“But she’s awful, and I don’t see why I have to be in the same room as her.” A fat tear wobbled in the corner of Jacinta’s eye.
“It’s all right,” Millie replied. “She’s probably just nervous about being at boarding school.”
Millie couldn’t believe their bad luck. Alethea Goldsworthy had left big shoes to fill when it came to being the school bully. But if the few moments that Millie had spent with her were anything to go by, Sloane Sykes, it seemed, had very big feet.
The whole school was seated in the Great Hall for the first assembly of the term. Millie and Jacinta sped into their seats a moment before the staff processional began, with Miss Grimm at the head of the line. She glided down the aisle, a gratified smile on her face as she led the other teachers behind her.
Mr. Trout’s organ accompaniment of the school song rose and fell with the fervor of a crashing symphony. But his improvised flourishes at the end of each verse seemed to cause Miss Grimm’s mouth to twitch and her grin to disappear.
Ophelia reached the microphone. “Thank you, Mr. Trout, for your rather—mmm, how to put it—extravagant recital. Perhaps you’d like to talk to me about that later?” She looked up at him in the organ gallery, arched her left eyebrow, then turned back to face the students. “Good morning, everyone.”
“Good morning, Miss Grimm,” the students chorused.
“I’d like to welcome you all back for a new term, and a very exciting one at that. There are some birthday announcements from Miss Reedy, and then I’ll tell you about a wonderful project we’ll be working on over the coming weeks.”
Ophelia Grimm sat down and Miss Reedy read the names of girls who’d had birthdays over the term break. They were invited to come up onstage and receive a garland of flowers hand-picked from the garden, which was placed ceremoniously on each head by Miss Grimm. This was followed by a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday.” Ashima and Susannah were joined onstage by the sports teacher, Miss Wall. Her buttercup-yellow wreath clashed horribly with her cerise-and-blue velvet tracksuit, but she seemed to enjoy the attention all the same. The birthday wreaths had been a long-held school tradition until Miss Grimm had banned the practice, along with flowers in general. But things were different now at Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale, and happily, both the flowers and wreaths were back.
With the celebrations over, Miss Grimm again took to the microphone. “Girls, Miss Reedy has been very busy over the break. She’s met with Mr. Harold Lipp, the head of English at Fayle School for Boys on the other side of the village. We’ve decided that it would be timely for us to join forces for a drama production. I do hope you’ll take up this opportunity, and I particularly look forward to the splendid play we’ll all be able to enjoy toward the end of term. Miss Reedy has the details about auditions and the like and will also explain exactly what you’ll be performing.”
A ripple of excitement reverberated around the hall. “That’s so exciting.… My mummy told me they used to do plays with the Fayle boys when she was here.… I hope I get a part.… What fun.… I wonder what play it is?”
Alice-Miranda leaned forward and tapped Jacinta’s shoulder. “You know, I think Lawrence is trying to get Lucas a place at Fayle at the moment.”
Jacinta swiveled her head and smiled at her friend. “Well, we have to get parts in that play—then we’ll be able to see him more than just on the weekends. If he gets to come, of course.”
Lucas Nixon had caused quite a fuss when Alice-Miranda and Jacinta first encountered him. Sent to live with his Aunt Lily and Uncle Heinrich, who managed the farm at Alice-Miranda’s home, Highton Hall, he seemed to spend most of his time lashing out at everyone around him. But a lot of things had changed very quickly over the holidays: Lucas’s absent father turned out to be none other than the famous movie star Lawrence Ridley, who became engaged to Alice-Miranda’s beloved Aunt Charlotte. Jacinta and Lucas couldn’t stand one another to begin with, but after a couple of weeks, they realized they had much more in common than they could ever have imagined. Jacinta thought it would be wonderful to see him again.
Miss Reedy stood up and walked to the microphone. “Girls, the play we’ll be performing is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. There are plenty of roles, and I’m looking forward to seeing lots of girls try out. Of course, girls can try for boys’ roles and vice versa. It should be loads of fun.”
Miss Reedy announced that there would be more details about the play up on the bulletin board before the end of the week. Just as she was explaining that if girls were interested in auditioning for parts, they needed to pick up copies of the script from her office that afternoon, a small commotion erupted at the back of the hall. “Ohhhh, did you hear that, darling? A play! How wonderful.”
From her position in the rear seats, Alice-Miranda turned to see what was going on. A tall woman with long blond curls was pointing at the stage and talking rather loudly to a young girl standing beside her, who looked remarkably similar.
“Excuse me, can I help you?” Miss Reedy glanced up from her notes and peered over the top of the spectacles perched on the end of her nose.
“Look, Sloane, look at the headmistress and the teachers up there. Oh, they’re so cute—like in Harry Potter or something,” the woman giggled. The child ignored her, instead splaying the fingers of her left hand and admiring her scarlet nail polish.
With her perfect view of the hall, Miss Grimm had also become aware of the new arrivals. Endeavoring to make them feel welcome, Ophelia decided to introduce the pair to the whole school.
“It’s all right, Miss Reedy.” Miss Grimm motioned for the English teacher to take her seat, then moved toward the microphone. “Girls and staff, you may have noticed we have some guests. Not guests, in fact, but new members of the Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale family. Please welcome Mrs. Sykes and her daughter, Sloane.”
One hundred pairs of eyes swiveled from Miss Grimm back to the newcomers.
“Hello, everyone. Call me September—Mrs. Sykes sounds so old, and well, I’m not old, am I? This is my daughter, Sloane. She’s lovely, isn’t she?” September wrapped her arm around the girl’s shoulder. “We can’t wait to meet you all, can we, Sloane? And Sloane’s very clever and a fantastic actress. I just heard you saying something about doing a play? Sloane’s had acting lessons since she was two, and she’s the best dancer ever. So of course, she should be top of the list for the lead role.”
Sloane looked up and smirked.
“Yuck, she’s even more revolting than I first thought.” Millie buried her head in her hands.
“Yes, and she’s my roommate,” Jacinta whispered.
“No, not Sloane,” Millie replied. “I meant her mother.”
“Oh.” Jacinta grimaced.
Miss Grimm’s welcome was losing its gloss as September continued to babble.
“Would you like to take your seat, Sloane?” Miss Grimm pointed toward the front of the hall, near the older students. “And please see me after the assembly as we’ll need to have a chat about your … face.”
“What about my face?” Sloane asked of no one in particular.
“Makeup,” Ashima whispered as Sloane took her seat. “We’re not allowed.”
Sloane rolled her eyes. “Pathetic.”
“And, Mrs. Sykes, if you’d like to stay for the remainder of the assembly, you’re welcome to sit in the row there just next to you.”
September tottered toward the pew, caught her foot on an uneven flagstone and almost fell into Alice-Miranda’s lap.
Alice-Miranda caught hold of Mrs. Sykes’s arm.
“Ow!” September grimaced. “That hurt.”
“I am sorry. I was just trying to help.”
“Well, don’t bother next time.” September Sykes glared at Alice-Miranda, then smoothed her dress and sat bolt upright in her seat. How she could breathe was anyone’s guess.
Alice-Miranda turned toward her and smiled. “Hello, my name’s Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones,” sh
e whispered, and held out her tiny hand. “And I’m very pleased to meet you.”
September Sykes’s ears pricked up. “Did you say Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones?”
“Yes.” Alice-Miranda nodded. “Do you know my mummy and daddy?”
“Well, sort of, but I’d looove to get to know them better,” September simpered, her pearl-white smile widening. She took Alice-Miranda’s dainty hand in hers. “It’s very nice to meet you too.”
September Sykes could not believe her luck. Today was turning out even better than she had hoped.
The arrival of Sloane and September Sykes caused quite a stir among the girls and staff. At the conclusion of the assembly, Mrs. Sykes seemed very eager to speak with Sloane’s teachers and joined the staff as they left the hall. As she bumped in beside Mr. Plumpton, his red nose took on an even brighter glow, particularly when Mrs. Sykes linked her arm through his. Miss Reedy glowered and bit her lip. She wasn’t used to such ostentatious displays.
September Sykes didn’t notice Miss Reedy’s glares. She was too busy loudly describing her glorious modeling career and explaining that Sloane’s father regularly appeared on television, although in what capacity she didn’t reveal. Mr. Plumpton coughed awkwardly as September leaned in and whispered that, thanks to her stepmother-in-law making provisions for the children’s education, Sloane and her older brother, Septimus, were finally exactly where they belonged, at Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies and Fayle School for Boys.
With a flutter of her lashes, September released Mr. Plumpton’s arm and trotted after Miss Grimm “for a little chat.” She was convinced that this was only the start of much bigger things for the Sykes family. In her mind, they’d struggled quite long enough and it was about time she had everything she wanted, including that oversized Prada handbag she’d seen on Ambrosia Headlington-Bear’s arm in a magazine photograph. Now that she and her children were mixing in the right circles, she was sure life was about to become a whole lot more interesting.
As for the students of Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale, the girls had hurried off to their first lessons aflame with curiosity about the new girl and her remarkable mother. Amid much chatter and speculation, they seemed to have quite a deal of trouble concentrating on their morning classes.
At half past ten, Alice-Miranda was on her way to meet Millie in the dining room for morning tea when she saw Sloane standing on her own near the entrance to the library.
“Are you lost?” Alice-Miranda smiled. “You’re Sloane, aren’t you? My name’s Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones and I’m very pleased to meet you.” She offered her tiny hand.
Sloane looked down at her and glared. “No, I’m not lost. I’m just waiting for, what’s her name, Dinka or something.”
“Oh, you mean Danika. She’s the Head Prefect. I suppose Miss Grimm has asked her to show you around. Are you having a good day?” Alice-Miranda continued, “I just love school. And wait until you see what Mrs. Smith has made for our morning tea.”
Sloane stared at Alice-Miranda as if she had been promised a roast pork dinner but was served pickled pigs’ trotters instead.
Finally she spoke. “Are you always like this?”
“Like what?” Alice-Miranda’s eyes widened.
“So … happy and bouncy and enthusiastic.” Sloane’s monotone voice could barely hide her distaste.
“Oh, yes. I can’t imagine a reason not to be happy and bouncy and enthusiastic. Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale is simply the most splendid school ever, and our teachers are lovely and so clever, and Miss Grimm, well, she’s the best headmistress in the whole world.”
Sloane slowly shook her head. “Good grief!” she muttered under her breath. “And my mother expects me to be friends with someone like you.”
“Oh, yes, I’m sure we’ll be friends too.” Alice-Miranda smiled.
“You can go now.” Sloane flicked her hand. “I’m fine, and you don’t want to be late for your tea.”
“Oh, all right, I think Danika’s coming now anyway.” Alice-Miranda looked over Sloane’s left shoulder. “See you in a minute.”
The younger girl waved and then skipped off in the direction of the dining room. As soon as Alice-Miranda’s back was turned, the older girl’s tongue shot out like a lizard’s. Unlike her mother, Sloane Sykes was not the least bit impressed by her new surroundings or the people who inhabited them.
“Yum, is that strawberry sponge?” Alice-Miranda licked her lips as she slid into her seat beside Millie in the dining room.
“Sure is.” Millie pushed a plate of the sticky confection toward her friend.
“I’ve just had a lovely chat with Sloane,” Alice-Miranda announced.
“I can’t imagine how.” Jacinta glowered. “You didn’t see what she and her mother were doing when we went back to the house before.”
“What were they doing?” Alice-Miranda quizzed.
“Going through Jacinta’s things,” said Millie. “And getting awfully wound up about Jacinta’s mother, for some strange reason.”
“Oh.” Alice-Miranda rested her fork against the side of her plate. “Well, I’m sure they were just excited about being at school. It’s such a great adventure being a boarder.”
Millie agreed. “That’s what I said, but I have to admit that I have a bad feeling about those two. I think Sloane’s trouble with a capital T and her mother is even worse.”
Alice-Miranda frowned. “I’m sure they’ll be fine. Sometimes it just takes a little while to settle into somewhere new.”
Jacinta and Millie smiled at their little friend and shook their heads. She could always be relied upon to think the best of everyone.
The bell rang to signify the end of morning tea, and Alice-Miranda, Millie and Jacinta took their dirty plates and cups to the sideboard.
“Are you going to try out for the play?” Alice-Miranda asked the girls.
“Yes, of course,” said Millie.
Jacinta nodded. “I wonder if one of the dwarfs could be a gymnast? And what about you Alice-Miranda? Will you audition?”
“I think so—I’m going to get a script from Miss Reedy after school. I can get copies for both of you as well.”
The girls parted company, heading off to their various lessons. Alice-Miranda and Millie decided they would take a walk to the stables at lunchtime to see how Alice-Miranda’s pony, Bonaparte, was getting on. Jacinta tried not to wrinkle her nose and said she planned to do some gymnastics training instead.
Alice-Miranda had been thrilled that her parents agreed to let Bony come back to school with her. After all, she had settled in so well, and there was no doubt Bonaparte could do with being ridden more often. Hopefully his new surroundings would keep the little monster out of trouble. At least while he was at school he would stay out of Mr. Greening’s prized vegetable patch at Highton Hall.
There was only an hour of class time before lunch. Alice-Miranda had her favorite, English class with Miss Reedy, while Millie was at PE and Jacinta had mathematics. Just after one o’clock, Alice-Miranda and Millie met at the dining room, where they collected some sandwiches to take with them to the stables.
They bounded off across the oval and down the lane, chatting between bites of lunch.
“Hello there, Bonaparte,” Alice-Miranda called as she and Millie entered the cool brick stable block.
A loud whinny pierced the air, and Bonaparte spun around and thrust his head over the half door of the stable.
“Are you starving again, you poor man?” Millie fetched a loose carrot from the feed room and held it out to him. “Steady on there, greedy guts,” she scolded as Bonaparte almost inhaled her hand along with the carrot.
Alice-Miranda picked up a brush, opened the stall door and walked inside. She began giving the pony a quick rubdown. A young lad pushing a wheelbarrow full of straw entered the building and plodded toward them.
“Hello, miss.” The boy put the barrow down and addressed Millie. “Is he
yours?” He motioned at Bonaparte’s stable, where Alice-Miranda was hidden from view.
“No,” Millie replied. “Definitely not.”
Alice-Miranda scrambled onto the stall door, her feet dangling in the air as she hoisted herself up with her arms. “He’s mine.”
“Goodness, miss, you do surprise me,” the boy replied.
“Why is that?” Alice-Miranda asked.
“Well, he’s a bit of a monster, that one—you take care in there.”
“Oh dear, have you been a bad boy already, Bonaparte? I’m sorry if he’s given you any trouble. He’s really very sweet, but he seems to be a bit set against young lads. Our poor Max at home gets it all the time. Just be firm, that’s the trick.” Alice-Miranda slid down the door. She emerged from the stable and brushed Bonaparte’s gray fuzz from her uniform.
“Hello,” she said, holding her hand out to the young man. “My name is Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones, and I’m very pleased to meet you, Mr.…”
“It’s Wally, Wally Whitstable.” The boy reached out slowly and shook her hand.
“And this is Millie,” said Alice-Miranda. Millie reached forward and shook his hand too.
“Are you new here, Wally?” Millie asked. She noticed he had the most brilliant emerald-green eyes and a shock of red hair to rival her own.
“Yup, Charlie put me on last week—said that there were lots of ponies coming for the term and he needed some help. I like horses, I really do. I’m hoping to be a strapper if I can. I don’t imagine racehorses could be any more difficult than that bloke.” Wally motioned his head toward Bonaparte.
“That sounds like fun.” Alice-Miranda smiled. “And I am sorry about Bony. I hope in time you might learn to like him a little bit. He’s really quite lovable when you get to know him.”
“Do you have a pony, miss?” Wally asked Millie.
“Yes, his name’s Chudley Chops.” Millie shook her head and rolled her eyes. “I know, like the dog food. Everyone thought it was a very funny joke when I decided to call him Chudley, and then Dad added Chops because he thought it was hilarious. Anyway, we just call him Chops for short. He’s arriving very early on Saturday morning.”
Alice-Miranda Takes the Stage Page 3