Alice-Miranda At School (6 page)

Alice-Miranda spent the rest of Sunday meeting lots of other girls. She was determined to remember as many names as possible and made up rhymes to help her. There was Madeline Bloom
in the very next room
and Susannah Dare
with curly hair
, Ivory Hicks
who did magic tricks
and Ashima Divall
who was beautifully tall
. Alice-Miranda asked loads of questions about the teachers and the subjects and all of the wonderful things that they would do during the term. Everyone was helpful but they all seemed to say the same thing –
that the teachers were terribly strict and school wasn't much fun.

‘Hello Millie!' Alice-Miranda exclaimed when at last she bounded back to her own room.

Millie was sprawled out on her bed reading. She looked up and placed her book on the bedside table. ‘Hello there. So have you met everyone?'

‘I don't think I've met them all, but quite a few. Everyone seemed rather happy about being back at school. Well, except for Alethea. She was having a little tantrum about some mineral water.' Alice-Miranda laughed.

‘Oh, good grief. Sorry about that. I meant to warn you to stay out of her way.' Millie sat up and crossed her legs.

Alice-Miranda sat on the end of her own bed, facing Millie. ‘It's okay. I told her she could have my mineral water if she wanted it.'

‘Oh no. You shouldn't have done that, Alice-Miranda. She'll make you her personal slave, like she does with all of the new girls.'

‘Well, that's plain silly. She tried to tell me that I had to do everything she said and I told her that I was sure Miss Grimm would have something to say about that,' Alice-Miranda replied.

Millie's brow knitted together and she covered her face with her hands. ‘You shouldn't have said anything to her. Now she'll definitely want you. The best way to get on with Alethea is to avoid her completely. And stay away from her gang too. There are three of them and they will do their best to wear you down. Danika, Lizzy and Shelby – Alethea's three marionettes and, might I add, some of the nastiest puppets you will ever meet.' Millie had lowered her voice and Alice-Miranda was leaning forward to hear her.

‘Really? They can't be as bad as all that … Can they?' Alice-Miranda asked.

‘That bad and worse. Last year they broke into the Science lab, stole some Condy's crystals and turned the swimming pool purple. Workers came to drain the water and then Alethea told Miss Reedy that she had heard Mr Plumpton laughing and telling Charlie that when he was a boy, he and some friends had done the exact same thing to their local swimming pool. Miss Reedy said that whether Mr Plumpton did it or not, it was his fault for talking about such ridiculous things in places where impressionable young girls might hear. It must have been reported to Miss Grimm. He was almost sacked, you know.'

‘Oh.' Alice-Miranda touched her finger to her lip thoughtfully.

‘Then there was an awful tragedy with Madeline Bloom's rabbit. Someone opened the hutch door and he got out into the garden. That wouldn't have been a problem except that Mr Evershed from the village brought his dogs and ferrets up that day to hunt some wild rabbits near the river. You can imagine what happened when they caught sight of poor little Cadbury sitting out in the middle of the lawn just minding his own business. Alethea saw the whole thing and seemed to enjoy telling everyone the gory details. Poor Madeline had to stay in the infirmary for a week and when she finally did stop crying, Alethea sent her a note saying how sorry she was.' Millie's face was very serious as she said this.

‘Well, that was kind, wasn't it?' Alice-Miranda asked hopefully.

‘It might have been if she hadn't written it on a card with a picture of a terrier on the front. The caption said “Life gone to the dogs?” Then inside the terrier had its head stuck down a rabbit hole with a cutaway view of the poor rabbits inside cowering in the corner. The message said, “Cheer up, it could be worse”.'

‘Oh, that's awful,' Alice-Miranda gasped. ‘How could she?'

‘That's what everyone said.'

‘Did anyone take the card to Miss Grimm? Surely Alethea must have got into trouble?' Alice-Miranda asked.

‘Why would anyone take it to Grimm? She never comes out of her study. I've never even seen her and I've been here for two years,' Millie snorted.

Alice-Miranda unfurled her legs and spread out on the bed. ‘When I arrived Miss Higgins told me that Miss Grimm didn't see students but I didn't believe her. I've seen Miss Grimm twice now. I was rather hoping to catch her again tomorrow.' Alice-Miranda picked up Brummel Bear and stroked the top of his fuzzy head.

‘That's outrageous!' Millie exclaimed. ‘What's she like? I've heard that she's got the most frightening black eyes.' Millie leaned in closer, eager for more terrible tales.

‘Well, she's very tall. The first time I saw her she was in her dressing-gown and I suppose she looked like, I don't know, perhaps like my Aunt Charlotte, really – when she's lounging about at home with her hair not done properly. When I saw her this morning
she was dressed in a very elegant suit – rather like one my mummy has. Her hair was pulled back into a lovely French roll.'

‘I can't believe you've seen her,' Millie gasped, ‘and in her dressing-gown too! Was she terribly scary?'

‘I wouldn't say so. I think Mummy would call her stylishly severe, but I suspect she's actually quite pretty really. Mummy and Daddy have some friends who are far more fearsome. Lord Gisborne is the crustiest old fellow in the world – always being cross and saying that children should be seen and not heard. Anyway, I don't think Miss Grimm's scary, I think she's sad,' Alice-Miranda concluded.

‘Whatever did you talk about?' The colour had drained from Millie's freckles and she looked as though she might faint.

‘I told her about Mrs Smith's holiday to America. I know I should have asked her, but it all happened so quickly and then Mrs Oliver came, and her food is delish, so in the end I really don't think she was that upset at all. I asked Miss Grimm when she had last had a good holiday – I really think she needs one. Anyway, I asked her if she wanted to come for a walk in the garden later today but I think she's rather busy. I said I would pop in again tomorrow.'

‘Gosh, wait until the other girls hear that you've seen Grimm – not only seen her but talked to her too. That's the stuff legends are made of, Alice-Miranda. And I can tell you now, that's another thing Alethea will hate you for.' Millie smiled and squeezed her knees up under her chin.

Alice-Miranda changed the subject. ‘Well, if Miss Grimm doesn't see anyone, then surely Madeline or one of the girls must have told a teacher about Alethea's horrible card?'

‘Madeline told Miss Reedy but she didn't do anything. She just made an excuse, as usual. She said that perhaps Alethea was trying to cheer her up and of course she wouldn't have sent that particular card just to upset her. It must have been a misunderstanding.' Millie grabbed the hairbrush from beside her bed and started to untangle her thick red mane.

‘Do the teachers usually make excuses for her?' Alice-Miranda asked.

‘Haven't you been for a walk around the school?' Millie enquired.

‘Yes, of course. It's beautiful,' said Alice-Miranda, wondering why Millie was changing the subject.

‘And what's the loveliest building here?' Millie asked.

‘Well, it would be hard to say really,' Alice-Miranda thought aloud, ‘it's all gorgeous. Winchesterfield Manor is very grand. I suppose the library looks rather special too,' she nodded.

‘Hard to believe that it's just a year old.' Millie laid the brush back down and began to twist a strand of hair around her finger.

‘A year!' Alice-Miranda gasped. ‘But it looks like it's been here for at least a hundred years.'

‘Did you happen to read the plaque next to the entry?'

‘No,' Alice-Miranda replied. ‘Why? What does it say?'

‘Well, you might understand a little better about our dear Alethea when you read it,' Millie teased.

‘Tell me what it says,' Alice-Miranda begged.

‘Come on, let's go for a walk and I'll show you.' Millie spun her legs to the side of the bed and slipped on her shoes.

Alice-Miranda and Millie headed out of Grimthorpe House, down the path and across the enormous flagstone courtyard. The library loomed majestically, attached to the ancient Winchesterfield Manor by an intricate archway. Its sandstone walls glowed yellow in the afternoon sun.

‘There – on the wall.' Millie pointed at the giant brass plaque beside the entry.

Alice-Miranda read aloud: ‘“The Goldsworthy Library. Built entirely from moneys donated by the
Goldsworthy family in honour of their beloved only daughter Alethea, a student at Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies.”' Alice-Miranda gasped. ‘So that's why she thinks she rules the school.'

‘There aren't too many girls here whose fathers could donate the money for all that.' Millie waved her arms in the air like a magician's assistant.

‘No, I don't suppose there are,' Alice-Miranda agreed. ‘But it doesn't give her the right to be unkind.'

The two girls stood side by side studying the building in front of them. Suddenly they heard raised voices. It sounded like a man and a woman arguing.

‘Quick!' Millie grabbed Alice-Miranda's arm and pulled her behind a huge stone urn guarding the entrance to the library.

‘What are you doing?' Alice-Miranda asked.

‘Shh.' Millie put her hand over Alice-Miranda's mouth.

The adults were now standing on the other side of the urn. Alice-Miranda peered out to watch what was happening but Millie kept a tight grip on her arm.

The tallest and thinnest woman Alice-Miranda had ever seen was having a very vigorous discussion
with possibly the roundest man she had ever clapped eyes on.

‘I refuse to do it. I just won't.' The man shook his sausage-like forefinger at the woman.

‘You must do as you're told, Mr Plumpton, or you'll be out on your ear,' the lady said with a frown.

‘But I can't teach Drama. I don't know the first thing about Shakespeare. I'm the Science teacher and
I have been
the Science teacher for thirty years,' the fat man sighed.

‘I'm not exactly happy about the situation myself. I don't know how I am expected to take on the junior Mathematics program when I have only ever taught senior English. Frankly, I don't need any further challenges – my life is already busy enough keeping on top of the girls' behaviour.'

‘You know, Miss Reedy, that science is my passion. It is my life's work and the thing that I love more than any other. Well, perhaps second only to
one
other.' Mr Plumpton's nose glowed red.

Miss Reedy blushed and looked away.

‘It's not fair – she's getting worse each year and I won't put up with it for much longer.' Mr Plumpton stamped his foot.

‘Come along, Josiah, let's have some tea,' Miss
Reedy soothed. The couple disappeared through the doorway at the end of the veranda.

‘Who was that?' Alice-Miranda asked as she and Millie stood up. ‘And why did we have to hide? I would have liked to meet them.'

‘Believe me, you shouldn't be in a hurry to meet Miss Reedy,' Millie replied. ‘Mr Plumpton is all right most of the time.'

‘Why? What does she do? Apart from teach English.'

‘Miss Reedy looks after discipline and she takes her job
very
seriously. Last year I got three detentions in a week. The first time because my hair ribbon was untied, the second time because my shoelace was undone and then the last one was because my socks had slipped a centimetre below my knees.'

‘That
is
tough,' Alice-Miranda agreed. ‘But they both seemed so unhappy. It sounds a bit silly to have teachers who love their work being given subjects they don't know anything about. I'll tell Miss Grimm as soon as I see her. Surely she can fix things.'

‘I can't imagine telling Miss Grimm anything,' Millie replied. ‘And I wouldn't worry about Miss Reedy and Mr Plumpton – I'm sure they can look after themselves.'

‘Come on,' Alice-Miranda suggested. ‘Let's go and see Mrs Oliver. I wonder what she's cooking for our dinner.'

The girls raced off to the kitchen, entering through the back screen door.

‘Hello Mrs Oliver.' Alice-Miranda ran the few steps towards her and was welcomed like a much-loved granddaughter.

‘Hello, my darling girl.' Mrs Oliver cuddled Alice-Miranda into her starched white apron. ‘Have you come to see what I might be whipping up for your dinner?' she asked in her lilting Irish brogue. ‘Or are you planning to pilfer some more of my cakes?'

‘Cakes?' Alice-Miranda looked puzzled. ‘What cakes?'

Mrs Oliver shook her head. ‘I baked this afternoon and I could have sworn I left four chocolate cakes sitting over there on the bench and now there's …'

‘Only three,' Alice-Miranda finished. ‘Well, I can assure you that it wasn't us.'

‘Oh, I know it wasn't you. I just wonder – perhaps I didn't count properly …' Mrs Oliver's voice trailed off.

Alice-Miranda raised her button nose and drew
in a deep breath. ‘Well, whatever's for dinner smells delicious. Let me guess … I think it must be your famous Irish stew with boiled potatoes. Am I right?' She climbed up onto a small footstool and lifted the lid of the gigantic pot.

‘You know me far too well, lass. And who is this you've brought along with you?'

‘Oh, sorry Millie – how rude of me. Mrs Oliver, this is Millicent Jane McLoughlin-McTavish-McNoughton-McGill, but you can call her Millie.'

‘I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Millie.' Mrs Oliver hugged her – not quite as tightly as she had Alice-Miranda, but with genuine affection nonetheless.

‘Now, my dear, would you perhaps be related to Ambrose McLoughlin-McTavish?' Mrs Oliver enquired.

‘Yes. He's my grandfather. How do you know him?' Millie's green eyes sparkled.

‘Well, let's just say that a very long time ago we were grand friends. How is the dear man?' Mrs Oliver placed a huge wooden spoon into the vat of stew and stirred three times.

‘He's as gorgeous as ever – would you like me to send your regards?'

‘I'd like that very much,' said Mrs Oliver. ‘And
now, my poppets, you need to run along and get washed up for your dinner. According to these here instructions from Mrs Smith I need to have this meal on the table at exactly 6 pm or there will be trouble. I also need to get Miss Grimm's dinner over to her and I haven't seen hide nor hair of Miss Higgins all afternoon.'

‘We'll take it over if you like,' Alice-Miranda offered.

‘It's a heavy tray, my dear. I don't know that you'd be able to manage,' said Mrs Oliver.

Alice-Miranda ran over to the bench where Miss Grimm's tea tray was set up. ‘Do you know what this needs?' she quizzed.

‘Some food,' Millie laughed.

‘Apart from food, I think it needs a lovely little flower to brighten it up.' Once more Alice-Miranda grabbed the footstool and began opening and closing cupboard doors in her search.

‘What are you looking for, lass?' asked Mrs Oliver, turning from the stove.

‘A vase. Look, here's one.' She pulled the dusty piece of crystal from the cupboard. ‘Gosh, it doesn't look like it's been used for years,' Alice-Miranda exclaimed and gave it a good wash.

‘I hate to upset your plans, but haven't you noticed that Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale doesn't have any flowers?' Millie grabbed a towel and started drying the soapy bud vase.

‘I know. But that's all about to change. I had a lovely cup of tea with Mr Charles yesterday and he told me all about the flowers. He was so sad that there are none here, and he's absolutely right. Anyway, I called Mummy and she's arranging to send our gardener Mr Greening and his team up tomorrow to give the place a complete makeover. Mr Charles does have some lovely orchids in the greenhouse, though.'

‘You've done what?' Millie almost dropped the vase.

‘Mummy said that when she was here, the girls made beautiful crowns of flowers for each other's birthdays. When I told her that there were no flowers anywhere she thought that perhaps Miss Grimm must be allergic. Anyway, some very clever scientists who work for Daddy and Mummy have just perfected a whole new strain of flowers that have no smell. So they are wonderful for people who are allergic.' Alice-Miranda was speaking so quickly Millie was having a hard time keeping up.

‘And Miss Grimm's allergic to flowers?' Millie placed the dry vase onto the tea tray and looked quizzically at her friend.

‘Well, I should think so. I can't imagine another reason why she wouldn't want flowers at Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale, can you?' Alice-Miranda pushed the stool she had been standing on back underneath the kitchen bench.

Millie shrugged her shoulders. ‘No, unless she's just mean and awful and doesn't like anything pretty.'

‘That can't be it at all. Miss Grimm's not mean and awful,' Alice-Miranda replied.

‘Goodness me, girl, you are quite the organiser,' Mrs Oliver interjected. ‘If you would like to pop over and see your Mr Charles, perhaps he can cut you a lovely little orchid and then if you think you can manage, the two of you can take Miss Grimm's tea tray over to her study.'

The colour suddenly drained from Millie's freckly cheeks.

‘What's the matter, Miss Millie?' Mrs Oliver asked.

‘Well, I was telling Alice-Miranda earlier that I've been here for two years now and I have never seen Miss Grimm,' Millie replied.

‘Don't be afraid, lass. She's just a lady like any other. She must be very busy and she seems to do a cracking job of looking after this school. I'm sure she has her reasons for keeping out of sight.'

Alice-Miranda skipped out the kitchen door with Millie scampering after her. When they reached the greenhouse Mr Charles was busily potting some hedge cuttings and didn't hear the girls come in.

‘Hello Mr Charles,' Alice-Miranda beamed.

‘Oh, hello there young lady. I was rather hoping to see you today.' He smiled and lifted Alice-Miranda up onto the bench where she sat dangling her legs.

‘Hello Charlie.' Millie was hesitant. She'd never been into the greenhouse before.

‘Miss Millie. Did you enjoy the holidays?' Charlie enquired.

‘Yes, Charlie, thank you.' Millie's face broke into a smile.

‘I've come to ask a favour and to tell you some rather wonderful news,' Alice-Miranda began.

‘What is it you have to tell me?' Charlie asked as he continued his potting.

‘Well, first of all, do you think it would be possible to have just one of your lovely orchids?' Alice-Miranda's brown eyes smiled irresistibly.

‘I don't see why not.' Charlie glanced up. ‘Just because Miss Grimm don't like flowers shouldn't mean that everyone misses out.'

‘And secondly, I called Mummy and told her about there being no flowers and she said that Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale was famous for its flowers and that was just silly. So tomorrow Mr Greening and his team will be here to help you plant thousands of flowers. Special ones with no perfume so they won't upset Miss Grimm's allergies.'

Charlie dropped the pot he was planting. ‘But we don't know for sure that she's allergic,' he gulped.

‘Mummy and I decided for certain that the only reason Miss Grimm wouldn't like flowers is that she must be allergic. Who doesn't like flowers?' Alice-Miranda began. ‘And then when I was asking Millie and Mrs Oliver they both agreed that it couldn't really be anything else.'

‘Well, all I know for sure is that she doesn't want any flowers. Have you told her about your plan?' Charlie suddenly looked more like a schoolboy than a grown man.

‘Well no, not yet. I thought it would be a lovely surprise.' Alice-Miranda's eyes sparkled.

Charlie's face fell. ‘I'll lose me job over it, that's what'll happen.'

‘Of course you won't. Don't you worry about a thing, Mr Charles. I'll go and see Miss Grimm and I'll make sure that everything's fine.' Alice-Miranda jumped off the bench and headed towards the orchids. ‘Now, which one of these beauties may we have?' she asked, craning her neck to see.