‘What about the animals?’ Reg asked.
‘I’ve got them sorted. They’ll survive until I get back there in the morning,’ Stan replied.
‘Well, there’s no room at our place.’ Myrtle shook her head then caught sight of her husband, who raised an eyebrow. Myrtle had an apparent change of heart. ‘Of course you’re welcome, Stanley.’
‘Oh Myrtle, I’ve missed you.’ Stan walked towards the woman and planted a kiss on her powdery cheek.
Myrtle pursed her lips. ‘I can’t exactly say the feeling’s mutual.’
But that wasn’t true at all. She and her brother-in-law had once been close, until she fell out spectacularly with her sister Beryl. Beryl and Stan had a beautiful son and daughter, until a terrible tragedy had taken the boy from them. He’d drowned in the flooded stream when he and his sister had been out playing one afternoon. The girl had tried in vain to save him but he was lost. From then on, Beryl could only ever see the poor girl’s faults. Myrtle had argued with her sister – she couldn’t understand how Beryl could be so cruel. When Beryl had cut contact with the girl, Myrtle couldn’t forgive her. Her own, longed-for children had never arrived and now the niece she had adored was allowed to disappear from their lives too. Myrtle had tried to keep in touch but the letters had stopped coming. She hadn’t heard a thing in years.
‘Well, it seems everyone knows each other,’ said Ambrosia. She took Stan’s drinks order and hurried off to the kitchen.
‘Dinner won’t be long,’ Alice-Miranda informed the guests. She and Jacinta left the trio to talk and went back to the kitchen, where Millie and Sloane were putting the finishing touches to dinner.
The doorbell rang again. Ambrosia looked at Alice-Miranda.
‘I’m afraid this one’s a surprise,’ the child said. ‘I hope you don’t mind.’
Ambrosia shook her head. ‘What are you up to, young lady?’
‘Who is it?’ Millie asked.
‘Just wait and see.’ Alice-Miranda hurried off to greet their additional guest.
When she took Ursula through to the sitting room, Myrtle, Stan and Reginald were deep in conversation and didn’t even notice the arrival.
Alice-Miranda coughed and said, ‘Hello everyone, I’d like you to meet –’
‘Ursula, is it really you?’ Stan Frost stood up slowly. He stared at the young woman, wondering if she was a dream.
‘Hello Dad,’ Ursula said.
‘But how?’
‘You can thank this little one for convincing me to come tonight,’ she said, flashing a smile at Alice-Miranda. She turned to the other guests. ‘Hello Aunty Myrtle, Uncle Reg. I hear you’ve had quite the adventure over the past few days – or maybe that’s years for you, Uncle Reg.’
‘Oh, Ursula, darling.’ Myrtle walked over to the woman and embraced her tightly. ‘We’ve missed you so much.’
‘And I’ve missed you too, Aunty Myrtle,’ Ursula said. ‘I just hadn’t realise how much until recently.’
‘But how do you know each other?’ Stan looked at Alice-Miranda and then at his daughter.
‘Millie and I ran into Ursula just before we met you at the farm the other day, and something didn’t add up,’ explained Alice-Miranda. ‘Then you and Mr Parker both said her name together and denied knowing her. But in the house, there was a photograph. The girl in the picture had to be her – except for the blonde hair, and everyone knows that’s easy enough to change.’
Ursula took up the tale. ‘I went out to Wood End to warn you about that ridiculous boss of mine and that awful property developer. When I met Alice-Miranda and Millie they offered to take the letter to you. A couple of days later, I got a call at the council chambers from this little one.’ Ursula glanced at her tiny partner in crime, her eyes glistening. ‘She told me about everything that had happened: Of course I read in the paper about Aunty Myrtle being washed away just like Peter, and Alice-Miranda had explained about Uncle Reg being in a coma when I met her and Millie near the bridge. I heard that Mum had died from my charming boss. I guess it was the push I needed to see you. Life’s too short. Whatever differences we had, Dad, I’m sure we can put aside for the sake of family.’
‘Oh, Ursula.’ The old man hugged his daughter fiercely. ‘I’m so sorry. I tried – I sent you letters but they were all returned and I had to keep it a secret from your mother. Your mum was just such a strong woman. And after everything that happened, well, I was a weak, pathetic excuse for a father.’
‘Yes, you can say that again,’ Myrtle sniped.
Reg glared at his wife, who noticed his steely gaze.
‘But then again, none of us are perfect, are we?’ she added.
Stan and Reg exchanged curious glances then grinned. Coming from Myrtle Parker, that was surely the admission of the century.
‘It was my fault too, Dad. I couldn’t stay still, and for a long time I didn’t want you to find me. When I came back here I wasn’t sure that you’d want to see me anyway.’
‘Of course I do, Ursula. I love you. You’re my daughter.’ Tears ran down Stan’s cheeks. He mopped them with his handkerchief.
Millie, Sloane, Jacinta and Ambrosia carried the food from the kitchen into the dining room next door.
Ambrosia poked her head into the sitting room. ‘Is everyone ready to eat? Oh, hello there.’
‘I’m Ursula,’ the younger woman introduced herself with a sniff. ‘Sorry about crashing your party. I’m afraid it’s all a bit emotional in here at the moment.’
‘No, not at all. I can’t wait to hear about whatever it is that’s been going on.’
Millie’s head popped out from behind Ambrosia. ‘Hello Ursula, I didn’t know you were coming.’
‘Until a little while ago, I wasn’t sure I was either,’ Ursula replied with a smile.
The group took their seats at the dining table and within a few minutes everyone was enjoying the feast. When Myrtle commented on the delicious ham and pineapple pizza, Millie and Sloane grinned at each other.
‘Have you heard any more about that Finley Spencer woman?’ Reginald asked Ursula.
‘Yes, she’s decided not to go ahead with the development,’ Ursula replied.
‘Well, that’s a relief, Stan,’ said Reginald.
‘I thought so too, until this afternoon. Silas Wiley told me that he was planning to make a big announcement to the press tomorrow. I asked him what it was about and he said it was a surprise. I have a terrible feeling it has something to do with Wood End,’ the woman explained. ‘Although he was blustering about not being able to get anyone to come to the council chambers for his press conference.’
‘You did register that claim, didn’t you, Stan?’ Reg asked.
The old man gulped and slowly shook his head. With everything that had happened in the last week, it had completely slipped his mind.
‘Stan! You’re done for now.’ Reg shook his head. ‘You can kiss your lovely little patch goodbye and there’ll be no more fun for us either.’
Myrtle Parker wondered what on earth they were talking about. Jacinta, Sloane and Ambrosia were in the dark too.
‘Tomorrow must be the day for announcements,’ Jacinta said.
Everyone turned and looked at her.
‘Miss Grimm’s making a big announcement tomorrow morning too. Remember, that’s why we have to go back to school tonight?’ she explained.
Ursula’s brow creased. ‘That’s a coincidence. Silas is meeting the press at the school.’
‘Maybe he’s just coming along to support Miss Grimm,’ Jacinta said with a shrug. ‘Don’t mayors like to get photographed for the paper?’
‘Silas Wiley certainly does,’ Ursula muttered.
But Alice-Miranda was convinced there was more to it than that. She climbed out of her chair. ‘Excuse me, Mrs Headlington-Bear, may I use the telephone?’
‘Yes, I just need to make a quick call.’ Alice-Miranda skittered out of the room.
‘Whatever is that child up to now?’ Myrtle Parker smacked her lips together noisily.
‘Good morning, everyone.’ Ophelia Grimm stood centre stage in the assembly hall the following morning. ‘I’m sorry to have dragged you away from your Saturday activities but I have a very important announcement to make and I wanted you all to hear it at the same time.’
At the side of the hall, several local newspaper reporters and photographers had gathered and the local radio journalist was crouched down in front of the lectern, pushing his fluffy microphone towards the headmistress.
Alice-Miranda, Jacinta, Millie and Sloane were sitting together in the audience.
‘What are Miss Hephzibah and Miss Henrietta doing here?’ Millie whispered. The two elderly women had been escorted onto the stage by Charlie Weatherly and were now seated at the end of the teachers’ row, smiling at the girls.
Sloane shrugged. ‘It must be something to do with the teaching college. I can’t believe we’re missing a game for this.’
Miss Grimm was about to speak, when she was distracted by someone entering the hall.
‘Hello, hello girls, lovely to be here on this special day!’ Silas Wiley strode down the centre aisle, his robes flowing and chain jangling.
‘Seriously, what’s he doing here?’ one journalist asked another.
‘I’ve never known anyone so keen to get his face in the paper,’ said the other, shaking his head. ‘And the robes? Again? You’ve got to be kidding me.’
Silas smiled at the cameras as he trotted towards the stage.
‘Mayor Wiley,’ Ophelia Grimm frowned. ‘This is an unexpected surprise. What an honour to have you with us.’
Alice-Miranda felt her heart beat faster.
Silas strode across the stage and shook hands with Miss Grimm. ‘Carry on, Miss Grimm. But I’d like some time after you, if I may?’ Silas grinned at her and, after the teachers and guests had shuffled down, took a seat.
The headmistress shot the man a sidelong glance then continued her announcement. ‘Girls, as you all know, quite a few months ago now, Professor Winterbottom and I made plans with Miss Fayle and Mrs Sykes to open a teaching college as part of the renovation of Caledonia Manor. Unfortunately, we have had no end of problems with some of the planning permissions with the council.’ She turned and glared at Silas Wiley, who tried not to squirm under her gaze. ‘So, I am afraid to say that the current project has now been put on hold.’
‘Boring, who cares?’ Sloane grouched.
The photographers snapped away, mostly in a bid to capture the sour look on Silas’s face.
‘But I have some good news. Many years ago, Caledonia Manor served as the original site of the Fayle School for Boys. As such, we have been able to employ a loophole,’ Miss Grimm went on.
Jacinta reached out and grabbed Alice-Miranda’s hand. Alice-Miranda smiled at her friend.
‘I’m delighted to announce that we will extend Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale all the way through to leaving. As of next year, we will be a primary and secondary academy.’
The whole hall erupted with cheers.
‘We can stay!’ Susannah leapt into the air and hugged Ashima. Danika, the Head Prefect, jumped up from her seat on stage and hugged Miss Reedy.
Sloane’s jaw dropped. Millie’s did the same.
Alice-Miranda and Jacinta hugged each other tightly.
‘You knew.’ Millie’s eyes were wide as she looked at her friends.
Alice-Miranda nodded. ‘But we couldn’t tell. Miss Hephzibah thought that Caledonia Manor had been used as a school once before, but she had to find the documents to prove it. We all hoped they hadn’t been burned in the fire. Turns out they were in Professor Winterbottom’s office over at Fayle. He remembered finding them when he made the changes to the charter earlier in the year.’
Jacinta leaned around and smiled at her friend. ‘Your mother’s meddling actually did some good, Sloane.’
‘This is the best news ever,’ Sloane blurted.
‘Girls, please calm down,’ Miss Grimm commanded.
Danika raced forward, leaned into the microphone and shouted, ‘Three cheers for Miss Grimm.’
The girls responded and Miss Grimm took a step back. She waited for the cheering to die down and tried again.
‘Girls, there are a few people to thank for this development. Miss Hephzibah and Miss Henrietta, who have so kindly agreed to make use of their beautiful house in this way; Professor Winterbottom, who helped us with the details; and Alice-Miranda, who first came to me with the idea.’
‘What about Jacinta?’ Sloane called.
‘Yes, Jacinta Headlington-Bear, we have you to thank too. If you hadn’t got into trouble over at Sainsbury Palace, I might never have known the truth about several things, nor had the gumption to do what I should have done years ago.’
Silas Wiley was growing impatient. The journalists all had their hands up eager to ask questions and the flashes were going off like fireworks.
He stood up and walked to the podium. Alice-Miranda watched him and tapped her fingers anxiously on her lap.
Millie looked over at her. ‘Are you all right?’
‘Fine,’ the tiny child answered. But Millie wasn’t so sure.
‘Yes, yes, lovely news,’ Silas said as he shoved Miss Grimm to one side. ‘And I’m so glad that the council has been able to work with you to make things happen so quickly.’
‘The council had nothing to do with it,’ Sloane yelled.
Silas ignored her. ‘Now, I’d like to make an announcement too, if I may.’
His next words were completely drowned out by the sound of a helicopter overhead. He waited a minute, expecting the noise to abate, but it only intensified.
Finally the racket stopped. Silas opened his mouth for another attempt, but the whole school suddenly rose to its feet.
‘Girls, please, you don’t have to stand on my account.’ But they hadn’t. Silas turned around to see what they were looking at. ‘Your Majesty!’ he croaked.
Queen Georgiana strode towards the lectern, nodding at Miss Grimm, who curtseyed back. Her lady-in-waiting, Mrs Marmalade, and bodyguard, Dalton, hovered at the edge of the stage.
‘Good morning, everyone,’ Queen Georgiana boomed into the microphone.
The girls chorused ‘good morning’ back.
‘What’s she doing here?’ Sloane whispered.
Alice-Miranda finally felt as if she could breathe again.
Millie frowned at her friend, wondering what she’d been up to this time.
‘Please be seated. I was staying at Chesterfield Downs and couldn’t resist being here this morning to celebrate some very good news. Of course, I am as thrilled as you are about Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale continuing to leaving. I wish that had been the case when my granddaughters were here.’
Livinia Reedy shuddered. She was very glad that hadn’t been the case at all.
‘And now I know that Mayor Wiley has some very good news to share with you as well.’ She smiled at Silas, who had retreated to his seat. He wondered how on earth she knew, but he was almost bursting inside that the Queen herself had chosen to come and applaud his entrepreneurial flair.
‘Why don’t you come up here?’ Queen Georgiana turned to the man, who was relishing every moment.
Silas stood up and strode towards the lectern, jangling like a key chain. Who would have thought he’d be sharing the podium with the Queen?
‘Mayor Wiley, I think one of the hallmarks of your time in office will be your generosity to the community,’ she began.
Silas grinned like a shark.
‘I know that you would lo
ve to have made this announcement yourself, given that the land in question falls into your council region, but I’m afraid I would like to honour the man myself, if I may?’
This wasn’t what Silas was expecting to hear. He suddenly had a sinking feeling that the announcement she was about to make didn’t involve his hundred-year mining lease.
‘Just this week, I have learned that a very generous member of our community, Mr Stanley Frost, has decided to give his magnificent property, known as Wood End, to the Queen’s Preservation Trust.’ Queen Georgiana glanced towards Silas.
He almost choked.
‘Of course, Mr Frost and any descendants of the family will retain the right to live in the cottage and use the land for their own purposes. I know that Mr Frost has always given you girls access to enjoy the woods and this will simply protect the area from greedy developers and other invasive ventures, such as – perish the thought –’ Queen Georgiana turned to Silas Wiley and raised her eyebrows ‘– mining.’
The girls clapped loudly. Millie whistled until Miss Grimm cast an evil stare in her direction.
Silas couldn’t believe his ears. ‘But I have a claim,’ he murmured. ‘And a licence.’
‘Afraid not, Mr Wiley. The only one who can issue that is me, and you’d be getting that land over my dead body,’ Queen Georgiana whispered back.
Silas Wiley hadn’t noticed Ursula and her father standing at the back of the room. They’d crept in earlier.
‘I’m proud of you, Dad,’ said Ursula. She squeezed her father’s hand.
Alice-Miranda spotted the pair. She leapt from her seat and called, ‘Mr Frost’s here.’
‘Oh, lovely.’ Queen Georgiana peered out into the audience. ‘Mr Frost, would you like to come up, please?’
Stanley Frost, supported by his daughter, made his way to the stage.
‘Ursula?’ Silas blurted. ‘What on earth?’
‘Thank you, Mr Frost.’ Queen Georgiana shook the old man’s hand.
‘But, but!’ Silas spluttered.
‘Come now, Mayor Wiley, I’ve just made you a hero, when you could so easily have been the villain,’ Queen Georgiana hissed through gritted teeth as she stood beside Stanley Frost and his daughter. Silas gulped and shuffled in between them as the cameras flashed.
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