‘I’ll see you later,’ Gareth mumbled, backing away. He was speaking to everyone but looking at Geena.
‘Gareth, wait!’
As he rushed off back round the front of the block again, I ran after him. I’d just realized that Gareth was someone who could help me with my Secret Plan.
‘What is it, Amber?’ He came to a halt, looking flustered.
‘I just wanted to say thanks.’ I beamed at him. ‘Oh, and this . . .’ I reached up and whispered in his ear.
‘You – what do you mean, Amber?’ Gareth’s mouth dropped right open and he goggled at me. ‘You can’t be serious! That’s just not going to happen, is it?’
‘I don’t know,’ I said with a shrug. ‘But will you put the word around, just in case? I promise I’ll take the blame if it all gets messy.’
Gareth hesitated for a minute. Then he nodded.
‘All right,’ he said. ‘But I think you’re crazy.’
‘Yes, and it runs in the family, you know,’ I replied. ‘Geena’s a complete nutcase too.’
Gareth blushed as red as a rose.
‘Are you being nice to us tonight because you heard Geena say in the Truth or Dare game that she liked you really?’ I asked curiously.
‘See you tomorrow, Amber,’ was all Gareth said as he strode off.
The others were already inside and Dad and Uncle Jai were waiting to lift me through the window.
‘What was all that about?’ asked Dad.
‘Oh, nothing much,’ I replied. I wasn’t about to give up my secret just yet.
Geena looked at me suspiciously as I climbed in. ‘What did you run after Gareth for?’ she asked.
‘Oh, don’t be so paranoid,’ I said. ‘It was nothing to do with you. Just a little surprise for tomorrow.’
‘I think we’ve had enough surprises for tonight,’ Auntie said with a great yawn. ‘Back to bed, everyone.’
‘Oh, yes, I must get my beauty sleep,’ Baby exclaimed. ‘After all, as the winner of the contest, I’m going to be interviewed by the TV company tomorrow.’
Jazz scowled at her.
‘Bed!’ Auntie ordered, hustling us into our classroom.
So now we had Mr Gill’s money to add to our total, I thought as I snuggled down in my camp bed. Then, if what George Botley had hinted at was true, we might also have made a lot of money from all the votes. Could we possibly get near our target?
And tomorrow, when we were finally released, could be the best day of all, if only my plan worked out. Then everyone would know my secret.
‘Fingers crossed,’ I whispered.
Because, sadly, I was very afraid that my Big Secret was going to turn out to be a Very Big Disaster.
‘So, what have I learned from my experiences this week?’ Baby said, flinging her arms wide in a melodramatic gesture. ‘Oh, lots and lots!’
It was Friday. The clock was ticking towards midday and we were gathered in the common room for the final challenge. Mr Grimwade had told us that we had to sum up our experience of the last five days in just a few sentences. Tricky, really, considering how much emotional drama we’d lived through.
Kim, Jazz, Mr Hernandez and Rocky had all had a turn so far. Kim and Jazz had both gone on – a touch offensively, I felt – about how no one but ‘a single-minded lunatic’ like Amber could have planned all this and then gone ahead and done it. I liked the compliments but could have done without the constant emphasis on how crazy I was. Mr Hernandez had also said almost the same thing – which was rich, coming from him. Rocky had simply moaned about how being locked up ‘stifled his creativity’. Which was lucky as it meant we hadn’t been forced to listen to his rapping for hours on end.
‘I’ve learned that money isn’t everything,’ Baby went on, directing a stern glance in Rocky’s direction. ‘I just think that I’ve been a teeny-weeny bit selfish, expecting my mum and dad to earn all the money. If we’re going to be poor from now on, I want to help. So, as soon as I get out of here, I’m going to look for a job so that I can contribute to the family budget!’
We burst into spontaneous applause. I could hardly see Baby teetering through a newspaper round on her high heels, but obviously she’d had plenty of time to think while we’d been holed up for the last five days. I actually felt rather proud of her.
‘What are you going to do, though, Baby?’ asked Auntie, obviously having the same thoughts about newspaper rounds and high heels as I’d had myself.
‘I’m going to act in Bollywood films!’ Baby declared. ‘I’m sure I’ll be a big success!’
Oh well, it was the thought that counted.
‘Me next.’ Geena stood up, looking anxious to get it over with. ‘I just wanted to say that I agree with what Kim and Jazz said about Amber being totally mad. I never, ever thought this contest would work.’
‘I think everyone gets that I’m a raving loon by now,’ I said.
‘But I also wanted to say – well, I’m totally fed up with secrets and I’m sorry, I’ll never do anything behind your backs again,’ Geena rushed on, glancing from Dad to Auntie.
‘Yeah, right,’ Jazz whispered to me, a little too loudly.
‘I’d like to speak for both myself and my wife.’ Uncle Jai stood up as Geena, fiery-faced, sat down in her chair. ‘We’ve decided that we’re going to turn down the job in Australia.’
There were gasps and cheers, and Geena, Jazz and I rushed over to give Auntie and Uncle a big hug.
‘You’ve made the right decision,’ said Jazz happily. ‘Think how boring your lives would be without us.’
‘Yes, how could we leave behind someone as crazy as Amber?’ Auntie added, looking radiant with relief. ‘She obviously needs us all to look after her, or who knows what mad schemes she’ll come up with next?’
‘I’ll ignore that bit,’ I said with a grin that stretched from one ear to the other. ‘I’m so glad you’re staying.’
‘Me too,’ said Dad. ‘Well, it’s my turn now. Where do I start? I was also one of the many people who thought this would never work. But I didn’t count on having quite such enterprising daughters.’ He smiled at me. ‘Especially Amber.’
I smiled back at him.
‘It’s quite scary to think what she might be when she grows up,’ Dad went on teasingly. ‘Prime Minister, maybe? But I’m very proud of all my girls. And I know their mum would be too.’
Oh dear. That had almost done for me. With a gulp, I stood up. It was my turn.
‘OK, I’m going to admit it now,’ I said. ‘I didn’t think this would work either. All right, it was my crazy idea but I couldn’t have done it without all of you taking part. I always knew I had a fantastic family and good friends, and you’ve proved it. Thank you. I honestly don’t care who wins. I just hope that Mum can see us now, and if she can, I hope she’s proud of me too. That’s all.’
I glanced around. There was hardly a dry eye in the house, apart from Rocky, who was biting his nails, looking bored.
Then I wondered if I should tell them my secret. But I simply didn’t get a chance.
‘A very moving speech, Amber,’ Mr Grimwade said over the loudspeaker, sounding quite affected himself, bless. ‘Thank you, contestants. It is now twelve o’clock, and you may switch the cameras off.’
Uncle Jai and Mr Hernandez got up. Seeing those little green lights go off was a huge relief, I can tell you.
‘We will see you all at five after the last update session has taken place, and all today’s votes have been collected in,’ Mr Grimwade added. And then there was silence.
‘Oh, goodie!’ Jazz sighed, slumping back onto the sofa. ‘Now we can find out all the goss that we weren’t allowed to talk about when we were being filmed.’ She eyeballed Geena. ‘Like Gareth Parker, for instance.’
‘That’s enough, Jasvinder,’ Auntie cut in smoothly.
There was a tap at the common room door. Uncle Jai went to open it, and outside stood Gareth Parker himself, along with Soo-Lin, both carrying plastic c
rates.
‘We’ve brought your stuff back,’ Gareth muttered, trying not to look at Geena but unable to help himself.
‘Thank you,’ Dad said quite sternly. He and Uncle Jai took the crates and ushered Gareth and Soo-Lin out without another word. Geena studiously did not look at me and Jazz.
‘She won’t be able to avoid us when we get home, though, will she?’ Jazz whispered in my ear.
The crates contained our mobiles and iPods and all the bits and pieces we’d given up when the contest started, and we fell on them with glee. I grabbed my mobile, wondering if I would have any messages from the one person I was hoping would contact me. But there weren’t any. There were texts from Kiran and Chelsea and Sharelle and some of my other friends, saying that they’d be waiting to see me when I got out and wishing me luck. Nothing else. I was now starting to feel rather anxious as I realized what might be waiting for me when I finally got out. Seriously, I could be in huge trouble.
Five o’clock. We’d been told to leave the common room and wait at the main doors. By now I was feeling sick with nerves. I didn’t care who won. I just wanted to get out there and find out what was going on.
‘Are you all right, Amber?’ Auntie asked, staring at me closely.
‘Fine,’ I replied, and tried to smile but my mouth just wouldn’t co-operate.
‘Contestants!’ Mr Grimwade boomed over the loudspeaker. ‘I shall now announce the results in reverse order. Please make your way to the front of the main school building after leaving the sixth-form block.’
‘Ooh, this is it!’ Baby proclaimed, primping her curls. ‘I hope they tell us how many votes we’ve each got. I bet I beat all you suckers by miles!’
‘I’m going to be really annoyed if she wins,’ Jazz grumbled in my ear.
‘First’ – Mr Grimwade paused dramatically and I gritted my teeth with tension – ‘Rocky Gill!’
‘Hey!’ Rocky looked supremely pleased with himself. ‘I won!’
‘It’s reverse order, you idiot.’ Baby giggled, shoving him towards the door.
Rocky looked outraged. ‘You mean I’m last?’ he gasped. ‘It’s a fix!’
The door was swung open from outside as if by magic and Rocky stomped out. Then the door closed behind him.
‘Ha ha, I knew he wouldn’t win,’ Baby said with immense satisfaction. ‘He was so mean to me about that money.’
‘Next – Baby Ahluwahlia!’
‘No way!’ Baby screeched indignantly. ‘I demand a recount!’
As the door opened, she pushed it viciously back and we heard a muffled ‘Ow!’ from the other side of it.
Baby was followed by Dad, then Kim. They each gave me a hug before the doors opened and they left. It was December so it was dark outside by now, but there seemed to be lots of light coming from the main school building. As the doors swung shut behind Dad, I could hear a lot of noise coming from the playground and I wondered how many people were there waiting for us. It could be a bit embarrassing if there were only, say, ten. But it didn’t sound like it. I was beginning to think that George had told me the truth when he said that the whole school and people from outside were hooked on the contest. I’d done what I’d set out to do. How amazing. But, very possibly, I was now about to ruin everything . . .
‘And next to leave,’ Mr Grimwade announced, ‘is Jasvinder Dhillon.’
‘What!’ Jazz looked gobsmacked. ‘You mean, I didn’t even beat Mr Hernandez?’
‘Yes, I find that quite strange too,’ Mr Hernandez agreed.
‘Tell me your first name before I leave, sir,’ Jazz begged as the door swung open.
‘It’s James,’ Mr Hernandez replied promptly.
‘James!’ Jazz screeched. ‘But you said it was vile and repulsive!’
‘And so it is,’ said Mr Hernandez cheerily. ‘I’m not a James-type person at all.’
Looking defeated, Jazz trudged outside.
Then Mr Hernandez was announced and, still looking cheerful, he left after shaking my hand very solemnly.
The next result was a surprise – a tie between Geena and Uncle Jai. They went out together, leaving me and Auntie alone. I was so nervous by now, I could barely swallow.
‘I hope you win, Amber,’ said Auntie. ‘You seriously do deserve it, my dear. But I wish you’d tell me what’s bothering you.’
I needed to tell someone.
‘Well, it’s like this—’ I began. But Mr Grimwade was back.
‘And second place goes to Mrs Arora!’
Auntie gave me a quick hug, looking very pleased. ‘Congratulations, Amber! You’ve won. Now, what were you going to tell me?’
But the doors were already swinging open.
‘It’s all right,’ I replied. ‘Go on, you’ll find out soon anyway, one way or another.’
Auntie looked a little worried but did as I said. After she’d gone, I paced up and down, wondering what was going to happen now.
Suddenly the door opened again and Mr Grimwade, Gareth and Soo-Lin came in.
‘Congratulations, Amber!’ Mr Grimwade beamed at me and shook my hand very enthusiastically. ‘Follow me. I think you’re going to be very surprised!’
‘In a good way?’ I asked apprehensively.
Mr Grimwade did not reply. As I followed him out of the sixth-form block, I hung back for a moment.
‘Did you do what I asked you to?’ I whispered to Gareth.
He nodded. But he looked extremely nervous too, which didn’t reassure me in the slightest.
‘And did it work?’ I asked in a low voice.
‘See for yourself,’ Gareth replied as we crossed over to the main playground.
As we rounded the corner, I was met by a wall of noise and light that almost deafened and blinded me. The playground was literally crammed with people, who began applauding the minute they set eyes on me. There were more bystanders lined up and down the street outside the playground gates, stopping the traffic. The police were there and they’d set up barriers to stop the crowds surging forward. Cameras flashed. Cheers echoed in my ears. I could see the local news crew and several other TV vans, including one from the BBC. Dazed, I wondered if I was asleep and having a dream. Which might very easily turn into a nightmare. Where had all these people come from?
‘The contest has proved very popular, Amber,’ Mr Grimwade said with satisfaction. ‘We’ve had such big audiences coming to the screenings – pupils and parents, as well as people from the local businesses who’ve donated money – that we’ve had to run the film twice the last few days, to fit everyone in! You’ve raised a lot of cash, my dear. Well done.’
‘Thanks,’ I managed to say. But I knew that all these people weren’t here simply because of the contest. I’d asked Gareth to do something for me, he’d done it and this was the result.
‘This way, Amber.’ Mr Grimwade took my arm and led me over to a small platform that had been set up in front of the school doors. Mr Morgan was waiting there. So were Dad, Kim, Geena, Jazz and the others. They looked as dazed as I felt.
‘Amber, what have you been up to?’ Auntie asked as I stumbled over to join them. ‘Why are all these people here?’
I did say something but nobody heard me because, suddenly, the noise intensified. There were gasps and more cheers and whoops, a Mexican wave of noise that began in the street and rolled towards us as we stood in the playground.
I saw a white limousine making its way slowly towards the playground gates. There the car purred to a halt and the police sprang forward to hold back the crowds.
The door of the limousine swung open.
Out stepped Molly Mahal.
Chapter Twelve
SHE’D COME.
I’d written to Molly to ask her to visit today at five o’clock when our contest ended. I’d even asked Gareth Parker to start the rumours that she’d be here to congratulate the winner. That was why so many people had turned up.
However, I’d never really allowed myself to believe that Molly wo
uld come. She hadn’t replied to my invitation before the contest.
But she was here.
‘Amber!’ Jazz grabbed my arm, disbelief written all over her face. ‘How?’
‘I asked her,’ I replied. I did not say that I’d written to Molly almost every single day since Who’s in the House? had ended, asking – begging – her to come. That would stay my little secret.
Molly had stopped by the playground gates, the two burly minders on either side of her dwarfing everyone, even the police. Stunning in a sapphire-blue sari and matching high heels, she was signing autographs. Mrs Openshaw, the cook, was one of the lucky recipients, I noted.
‘But – but – but . . .’ Kim was opening and shutting her mouth but not much was coming out of it.
‘Molly – here?’ Geena looked utterly bewildered. ‘But she’s such a big star now!’
Molly Mahal was making her way through the crowd, which parted smoothly for her on either side. She moved directly over to the platform, where a stunned Mr Grimwade and Mr Morgan were standing with their mouths quite literally agape.
‘Hello, Amber,’ said Molly, looking up at me. She was so composed, you’d have thought I’d only seen her yesterday instead of seven or eight months ago.
‘Oh – ah – hello,’ I managed.
The minders assisted her onto the platform, where, with supreme self-confidence, she smiled at Mr Morgan and whisked the microphone from his hand. Cameras flashed and hundreds of mobile phones were held aloft to capture her picture as she stepped forward.
‘Dear friends, I’m so glad to be back with you here at Coppergate School.’ Molly waved and nodded graciously, waiting for the applause to subside. ‘But today isn’t really about me at all. As many of you will know, Amber and her sisters have been raising money for the school in order to have the library named after their late mother.’
One of the minders passed Molly an envelope.
‘I’m therefore delighted to say that Picture This, the TV company who make Who’s in the House?, would like to make a generous donation to the girls’ fund,’ Molly went on.
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