Princess at Silver Spires

by Ann Bryant

  I still don’t see my parents very much, and obviously even less since I’ve been at Silver Spires, and it’s also true that they still have a small staff working for them. But they don’t sit on thrones and the floors aren’t made of gold, as some of my prep school friends believed.

  Even though I don’t have the same kind of closeness with my parents as Katy has with her mum, I’m getting closer and closer to my dad. He’s such a wise man and I really needed his advice this evening. I’d been getting myself into more and more of a state about the fashion show, because I absolutely couldn’t bear the thought that people might think I’m a big show-off, wearing all those glamorous clothes and strutting along a catwalk with lots of girls who are way older than me. Then last night, when I couldn’t get to sleep for worrying about it, I actually thought about pulling out of the whole thing. After all, I wouldn’t be letting the charity down, because it’s definitely been decided to donate the money raised to Just Water. All I wanted was to hear my dad agreeing with me, and then I’d somehow feel a bit stronger about breaking the news to Elise.

  While I was listening to the phone ringing, I was trying to imagine whereabouts in the house Dad might be, and what he might be doing. Probably working in his office. As it happened, it was one of the housekeepers who answered, and she went straight off to find him.

  “Naomi…” came his voice a minute later.

  “Hello, Dad. How are you and Mum?”

  “Both very well, my dear. And you?”

  “I’m fine, but there’s something I wanted to talk to you about…”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Well, you see, there’s a fashion show at the end of term and one of the older girls has asked me to model for her, even though I’m only Year Seven and all the other models are miles older, and—”

  “Modelling in a fashion show? That sounds very glamorous!”

  “Yes, it does, doesn’t it?”

  I paused, waiting for Dad to go on and say that “glamorous” was not at all appropriate, and then insist that I pulled out, which would be perfect. But he didn’t say anything at all, so I had to carry on. “The thing is, I don’t really want to be a model, but the money from the tickets is going to Just Water. That was…my idea.”

  “Well done, Naomi! I’m proud of you for that. And Mum will be proud too. It’s wonderful that Just Water will benefit from the show. And if I remember rightly from the school calendar, parents are invited, so we’ll come and support it, of course.”

  I instantly tensed up, partly because Dad wasn’t saying the things I’d been hoping he’d say, and partly because a picture of my parents wearing their African finery and rolling up in one of their chauffeur-driven limousines was flashing through my mind. They don’t understand how badly I want to blend in with all the other students here. In fact it was their limousine, even before their clothes, that attracted attention when I very first arrived at Silver Spires.

  A feeling of urgency for Dad to understand my predicament was welling up inside me. “The horrible thing about the fashion show, Dad, is that now people in my year know I’m one of the models, they’re saying nasty things about me…”

  “Nasty things? Envious things?”

  “Things like, ‘Look at her, the stuck-up princess!’”

  There was a pause, then Dad’s voice softened. “Naomi, my dear, your mother and I have told you before, unfortunately these comments will probably never go away. You must rise above them, because they come from jealous minds. You are a princess. It’s an inescapable fact and you must simply let people take you as they find you and say whatever they want, without you taking it to heart.”

  I sighed. This conversation was still not going at all as I wanted. Maybe if I mentioned the other thing that had made me so uneasy.

  “But I’m worried that Elise only chose me because I’m a princess, Dad. You see, when she first asked me to be her model, she made a great thing about not having chosen me because I’m a princess, and said she’d picked me because of my straight back and things like that. But why did she say anything about being a princess? I’ve just got the feeling she thinks she’ll get more attention or something…and that feels…wrong to me.”

  There was another pause before Dad replied, slowly and gently. “I shouldn’t let it worry you, Naomi. Even if she did choose you because you’re a princess, think of the good that has come out of it. Think of Just Water.”

  Now I felt really panicky, and started gabbling away at top speed because I was so desperate for Dad to find something to disapprove of. “But you should see what I’ve got to wear! It’s a really short, tight evening dress, and everyone’ll be staring at me!”

  There was silence from the other end of the phone. I held my breath. At last it seemed I’d said the right thing. My mind started racing ahead, imagining Dad phoning Miss Carol and saying, “On no account can I have Naomi wearing skimpy little dresses and cavorting on a catwalk. Please tell Miss Owen that we are not allowing it!”

  But then I got a shock because Dad suddenly chuckled. “I remember the first time your sister Sisi wore an evening dress. I can still picture her tottering along in high heels. I know it’s hard, Naomi, but you must try to develop your Western side, while hanging on to your African roots. Why not give Sisi a call? Or Mary?”

  We only talked for a minute or two after that before I rang off. I’d phoned for Dad’s advice, but now I was almost wishing I hadn’t. Maybe I ought to do as he suggested, and phone one of my sisters. But I knew really that I’d never do that. There’s an eight-year gap between me and Mary, and then Sisi is two years older again. They’re very close to each other, but have never been close to me because of the age difference.

  The phone call had definitely made me feel worse, not better. There was no way that I’d be able to back out of the show now that my dad was supporting it.

  The next day I felt nervous all day because Elise had asked me to go to my first fitting. It was French last period with Mam’zelle Clemence, and I’d asked Katy not to bring up the subject of the fashion show, because I didn’t want the spotlight back on me again and everyone talking about me, so now I just had to hope that Mam’zelle Clemence wouldn’t bring it up herself. Poppy was in my French set and I’d already seen her whispering to another girl, but I’d told myself not to get neurotic. After all, she wasn’t necessarily talking about me. All the same, I was pleased when the bell went for the end of lessons.

  “Right, pack away zee books, girls,” Mam’zelle Clemence instructed us in her lovely strong French accent. Then she broke into a big smile and called across the classroom, “I ’ear you ’ave ’ad your arm tweested, Naomi! Fantasteeeek! Only twelve years old and already bound for zee catwalk!”

  I could have died, but I quickly latched on to something she’d said, to show Poppy I wasn’t showing off about it. “You’re right, Mam’zelle Clemence! I did have to have my arm twisted and I’m going to be really nervous with everyone watching me. I bet I’ll be rubbish at walking like a model.”

  “No, no, no! You weel be lovely!”

  “Why did you agree to it, if you hate it so much?” came Poppy’s clear voice, cutting through the chatter and the noises of bag-packing.

  “I…I…”

  “Because it’s for a good cause,” said Katy, defending me.

  “What?” said Poppy.

  “It’s a charity called Just Water. I…” How could I explain my involvement with the charity without sounding cocky? “I’ve always supported it.”

  “Excellent!” said Mam’zelle Clemence, beaming. “Eet is all verrrrry exciting! And now, Katy, we ’ave our own fashion club, yes?”

  Katy nodded. She didn’t need reminding. Fashion club with Mam’zelle Clemence is her favourite time of the whole week.

  As soon as we were outside and out of earshot of anyone, Katy turned to me. “Don’t worry, Naomi. It’s only Poppy who’s got a problem. You mustn’t let it get to you.”

  “But she thinks I�
�m a show-off and she’s spreading it,” I moaned. “I’ll feel terrible if everyone starts thinking bad things about me.”

  “They won’t. I was talking to some girls from Beech House yesterday and they were really pleased for you. In fact one of them said she could totally see why you’d been chosen, and she wished she looked like you!”

  “Seems like word’s got round pretty quickly.” I sighed.

  I was rather disappointed to be missing debating club today, but as it was the first time Elise had asked me to go for a fitting I thought it might seem a bit rude to say I couldn’t come. Mia had promised to report back about what was debated, so at least I wouldn’t feel that I’d completely missed out.

  Katy suddenly frowned. “Oh, I wish I didn’t have to miss your first fitting, Naomi, but we’re customizing belts in fashion club today, which will be brilliant fun, I know. You will tell me all about it later, though, won’t you?”

  “Of course I will,” I reassured her, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves. “See you at supper.”

  As I went off to the textiles room, I did feel a little bit better because of what Katy had said about the girls from Beech House. I told myself that gradually everyone would get used to the idea of a Year Seven being one of the models, and then hopefully they’d stop talking about it. And anyway, I only had to walk down the catwalk three teeny little times and that would be that. Finished!

  But somehow I still couldn’t stop my heart from beating faster at the thought of entering that strange world where I didn’t fit in.

  The busy atmosphere in the textiles room was exactly the same as the last time, except that there seemed to be more models around. Lara was fitting a layered skirt on a very beautiful girl.

  “That’s Petra,” said Elise, when I still couldn’t take my eyes off her a few moments later. “She modelled last year. She’d look good in an old shopping bag with a piece of string for a belt!” Elise’s eyes glinted with something I couldn’t quite understand.

  “She looks stunning in that skirt and top!” I said enthusiastically.

  “What, you like that grungy look? Quite honestly, Naomi, anyone can achieve that kind of design.” I was shocked that Elise had spoken in such a hard tone. But a moment later her voice turned light and bright. “Wait till you see your finished prom dress! I don’t want anyone pinching my ideas so we’ll stand behind this screen… Okay, strip right down.”

  I was relieved that I didn’t have to take my clothes off in full view of everyone. Petra didn’t seem to mind standing out in the open, but I would have felt totally uncomfortable. When I’d agreed to be Elise’s model, I’d never even considered how often I’d have to get changed in front of people. I hoped there’d be screens on the night of the show, otherwise I knew I’d feel young and stupid compared to all the Year Tens and Elevens.

  Elise unwrapped the dress from some tissue paper and slipped it over my head. “You just stay still. I’ll get it into the right position.”

  It felt lovely and smooth on the top half, but then it pinched my waist and seemed too big for my hips. The bottom of the skirt was very tight, with a slit up the back.

  “That’s so you can walk!” said Elise, smiling. “Looking good, Naomi! Looking good!”

  “Are you going to take it in a bit round here?” I asked, pressing the material to show how much spare there was sticking out from my hips.

  “Don’t do that!” said Elise.

  “Oh, sorry!” I felt terrible.

  “That’s the design. It’s supposed to exaggerate the female shape. That’s why I’ve used such a stiff fabric, obviously. I might give you an extra centimetre round the waistline, though. Lift up your arms.”

  I did as I was told while she fiddled with the waist. “Have you got any silver stilettos?” she went on.

  I shook my head. I didn’t have stilettos of any colour.

  She grabbed a big tapestry bag and pulled out a pair of high heels. “I’ll get you silver ones for the show, but try these on for now.”

  I’d never worn such high heels and I felt quite wobbly. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to walk in these…”

  “Which is why we have such things as practices and rehearsals!” laughed Elise. “Now let me look at you.” She stood back. “You’ll be wearing really long white fishnet gloves with silver and gold trimming, and this will be the last of my six outfits to be shown, so I want it to be the most stunning of all. I’m thinking that on your head you could wear…well, we’ll see about that later.”

  I hoped she didn’t want to change my actual hairstyle, because I always wear it in cornrows and I don’t like anything different. “Er…you won’t do anything drastic, will you?”

  “No, no, no. I won’t alter your hair at all. I’ll probably just add…something…”

  Elise was being rather mysterious, but at least I didn’t have to worry about my hair.

  “Right, you can take a look in the mirror if you want. I’ll bring the free-standing one over here, then no one else will see you.”

  When I saw myself I actually gasped. I looked so different. I turned round slowly and looked over my shoulder. I really didn’t know what to think. It was all so strange.

  “Pleased?”

  I did the smallest of nods, and then felt that I probably ought to be a bit more complimentary. “You’re really clever to have designed all this.”

  She waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, that’s nothing. Anyway, you can get changed now. Be very careful, though. Very.”

  I did as I was told and when I came out from behind the screen I stared in amazement. Petra was standing on a table. Another layer, which consisted of millions of coloured patches, had been added to the skirt. Her top was completely plain white, which went well with her olive skin. The whole outfit looked amazing.

  “Do you think that’s the ‘Dress to Impress for Less’ category?” I whispered to Elise. “Or the ‘Caj with a Dash’?”

  “I’ve no idea,” said Elise, waving at a girl who’d just come in. “Here’s Charlotte. She’s another designer. Hey, Charley!”

  The girl strolled over and broke into a broad grin when she saw me. “Nice one, Elise. I feel honoured to be standing on the same bit of floor!”

  I didn’t know what she was talking about, but it must have been a private joke, because Elise threw her head back and laughed loudly.

  Then, as other girls came over to see what was so funny, I crept away. At the door I turned round to see that everyone in the room seemed to have gathered around Elise and Charlotte, except for Lara, who was still in a world of her own, frowning at the bottom of the skirt and pinning the hem. Petra looked completely bored and I caught her rolling her eyes and looking at her watch, as if to say, How much longer have I got to stand here?

  I heard a few sniggers and giggles coming from Elise’s group of friends, and then my heart missed a beat as Charlotte’s words came floating over loud and clear. “Look at Lara working away! Obviously fancies herself as the winner!”

  Immediately there came a loud “Shh!” from Elise, as her eyes flicked over in my direction just before I left the room. I was suddenly desperate to get out into the open and see the sky and the trees and feel cold air on my skin, and I broke into the fastest possible walk down the corridor. The textiles room had stifled me. So the fashion show was a competition. There was no way I could have got the wrong end of the stick this time. Had Elise been deliberately hiding that fact from me? And if so, why?

  “Naomi!”

  I looked up to see Katy waving at me and running over. “Was it good?” she called as she got a bit nearer. Then, puffing up to me, “Tell me everything! I command you!”

  “Well…”

  “Uh-oh!”

  “What?”

  “I can already tell you didn’t enjoy it!”

  I sighed. “You’re right. I hated taking my clothes off, but much worse than that – guess what – the fashion show is actually a competition!”

  Katy looked shoc
ked. “Is it? Mam’zelle Clemence never mentioned that. How do you know?”

  “I heard one of the designers saying something about Lara working hard because she fancied herself as the winner.”

  “Oh!” Katy’s eyes widened and she gave me an anxious look. “But I’m sure that’s nothing for you to worry about, Naomi. It’ll only be the designers who are being judged.”

  “But why did Elise lie to me, Kates?”

  Katy frowned. “She shouldn’t have done, should she? But maybe…she thought you’d get yourself in a state about it and it was better for you not to know.”

  I didn’t answer because I wasn’t at all sure about that.

  “I wish I’d been there with you, Naomi.” Katy linked her arm through mine. “Actually, I didn’t think you’d be finished yet. I was just going down to Pets’ Place to see Buddy. Do you want to come?” She switched to a gabble. “Or were you going to the secret garden, because I don’t mind if you were? We can talk after.”

  That’s what I really like about Katy, the way she’s so caring and thoughtful the whole time. “No, I’ll come and see Buddy with you. We can talk on the way.”

  Buddy is Katy’s rabbit. He lives in Pets’ Place during term time, with Mia’s guinea pigs, Porgy and Bess, and various other pets. Katy really loves Buddy. I love animals too, but I’ve never had any pets because Mum and Dad won’t allow it. They don’t think animals belong in people’s houses and I’ve always just accepted that.

  “So, come on, tell me all about the fitting,” said Katy, sounding excited again.

  “Well, I was allowed to get changed behind a screen, thank goodness, and the top of the dress is nice but then it sticks right out on my hips and it’s really narrow at the bottom, with a slit up the back. And you should see the high heels – I felt like I was on stilts! I’ve no idea how I’m going to walk a single step.”