Alice Parker's Metamorphosis (Book 1 of the new adventure series for children) (19 page)

Alice’s jaw dropped. Sarah nearly fell off the bench laughing.

‘
We certainly did!’ she confirmed. It was so life-like!’

‘
Spitting image, I thought, when I saw it,’ said Seb with a grin. ‘Mum said she couldn’t resist.’

Alice had to laugh.

Sarah noticed how happy she seemed this evening. Perhaps she had finally found her niche and realised how lucky she was.

Grandad came over to join them, looking over his shoulder before he sat down.

‘
I don’t want your grandma eavesdropping,’ he whispered. ‘Anyway, you three, did you know that Brian Rowbottom has also bought Clifton Windmill?’

‘
No,’ replied Alice. ‘Why would he do that? There’s nothing in it.’

‘
Exactly! It’s just a derelict landmark. So tell me, why would anyone want it? I’ve been keeping an eye on it and there’s been some activity there lately, with unmarked lorries unloading hundreds of crates.’

‘
Oh, enough already!’ snapped Alice, putting her hands over her ears. ‘I don’t want to know.’

Sebastian leaned forward. ‘That makes sense,’ he said in a low voice. ‘My mum’s company has been commissioned to make a cake that’s a replica of the windmill. They took the order last week.’

‘
When’s it for?’ asked Grandad.

‘
Not for a while. I think Mum said Easter.’

‘
Excellent, we’ve got plenty of time to suss things out,’ said Grandad, relieved.

‘
We
?’ queried Alice, who had actually been listening all along.

‘
Please, can we just enjoy the Christmas holiday first?’ begged Sarah. ‘I’ve really been looking forward to it.’

‘
I think I’m starting to look forward to going back to school,’ muttered Alice. Shocked at herself as she said those words aloud, she considered that to be the most remarkable transformation so far...

IN APRIL 2012

Alice will return in ‘Alice Parker and the Mind Magician’

Book 2 of the New Adventure Series for Children.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nicola Palmer lives in a normal, semi-detached house in Warwickshire, England. She likes animals, chocolate and coffee. One day she hopes to grow wings and live in an underground village.

She is currently working on Book 3 in the Alice Parker series, due for completion in summer 2012.

Unfortunately, Nicola doesn’t have a magic letterbox, but she can be contacted at:

[email protected]

nicolapalmerwriter.blogspot.com

facebook.com/AliceParkersAdventures

twitter.com/nicolalpalmer

If you have enjoyed reading this book, your feedback would be greatly appreciated. Reviews can be posted on the webpage where it was purchased, or you can share your thoughts via one of the links above.