"

  Laura turned away.

  "What can I do to prove I'm your friend?" Tammy asked.

  Laura thought she could detect desperation in Tammy's voice. She was glad that someone felt desperate about being her friend.

  "We're your friends, too," Funny said softly. "But it would be fun to see Chantal sometime."

  "Because you really want to meet her?" asked Laura, "or so that you can know I'm not lying?"

  There was a long pause.

  "I'd like to meet her," Funny said, staring Laura right in the eyes.

  "Did you notice that The Fabulous Five left with Alexis?" asked Laura abruptly, changing the subject.

  "Yeah," the girls mumbled.

  "They're on Alexis's side, you know," Laura warned. ""That could mean big trouble for The Fantastic Foursome if they talk the rest of the kids into siding with her. Our group could be history."

  "That's true," agreed Melissa.

  "We've got to stick together," Tammy added. "Through thick and thin."

  "We will stick together," said Laura, "if you help me and stick up for me."

  "Don't worry," Tammy assured her. "We won't let you down again."

  "Can I depend on you two?" Laura asked Funny and Melissa.

  "You can depend on me," Melissa answered.

  "How about you, Funny?"

  Funny nodded, not looking at Laura. "I'm with you," she said softly.

  Laura felt a little better, but not a lot. Somehow she wasn't completely convinced.

  CHAPTER 9

  "Gone With the Wind is my all-time favorite movie," said Tammy, plopping onto the floor in front of the television set. "Don't you think Vivien Leigh is gorgeous?"

  Laura set a huge bowl of popcorn down in front of Funny and Melissa. "I like Clark Gable, myself."

  "Well, I wish you'd gotten Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure," said Funny. "It's the most hilarious movie I've ever seen."

  "Can't you ever be serious?" Melissa grumbled.

  Funny gave her a pained look.

  "All the copies were checked out, anyway," said Laura before Funny could fire back an angry response. She had invited the girls to come over on Friday evening to watch the rented movie. She needed the time alone with them to work on their friendship—and their loyalty. The last thing she needed was Funny and Melissa squabbling among themselves.

  She had scrubbed the apartment last night and baked more cookies. She'd dug into her wallet and bought three six-packs of soda, lots of popcorn, and real butter to drizzle over the hot popcorn. This time she made sure to check her bureau mirror for any notes from her father as soon as she got home. There weren't any.

  So far everything seemed to be going pretty well. Funny and Melissa were a little quiet, but they were smiling. Laura thought that things might just be getting back to normal.

  Tonight her friends didn't mention the maid or how great the apartment looked. Laura had gone to a lot of trouble, but she didn't mind when no one gushed over how clean the place was or how good the cookies tasted. She had more important things on her mind.

  The movie started, and Scarlett O'Hara was surrounded by handsome Southern gentlemen, talking and flirting with her on the veranda of her sprawling plantation home.

  Tammy sighed. "Imagine being surrounded by good-looking, rich guys who all want you! Can you think of anything more wonderful?"

  Laura grinned. "It's fun, all right."

  Melissa shot her a mean look. "Yeah, right, McCall. Tell us all about it."

  Laura was startled. What was wrong? In her mind she played back what she'd just said.

  I get it, she thought. Melissa must be jealous.

  Ordinarily, Melissa's sarcastic remark would have prompted her to make a nasty retort. But she couldn't afford to do that right now. She had to get The Fantastic Foursome on her side. Her future at Wakeman was riding on the next few days.

  "I mean," Laura said, trying to smooth things over, "I mean, it must be fun to have that much attention from cute guys."

  No one said anything.

  Hmph, Laura thought. I could have told them about the time at the swimming pool when I was visiting my cousin in Minneapolis. Within twenty minutes we were surrounded by six cute boys who were all flirting with us. One of them was in high school!

  But they wouldn't appreciate the story tonight, she decided. Maybe another time.

  She heard a key in the lock, and in walked her father and Trudy.

  "Hi, everyone!" Mr. McCall said.

  "Hi, Daddy," said Laura.

  "Hi, Mr. McCall," the other three girls chorused.

  "Trudy," Laura said, "these are my friends, Funny, Melissa, and Tammy. Guys, this is Trudy Dwyer."

  The three girls and Trudy exchanged hellos.

  Trudy looked great again. She was wearing a short black skirt, black textured hose and a yellow tank top with a blouse over that.

  "Hey, Trudy," said Laura. "I like your outfit."

  Trudy looked pleased. "Thanks, Laura. I like yours—this time."

  "Dad, isn't Trudy's skirt cute?" Laura asked.

  "Certainly is," her dad said.

  "Good, I'm glad you like it." Laura grinned. "Because it's exactly like my black one—the one you made me change last week."

  Mr. McCall rolled his eyes. "I should have guessed."

  Trudy laughed and playfully socked him in the arm. "She's too smart for you, Walker," she said.

  Laura smiled triumphantly and turned back to the movie.

  "Thanks for letting us come over tonight," Tammy said to Laura's father. "I just love this movie."

  "Sure thing," Mr. McCall replied. "You girls are welcome any time."

  Tammy sighed. "If only my parents would say things like that." She stared off into the distance. "I guess when you have a maid, you aren't so uptight about having guests."

  Laura almost rocketed out of her chair. Did Tammy say what I thought she said?

  "If you have a what?" asked Mr. McCall.

  "A mai—"

  "I know!" Laura interrupted frantically. "Let's play cards while we watch the movie!"

  She jumped up and ran to the small desk next to the window. Opening the drawer, she grabbed the cards, then slammed the drawer shut again and ran back to where the girls were sitting.

  "How about hearts?" Laura asked in a loud voice. "Know how to play that? Or rummy? How about gin rummy?" She looked around the room wildly.

  Tammy, Melissa, Funny, her father, and Trudy were all staring at her, their mouths open.

  Trudy leaned toward Laura's father and spoke in a low voice, but Laura heard what she said. "Is she always this hyper?"

  Laura forced a laugh. "Oh, it just seemed to be time for a game. Anybody want to play?"

  "I do!" Tammy spoke up. She still sounded desperate to please Laura.

  "How about you guys?" she asked Funny and Melissa.

  "No thanks," Funny answered. "I want to concentrate on the movie."

  "Me, too," said Melissa.

  Laura pretended not to care. At least she had Tammy's attention. Now Tammy wouldn't make any more dumb remarks to her father about having a maid and blow everything. She shrugged. "Suits me fine."

  "We just came home to get the theater tickets," her father explained. "I forgot them."

  "Okay," said Laura. "See you later."

  Laura and Tammy spent most of the rest of the evening playing cards while Funny and Melissa watched the movie.

  This isn't going the way I'd planned, Laura said to herself. I wanted the four of us to have fun together, the way we used to, so everyone would remember how much our friendship means. If only Tammy hadn't made that stupid comment
to Dad about the maid.

  The movie was almost over, and Laura picked up the cards and put them away.

  "This was really fun, Laura." Tammy sounded enthusiastic. "Thanks for inviting us."

  "Sure," said Laura.

  She noticed that Melissa and Funny didn't add their thanks.

  When the movie was over, Tammy called her parents to pick her up. "Want a ride home?" she asked Melissa and Funny.

  "No, thanks," Funny said, and shot Melissa a warning look.

  What's this all about? Laura wondered. They always go home together.

  In twenty minutes Tammy's father arrived. Tammy threw on her coat. "Sure we can't drop you guys oft?"

  "No, thanks," Funny repeated.

  "Okay," said Tammy. She turned to go, then turned back. "Hey, tomorrow's Saturday. Are you going to the mall?"

  "I'm going to sleep in," Laura told her. "But I'll probably get there by noon."

  "Great," said Tammy. "See you tomorrow."

  She disappeared out the door.

  Laura looked questioningly at Funny and Melissa, who were standing awkwardly in the middle of the living room.

  "Thanks for the movie," Funny said.

  "Sure," replied Laura.

  "Uh, can we talk to you?" asked Funny.

  Laura's stomach tightened. "What about?"

  "About Tammy," Melissa answered.

  Laura immediately relaxed. For an instant she had been afraid they would bring up the maid story.

  "Sure," she said. "What about Tammy?"

  Funny shifted her weight over to one foot and glanced at Melissa.

  "What's the matter?" Laura insisted.

  "Well," Melissa began, "Tammy has started another rumor."

  Alarms went off inside Laura. "What rumor?" she demanded.

  "About Alexis," said Funny.

  Laura frowned. "What's she saying now?"

  "Tammy is telling everyone that she glanced into your room that day at the party—" Funny began, and paused.

  "She's telling everybody that she saw Alexis's reflection in the mirror over your bureau," Melissa finished for her.

  "Go on," Laura pressed.

  "Well, Tammy is saying that she wasn't sure what Alexis was up to," Funny said, "so she signaled you to check it out."

  "And that was when you caught Alexis going through your things," Melissa put in.