Blyton Enid Malory Towers 5 in the Fifth at Malory Towers (1950)

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1





CONTENTS

3



Chapter 1GOING BACK

Chapter 2

MORE ARRIVALS

Chapter 3

SUPPER-TIME

Chapter 4

NIGHT AND MORNING

Chapter

MISS !AMES HAS GOOD NE"S

Chapter #

HAL$ AN HOUR IN THE SUN

Chapter %

G"ENDOLINE ARRIVES

Chapter &

MEETING AT HAL$-PAST $IVE

Chapter 'THE BALLOON TRICK

Chapter 1(

IN THE COMMON-ROOM

Chapter 11

THE "EEKS GO ON

4



Chapter 12

G"ENDOLINE MAR) AND MAUREEN

Chapter 13

A PLOT * AND A +UARREL

Chapter 14

THE PLOT IS SUCCESS$UL

Chapter1

GRAND MEETING

Chapter 1#$ELICIT),S $IRST MATCH

Chapter 1%

HAL$-TERM

Chapter 1&

THE DICTATOR

Chapter 1'

THE ANON)MOUS LETTERS

Chapter 2(

THINGS HAPPEN

Chapter 21

MAM,ELLE,S ,TREEK,

Chapter 22

A GRAND SHO"

5





'FELICITY! Look — there's Malory Towers at last!'

crie arrell" 'I always look o#t $or it at this %e&" This is

where we catch a li()se o$ it $irst"'Felicity a*e at the %i s+#are,looki& %#ili& o$ rey

sto&e sta&i& hih #) o& a cli$$ %y the sea" -t each e& was a

ro#&e tower"

'.orth Tower/ East Tower/ 0o#th Tower/ est Tower/'

sai Felicity" 'I'( la we're i& .orth Tower/ oerlooki& the

sea" -re yo# la to %e oi& %ack/ arrell'

'Yes/ aw$#lly" -re yo#' aske her sister/ still with hereyes l#e to the racio#s %#ili& i& the ista&ce"

'Yes/ I a( really" #t I o hate sayi& oo,%ye to

Mother a& ay/ a& Cook a& a&e a& the os a& the

cat/ a&"""'

'The ro%i& i& the are& a& the si he&s a& the #cks

a& the ol$ish a& the earwis o& the era&a!' $i&ishe

arrell/ with a la#h" 'o&'t %e s#ch a oose/ Felicity" Yo#

k&ow +#ite well that as soo& as yo# set $oot i& the ro#&s o$

Malory Towers yo#'ll loe %ei& there!'

'7h yes/ I k&ow I shall/' sai Felicity" '#t it's +#ite ai$$ere&t worl $ro( the worl o$ 8o(e" -& it's a %it i$$ic#lt

s#e&ly oi& $ro( o&e to the other"'

'ell/ all I ca& say is — we're l#cky to hae two s#ch

(arello#s worls to lie i&!' sai arrell" '8o(e — a&

Malory Towers! Look/ who's that i& that car'Felicity lea&e o#t to see" 'It's #&e/' she sai" '#&e a&

-licia her co#si&"'

9



arrell s&orte" 0he i&'t like the $irst,$or(er #&e"

'o&'t yo# o a& et $rie&ly with that sly/ %ra*e& little #&e

aai&/' she war&e Felicity" 'Yo# k&ow what ha))e&e last

ter(" Yo# stick to 0#sa&"''I'( oi& to/' sai Felicity" 'Yo# &ee&'t tell (e thi&s

like that" I'( &ot a &ew irl &ow" I'( i& (y seco& ter("'

'ish I was!' sai arrell" 'I hate to thi&k that eery ter(

the ay I leae co(es &earer"'

'ell/ it's the sa(e $or (e/' sai Felicity" '7&ly I o&'t

%other a%o#t it yet with so (a&y ter(s i& $ro&t o$ (e" I say —

$a&cy yo# %ei& a $i$th,$or(er this ter(! I& the Fi$th at MaloryTowers — osh/ it oes so#& ra&" -& (e o&ly a $irst,

$or(er"'

'Yes" Yo# $irst,$or(ers o see( %a%ies to (e &ow/' sai

arrell" '-%sol#te kis! It's $#&&y to thi&k how I looke #) to

the $i$th,$or(ers whe& I was i& the $irst/ a& harly are to

s)eak to o&e: a& i$ o&e s)oke to (e I al(ost $ell thro#h the

ro#&" I o&'t &otice a&ythi& like that a%o#t yo#/ yo#&

Felicity!'

'7h well — I s#))ose it's %eca#se yo#'re (y sister/' sai

Felicity" 'I'( &ot $alli& thro#h the ro#& ;#st %eca#se yo#aress a $ew wors to (e — &o/ &ot ee& i$ yo# are (ae

hea,irl o$ the $i$th!'

'ell/ I sha&'t %e/' sai arrell" 'I ha (y share o$

res)o&si%ility last ter( whe& I was hea o$ the <))er Fo#rth"

-&yway/ I' like to sit %ack a& take a %it o$ a rest $ro(res)o&si%ility this ter(" Last ter( was )retty hectic/ what with

%ei& hea,irl/ a& hai& to o i& $or 0chool Certi$icate/

too!'

'#t tha&k oo&ess yo# )asse!' sai Felicity/ )ro#ly"

'-& with all those creits/ too! i eeryo&e i& the <))erFo#rth )ass/ o yo# k&ow'

=



'.ot >we&" .or -licia/' sai arrell" 'Yo# re(e(%er she

ot (easles #ri& the ea( -& Co&&ie/ ?#th's twi&/ i&'t

)ass either" 0he'll %e le$t ow& i& the $o#rth/ tha&k oo&ess"

.ow ?#th will %e a%le to say a $ew wors o& her ow&!'Co&&ie a& ?#th ha %oth %ee& i& the <))er Fo#rth the

ter( %e$ore/ a& the irls ha o$te& $elt cross %eca#se Co&&ie

&eer ae ?#th a cha&ce to s)eak $or hersel$/ %#t always

a&swere $or her" 0he looke a$ter ?#th as i$ she were a %a%y

sister/ &ot a irl o$ her ow& ae/ &early sitee&! .ow/ with

Co&&ie i& a $or( %elow/ ?#th wo#l hae a cha&ce o$ %ei&

hersel$ i&stea o$ Co&&ie's shaow" That sho#l %e i&teresti&"'8ere we are — swee)i& i&to the rie!' sai Felicity"

'Mother — o look at Malory Towers" Is&'t it s#)er'

8er (other t#r&e ro#& $ro( the $ro&t seat o$ the car

a& s(ile at the two e&th#siastic $aces %ehi& her"

'@#ite s#)er/ as yo# call it/' she sai"

'I& $act/ s(ashi&!' sai Mr" ?iers/ who was at the

wheel" 'Is&'t that the riht wor/ too/ Felicity It's the wor I

see( to hae hear yo# #se (ore tha& a&y other these

holiays"'

The irls la#he" 'The lower school call eerythi&s(ashi& or s(ash/' sai arrell/ i& rather a s#)erior oice"

'-& the #))er school are too la,i,a $or wors!' %ea&

Felicity/ eaer to retaliate" #t &o%oy hear %eca#se Mr"

?iers ca(e to a sto) &ear the reat $liht o$ ste)s/ a&

i((eiately they were all swa()e i& crows o$ ecite irlsr#&&i& here a& there $ro( cars a& coaches" The trai& irls

ha ;#st arrie i& the coaches that %ro#ht the( $ro( the

statio&/ a& there was s#ch a tre(e&o#s &oise o$ yelli& a&

sho#ti& a& hooti& o$ car hor&s that it was i()ossi%le to

hear what a&yo&e sai"

A



'-??ELL!' screa(e so(e%oy/ )#tti& a& ecite

$ace i& at the wi&ow" '>oo! I ho)e yo# wo#l&'t %e late"

0ally's here so(ewhere"'

The $ace isa))eare/ a& a&other o&e ca(e" 'FELICITY!I tho#ht it was yo#" Co(e o& o#t!'

'0#sa&! I'( ;#st co(i&!' sho#te Felicity/ a& lea)t o#t

so s#e&ly that she $ell oer a )ile o$ lacrosse sticks a&

al(ost k&ocke oer a tall irl sta&i& &ear%y sayi&

oo%ye to her )eo)le"

'Felicity ?iers! Look where yo#'re oi&/' sai a

wrath$#l/ oice/ a& Felicity %l#she a& al(ost $ell thro#hthe ro#&" It was Ire&e s)eaki&/ Ire&e who was &ow a $i$th,

$or(er/ arrell ri&&e to hersel$" -ha! Felicity (iht cheek

o&e $i$th,$or(er/ her ow& sister — %#t she was still i& awe o$

the %i irls a$ter all!

'0orry/ Ire&e/' sai Felicity i& a (eek oice" 'Friht$#lly

sorry"'

arrell ;#()e o#t too a& was i((eiately s#rro#&e

%y her $rie&s"

'arrell! I'll hel) yo# i& with yo#r thi&s!'

'8allo/ arrell/ i yo# hae oo hols I say/ yo# )asseyo#r 0chool Cert" ;olly well" Co&rat#latio&s!'

'arrell ?iers! Yo# &eer a&swere (y letter last hols!

-& I wrote yo# )aes!'

arrell ri&&e ro#& at the la#hi& $aces" '8allo/

-licia! 8allo/ 0ally! Ire&e/ yo# &early (ae (y )eo)le $all o#to$ the car whe& yo# screa(e i& at the wi&ow ;#st &ow"

8allo/ eli&a! o&e a&y oo sketchi& i& the hols'

Mrs" ?iers calle o#t $ro( the car/ 'arrell! e shall %e

oi& i& a $ew (i&#tes/ ear" Tell 0ally to co(e a& hae a

wor with (e"'0ally was arrell's %est $rie&/ a& her (other was a

reat $rie& o$ Mrs" ?iers" 0he ca(e #) to the car a& Mrs"

1B



?iers looke at her with a))roal" 0ally ha o&ce %ee& s#ch a

)ri(/ )lai& little $irst,$or(er — &ow she ha %losso(e o#t

i&to a )retty/ %o&&y irl/ st#ry a& e)e&a%le/ with ery &ice

(a&&ers"Mrs" ?iers ha a $ew wors with her a& the& looke

ro#& $or arrell/ who was still talki& away to a crow o$ her

$rie&s" Felicity was &owhere to %e see&"

'e (#st o &ow/' she sai to 0ally" '#st tell arrell a&

Felicity/

will yo#'

'arrell! Yo#'re wa&te!' sho#te 0ally/ a& arrellt#r&e a& ra& to the car" 0he was alreay hal$,lost i& the

worl o$ Malory Towers"

'7h/ Mother — are yo# oi& Tha&ks $or (ost loely

hols" here's Felicity'

Felicity was &ot to %e $o#&" 0o thrille was she at %ei&

%ack a& heari& the ecite oices o$ her $rie&s that she ha

o&e o$$ with the( witho#t a&other tho#ht! arrell we&t to

look $or her"

'-&yo&e see& Felicity'

le&ty o$ )eo)le ha/ %#t &o%oy k&ew where she was"'low her! 0he's o&e #) to her or(y/ I s#))ose/ to see what

%e she's ot this ter(/' tho#ht arrell a& s)e #) to $i&

her" #t she was&'t there" arrell we&t ow& aai& a& o#t to

the car"

'I ca&'t $i& her a&ywhere/ Mother/' she sai" 'Ca& yo#wait a %it'

'.o/ we ca&'t/' sai Mr" ?iers/ i()atie&tly" 'I'e ot to

et %ack" Tell Felicity we waite to say oo,%ye" e (#st

o"'

8e ae arrell a h# a& the& she h#e her (other/too" Mr" ?iers )#t i& the cl#tch a& the car (oe slowly o$$"

11



There was a shriek %ehi& hi(" 'ay! o&'t o witho#t

sayi& oo,%ye!' Felicity a))eare $ro( &owhere a& lea)t

o& to the r#&&i&,%oar" 'Yo# were oi& witho#t sayi&

oo,%ye" Yo# were!''I was/' sai her $ather/ with a ri& eactly like arrell's"

'Ca&'t wait a%o#t $or irls who $oret their (other a& $ather a

+#arter o$ a (i&#te a$ter arrii&"'

'I i&'t $oret yo#/ o$ co#rse I i&'t/' )roteste Felicity/

still ha&i& o& the r#&&i&,%oar" I ;#st wa&te to o a& see

o#r $or(,roo(" It's all %ee& o&e #) i& the hols a& looks

s#)er" >oo,%ye/ ay"' 0he ae hi( a %ear,h# that al(ostk&ocke o$$ his hat"

0he ra& ro#& to the other sie a& ae her (other a

h#/ too" I'll write o& 0#&ay" >ie (y loe to Cook a& a&e

a& the are&er/ a& the os/ a& " " "'

The car was (oi&! '#() o$$ #&less yo# wa&t to co(e

%ack ho(e aai&!' calle her $ather" 'I$ yo# o/ et i& at the

%ack!'

#t she i&'t wa&t to! 0he ;#()e o$$/ la#hi&" 0he a&

arrell stoo wai& as the car (ae its way slowly ow& the

crowe rie" The& it (oe o#t o$ the ate with other cars/a& was o&e"

Felicity t#r&e to arrell with shi&i& eyes" 'Is&'t it $#& to

%e %ack aai& i yo# $eel like that yo#r seco& ter(/

arrell I'( &ot &ero#s or shy a&y (ore as I was last ter(" I

%elo& &ow" I k&ow eeryo&e" It's s(ashi&!'0he tore #) the ste)s at to) s)ee a& collie with

Ma('*elle #)o&t"

'Tie&s! -&other (a irl! Felicity/ I will &ot hae

yo# " " "'

#t Felicity was o&e" Ma('*elle's $ace %roke i&to as(ile as she a*e a$ter her" 'These irls! -&yo&e wo#l thi&k

they were la to %e %ack"'

12



Chapter 2

MORE ARRIVALS

T8E $irst ay o$ ter( a& the last ay were alwayseciti&" .o%oy %othere a%o#t r#les a& re#latio&s/

eeryo&e talke at the to)s o$ their oices/ a& as $or walki&

ow& the corriors or #) the stairs/ well it ;#st was&'t o&e/

ece)t %y the stai sith,$or(ers a& the (istresses"It was $#& to o a& see what %e yo# ha i& the or(y/

a& whose %e was &et to yo#rs" It was $#& to o a& )ee)

i&to yo#r classroo( a& see i$ it looke a&y i$$ere&t" It was$#& to say how,o,yo#,o to all the (istresses/ a& es)ecially

to tease Ma('*elle #)o&t" .ot Ma('*elle ?o#ier/ tho#h/

the other Fre&ch (istress" 0he was as shar) as Ma('*elle

#)o&t was si()le/ a& as irrita%le as the other was oo,

te()ere" .o%oy eer tease Ma('*elle ?o#ier"

arrell we&t to look $or the rest o$ her $rie&s i& the $i$th

$or(" Fi$th $or(! 8ow ra& it so#&e! 0he was act#ally i&the $i$th &ow/ with o&ly o&e (ore $or( to o i&to" 7h ear —

she was certai&ly etti& ery row&,#)"

-licia a& 0ally ca(e #)/ with Ire&e a& eli&a" 'Let's

o a& see o#r &ew classroo(/' sai arrell" 'The $i$th! My

oo&ess!'

They all we&t alo& toether" The &ew classroo( was a&

etre(ely &ice o&e/ hih #) a& oerlooki& the cli$$" ow& %elow was the %l#e Cor&ish sea/ as %l#e as cor&$lowers toay/

the waes ti))e with s&owy white"

'I say — this is a wi*ar roo(/ is&'t it' sai -licia/looki& ro#&" 'Loely wi&ows a& iew — &ice )ict#res —

a& all o&e #) i& crea( a& ree&"'

'-&y &ew irls/ oes a&yo&e k&ow' aske arrell/

lea&i& o#t o$ the wi&ow a& s&i$$i& the salty sea air"

13





'ell/ as $ar as we're co&cer&e that's like three &ew irls

the&/' sai arrell" 'Catheri&e/ Moira a& Ma#ree&" ho'll %e

hea,irl'

'Yo# or 0ally/' sai Ire&e/ )ro()tly"'.o" I o&'t thi&k so/' sai arrell" 'I i(ai&e it will hae

to %e either Catheri&e or Moira — a$ter all/ they'e %ee& $i$th,

$or(ers $or aes" It wo#l&'t %e $air to )#t a& e,$o#rth,$or(er

oer the( at o&ce"'

'.o" Yo#'re riht/' sai -licia" '>osh/ I ho)e it is&'t Moira

the&" 0he oes loe to et her ow& way! i yo# hear how she

set all the seco&,$or(ers a lo& )oe( to lear& last ter(/ to oa& say at Mo&itors' Meeti&/ ;#st %eca#se o&e o$ the( wrote

a )oe( a%o#t her/ a& &o%oy wo#l ow& #) to it Eery

si&le o&e o$ the( ha to lear& D#%lai ha&D" They i howl

a%o#t it!'

'Yes" I re(e(%er &ow/' sai arrell" '7h well/ I are say

we shall (a&ae Moira all riht"'

'I$ yo# o&'t lose yo#r te()er with her too o$te&!' sai

Ire&e/ with a sly ri&" arrell's hot te()er was well k&ow&"

0he ha trie to co&+#er it $or ter(s a& ter(s/ a& ;#st whe&

she )rie hersel$ o& really hai& ot the %etter o$ it at last/o#t it ca(e aai&"

arrell looke r#e$#lly at the others" 'Yes" I'll hae to %e

care$#l" I lost it really well last ter(/ i&'t I/ -licia/ with that

%ra*e& yo#& co#si& o$ yo#rs/ #&e" I ho)e she %ehaes %etter

this ter(!''0he ca(e to stay with #s i& the hols/' sai -licia" 'I'e ot

three %rothers/ yo# k&ow — a& whe& #&e act#ally are to

iso%ey 0a(/ he ae her the choice o$ %ei& s)a&ke twe&ty

ti(es with her ow& hair,%r#sh or r#&&i& ro#& o#r )aock

twe&ty ti(es each ay!''-& which i she choose' aske eeryo&e"

15



'7h/ r#&&i& ro#& the )aock/ o$ co#rse/' sai -licia"

'-& Mother was aw$#lly s#r)rise to see her oi& ro#& a&

ro#& it each ay like that" 0he tho#ht she was trai&i& $or

s)orts or so(ethi&! 0a( stoo a& watche her/ ri&&i& likea&ythi&" 0o she (ay %e %etter this ter(!'

'0he ca& o with a lot o$ i()roe(e&t!' sai arrell" 'I

say — what i& the worl's that'

It was the so#& o$ th#&ero#s hooes o#t i& the rie

so(ewhere — so th#&ero#s that the &oise ee& ca(e ro#&

to the %ack o$ Malory Towers a& was hear i& the classroo(

where the $ie irls stoo liste&i&"'I k&ow! It's ol ill %ack — a& her %rothers hae

%ro#ht her as #s#al — all o& horse%ack!' crie eli&a/

r#shi& o#t o$ the roo(" 'Co(e alo& — let's o i&to the art,

roo( a& look o#t o$ the wi&ow" e ca& see the rie $ro(

there"'

They were soo& lea&i& o#t o$ the hih wi&ow" They

saw a siht/ which they ha alreay see& two or three ti(es

%e$ore/ a& were &eer tire o$!

ilhel(i&a/ calle ill $or short/ ha arrie o& her

horse/ Th#&er — a& acco()a&yi& her were si o$ hersee& %rothers/ all o& horse%ack/ too" hat a siht they were/

si well,row& %oys/ ra&i& $ro( see&tee& ow& to te&/

with ill/ their sister/ i& the (ist"

'oa there! .ow the&/ +#iet/ +#iet!'

'Th#&er! e're here!''ill/ here's yo#r case"'

Cli))ity,clo)/ cli))ity,clo) we&t the hooes o$ the see&

ra& horses/ c#retti& a%o#t the %roa rie" '8rrrrrrr#()h!'

sai o&e o$ the(/ a& the& all see& &eihe toether"

'ill/ where ca& we let the horses ri&k' ca(e the ee)oice o$ the see&tee&,year,ol %rother"

16



'Follow (e/' sai ill/ a& the si %rothers trotte #) the

rie a& ro#& a cor&er/ $ollowi& the irl sitti& so straiht

o& her (a&i$ice&t horse/ Th#&er"

'>osh!' sai -licia" 'hat a hore o$ %rothers" here'sthe see&th'

'>o&e i&to the ar(y/' sai 0ally" 'My wor — I wish I ha

see& %rothers"'

'ell/ I'e ot three a& that's (ore tha& e&o#h/' sai

-licia" '.o wo&er ill's (ore like a %oy tha& a irl"'

'8ere they co(e aai&!' sai Ire&e" 'eli&a/ where's yo#r

sketch,%ook — o raw the( all!'eli&a ha alreay ot o#t her sketch,%ook which was

always so(ewhere a%o#t her )erso&" 8er swi$t )e&cil sketche

i& horse a$ter horse/ a& the others watche i& a(iratio&" 7h/

to hae a i$t like eli&a's ! 0he co#l raw a&yo&e a&

a&ythi&"

The see& horses see(e to k&ow that ill a& Th#&er

were to %e le$t %ehi&" They li$te their heas a& whi&&ie

so$tly" ill lea&e oer a& stroke the &oses o$ those &earest

to her"

'>oo,%ye/ Moo&liht" >oo,%ye/ 0tarliht" >oo,%ye/0&orter" >oo,%ye/ 0#lta& " " "'

'0he's )ayi& a lot (ore atte&tio& to the horses tha& to her

%rothers!' sai -licia/ with a ri&" 'That's ill all oer/ o$

co#rse — horse,(a!'

'ell/ her %rothers are as %a!' sai 0ally" 'Look —yelli& oo,%ye to Th#&er %#t &ot to ill!'

'7$$ they o/' sai arrell/ e&yi& ill her %rothers"

'Look at Th#&er/ tryi& to $ollow the(" 8e oes&'t wa&t to %e

le$t %ehi&!'

ill was le$t alo&e i& the rie with the i()atie&tTh#&er/ who tho#ht he sho#l o with his co(raes: he

19



reare a& c#rette i& a&&oya&ce at %ei& (ae to o the

other way/ #) the rie i&stea o$ ow&"

The si horses a& %rothers isa))eare i& a clatter o$

hooes a& a clo# o$ #st" ill/ looki& rather sole(&/ (aeTh#&er take the )ath to the sta%les" 0he hate %ei& )arte

$ro( the (a&y horses that her $a(ily ow&e" #t &ow that she

ha settle ow& well at Malory Towers/ a& was allowe to

%ri& her horse/ she wo#l &ot hae ie& #) %oari&,school

$or a&ythi&"

-&other clatter o$ hooes/ this ti(e co(i& #) the rie/

(ae ill rei& i& her horse/ a& look ro#&" The $ie #) i& theart,roo( yelle to her"

'ill! ILL! 8ere co(es Clarissa — a& she's o& her

horse/ too!'

0#re e&o#h/ #) the rie ca(e a %ea#ti$#l little horse

with white socks/ tossi& his )retty hea a& showi& o$$"

Clarissa Carter roe hi(" 0he ha %ee& a &ew irl the ter(

%e$ore/ a )lai&/ %es)ectacle little thi& with a& #ly wire

ro#& her $ro&t teeth" #t &ow she ha &o wire a& &o

s)ectacles/ a& she allo)e #)/ her a#%#r& hair $lyi& i& the

wi&/ a& her ree& eyes shi&i&"'ill! ill! I'e %ro#ht Merryles! Is&'t he sweet 7h/ o

let hi( see Th#&er" They'll loe o&e a&other"'

'Two horse,(a creat#res/' sai -licia/ with a la#h"

'ell/ ill &eer ha a $rie& till Clarissa ca(e — so they'll

hae a $i&e ti(e toether this ter(/ talki& a%o#t horses a&rii& the(/ $eei& the( a& roo(i& the( " " "'

'0cr#%%i& their hooes a& %r#shi& their tails!' ae

Ire&e" '>osh/ those allo)i& hooes hae ie& (e a& iea $or

a &ew t#&e — a allo)i& t#&e — like this!'

0he h#((e a allo)i&/ lilti& (eloy — 'tirretty,tir,retty,tirretty,too " " "'

1=



'ear ol Ire&e — she's &ot horse,(a/ she's (#sic,(a/'

sai eli&a/ )#tti& away her sketch,%ook" '.ow we shall

hae &othi& %#t allo)i& t#&es $or the &et $ew weeks!

Co(e o&/ tirretty,too!'-& she allo)e her $rie& o#t o$ the roo( at to) s)ee"

'Tirretty,tirretty,tirretty,too" 7h — so sorry/ Miss otts — we

&eer saw yo# co(i&!'

1A



Chapter 3

SUPPER-TIME

-LL %#t the &ew irls were well settle i& %y the

ee&i&" Matro& ha receie health certi$icates a& )ocket,

(o&ey $ro( the lower school/ a& health certi$icates %#t &o

(o&ey $ro( the #))er school/ who were allowe to kee) their

ow& witho#t hai& to ask Matro& $or it"

'i Ire&e's health certi$icate arrie all riht' aske

arrell/ re(e(%eri& how al(ost eery ter( Ire&e's

certi$icate was (islai"0ally la#he" '7h/ so(e%oy )#t a& e&elo)e i& Ire&e's

case/ (arke D8ealth Certi$icateD/ a& she tho#ht her (other

ha )#t it there i&stea o$ se&i& it %y )ost — so she took it

to Matro&/ o$ co#rse/ a& sai/ D8ere yo# are/ Matro& — I'e

really re(e(%ere it at last!D'

'-& what was i&sie it' aske arrell"

'- reci)e $or a Me(ories/' ch#ckle 0ally" 'I $orethow it we&t" Take a c#)$#l o$ ?e(i&ers/ a& a s)oo&$#l o$

0coli&s — so(ethi& like that" Yo# sho#l hae see&

Matro&'s $ace whe& she saw it" Ire&e was #(%$o#&e/ o$co#rse" 0he wo#l %e! 8oweer/ it i&'t (atter %eca#se

Matro& ha ot her certi$icate %y )ost"'

'Ire&e's s#ch a scatter%rai&/ $or all her cleer&ess/' sai

-licia" '0o is eli&a" There (#st %e so(ethi& a%o#t -rt a&M#sic that (akes )eo)le with those i$ts )er$ectly iiotic oer

ori&ary thi&s" I$ Ire&e ca& lose so(ethi&/ she oes" -& i$

eli&a ca& $oret so(ethi& she $orets it! o yo# re(e(%er

how she ca(e ow& to %reak$ast o&ce witho#t her %lo#se o&'

'There's the o& $or s#))er/' sai arrell/ tha&k$#lly" 'I'(

aw$#lly h#&ry" 8o)e there's as s#)er a s#))er as #s#al — we

always hae s#ch a oo o&e o& the $irst &iht! I'( la I

2B



hae&'t ot to $#ss ro#& Felicity this ter( — she's &ot a &ew

irl a&y (ore" 0he ca& sta& o& her ow& $eet"'

They we&t ow& i&to the %i i&i&,roo( to s#))er"

0ally a%se&t,(i&ely walke towars the $o#rth,$or( ta%le/a& arrell )#lle her %ack"

'Iiot! o yo# wa&t to sit with those kis' she hisse"

'8ere's the $i$th,$or( ta%le!'

They took their )laces/ a& saw three irls alreay there/

two ol $i$th,$or(ers/ a& o&e &ew irl" Catheri&e a& Moira

&oe to the(/ a& Catheri&e ae the( a %ea(i& s(ile"

Moira i&'t" 0he was tiht,li))e a& looke as i$ the cares o$the whole school reste o& her sho#lers!

The &ew irl/ Ma#ree&/ s(ile at the( %rihtly" 0he was

a $l#$$y/ rather #&tiy,looki& irl/ with a %i (o#th/ a lare

&ose a& rather #&ee& teeth that st#ck o#t a little a& (ae

her look ra%%ity"

'I'( Ma#ree& Little/' she sai/ i& a liht/ $rie&ly oice" 'I

ho)e yo# wo&'t (i& hai& (e at Malory Towers!' 0he ae

a little ile"

'hy sho#l we'aske arrell/ s#r)rise" 'e hear

yo#r ol school ha close ow&" That was %a l#ck"''Yes/' sai Ma#ree&/ a& looke )e&sie" 'It was s#ch a

(arello#s school/ too — yo# sho#l hae see& the )layi&

$iels! -& we ha two swi((i&,)ools/ a& we were

allowe to kee) o#r ow& )ets"'

'ell/ I e)ect yo#'ll $i& Malory Towers is&'t too %a/'sai -licia/ ;oi&i& i&"

'7h yes/' sai the irl/ s(ili& aai&/ a& showi& her

ra%%it,teeth" 'I'( s#re it's wo&er$#l" That's why (y (other

chose it" 0he 0ai that &et to Ma*eley Ma&or — that was (y

ol school/ yo# k&ow — Malory Towers was the %est"''ear (e — that was &ice o$ her/' sai -licia i& her

s(ooth oice" 'I o&'t see( to hae hear o$ Ma*eley Ma&or"

21



7r was it the school whose irls always $aile i& the 0chool

Cert"'

Ma#ree& $l#she" '7h &o/' she sai" 'It co#l&'t hae %ee&"

hy/ +#ite hal$ o$ #s )asse" I )asse (ysel$"''ery cleer o$ yo#/' sai -licia/ a& arrell &#e her"

hat a )ity $or Ma#ree& to et o& -licia's wro& sie so soo&!

0he was ;#st the ty)e that irritate the shar),to&#e -licia"

-licia wi&ke at arrell %#t arrell $row&e" It was&'t $air to

tease a &ew irl so soo&" >ie her a cha&ce!

#t Ma#ree& i&'t ie hersel$ a cha&ce! 'I (#st %e

$rie&ly!' she sai to hersel$" 'I (#st kee) (y ow& e& #)/ I(#st i()ress these irls!'

0o she chattere away i& a liht/ airy oice/ a& i&'t

see( to reali*e that &ew irls sho#l %e see& a& &ot hear! It

was o&ly whe& the others ery )oi&tely %ea& to talk to o&e

a&other/ t#r&i& away $ro( her #&til she $o#& that &o o&e at

all was liste&i& to her/ that she sto))e"

I& the $irst $or( i$ a&y &ew irl %ehae like that the

$irst,$or(ers wo#l hae )oi&te o#t at o&ce that she' %etter

kee) her (o#th sh#t %e$ore so(e%oy sat o& her" #t the $i$th,

$or(ers were &ot +#ite so cr#e" They (erely i&ore her/ho)i& she wo#l see that she was %ehai& st#)ily a&

(aki& a %a start"

'-re we all %ack' sai arrell/ looki& ro#& the ta%le"

'-h/ there's Mais" 8ow's the oice/ Mais I ho)e it's +#ite

all riht &ow!'Mais &oe" 0he ha a %ea#ti$#l oice/ which she ha

lost $or a $ew ter(s/ %#t which was &ow %ack i& all its %ea#ty"

0he looke ha))y"

'-& there's Mary,Lo# a& a)h&e a& ?#th — hallo/

?#th! 8ow's yo#r twi&''-ll riht" Yo# k&ow she's %ee& le$t ow& i& $o#rth $or('

sai ?#th" 'It'll %e +#eer witho#t her" I'e always ha her/ &o

22



(atter what school or $or( I'e %ee& i&" I ho)e she wo&'t (iss

(e too (#ch"'

'7h/ she'll soo& $i& so(eo&e else to look a$ter a& s)eak

#) $or/ ;#st as she #se to o to yo#!' sai -licia" 'Yo# wereher little shaow/ ?#th — &ow this ter( we'll %e a%le to see

what yo#'re really like yo#rsel$" e i&'t k&ow %e$ore!'

'7h!' )#t i& Ma#ree&/ 'is ?#th a twi& There were twi&s at

(y ol school/ a& they were so " " "'

ell/ it si()ly was&'t o&e $or a &ew irl to s)eak o#t o$

t#r& like this/ a& to Ma#ree&'s s#r)rise eeryo&e at the ta%le

%ea& talki&at o&ce/ so that &o%oy co#l )ossi%ly hear what she sai"

Ma('*elle #)o&t/ who was at the hea o$ the ta%le/ was sorry

$or her" 0he like the $l#$$y ty)e o$ irl/ a& she s)oke

co($orti&ly to Ma#ree&"

'They are ecite/ yo# see/ at %ei& %ack aai&" Yo# will

soo& %e their $rie&s/ &'est ce )as To(orrow they will —

what o yo# call it — they will take yo# to their chests a&

yo# will %e o&e o$ the(" hat a )ity ear >we&oli&e is&'t

%ack yet" .ow yo# wo#l like her/ Ma#ree&" 0he has ole&

hair/ like yo#/ a& " " "'-licia ca#ht )art o$ this a& wi&ke at 0ally" 'I %et

>we&oli&e wo#l %e ;#st the )erso& $or Ma#ree&/' she sai"

0he raise her oice a& s)oke to Ma('*elle"

'hat's ha))e&e to ear >we&oli&e Mary/ Ma('*elle

0he's the o&ly o&e &ot %ack"''0he o&ly ca(e %ack $ro( Fra&ce toay/' sai Ma('*elle"

'0he co(es to #s to(orrow" The ear chil — she will %e a%le

to talk to (e a%o#t (y %eloe co#&try" e shall o%%le

toether a%o#t it"'

'>a%%le/ Ma('*elle/ yo# (ea&/' sai 0ally/ with a ile"'7h/ I'e %ee& to Fra&ce/ too/' sai Ma#ree&/ elihte"

23



'The& yo# a& >we&oli&e a& Ma('*elle ca& all o%%le

a%o#t it toether/' sai Ire&e" '.ice trio yo#'ll (ake/ o%%li&

away a%o#t la %elle Fra&ce!'

'o&'t %e a& ass/ Ire&e/' sai Moira's oice" '?e(e(%eryo#'re i& the $i$th $or( &ow/ &ot the $o#rth"'

'7h — tha&ks (ost aw$#lly $or re(i&i& #s/ Moira/' sai

-licia/ i& her s(oothest oice" 'I say — it (#st %e $riht$#l $or

yo# to hae to lie with #s — aw$#l co(e,ow& to )i it with

ol $o#rth,$or(ers i&stea o$ +#ee&i& it i& the sith"'

'Moira a& I o&'t (i& a %it/' sai Catheri&e/ with s#ch

a& air o$ )o#ri& oil o& tro#%le waters that the ol $o#rth,$or(ers co#l&'t hel) &#i& o&e a&other" '-$ter all/

so(e%oy has to %e le$t ow& so(eti(es — a& it's always a

hel)/ o&'t yo# thi&k/ whe& a& ol (e(%er o$ the $or( ca&

hel) &ew o&es to carry o& the traitio&"'

'-h Ga — c'est %ie& it!' sai Ma('*elle" 'ery well sai/

Catheri&e"'

#t &o%oy else tho#ht so" '8y)ocrite!' (#ttere -licia

to Ire&e" 'ho wa&ts Catheri&e to hel) #s 0he co#l&'t teach

a cat to ri&k (ilk! >osh/ i$ she's oi& to %e as )ie as that I

shall resi& $ro( the $i$th a& o #) i&to the sith!'Ire&e i o&e o$ her e)losie s&orts/ a& Catheri&e

looke asto&ishe" 'o tell #s the ;oke/' she sai/ with a

%ea(i& s(ile"

'oke oer/' sai -licia/ also with a %ea(i& s(ile"

arrell wi&ke at 0ally" It was easy to see that there was oi&to %e so(e $#& that ter(" 0he la&ce at Moira who was

$row&i& l#(ly"

'a&t to collect a $ew (ore scowls $or yo#r &ote%ook/

eli&a' sai arrell so$tly" eli&a la&ce at Moira too a&

&oe" 0he ha )#rs#e >we&oli&e o&ce $or a whole ter(/collecti& her scowls/ rawi& the(

24



o&e a$ter a&other i& what the irls ca(e to call her

'>we&oli&e Collectio&'" .ow here was a&other )erso& with a

wo&er$#l selectio& o$ scowls $or eli&a!

ill a& Clarissa were ha))ily talki& horses toether/#&,hee$#l o$ a&yo&e else at the ta%le" 'I wo&er they o&'t

whi&&y to o&e a&other!' sai -licia/ eas)erate" 'ill!

Clarissa! o yo# thi&k yo#'re i& the sta%les still'

'7h — sorry/' sai Clarissa/ looki& ro#& with shi&i&

ree& eyes" 'I $orot where I was $or a (i&#te" #t it's so &ice

to %e %ack with ill aai& a& talk horses"'

'-h/ this horse,talk! I o &ot #&ersta& it!' chi(e i&Ma('*elle" 'Me/ I wo#l &ot o &ear a horse — reat/

sta()i& creat#res"'

'Yo# really (#st co(e a& let Th#&er take a l#() o$

s#ar $ro( the )al( o$ yo#r ha& o&e ay!' sai ill/ with a&

i()ish ri&" 'ill yo#/ Ma('*elle'

Ma('*elle ae a s(all s+#eal" '-lways yo# say that to

(e/ ill! It is &ot ki&" I will &ot let yo#r reat horse trea o&

(y $oot with its )aws"'

'8ooes/ Ma('*elle/ hooes/' sai ill/ +#ite shocke at

Ma('*elle calli& the( )aws"'0haki& its hair all oer (e/' we&t o& Ma('*elle/

co&;#ri& #) a $earso(e )ict#re o$ a sta()i&/ hea,shaki&/

reari& creat#re!

'0haki& its (a&e/' correcte ill" '7h/ Ma('*elle/ yo#'re

aw$#l a%o#t horses" I shall ra yo# o#t to Th#&er a& ieyo# a lesso& o& all his i$$ere&t )arts!'

'This horri%le ill!' sai Ma('*elle/ t#r&i& her eyes #) to

the ceili&" 'hy (#st I teach her Fre&ch whe& all she wa&ts

to lear& a%o#t is horses hy o yo# la#h/ irls I wo#l &ot

(ake a ;oke a%o#t so serio#s a thi&!''7h — it's oo to %e %ack aai&/ is&'t it' sai arrell to

0ally" 'I &eer la#h a&ywhere like I o at school/ &eer!'

25



Chapter 4

NIGHT AND MORNING

-??ELL $o#& ti(e that $irst ee&i& to (ake s#re

that her yo#& sister Felicity was &ot %ei& whiske o$$ %y

#&e/ -licia's thirtee&,year,ol co#si& i& the $irst $or(" To her

relie$ she saw that Felicity was ar(,i&,ar( with 0#sa&/ her$rie& o$ the ter( %e$ore"

#&e was sta&i& alo&e/ o& the ee o$ the little crow

o$ $irst,$or(ers" 0he ha a (ost eter(i&e look o& her $ace/a& arrell wo&ere what she was thi&ki& o$" '0he is

certai&ly )la&&i& so(ethi&/' tho#ht arrell" 'ell/ so lo&

as she leaes Felicity o#t o$ her )la&s/ she ca& o what she

likes! 8ow I o islike that chil!'

The $i$th,$or(ers we&t to %e a +#arter o$ a& ho#r a$ter

the $o#rth,$or(ers" It was ra& hai& ;#st $i$tee& (i&#tes

(ore" They chattere as they #&resse/ a& s)ec#late o& allsorts o$ thi&s i& the co(i& ter("

'I shall (iss hai& Miss illia(s to teach #s/' sai 0ally/

who ha like the $o#rth,$or( (istress ery (#ch" 'I wo&er

i$ " " "'

The or(itory oor o)e&e a& a $ace looke i&" It was

Co&&ie/ ?#th's twi&"

'?#th! -re yo# all riht' she sai" 'It's +#eer &ot %ei&with yo#" -re yo# (a&ai& all riht i yo# $i& yo#r " " "'

'Co&&ie!' e)loe -licia" 'hat o yo# (ea& %y co(i&

i&to the $i$th or(y whe& yo#'re ;olly well s#))ose to %e i& %e Clear o#t"'

Co&&ie stoo i& the oorway o%sti&ately" 0he was a reat

o&e $or ar#i&" 'I o&ly ;#st ca(e to see i$ ?#th was all riht/'

she sai" 'e'e &eer %ee& )arte %e$ore/ a& " " "'

26



'Clear o#t!' yelle eeryo&e/ a& Ire&e %ra&ishe her

hair,%r#sh $iercely/ al(ost k&ocki& eli&a's eye o#t"

#t still Co&&ie hel her ro#&" 8er eyes searche

?#th's $ace/ which was also weari& a& o%sti&ate look" '?#th/' %ea& Co&&ie/ #re&tly" 'o say so(ethi&" o&'t sta& there

like that" I o&ly ;#st ca(e to " " "'

'Clear o#t!' sai ?#th/ a& eeryo&e stoo sile&t i&

asto&ish(e&t" .o%oy ha e)ecte that" ?#th ha %ee& s#ch

a shaow that/ ee& whe& she ha %e#& to assert hersel$ a

little the ter( %e$ore/ &o o&e ha eer tho#ht she co#l

)ossi%ly orer Co&&ie a%o#t"'I k&ow yo#'re (y twi& a& we'e always %ee& toether/'

sai ?#th/ i& a& #&&ecessarily lo# oice" '#t I'( i& the $i$th

&ow a& yo#'re i& the $o#rth" Yo# ca&'t co(e tai& a$ter a

$i$th,$or(er/ yo# k&ow that" Leae (e alo&e a& clear o#t!'

7&ly ?#th co#l e$eat Co&&ie/ a& (ake her o" Co&&ie

a)e/ the& t#r&e a& we&t witho#t a wor" ?#th sat ow&

s#e&ly o& her %e"

'>oo $or yo#!' sai arrell/ war(ly" 'Yo#'ll hae to

sta& #) $or yo#rsel$ a %it/ ?#th/ or yo#'ll hae Co&&ie

)esteri& yo# aai& a& aai&"''I k&ow/' sai ?#th i& a s(all oice" '#t I'( — I'(

aw$#lly $o& o$ her/ yo# k&ow — I hate sayi& that" #t she

wo#l &eer take a&y &otice o$ a&yo&e else" -& a$ter all — I

ca&'t let her ha& o& to the $i$th/ ca& I oor Co&&ie"'

'.ot D)oorD at all/' sai arrell" '-& o&'t yo# %eliee it"0he's ot the cheek o$ a o*e&! 0he wo&'t ie #) easily either

— she'll kee) o& tryi& to ta o& to yo# a& to #s"'

'@#ite riht/' sai -licia/ i& a oice &ot lo# e&o#h $or

?#th to hear" 'Co&&ie's so thick,ski&&e she wa&ts a whole lot

o$ )#((elli& a& sho#ti& at %e$ore she $eels or #&ersta&swhat we're etti& at!'

29



'I'e ot a sister like that i& the $o#rth/' sai Moira/

#&e)ectely ;oi&i& i&" 'a to#h &#t i$ eer there was o&e"

0he's like a r#%%er %all — i$ yo# sit o& her a& s+#ash her $lat

she %o#&ces %ack to sha)e aai& i((eiately" -w$#l ki"''hat's her &a(e' sai arrell" '7h/ wait a %it — is it

riet'

'Yes/' sai Moira" '0he a& Co&&ie wo#l (ake a )air!'

'ell/ let's ho)e Co&&ie a& she will et toether!' sai

-licia" '.ice )air they' (ake — r#% each other's cor&ers o$$ a

%it!'

0oo& they were all i& %e" arrell was &et to Ma#ree&"0he sai oo &iht to the &ew irl/ a& to 0ally who was o&

the other sie o$ her/ a& sh#t her eyes" 8er %e was harer

tha& at ho(e/ %#t she k&ew she wo#l soo& et #se to that"

0he threw o$$ her eierow& a$ter a %it" It was s#ch a war(

&iht" 0he hear a s&i$$ $ro( the &et %e"

'>osh — it ca&'t %e Ma#ree& s&i$$i& like a&y &ew $irst,

$or(er/' tho#ht arrell/ i& s#r)rise" 0he t#r&e oer a&

liste&e"

'0&i$$/ s&i$$!' Yes/ there it was aai&"

'Ma#ree&! hat o& earth's the (atter' whis)ere arrell"'0#rely yo#'re &ot a $irst,&iht s&i$$er -t yo#r ae'

Ma#ree&'s oice ca(e shakily to arrell" 'I'( always like

this at $irst" I thi&k o$ Mother a& ay a& what they're

oi& at ho(e" I'( se&sitie/ yo# k&ow"'

'etter et oer %ei& se&sitie the&/' sai arrell/shortly" I& her e)erie&ce )eo)le who we&t ro#& sayi& that

they were se&sitie wa&te a oo shaki& #)/ a&/ i$ they

were lower school/ &eee to %e la#he o#t o$ it"

'#t yo# ca&'t hel) %ei& it/ i$ yo# are/' s&i$$e Ma#ree&"

'7h/ I k&ow — %#t yo# ca& hel) talki& a%o#t it!' saiarrell" 'o o to slee)" I ca&'t %ear to hear yo# s&i$$i& as i$

yo# wa&te a ha&ky a& hae&'t ot o&e"'

2=



Ma#ree& $elt that arrell was ery #&ki&" 0he wishe

there was so(eo&e i& the %e the other sie o$ her — so(eo&e

(ore sy()athetic" #t the %e was e()ty" It was

>we&oli&e's/ a& she ha&'t yet co(e %ack"arrell ri&&e to hersel$ i& the ark&ess" I$ o&ly they

co#l wish Ma#ree& o& to >we&! Ma#ree& was ery like

>we& to look at/ a& ha the sa(e silly weak &at#re/

a))are&tly" 8ow (arello#s i$ they co#l )#sh her o& to

>we&/ a& see what ha))e&e!

'Yo# wait till >we&oli&e Mary co(es %ack to(orrow/'

sai arrell wickely to Ma#ree&" '0he's ;#st yo#r sort" 0he'sse&sitie/ too" I'( s#re she'll #&ersta& all yo# $eel" 0he hates

$irst &ihts still" Yo# look o#t $or her to(orrow/ Ma#ree&/

she's ;#st yo#r sort/ I sho#l thi&k"'

0ally/ who was i& the &et %e/ liste&i&/ ae a little

s&ort o$ la#hter" 8ow (a >we& wo#l %e to hae so(eo&e

else like her i& the $or(/ so(eo&e who tho#ht the(seles too

wo&er$#l $or wors/ a& who wa&te a(iratio& a&

sy()athy all the ti(e! 8ow wicke o$ arrell to %e )#shi&

Ma#ree& o& to >we& alreay — %#t how altoether

s#ita%le!'.o (ore talki&/' sai Moira's oice/ o#t o$ the ark&ess"

'Ti(e's #) &ow"'

The ol $o#rth,$or(ers rese&te this s#e& co((a&"

Moira was&'t hea,irl — &ot yet/ a&yway! .othi& o$$icial

ha %ee& sai a%o#t it" .o%oy sai a&y (ore %#t there wereario#s 'oohs' a& 'ishes' $ro( seeral %es" 0till/ they were

all tire/ a& &o%oy ece)t Ma#ree& really wa&te to kee)

awake"

There were a $ew (ore s&i$$s $ro( Ma#ree&'s %e a&

the& sile&ce" Ire&e %ea& to s&ore a little" 0he always i whe&she lay o& her %ack" eli&a/ who was i& the &et %e/ lea&e

oer a& ae her a har )oke to (ake her t#r& oer" Ire&e

2A



o%eie&tly shi$te o& to her sie witho#t ee& waki& #)"

eli&a ha ot her well,trai&e %y &ow!

Co&&ie act#ally a))eare at the oor aai& i& the

(or&i&/ looki& %elliere&t a& o%sti&ate"'Yo# still there' sai -licia" 'ee& sta&i& there all

&iht lo&/ I s#))ose/ wo&eri& i$ ?#th was hai& a &ice

%ea#ty slee) or &ot!'

'There's &o r#le aai&st (y co(i& here i& the (or&i& to

ask a +#estio&/ is there' sai Co&&ie" 'o&'t %e so %eastly/

-licia" I'e o&ly co(e to ie ?#th a )air o$ stocki&s that ot

i&to (y case"''Tha&ks/' sai ?#th/ a& took the(" Co&&ie straihte&e

o&e or two thi&s o& ?#th's ressi&,ta%le" ?#th i((eiately

)#t the( crooke aai&" 'It's &o oo/ Co&&ie/' she sai" 'Leae

(e alo&e" I'( i& the $i$th &ow/ I tell yo#"'

'I &eer tho#ht yo#' crow oer (e i$ I was le$t %ehi&/'

sai Co&&ie/ looki& s#e&ly %ewilere"

'I'( &ot" o o away/' sai ?#th/ i& a low oice/ k&owi&

that eeryo&e i& the roo( was i&te&sely i&tereste i& this little

%attle/ altho#h (ost o$ the irls were )rete&i& &ot to

&otice" arrell ha (a&ae to sto) -licia $ro( i&ter$eri&"Let ?#th (a&ae the $iht hersel$!

Moira s#e&ly s)oke" 'ill yo# take this %ook to (y

sister riet' she sai/ i& her a%r#)t oice" 0he hel o#t a

s(all %ook" '0he's i& the $o#rth/ too — ca(e #) $ro( the thir

this ter(" I e)ect yo#'e s)oke& to her alreay"''Yes/ I hae/' sai Co&&ie" I'll ie her the %ook"'

0he took it/ a& we&t o#t o$ the roo( witho#t a&other

look at ?#th" arrell la&ce at ?#th" 0he was looki& rather

(isera%le" hat a sha(e it was that Co&&ie sho#l $orce her

i&to s#ch a i$$ic#lt )ositio&! 8ow co#l a&yo&e %e as thick,ski&&e as that twi&!

3B



The %reak$ast,%ell we&t" Ma#ree& ae a wail" '7h/ I say

— is that the %ell aai& I was thi&ki& I was still at Ma*eley

Ma&or — the %ell i&'t o till (#ch later! I shall %e late!'

'e're oi& to hear rather a lot a%o#t Ma*eley Ma&or/I'( a$rai/' sai arrell i& 0ally's ear/ as they we&t ow&stairs"

'erha)s >we& will hear it all i&stea/' sai 0ally" 'That's

yo#r )la&/ is&'t it The thi& is — will >we& %e i& the $i$th

0he $aile the 0chool Cert"/ too/ yo# k&ow" 0he (ay %e ke)t

ow& i& the $o#rth with Co&&ie"'

'7h &o — s#rely &ot!' sai arrell" '0he's too ol" 0he's

a%oe the aerae ae ee& o$ the $i$th/ %y a $ew (o&ths"-$ter all/ Co&&ie's well %elow it — so it oes&'t (#ch (atter

$or her"'

They aske Ma('*elle at %reak$ast,ti(e a%o#t >we&"

'ill she %e i& the $i$th with #s' sai arrell"

'Yes/ yes/' sai Ma('*elle" '7$ co#rse! It is tr#e she $aile/

the )oor chil/ i& this terri%le ea(i&atio& o$ yo#rs — %#t she

was ill" Yes/ she ha a %a heart/ )oor >we&oli&e"'

The $i$th,$or(ers &#e o&e a&other" >we&'s %a heart!

>we& ha )ro#ce a heart that $l#ttere a& )al)itate/ i&

orer to et o#t o$ oi& the ea( — %#t &o%oy ha %elieei& it ece)t Ma('*elle" -& >we& ha ha to o the ea(

a$ter all/ a& ha $aile"

'ell/ heart or &o heart/ a))are&tly she's i& the $i$th with

#s/' sai -licia" 'ear >we&oli&e Mary — what a treat to

hae her %ack with #s toay!'

31



Chapter

MISS !AMES HAS GOOD NE"S

T8E $i$th we&t to their classroo( ;#st %e$ore &i&e

o'clock" They re;oice i& the lorio#s iew" arrell $l#& the

wi&ows wie a& let i& the ole& 0e)te(%er air"

'8eae&ly!' she sai" 'I ho)e we shall %e allowe to %athestill" I %et the )ool ow& i& the rocks is ;#st )er$ect &ow"'

Ma#ree& looke alar(e" '0#rely yo#'re &ot allowe to

%athe i& the wi&ter ter(!' she sai" 'hy/ at Ma*eley Ma&orwe " " "'

'It (#st hae %ee& a wo&er$#l )lace/' sai -licia/ i& her

s(ooth oice"

'7h yes — we #se to " " "' we&t o& Ma#ree&"

'0o sa it ha to sh#t ow&/' i&terr#)te Ire&e"

'Yes/ ery sa/' aree Ma#ree&/ elihte at this s#e&

i&terest a& sy()athy" 'Yo# see/ all o$ #s were ery " " "''Yo# (#st $i& Malory Towers ery seco&,rate a$ter

s#ch a (arello#s )lace/' )#t i& eli&a/ also so#&i& ery

sy()athetic"

'0till/ we'll o o#r %est/' 0ally ass#re her" Ma#ree& %ea&

to $eel o#%t$#l a%o#t all these i&terr#)tio&s/ ki& as they

see(e" erha)s she ha %etter say &o (ore till she ha $o#&

her $eet a little These irls see(e so i$$ere&t $ro( the o&esat ear Ma*eley Ma&or"

'hat's o#r &ew $or(,(istress/ Miss a(es/ like' sai

arrell to Catheri&e a& Moira" 'Yo#'e %ee& ta#ht %y her $orso(e ter(s — is she all riht'

'Easy,oi& to a )oi&t/' sai Moira" 'The& look o#t! 0he

cha&es $ro( sweet to so#r i& the twi&kli& o$ a& eye — a&

it's %a $or yo# i$ yo# o&'t &otice the cha&e,oer

i((eiately" 0till/ i((y's &ot a %a sort"'

32



'0he's a(es whe& she's so#r/ a& i((y whe& she's

sweet/' e)lai&e Catheri&e/ with her %ea(i& s(ile" '-ct#ally

she's rather a ear"'

'7h/ Catheri&e thi&ks hea)s o$ )eo)le are Drather,earsD/a& Dear,ol,so#lsD a& ee& D)et,la(%sD/' sai Moira" '0he

&eer s)eaks eil o$ a&yo&e/ o yo#/ Catheri&e -& i$ eer

yo# wa&t a&ythi& o&e/ Catheri&e will o it $or yo# — she

;#st loes to r#& aro#& $or other )eo)le"'

Catheri&e %l#she" 'o&'t %e silly/ Moira/' she sai/ %#t a

look o$ a&iety ca(e i&to her eyes" as Moira )#lli& her le

— s&eeri& at her ;#st a little The others i&'t wo&er a%o#tit — they k&ew! Moira was &ot )raisi& Catheri&e — she was

s&eeri&" Moira wo#l )ro%a%ly &eer )raise a&yo&e whole,

heartely"

The irls ha chose& their esks" The $ao#re o&es at

the %ack o$ the roo( we&t to the two ol $i$th,$or(ers/ o$

co#rse/ Moira a& Catheri&e/ a& to arrell a& 0ally/ who

ha each %ee& hea,irl $or a ti(e the ter( %e$ore" Ire&e a&

eli&a also ha %ack esks"

There were other irls i& the roo( &ow/ irls also i& the

$i$th %#t $ro( other Towers — Tessa a& a&et a& e&elo)e/atie a& ora a& >lays — irls the .orth Tower $i$th,

$or(ers k&ew %y &a(e a& siht/ %#t &ot &early as well as

they k&ew their ow& Tower irls/ o$ co#rse" The irls o$ all the

Towers (ie $or lesso&s a& a(es/ %#t were +#ite se)arate

a$terwars/ each oi& to their ow& Tower $or (eals/ leis#rea& slee)i&"

'0ssssst!' sai so(eo&e" 'i((y's co(i&!'

-& i& ca(e i((y/ or Miss a(es — a tall/ s)are

wo(a& o$ a%o#t $i$ty/ whose c#rly rey hair $ra(e a

scholarly $ace with ki& %#t shrew ha*el eyes"

33



'0it/' she sai/ a& the class sat/ sh#$$li& their $eet/

(oi& their chairs a little/ a& shi$ti& %ooks a& )a)ers"

Miss a(es waite #&til there was co()lete sile&ce"

'ell/ o&ce (ore I hae a &ew class/' she %ea&/ hershrew eyes resti& $irst o& o&e irl a& the& o& a&other" '7&ly

three o$ yo#/ I thi&k/ were i& (y $or( last ter(/ a& they/ $or

ario#s oo reaso&s/ hae &ot o&e #) i&to the sith/ %#t are

still with (e" They will/ o$ co#rse/ %e a reat hel) i& etti&

the $or( i&to (y ways"'

The irls looke to see who the thir ol $i$th,$or(er

was" 7h — it was little a&et" ell/ she was (iles too yo#&to o #) i&to the sith/ o$ co#rse! 0he ha o&ly %ee& )#t i&to

the $i$th a year ao %eca#se she ha )asse her 0chool

Certi$icate so a%s#rly early" 0he still looke like a $o#rth,

$or(er/ tho#ht arrell/ &ot ee& like a $i$th,$or(er!

a&et looke )lease to %e le$t ow&" 0he was scare o$

the sith $or("

Moira scowle" 0he hate %ei& le$t %ehi&" Catheri&e

%ea(e" Yes — yes/ she wo#l hel) all she co#l" Miss a(es

co#l e)e& o& her/ o$ co#rse she co#l" 0he trie to catch

the (istress's eye/ %#t $or so(e reaso& Miss a(es stea$astlylooke i& the other irectio&"

Catheri&e ke)t her %ea(i& s(ile o& $or so(e ti(e/

ho)e$#lly a*i& at Miss a(es" #t the (istress le$t the

s#%;ect a& %ea& o& so(ethi& else" Catheri&e ha to switch

o$$ the s(ile" 8er cheek (#scles were %ei&&i& to ache!'arrell is to %e hea o$ $i$th,$or( a(es/' sai Miss

a(es" '0ally is to hel) her" Yo# reali*e/ arrell/ o&'t yo#/

that hea o$ $i$th,$or( a(es (ea&s taki& o& the trai&i& o$

so(e o$ the yo#&er )layers $or the lower tea(s o$ the school

That will take #) so(e ti(e/ %#t yo# will hae 0ally to hel)yo#"'

34



arrell lowe" 8ow loely to %e a%le to )ick o#t so(e

o$ the yo#& $irst a& seco&,$or(ers a& lick the( i&to sha)e

$or the Thir a& Fo#rth >a(es Tea(s o$ Malory Towers"

0#))ose she a& 0ally (ae the tea(s so oo that they wo&all their (atches/ ho(e a& away! hat a recor that wo#l

%e! arrell we&t o$$ i&to a ay,rea( i& which she saw so(e

well,t#r&e o#t/ s(art lower,school tea(s wi&&i& (atch

a$ter (atch"

I'll trai& Felicity/ o$ co#rse/' she tho#ht" '0he's +#ite

oo alreay" I ca& (ake her $irst class" -& 0#sa&'s oo as

well" -& I'll lick that yo#& #&e i&to sha)e/ too" My wor/she'll hae to toe the li&e &ow" I sha&'t sta& a&y &o&se&se

$ro( her" -& there's 8arriet i& the seco& $or( a& L#cy i&

the seco&/ too " " "'

0he (isse the &et $ew thi&s that Miss a(es sai/ she

was so lost i& her rea( o$ $irst,class lacrosse tea(s"

'Yo# all worke ery har last ter(/' sai Miss a(es"

'ractically all o$ yo# i& this $or( )asse/ a& )asse well/ i&

the 0chool Cert" ea(" Those who i&'t/ $aile %eca#se o$

so(e #&ersta&a%le reaso&/ a& will hae a&other cha&ce

later o&" They will %e s)ecially coache $or it/ a& will hae toleae the #s#al lesso&s o$ this class $or a ti(e #&til the ea( is

oer"'

-licia sihe" It wo#l&'t %e this ter( o$ co#rse — %#t

she hate the iea o$ hai& to leae the others a& hae

s)ecial coachi&" low! hy i she hae to hae (easlesriht i& ea( week last ter(

'.ow/ as yo# all ha a har ter( last ter(/ I o&'t i&te&

to work yo# har this ter(/' sai Miss a(es/ a& a sih o$

relie$ we&t all ro#& the roo( like a s(all %ree*e" 'I (ea& — I

shall &ot set yo# le&thy )re)s to o/ &or )#sh yo# har — %#tthere will %e other thi&s to take #) yo#r ti(e" I wa&t the $i$th

to )ro#ce the Christ(as e&tertai&(e&t this year/ $or i&sta&ce"'

35



That (ae eeryo&e sit #)" ro#ce the Christ(as

e&tertai&(e&t! My wor! That wo#l %e $#&" hat a%o#t a

)lay 7r a )a&to(i(e 7r a %allet -ll ki&s o$ tho#hts ra&

thro#h the irls' (i&s/ a& they la&ce at o&e a&other i&eliht"

'Yo# will o it all o& yo#r ow&/ ece)t $or a&y aice yo#

(ay &ee $ro( Mr" Yo#&/ the (#sic,(aster/ or Miss

>ree&i&/ the eloc#tio& coach/' we&t o& Miss a(es/ )lease

at the )leas#re show& %y the irls" -h/ whe& they ot #) i&to

the $i$th/ how they like to o thi&s o& their ow&/ with &o

i&ter$ere&ce $ro( a&yo&e! @#ite riht/ too — i$ they i&'tlear& to ha&le a$$airs a& sta& o& their ow& $eet &ow/ they

&eer wo#l!

'Yo# will choose yo#r ow& )ro#cers/' sai Miss a(es" 'I

sho#l hae at least two/ $or the work will %e too (#ch $or

o&e" The (ore yo# o o& yo#r ow& the %etter I a& Miss

>rayli&/ the 8ea/ will %e )lease — %#t we shall/ o$ co#rse/

%e la to ie yo# a&y aice or hel) i$ yo# &ee to ask $or

it"'

Eery irl i& the class at o&ce $iercely eter(i&e &ot to

ask o&e si&le )iece o$ aice" The Christ(as 0how/ whateerit was/ sho#l %e theirs a& &o%oy else's"

'It shall %e the %est o&e eer o&e at Malory Towers!'

owe arrell"

'e'll et the )are&ts to co(e a& what a s#r)rise they'll

hae!' tho#ht 0ally"'hat a cha&ce!' tho#ht -licia/ a& her aile (i& %ea&

to r#& oer all ki&s o$ ieas at o&ce" 0he lo&e $or the $irst

(eeti&" I$ o&ly they wo#l (ake her o&e o$ the ro#cers!

0he co#l ora&i*e well" 0he co#l )la& a& she co#l %e

(ore reso#rce$#l tha& a&yo&e" 0he k&ew she co#l!They all lo&e $or reak/ so that they co#l isc#ss the

ieas )#t i&to their heas %y Miss a(es" Ire&e was i& the

36



see&th heae& o$ eliht — i$ they i a )a&to(i(e/ wo#l

they let her write the (#sic The (#sic $or a whole

)a&to(i(e — why/ that wo#l ie her (ore sco)e tha& she

ha eer ha %e$ore!Mais was also rea(i& eliht$#lly" o#l she %e a%le

to o so(e o$ the si&i&/ i$ they i a )lay or a )a&to(i(e

0he was allowe to )ractise her si&i& )ro)erly this ter(/ a&

ha a s)ecial si&i&,(aster o$ her ow&/ who ca(e to the

school to teach her" 7h/ i$ o&ly she co#l si& the )ri&ci)al

so&s!

reak ca(e at last" The $i$th,$or(ers r#she o$$ i& acrow/ atheri& i& a cor&er o$ the ro#&s/ all talki& at

o&ce"

'e'll hae to hae a )ro)er (eeti&/' sai arrell" '7h

osh — I o $eel thrille — to %e tol we ca& o the

Christ(as e&tertai&(e&t all o& o#r ow& — a& to %e tol I'(

>a(es Ca)tai& a& res)o&si%le $or the )icki& a& trai&i& o$

the lower,school kis $or their tea(s! hy — I sha&'t hae

ti(e $or a&y work at all!'

'ell/ we'e lear&t how to work %y &ow/' sai 0ally" 'I$

we hae&'t/ we &eer will! e'e ot other thi&s to lear&&ow/ I s#))ose — how

to )la& thi&s o& o#r ow&/ a& carry the( o#t — a& how

to work toether i& the( )ro)erly — thi&s like that"'

'7h! o yo# s#))ose i((y's )la&&e all this ;#st to

(ake #s lear& a whole lot o$ other thi&s the&' sai a)h&e"'@#ite likely/' sai -licia" '#t what oes it (atter I$

we're lear&i& so(ethi& %y )ro#ci& a )a&to(i(e/ well/

let's lear& it %y all (ea&s! I'( all $or it!'

'e hae to choose a co((ittee/' sai Moira/ taki&

chare" 0ally/ arrell a& -licia $elt a (o(e&tary a&&oya&ce"They ha %ee& so #se to leai& eerythi& i& the $o#rth

$or( that they $o#& it i$$ic#lt to reco&i*e Moira's a#thority"

39



0till/ she was hea,irl" 0he ha the riht to take chare/ a&

she was )er$ectly ca)a%le o$ it — there was &o o#%t a%o#t

that at all"

The irls co#l all $eel the i()act o$ a har a&o(i&ati& )erso&ality i& Moira — (#ch the sa(e as they $elt

i& -licia/ who was also har a& stro& i& character" #t

-licia ha a se&se o$ h#(o#r/ which was +#ite lacki& i&

Moira — that (ae all the i$$ere&ce i& the worl!

-licia co#l say so(ethi& %iti& — a& yet it wo#l

)ro#ce a la#h %eca#se o$ the way she sai it" 0he was ay

a& liely/ too/ which Moira was &ot" ell/ it took all sorts to(ake a worl/ a& there was a )lace $or the Moiras a& >we&s

a& Ma#ree&s/ tho#ht arrell/ a& $or the 0allies a& Ire&es

a& eli&as as well"

'7&ly they're so (#ch &icer to k&ow!' arrell sai to

hersel$"

'e' %etter choose a co((ittee o$ see& or eiht/' we&t

o& Moira" '-& we'll choose it i& the #s#al way — each o$ #s

writes the &a(es o$ the irls they' like to hae o& the

co((ittee a& we'll )#t the( all i&to a %o" The& we take

the( o#t/ o)e& the(/ co#&t the(/ a& see who's ot the (ostotes" e'll o that to&iht"'

'7h/ I ho)e I'( o& the co((ittee!' tho#ht arrell" -&

-licia ho)e the sa(e" -licia %aly wa&te to hae a $i&er i&

this )ie" 0he $elt )er$ectly s#re she co#l r#& the whole show/

i$ o&ly she was allowe to!

3=



Chapter #

HAL$ AN HOUR IN THE SUN

8E.'0 ear >we&oli&e Mary co(i& %ack' aske

-licia/ as they all lay o#t i& the s#& a$ter their i&&er at a

+#arter to two that ay" It was so war( a& s#&&y that it was

like s#((er" -ll the irls ha $o#& war( )laces o#t o$ oors/a& the ro#&s were $#ll o$ little co()a&ies o$ irls ha))ily

s#&&i& the(seles"

'>we& 7h/ she's arrii& at tea,ti(e/' sai arrell" 'ear>we&oli&e Mary! o#l yo# thi&k she's what Catheri&e

wo#l call a D)et,la(%D'

'I co#l thi&k o$ (#ch (ore s#ita%le &a(es tha& that/'

sai eli&a/ %#sy rawi& Mais/ who ha o&e to slee) with

her (o#th o)e&"

'Is >we&oli&e &ice' aske Ma#ree&" '0he so#&s &ice/

to (e"'arrell wi&ke at -licia"

'.ice 7h/ yo#'ll loe her!' she sai" '0o sy()athetic a&

reay to liste&! 0o i&teresti& to talk to — a& the tales she

tells a%o#t her $a(ily a& her os a& her cats — well/ yo#

co#l liste& $or ho#rs/ Ma#ree&"'

'Is she $o& o$ s)orts' aske Ma#ree&/ who +#ite

e$i&itely was&'t" '-t Ma*eley Towers we i&'t o a(es#&less we wa&te to" I (ea& — they were&'t co()#lsory/ as

they are here — s#ch a (istake/ I thi&k"'

'7h/ >we& hates a(es/' sai -licia" '#t %eca#se she's$at she has to o the( as (#ch as )ossi%le a& walk (iles/

too"'

'oor >we&oli&e!' sai Ma#ree&/ sy()athi*i& ee)ly

with the a%se&t $i$th,$or(er" 'e shall hae a lot i& co((o&/ I

ca& see" 8as she — has she a s)ecial $rie&/ o yo# k&ow 7$

3A



co#rse — that's a silly +#estio& I k&ow — a irl like that's

%o#& to hae a s)ecial $rie&" #t I ;#st tho#ht — yo#

k&ow/ I'( rather o&e o& (y ow& — it wo#l %e so &ice to $i&

so(eo&e here who was&'t alreay $ie #) with a co()a&io&$or walks — a& talks"'

'Let (e see/' sai -licia/ %li&ki& #) at the sky" '8as

>we&oli&e Mary a $rie&'

Eeryo&e a))eare to thi&k ery ee)ly"

'ell — )erha)s &ot a s)ecial $rie&/' sai Ire&e/ with a

s(all s&ort o$ la#hter" 'Let #s say she's a little,$rie&,o$,all,

the,worl/ shall we''-h — yo#'e ;#st hit the &ail o& the hea/' sai arrell/

tryi& &ot to ile" 'I thi&k she' like Ma#ree&/ o&'t yo#'

'0he'll loe her/' sai eli&a/ with the #t(ost co&ictio&

'ake #)/ Mais/ a& see how %ea#ti$#l yo# look whe& yo#'re

aslee)"'

'east!' sai Mais/ taki& a look at eli&a's co(ical

sketch o$ her lyi& aslee) with her (o#th o)e&" Ma#ree& took

a look as well"

'That's +#ite a cleer rawi&/' she sai" 'I ca& raw/ too" I

was o&e o$ the %est at Ma*eley Ma&or" I (#st show yo# (ysketches so(eti(e/ eli&a" They're ery (#ch the sa(e style

as yo#rs"'

eli&a was a%o#t to say so(ethi& short a& r#e whe&

Ire&e $row&e at her/ a& the& s)oke i& a sickly,sweet to&e to

the #&s#s)ecti& Ma#ree&"'I s#))ose yo# ca& si&/ too/ ca&'t yo# — a& ca& yo#

co()ose'

'7h/ I ca& si&/' sai Ma#ree&/ )lease with all this

atte&tio&" 'Yes/ I ha s)ecial lesso&s at Ma*eley Ma&or" The

si&i&,(aster sai I ha a (ost #&#s#al oice" -& I'eco()ose +#ite a $ew so&s" ear/ ear — yo# (#st&'t (ake

(e talk a%o#t (ysel$ like this!'

4B



0he ae her silly little la#h" Eeryo&e else wa&te to

la#h/ too" 8ow co#l a&yo&e %e so iiotic

'ere there (a&y irls at yo#r last school' aske 0ally/

wo&eri& how i& the worl a&y school co#l t#r& o#tso(e%oy like Ma#ree&"

'7h &o — it was a ery ery select school/' sai Ma#ree&"

'They )icke a& chose their irls ery ery care$#lly"'

'Yo#'ll hae to tell >we& all these thi&s/' sai -licia/

ear&estly" 'o&'t she/ irls >we& will %e so i&tereste" -&

o&'t yo# thi&k it wo#l %e &ice $or ear >we&oli&e to hae

so(eo&e like Ma#ree& $or a $rie& I (ea& — I $eel she's(ae o$/ er — $i&er st#$$ tha& we are — a& I'( s#re

>we&oli&e Mary wo#l a))reciate that"'

Ma#ree& co#l harly %eliee that all these wo&er$#l

re(arks a))lie to her" 0he a*e ro#& hal$,s#s)icio#sly/ %#t

the irls all looke at her with straiht $aces" Ire&e ha to look

away" 0he $elt certai& o&e o$ her terri$ic s&orts was co(i&"

'>we&'s always lo&ely whe& she co(es %ack/' we&t o&

-licia" The&'s the ti(e to talk to her/ Ma#ree&" e'll tell her

a%o#t yo#/ a& yo# ca& (ake $rie&s"'

'Tha&k yo# ery (#ch/' sai Ma#ree&/ %aski& i& whatshe tho#ht was #&iersal a))reciatio& o$ hersel$" 'I really

harly thi&k the irls at Ma*eley Ma&or co#l %e &icer tha&

yo#!'

Ire&e s&orte lo#ly a& so(ehow t#r&e it i&to a co#h

a& a s&ee*e"Ma#ree& looke a little s#s)icio#s aai&/ %#t at that

(o(e&t Ma('*elle #)o&t esce&e o& the(/ s(ili&" 0he

sat ow& o& the rass/ $irst looki& $or a&ts/ earwis a&

%eetles" 0he was terri$ie o$ the(" 0he %ea(e ro#&

a(ica%ly" The irls s(ile %ack" They like the )l#()/ hot,te()ere/ h#(oro#s Fre&ch (istress" 0he was &ot like

41



Ma('*elle ?o#ier/ %a,te()ere all the ti(e — i$ she ot

i&to a te()er/ she %lew #)/ certai&ly — %#t it i&'t last lo&"

'-h — yo# are all %asketi& i& the s#&/' she sai/ (#ch to

the s#r)rise o$ eeryo&e"'7h — yo# (ea& %aski&/ o&'t yo#/ Ma('*elle' sai

arrell/ with a s+#eal o$ la#hter"

'Yes/ yes — this loely s#&!' sai Ma('*elle/ a& she

wrile her )l#() sho#lers i& e&;oy(e&t" I& a (o(e&t or

two/ howeer/ she wo#l $eel a$rai o$ etti& a $reckle a&

wo#l retire i&to the shae!

'-& yo#/ (a )etite Ma#ree& — yo# are settli& ow&here &icely/ are yo# &ot' aske Ma('*elle/ ki&ly/ seei&

Ma#ree& &et to her" '7$ co#rse/ yo# will %e (issi& yo#r ol

school — what &a(e is it/ &ow — ah/ yes — yo#r Measley

Ma&or/ is it &ot'

- sho#t o$ la#hter ea$e&e her"

'7h/ Ma('*elle — yo#'re )riceless!' al(ost we)t eli&a"

'Yo# always hit the &ail o& the hea!'

'The &ail hat &ail' aske Ma('*elle/ looki& all ro#&

as i$ she e)ecte to see a &ail s#s)e&e i& the air

so(ewhere" 'I hae hit &othi&" o &ot tease (e &ow" It is toohot!'

0he t#r&e to Ma#ree& aai&" 'They i&terr#)t their ki&

ol Ma('*elle/' she sai/ s(ili& ow& at the $l#$$y,haire

Ma#ree&" 'I was aski& yo# a%o#t yo#r loely Measley

Ma&or"'This ti(e it was too (#ch" Ma#ree&'s look o$ o$$e&e

is#st with Ma('*elle a& with the la#hi& irls (ae the(

roll o& the rass i& a& ao&y o$ (irth" Ma('*elle was

asto&ishe" hat ha she sai that was so $#&&y

'-ll I ask is a%o#t this loely " " "' she %ea& aai&/ i& %ewiler(e&t" .o%oy sto))e la#hi&" Ma#ree& ot #) a&

walke o$$ i& a h#$$" 8ow hate$#l to la#h at s#ch a horri

42



&a(e $or her ol school — a& i Ma('*elle really (ea& to

call it that as she )oki& $#& at her/ too Ma#ree& serio#sly

%ea& to o#%t i$ all the &ice thi&s sai to her were (ea&t"

'7h ear/' sai arrell/ sitti& #) a& wi)i& the tears$ro( her eyes" 'Yo#'re a )et/ Ma('*elle! >irls/ i& $#t#re/ we

re$er to Measley Ma&or as soo& as Ma#ree& trots o#t her

horri%le so))y school aai&" e'll soo& c#re her o$ that"'

'I wish >we& wo#l h#rry #) a& co(e/' sai 0ally" 'I'(

lo&i& to see those two toether" Ma#ree&'s so like >we& i&

her ways — it'll %e like >we& looki& i&to a (irror a& seei&

hersel$/ whe& she k&ows Ma#ree&!''.ow/ &ow — )lay &o treeks o& Ma#ree&/' sai

Ma('*elle" 0he (ea&t tricks/ o$ co#rse" 'oo$! It is hot" I shall

row a $reckle o& (y &ose" I $eel it! I (#st sit i& the shae"

oo$!' 'e're oi& to hae a &ice ter(/ Ma('*elle/' sai

arrell" '>a(es/ )le&ty o$ the( — a& we $i$th,$or(ers are

oi& the Christ(as e&tertai&(e&t! e sha&'t hae (#ch ti(e

$or Fre&ch/ I'( a$rai"'

'MHcha&te $ille!' sai Ma('*elle at o&ce/ $a&&i&

iole&tly a& (aki& hersel$ (#ch hotter" 'a irl/ arrell"

Yo# will hae )le&ty o$ ti(e $or Fre&ch" -& &o treeks" .otreeks this ter(" There will %e .7 TIME $or treeks"'

'hy o&'t yo# )lay a treek/ Ma('*elle' aske -licia/

la*ily" 'e ie yo# $#ll )er(issio& to work as har as yo#

like at )layi& a treek o& #s"'

'7h yes — as (a&y tricks as yo# like!' sai 0ally/ ;oy$#lly"

'#t we'll see thro#h the( all/' sai Mais"

'-h — i$ I )laye yo# a treek it wo#l %e s#)er%e!' sai

Ma('*elle/ )ro&o#&ci& it the Fre&ch way/ '0#)er%e!

Ma&i$i+#e! Mereille#se! 0#ch a treek yo# wo#l &eer haesee& %e$ore"'

'e are yo# to/ Ma('*elle/' sai -licia at o&ce"

43



'Me/ I a( &ot ari&/' sai Ma('*elle" I thi&k o$ a treek

)erha)s/ yes — %#t I co#l &ot o it" 8elas! I hae &ot yo#r

are"'

The %ell ra& $or a$ter&oo& school" Eeryo&e ot #)"-licia ha#le Ma('*elle to her $eet so stro&ly that she al(ost

$ell oer aai&" 'Yo# hae too (#ch are/' she tol -licia/

crossly" '-lways yo# hae too (#ch are/ -licia!'

44



Chapter %

G"ENDOLINE ARRIVES

>E.7LI.E ca(e %ack ;#st %e$ore tea/ %y car" The

&ews $lew ro#&" 'ear >we&oli&e Mary's %ack! Co(e a&

see the $o& $arewells!'

>we&'s $arewells were a sta&i& ;oke at Malory Towers"There were always tears a& $o& e(%raci&s/ a& i&;#&ctio&s

to write soo&/ that we&t o& $or aes %etwee& her a& her

(other a& her ol oer&ess/ Miss i&ter/ who lie withthe("

Faces li&e the wi&ows oerlooki& the rie"

>we&oli&e ot o#t o$ the car" 8er (other a& Miss i&ter

ot o#t/ too" 8er $ather/ who was rii&/ (ae &o (oe" 8e

ha ot ery tire o$ >we&oli&e i& the holiays"

'7#t co(e the ha&kies!' sai -licia/ a& o#t ca(e >we&'s

a& her (other's a& Miss i&ter's" -& ear (e/ o#t ca(ethe ha&kies o$ all the wicke watchers at the wi&ows a%oe!

'.ow we )at o#r eyes!' we&t o& -licia/ a& s#re e&o#h

the eye,)atti& we&t o& ow& %elow — a& a%oe too/ as

eeryo&e s&i$$e a& wi)e their eyes"

Ire&e/ o$ co#rse/ ae the show away with o&e o$ her

e)losio&s" The $o#r %elow looke #) i& s#r)rise a& saw the

watchi& irls/ all with ha&kies to their eyes"Mr" Lacy roare" 8e hel o& to the wheel a& la#he

lo#ly" 'They're )#tti& #) as oo a show $or yo#/ >we&/ as

yo#'re )#tti& #) $or the(!' he crie" The irls at the wi&owisa))eare as soo& as they saw that they ha %ee& see&" They

$elt a little #&co($orta%le" Mrs" Lacy (iht co()lai& o$ their

%a (a&&ers &ow! It wo#l %e ;#st like her"

'Mother/ et %ack i&to the car/' sai >we&oli&e

eas)erate" 0he ha&'t k&ow& she was %ei& watche at all"

45



0he i so loe these little $arewell sce&es — a& &ow this

o&e was s)oilt! 8er (other a& Miss i&ter were al(ost

h#stle %ack/ witho#t a&other tear or h#"

'I o&'t like that %ehaio#r/ >we&oli&e/' sai Mrs" Lacy/o$$e&e at the co&#ct o$ the irls" 'I'e a oo (i& to write

to Miss >rayli&"'

'7h &o/ Mother!' sai >we&oli&e/ i& alar(" 0he &eer

like %ei& %ro#ht to Miss >rayli&'s &otice at all" Miss

>rayli& ha sai so(e ery horri thi&s to her at ti(es!

'It's all riht/ >we&" I sha&'t let her/' sai her $ather/ ryly"

'For oo&ess' sake/ say oo,%ye &ow/ a& o i&" -& (i& — i$ I hear a&y &o&se&se a%o#t yo# this ter( yo#'ll hae (e to

recko& with/ &ot yo#r (other" Yo# were %a a& $oolish last

ter(/ a& yo# s#$$ere $or it" Yo# will s#$$er $or it aai&/ i$ I

hear %a re)orts o$ yo#" 7& the other ha&/ &o o&e will %e

(ore )lease tha& I shall to hae a oo re)ort o$ yo#" -&

I'e &o o#%t I shall"'

'Yes/ ay/' sai >we&oli&e/ (eekly"

'8ow #&ki& yo# are ;#st as we're leai& >we&/' sai

Mrs" Lacy/ a%%i& her eyes aai&" '>oo,%ye/ arli&" I shall

(iss yo# so!'>we&oli&e took a es)erate look #) at the wi&ows"

>racio#s/ was Mother oi& to %ei& all oer aai&

'>oo,%ye/' she sai/ c#rtly/ a& sh#t the car oor"

I((eiately her $ather )#t i& the cl#tch a& the car (oe o$$"

itho#t ee& t#r&i& to wae >we& (arche #) the ste)swith her lacrosse stick a& &iht,case" 8er tr#&k ha %ee& se&t

o& i& aa&ce"

Ma#ree& ha &ot see& the $o& $arewells" 0he i &ot see

>we& till tea,ti(e" >we& took her case #) to the or(y a&

was tha&k$#l to $i& it e()ty" 0he looke at hersel$ i& thelass" 0he was&'t $at a&y (ore — well/ &ot ery/ she ecie"

-ll those hate$#l walks ha take& away her weiht" -& &ow

46



she ha to $ace a ter( with hea)s o$ a(es a& walks — %#t

tha&k oo&ess/ &o swi((i&!

The tea,%ell we&t" >we& +#ickly %r#she her $l#$$y

ole& hair/ so like Ma#ree&'s/ washe her ha&s/ )#lle hertie straiht/ a& we&t ow&stairs"

0he walke i&to the i&i&,roo( with the last $ew irls"

0he ca#ht siht o$ her $or( at the $i$th,$or( ta%le" They

wae to her"

'8allo! 8ere's ear >we&oli&e Mary aai&!'

'8a oo hols'

'Yo# we&t to Fra&ce/ i&'t yo# L#cky thi&"''Yo#'re a ay late — yo#'e (isse a lot alreay!'

'0ai oo,%ye to yo#r )eo)le'

>we&oli&e $elt )lease to %e %ack" 7$ co#rse/ it was

&ice to %e at ho(e with her (other a& Miss i&ter a& %e

waite o& ha& a& $oot/ a& %e $#sse oer — %#t it was $#&

at school" 0he (ae #) her (i& to %e se&si%le a& ;oi& i&

eerythi& this ter(" 0o she s(ile ro#& ery a(ia%ly"

'8allo/ eeryo&e! It's &ice to %e %ack" Yo#'ll hae to tell

(e all the &ews" I o&ly ot %ack $ro( Fra&ce yesteray"'

'-h — la %elle Fra&ce!' )#t i& Ma('*elle" 'e (#st haeso(e chest,to,chest talks a%o#t la %elle Fra&ce"'

>we& looke s#r)rise" '7h — yo# (ea& heart,to,heart

talks/ Ma('*elle" Yes/ that wo#l %e loely"'

'>we&oli&e/ there's a &ew irl/' sai -licia/ i& a

s#s)icio#sly s(ooth oice" 'Let (e i&tro#ce her — yo#'ll likeher" This is Ma#ree&" -& this is — >we&oli&e Mary" - %it

alike to look at/ are&'t they/ Ma('*elle'

'C'est rai!' aree Ma('*elle" 'Yes/ it is tr#e" oth so

ole& — a& with %i %l#e eyes" -h yes/ it is a tr#e E&lish

%ea#ty/ that!'

49



This rati$ie %oth >we& a& Ma#ree& i((e&sely/ a&

(ae the( look with reat i&terest at each other" They shook

ha&s a& s(ile"

'I'e ke)t a )lace $or yo#/' sai Ma#ree&/ shyly/ (aki&her eyes %i as she looke at >we&" >we& sat ow& a&

looke to see what there was $or tea" 0he was h#&ry a$ter her

lo& car,rie"

'8ae so(e o$ (y ho&ey/' sai Ma#ree&/ eaerly" 'e

kee) %ees/ yo# k&ow — a& we always hae s#ch a lot o$

ho&ey" e hae he&s/ too" 0o we hae )le&ty o$ es" I

%ro#ht so(e %ack with (e" I ho)e yo#'ll share the( with (e"'>we&oli&e rather like all this" ear (e/ she (#st hae

(ae +#ite a& i()ressio& o& the &ew irl/ altho#h she ha

o&ly ;#st arrie!

'The others hae %ee& telli& (e all a%o#t yo#/' #she

Ma#ree&" '8ow )o)#lar yo# see( to %e!'

This i&'t ri& +#ite tr#e/ so(ehow/ to >we&oli&e" 0he

ha&'t k&ow& she was as )o)#lar as all that" I& $act/ tho#h she

i&'t a(it it $ra&kly to hersel$/ she k&ew +#ite well she was

)ro%a%ly the least )o)#lar o$ all the irls i& the $or(!

Ma#ree& chattere away (errily/ a& >we& liste&e/ &otso (#ch %eca#se she wa&te to/ as %eca#se she was so %#sy

t#cki& i&" -t this rate/ tho#ht the a(#se -licia/

>we&oli&e wo#l )#t o& (ore $at tha& a(es a& y( a&

walks wo#l take o$$!

'Yo#'ll %e )lease to hear we hae&'t ot to work +#ite sohar this ter(/ >we&/' she tol her" 'More ti(e $or a(es a&

y(" Yo#'ll like that"'

>we&oli&e ae -licia o&e o$ her Looks/ as she calle

the(" -las/ they &eer i()resse -licia" It was&'t sa$e to

ar#e with -licia/ or co&traict/ or try to say so(ethi&c#tti&" -licia was always te& ti(es as +#ick at a&sweri&

%ack a& a h#&re ti(es as c#tti& as a&yo&e else"

4=



'e'll hae the co((ittee (eeti& at hal$,)ast $ie/'

a&&o#&ce Moira" 'That see(s to %e the %est ti(e" Yo#'ll %e

co(i&/ >we&oli&e/ wo&'t yo# — hae yo# hear a%o#t the

Christ(as E&tertai&(e&t Co((ittee yet'>we&oli&e ha&'t/ so she was #ly e&lihte&e" 0he was

)lease" 0he saw hersel$ at o&ce i& o&e o$ the chie$ )arts o$

whateer )lay or )a&to(i(e was chose&" 0he wo#l loose&

her sheet o$ ole& hair — what a )ity it was&'t c#rly" 0he

wo#l look loely/ she k&ew she wo#l!

Eactly the sa(e tho#hts were oi& thro#h Ma#ree&'s

(i&" 0he too wo#l like o&e o$ the chie$ )arts — a& she toowo#l )lay it with her ole& hair loose" 0he $elt she wo#l

like to co&$ie her tho#hts to >we&oli&e"

'he& I was at Ma*eley Ma&or/' she %ea&" eli&a

i&terr#)te at o&ce"

'7h yes — hae yo# tol >we& a%o#t Measley Ma&or'

Ma#ree& $row&e" 'Yo# k&ow it's Ma*eley/' she sai/

with i&ity" 'Ma('*elle ;#st i&'t k&ow how to )ro&o#&ce it/

that's all/ whe& she sai it"'

Ma('*elle ca#ht her &a(e (e&tio&e" 0he t#r&e/ with

her wie s(ile" '-h — yo# wa&t to talk a%o#t Measley Ma&oraai&/ yo#r ear ol school/ &'est ce )as Yo# hae &ot yet

tol >we&oli&e a%o#t Measley Ma&or'

Ma#ree& saw the irls ri&&i& a& ae it #)" 0he we&t

o& talki& to >we&/ who was asto&ishe at all this %y,)lay

which she i&'t/ o$ co#rse/ #&ersta&"'-t (y ol school we i a )a&to(i(e/' sai Ma#ree&" 'It

was the D0lee)i& ea#tyD" I ha to hae (y hair loose/ o$

co#rse" Yo# hae to hae so(eo&e with ole& hair $or those

)arts/ o&'t yo#'

>we& aree heartily" 0he was ery )ro# o$ her ole&hair/ a& o&ly wishe she was allowe to wear it loose ro#&

her $ace at school/ as she i at ho(e"

4A



'The )ri&ce was ra&/' we&t o& Ma#ree&" 'I really (#st

tell yo# all a%o#t the )lay" Yo#'re so i&tereste i& )lays/ are&'t

yo# ell " " "'

-& till lo& )ast tea,ti(e Ma#ree& we&t o& a& o&i&ter(i&a%ly with her lo& a& %ori& tale o$ what ha))e&e

i& the )lay at her last school" >we&oli&e co#l&'t sto) her or

et ri o$ her" Ma#ree& was ;#st as thick,ski&&e a& slow o$

taki& a hi&t as she was!

'>we&'s (et her (atch at last/' sai arrell to 0ally" 'I

say/ look at ill — a& Clarissa/ too — all resse #) i& rii&

thi&s" o&'t they k&ow the co((ittee (eeti&'s i& a%o#t te&(i&#tes'

0ally calle to the(" '8ey/ yo# two! here o yo# thi&k

yo#'re oi&'

'To hae a look at Th#&er a& Merryles/' sai ill"

'#t i&'t yo# k&ow there's a co((ittee (eeti& o&

al(ost at o&ce' sai arrell/ eas)erate"

'.o" .o%oy tol #s/' sai Clarissa/ looki& startle" 'It

was&'t #) o& the &otice,%oar"'

'ell/ we'e %ee& talki& a%o#t it eer si&ce this

(or&i&/ a& ece)t $or Ma#ree& a& >we&/ who isc#sseole&,haire %ea#ties i& )lays/ we'e talke a%o#t &othi&

else all tea,ti(e/' sai arrell" 'here are yo#r ears i&'t

yo# hear a wor o$ it'

'.ot a wor/' sai ill/ serio#sly" 'I'( so sorry" 7$ co#rse

we'll co(e" 8ae we ti(e ;#st to o a& see Th#&er a&Merryles $irst e (#st hae %ee& talki& a%o#t so(ethi&

else/ Clarissa a& I/ a& &ot hear the rest o$ yo#"'

'Yo# were whi&&yi& away to each other/' sai 0ally" 'I

s#))ose yo#'e ot horses o& the %rai& aai&" .o/ o&'t o

ow& to the sta%les &ow — yo# certai&ly wo&'t %e %ack till thee& o$ the co((ittee i$ yo# o" I k&ow yo# two whe& yo#

isa))ear i&to the sta%les" Yo#'re o&e $or eer!'

5B



Clarissa a& ill walke o$$ to the $i$th,$or( co((o&,

roo( with a oo race" erha)s there wo#l %e ti(e

a$terwars to o to the sta%les"

'Co(e o&/' sai 0ally to arrell" 'Let's o a& ro#& #) allthe others" I'( lo&i& $or this co((ittee"'

51



Chapter &

MEETING AT HAL$-PAST $IVE

T8E whole o$ the $i$th $or( was soo& collecte i& the

.orth Tower co((o&,roo(" The irls sat o& chairs/ lo#&e

o& the co#ches/ or lay o& the $loor,r#s" They talke a&

sho#te a& la#he" Moira ca(e i& a& we&t straiht to theta%le" - %i chair ha %ee& )#t %ehi& it"

Moira %a&e o& the ta%le with a %ook"

'@#iet!' she sai" 'The (eeti& is a%o#t to %ei&" Yo# allk&ow what it's a%o#t" It's to choose a co((ittee to ha&le the

ora&i*atio& o$ the Christ(as e&tertai&(e&t/ which we/ the

$i$th $or(/ are to #&ertake"'

'8ear hear/' sai so(e%oy's oice" Moira took &o &otice"

'I thi&k the whole $or( sho#l also %e aske to isc#ss

a& choose what ki& o$ e&tertai&(e&t we shall o/' she sai"

'#&ch a& #y 0how!' calle so(eo&e"'o&'t %e $#&&y/' sai Moira" '.ow/ $irst o$ all we'll et

ow& to the %#si&ess o$ choosi& the co((ittee" I aske

Catheri&e to c#t o#t the sli)s o$ )a)er to #se" here are they/

Catheri&e'

0he t#r&e to where Catheri&e was sitti& &et to her"

Catheri&e ha&e her a shea$ o$ sli)s"

'8ere they are" I i the( all as soo& as yo# tol (e yo#wa&te the(" -& here's a %o" I ot it o#t o$ the c#)%oar i&

the $i$th,$or( roo(" -& I'e collecte e&o#h )e&cils $or

eeryo&e to #se" -& look " " "''-ll riht/ all riht/' sai Moira" That's all we shall wa&t"

.ow who'll ie o#t the )a)er sli)s Yo#/ Mary,Lo#'

Mary,Lo# was )erche #) o& the to) o$ a s(all

c#)%oar/ swi&i& her les" 0he (ae )re)aratio&s to cli(%

ow&"

52



'.o/ &o — o&'t yo# %other/ Mary,Lo#/' sai Catheri&e/ at

o&ce" 'I'll ie the( o#t"' -& %e$ore a&yo&e co#l sto) her

she was oi& ro#& the roo(/ ha&i& eeryo&e a sli) o$

)a)er a& a )e&cil"'Eeryo&e ot a sli)' aske Moira" 'Look/ Mais has&'t

ot o&e/ Catheri&e"'

'0o sorry I (isse yo# o#t!' sai Catheri&e/ i& a&

a)oloetic oice" 0he always a)oloi*e i$ she co#l" '8ere

yo# are"'

'.ow/' sai Moira/ 'I thi&k we'll hae eiht )eo)le o& this

co((ittee — %eca#se there will %e a lot o$ work to %e o&e"e shall wa&t so(eo&e to re)rese&t the art sie/ $or i&sta&ce

— so(eo&e $or the (#sic sie — a& so o&" I (#st %e o&e o$

the co((ittee/ as I a( hea,irl/ so yo# &ee &ot ote $or (e/

o$ co#rse" That (ea&s yo# &ee o&ly )#t ow& see& &a(es"'

'ell/ I o&'t k&ow that I sho#l hae ote $or Moira/'

sai -licia to Ire&e/ i& a low oice" 'Too %ossy $or (y taste"

e shall all hae to sal#te her whe& we (eet her soo&!'

Eeryo&e was soo& %#sy scri%%li& ow& &a(es"

Ma#ree& was at a loss %eca#se she k&ew so $ew" >we&oli&e

)ro()te her/ a& Moira soo& &otice it"'>we&oli&e! o&'t tell Ma#ree& &a(es to )#t ow&"

That si()ly (ea&s yo# hae two otes i&stea o$ o&e" I $orot

that Ma#ree& is &ew" e shall hae to leae her o#t o$ this $or

the (o(e&t"'

The )a)ers were $ole oer a& )#t i&to the %o thatCatheri&e took ro#&" The&/ whilst the rest o$ the irls

chattere/ Moira a& Catheri&e took o#t the sli)s/ ;otte ticks

%esie the &a(es o$ the irls chose&/ a& co#&te the( #)"

Moira ra))e o& the ta%le" '0ile&ce/ )lease! e'e ot the

res#lts &ow" These are the &a(es o$ the irls with (ost otes-licia/ Mais/ Ire&e/ eli&a/ arrell/ a&et — a& 0ally a&

etty tie"'

53



a&et a& etty were irls $ro( other ho#ses who were i&

the $i$th $or(" etty was -licia's %est $rie&/ as cleer a&

witty as she was/ a& ery )o)#lar"

'ell/ there yo# are/' sai Moira" '-s 0ally a& etty haetie/ we' %etter hae the( %oth i&/ (aki& a co((ittee o$

&i&e/ i&stea o$ eiht"'

'I'll take o& the (#sic sie/' sai Ire&e"

'-& I' like to take the art sie — a&y ecoratio&s a& so

o&/' sai eli&a"

'I raw ery well/' whis)ere Ma#ree& to >we&" 'I co#l

hel) with that" 0hall I say so''.o/' sai >we&/ who co#l&'t raw a&ythi&/ a& i&'t

)artic#larly wa&t this &ew irl to shi&e"

'I'll take o& the cost#(es/' sai a&et/ who was etre(ely

cleer with her &eele/ a& (ae all her ow& resses" 'I' loe

to hel) with those"'

'>oo/' sai Moira/ a))roi&ly"

'Co#l I — o yo# thi&k I co#l hel) with the si&i&

)art o$ it' sai Mais/ hesitati&ly" 'I o&'t wa&t to )#sh

(ysel$ $orwar — %#t i$ there's to %e a&y si&i& — yo#

k&ow/ chor#ses a& all that — I co#l trai& the(" I'e has#ch a lot o$ trai&i& (ysel$ I thi&k I' k&ow how to set a%o#t

it"'

'?iht" That's a oo iea/' sai Moira"

'-& i$ there's a&y solo,work/ yo# ca& si& it yo#rsel$!'

calle arrell" 'Yo#r oice is loely &ow"'Mais $l#she with )leas#re" '7h well — I'll see" There

(iht &ot %e a&y/' she sai" 'It e)e&s what we o/ oes&'t it'

'That leaes -licia/ arrell/ 0ally a& (ysel$ $or e&eral

thi&s — the ora&i*atio&/' sai Moira/ who was certai&ly a%le

to ha&le a (eeti& well/ a& (ake it et o& with thi&s"'e'll hae to work toether s(oothly/ e$$icie&tly — a&

a(ica%ly"'

54



0he la&ce at -licia/ as she s)oke/ a +#ick/ rather hostile

la&ce/

a (ere $lick o$ the eyes" #t -licia ca#ht it a& &ote it"

That wor 'a(ica%ly' was (ea&t $or her" -ll riht — shewo#l %e a(ica%le ;#st as lo& as Moira was — a& &ot a

(o(e&t lo&er!

'ell/ &ow that we'e ot the (e(%ers o$ the co((ittee

settle/ we'll et o& with the &et thi&/' sai Moira" 'hat

ki& o$ e&tertai&(e&t shall we ie'

'a&to(i(e!'

'.o — a )lay — a h#(oro#s )lay! Let's o D- @#ieteek,E&!D'

'- ariety show!'

'- %allet! 7h/ o let's o a %allet!'

The last s#estio& was $ro( a irl who was a %ea#ti$#l

%allet a&cer" 0he was crie ow&"

'.o/ &o — that's too o&e,sie" e ca&'t all a&ce!'

'ell/ let's hae so(ethi& that eeryo&e ca& %e i&/ a&

o so(ethi& i&"'

'ell/ it ha %etter %e a )a&to(i(e the&/' sai Moira" 'e

ca& hae so&s/ a&ces/ acti& a& all ki&s o$ sieshows i&that" - )a&to(i(e &eer sticks to its story — it ;#st oes what

it likes"'

-$ter so(e (ore sho#ti& a& isc#ssio& a )a&to(i(e

was ecie o&/ a& $or so(e reaso& or other 'Ci&erella'

$o#& (ore $ao#r tha& a&y other )a&to(i(e iea">we& a& Ma#ree& i((eiately ha isio&s o$

the(seles as )er$ect Ci&erellas/ loose hair a& all" Ma#ree&

t#r&e to >we&"

'8ow I' loe to act Ci&erella/' she (#r(#re" '-t (y

last school I " " "''Let's see &ow — what was yo#r last school' aske

eli&a at o&ce"

55



oor Ma#ree& i&'t are to say the &a(e" 0he t#r&e her

%ack o& eli&a" '-t (y last school I was o&ce Ci&erella/' she

sai" 'I was a reat s#ccess" I " " "'

>we& i&'t like this ki& o$ thi& at all" 0he %ea& tothi&k Ma#ree& ery %ori& a& co&ceite" hy/ she ha %ee&

a%o#t to say what a oo Ci&erella she wo#l (ake! 0he

i&'t co&sier that Ma#ree&/ with her weak/ silly/ ra%%it,

(o#the $ace wo#l (ake a oo leai& lay at all"

'e'll choose Ci&erella $or o#r )a&to(i(e story the&/'

sai Moira" 'e will write the whole thi& o#rseles" arrell/

yo#'re oo at essays — yo# ca& ra$t it o#t"'arrell looke e&or(o#sly s#r)rise" 'ra$t it o#t —

ra$t o#t a whole )a&to(i(e she eclai(e" '7h/ I co#l&'t" I

wo#l&'t k&ow how to %ei&"'

'Yo#'e o&ly ot to et the scri)t o$ o&e or two other

)a&to(i(es to see how to set a%o#t it/' sai Moira" 'Ca& yo#

write erse — a& wors $or so&s e'll hae to hae those/

too"'

arrell wishe $ere&tly she was&'t o& the Co((ittee at

all" hy/ this was oi& to %e ?eal 8ar ork — ;#st as she

tho#ht she was oi& to hae a &ice slack ter(/ too" 0heo)e&e her (o#th to )rotest/ %#t Moira ha alreay $i&ishe

with her" 0he was &ow s)eaki& to Ire&e"

'Ca& yo# et o& with the (#sic as soo& as we'e ot the

wors' she aske" '7r )erha)s yo# )re$er to write the (#sic

%e$ore yo# et the wors a& hae the( $itte a$terwars''I'll work i& (y ow& way/ tha&k yo#/' sai Ire&e/ )er$ectly

)olitely/ %#t with a steay ri& i& her oice that sai/ 'ee)

o$$! here (#sic is co&cer&e I'( oi& to o as I like"' 0he

looke straiht at Moira" 'Yo# ca& sa$ely leae it to (e"

M#sic's (y ;o%/ it always has %ee& a& it always will %e"'

56



'Yes/ %#t I (#st k&ow how yo#'re oi& to set a%o#t it —

what ki& o$ t#&es yo#'ll write/ a& so o&/' sai Moira/

i()atie&tly" 'e ca&'t leae thi&s like that i& the air"'

'Yo#'ll hae to as $ar as I'( co&cer&e/' sai Ire&e" 'I o&'tk&ow what t#&es I'( oi& to write till I hear the( i& (y

hea" The& I'll catch the( a& write the( ow&" -& I o&'t

k&ow whe& I'll hear the( either/ so o&'t tell (e to sit ow& at

te& each (or&i& a& liste& $or the(!'

Catheri&e trie to )o#r oil o& tro#%le waters o&ce (ore"

0he loe oi& that" 'ell/ a$ter all — whe& yo#'re eali&

with a e&i#s' she %ea&" 'Yo# ca&'t hae r#les $or e&i#ses/ca& yo# Moira oes&'t +#ite #&ersta&/ Ire&e"'

'o&'t a)oloi*e $or a&ythi& I say/' sai Moira/ scowli&

at Catheri&e" 'hat o yo# (ea& — I o&'t +#ite #&ersta&!

I'e o&e this ki& o$ thi& o$te& e&o#h" i&'t I r#& the

show last year/ a& hel) to r#& it the year %e$ore that'

Catheri&e )#t o& a sai&tly e)ressio&" 'Yes/ o$ co#rse/

Moira" o&'t )#t yo#rsel$ o#t" I sho#l&'t hae sai a wor I'(

s#re Ire&e #&ersta&s'

0he ae Ire&e s#ch a sweet s(ile that eeryo&e $elt +#ite

sick" i Catheri&e hae to (ake hersel$ +#ite so h#(%leThe (eeti& ha to co(e to a& a%r#)t e& %eca#se the

s#))er,%ell we&t" '>oo racio#s — how the ti(e $lew!' sai

Ma#ree&"

'-& &ow we sha&'t hae ti(e to o to the sta%les/'

(o#r&e ill/ is(ally"'e'll call a short co((ittee (eeti& 'to(orrow/ sa(e

ti(e/' sai Moira/ atheri& #) her thi&s" 'e'll tie #) a&y

loose e&s the&"'

0he swe)t e$$icie&tly o#t o$ the roo(/ al(ost as i$ she

were a (istress!

59



'>osh! e'll hae to (i& o#r s a& @s &ow/' sai

a)h&e/ with a co(ical look" 'hat hae we o&e to hae

Moira wishe o& #s this ter(!'

5=



Chapter '

THE BALLOON TRICK

T8E $irst week o$ ter( always we&t ery slowly i&ee"

The &et week sli))e away $aster/ a& the& the weeks %ea&to $ly" #t &ow it was still o&ly the $irst week/ with a lot o$

)la&&i& a& ti(e,ta%les to (ake/ a& settli&,i& to %e o&e"

arrell $o#& hersel$ ery %#sy i&ee" 0he ha to atte&

co((ittee (eeti&s $or the Christ(as e&tertai&(e&t" 0he ha

to rea thro#h two or three )a&to(i(e scri)ts/ a& eciehow to ra$t o#t her ow& ersio& o$ 'Ci&erella'" 0he $o#&

0ally a& e&or(o#s hel) here/ a& iscoere that two heas

are eciely %etter tha& o&e"

0he was also i& chare o$ the a(es/ a& ha to raw #)

)ractice ti(es $or the lower school/ a& to o a little coachi&to hel) the a(es (istresses" They co&s#lte with her as to the

%est )layers to )ick o#t $or (atches i& the lower school/ a&arrell e&;oye $eeli& i()orta&t e&o#h to ar#e with the(

a%o#t the ario#s irls"

'#t yo# ca&'t hae ?ita/' she wo#l say" 'I k&ow she's

oo — %#t she si()ly wo&'t t#r& o#t $or )ractice" 0he'll o to

)ieces i& a (atch"'

'ell/ what o yo# thi&k o$ Christi&e the&' the a(es

(istress wo#l say" '0he's so s(all/ I o&'t like to )ick her"''#t she r#&s like the wi&!' arrell wo#l re)ly" '-&

she's so kee&" 0he's ;#st waiti& $or a cha&ce!'Yes/ arrell ha a lot to o/ a& she was always %#sy a&

always i&tereste i& her ;o%s" The lower school aore her/

a& ie to wi& a& a))roi& wor $ro( her" Felicity was ery

)ro# o$ her $i$th,$or( sister"

'Eeryo&e thi&ks yo#'re s#)er/' she tol arrell" 'Yo#sho#l see the way they t#r& o#t $or )ractice &ow — o& ee&

5A



the (ost is#sti& ays! I say — hae I ot a cha&ce to et

i&to o&e o$ the (atch,tea(s so(e ay/ arrell Yo# (iht tell

(e"'

'I ca& o&ly say that i$ yo# o o& as yo# are oi& yo#wo&'t %e a%le to hel) etti& i&/' sai arrell/ a& Felicity ae

a whoo) o$ ;oy"

#&e was )assi& a& ae her a so#r look" 0he s)oke to

>wy&eth/ the irl with her" 'Talk a%o#t $ao#ritis(! Yo#'ll see

arrell choosi& her yo#& sister %e$ore a&yo&e else a&

)#tti& her i&to the tea("'

arrell hear a& was oer %esie #&e at o&ce" '#&e!8ow are yo# say a thi& like that a%o#t a $i$th,$or(er! #st

yo# wait a (i&#te!'

0he $ishe o#t the #&ish(e&t ook that all the $i$th,

$or(ers were allowe to hae a& wrote ow& #&e's &a(e i&

it" 0he wrote so(ethi& %esie it/ tore it o#t a& ae it to

#&e"

'There yo# are — a little har work will kee) yo# +#iet/

a& teach yo# to #ar that &asty to&#e o$ yo#rs!'

#&e took the )a)er s#lkily" 0he la&ce at it" arrell ha

writte&'Lear& three so&&ets o$ 0hakes)eare's/ a& say the( to (e

or o&e o$ the other $i$th,$or(ers %e$ore T#esay"'

#&e scowle" 'I ca&'t o this/' she sai" I'e ot so(ethi&

to lear& $or -licia this week" I ca&'t o %oth"'

'I'( a$rai yo#'ll hae to/' sai arrell" 'I s#))ose yo#cheeke -licia aai&" ell/ we wo&'t hae it" I$ yo# o&'t

lear& (a&&ers &ow/ a& res)ect $or yo#r elers/ yo# &eer

will" Yo# say those so&&ets to (e %e$ore T#esay!'

0he we&t o$$ with Felicity" '#&e's aw$#l/' re(arke

Felicity" 'I$ o&ly she was&'t so $riht$#lly $#&&y so(eti(es/ Iho&estly wo#l &eer s)eak to her" .or wo#l 0#sa&" #t she

6B



)lays s#ch iiotic tricks" 0he's )layi& o&e to(orrow o&

Ma('*elle #)o&t"'

'hat is it' aske arrell/ with i&terest" 'I sho#l&'t hae

tho#ht there were a&y tricks le$t to )lay o& )oor olMa('*elle"'

'ell/ there are — a& #&e )lays the(/' sai Felicity"

'-& whe& I see Ma('*elle's $ace I la#h till I cry"'

'Yes/ I k&ow — I'e la#he till I'e ache too/

so(eti(es/' sai arrell/ re(e(%eri& so(e o$ the ;okes she

a& her $or( ha )laye at ti(es" 'hat's #&e )layi& at

to(orrow''7h/ arrell/' sai Felicity/ %ei&&i& to ile as she

tho#ht o$ it" '0he's ot a ki& o$ $lat %alloo& arra&e(e&t —

well/ she's ot $o#r/ i& $act" -& yo# )#t o&e #&er yo#r

%lo#se at the %ack a& a&other i& yo#r $ro&t/ a& a&other #&er

yo#r skirt at the %ack/ a& the last o&e i& $ro&t"'

arrell ch#ckle" '>o o&" I ca& #ess what ha))e&s"'

'ell/ #&e showe #s/' sai Felicity/ %ei&&i& to la#h

hel)lessly" '-ll the %alloo&s are ;oi&e toether %y little t#%es

— a& there's a& i&$lator yo# )ress to $ill the( a& a e$lator

yo# )#ll o#t to e()ty the(" he& she )resse the i&$lator sheswelle #)/ yo# see/ a& she looke si()ly $riht$#l" 7h/ ear

— I la#he so (#ch I co#l&'t sit i& (y chair"'

arrell la#he/ too" 'ell/ that's a &ew trick/ certai&ly! I

wish we' ha it whe& we were i& the $irst $or(" here oes

#&e et these tricks $ro( -licia always ot the( $ro( her %rothers"'

'7h/ #&e ets aertise(e&t %ooklets se&t her $ro( the

$ir(s that (ake co&;#ri& tricks a& $#&&y tricks/' sai

Felicity" 'I thi&k she (#st s)e& all her )ocket (o&ey o&

the("''It wo#l&'t %e a %a iea to hae a s)ot o$ co&;#ri& i&

o#r )a&to(i(e/' sai arrell/ tho#ht$#lly" '-licia is aw$#lly

61



oo at co&;#ri&" Yes — I'll )#t a co&;#rer i&to the

)a&to(i(e — it shall %e -licia! I$ yo# ca& %orrow that %ook

— or howeer (a&y she's ot — $ro( #&e/ I' like to look

thro#h the("''?iht" #t I wo&'t tell her yo# wa&t it/' sai Felicity"

'Yo#'ll %e (# to her &ow/ a$ter ii& her those so&&ets to

lear&" #&e's oi& the trick to(orrow (or&i& at twele i&

Fre&ch ictee/ arrell" Yo#'re &ot $ree %y a&y cha&ce/ are

yo# I$ so/ co#l&'t yo# co(e alo& with so(e (essae $or

Ma('*elle/ or so(ethi&/ a& see #&e swell #) Yo#'ll k&ow

whe& it's ha))e&i& %eca#se I e)ect we'll shriek withla#hter"'

arrell )o&ere" 0he ha )#t that )erio asie to et o&

with the ra$t

o$ the )a&to(i(e" <&til she ha worke o#t the

characters they co#l &ot %e chose&/ so it was i()orta&t to et

o& with it" #t how co#l she resist the cha&ce o$ sli))i&

ow& to see Ma('*elle's $ace

'ell/ I'll co(e i$ I ca&/' she )ro(ise"

#t whe& twele o'clock ca(e &et (or&i& arrell was

calle to talk to Matro& a%o#t so(e (issi& socks" Matro&always we&t i&to (atters o$ this sort ery thoro#hly i&ee/

a& it was twe&ty (i&#tes %e$ore arrell was $ree"

'I wo&er what's ha))e&e ow& i& the $irst $or(' she

tho#ht/ $eeli& rather #ilty at her i&terest i& so(ethi& s#ch

%a%ies i" 'I wo&er i$ the trick's %ee& )laye'It ha" #&e/ who always ha to sit i& o&e o$ the $ro&t

esks/ so as to %e #&er eery (istress's eye/ ha i&$late

hersel$ ery s#ccess$#lly i&ee" 0he i it ra#ally/ so that

whe& Ma('*elle ke)t looki& at her to see that she was etti&

o& with the ictatio&/ she i &ot at $irst &otice a&ythi&"8oweer/ she certai&ly %ea& to see( a little o& the

)l#() sie a$ter a %it" Ma('*elle )o&ere oer it" 'That chil/

62



#&e — she ets $at" May%e a little $at will o her oo" 0he is

too restless — a tr#ly i$$ic#lt irl" .ow/ $at irls are &ot

#s#ally i$$ic#lt — a& i&teresti& )oi&t"'

0he la&ce at #&e aai& a& ot rather a shock" hy/the chil was )ositiely %loate! 0he stare at #&e $iely"

7&e or two o$ the irls $elt s#ch a esire to la#h that it was

ao&y to kee) their $aces straiht"

#&e wrote steaily o&" '#&e!' sai Ma('*elle/ shar)ly"

'-re yo# holi& yo#r %reath'

#&e looke i&&oce&tly at Ma('*elle" '8oli& (y

%reath' she sai/ with wie eyes" '.o" hy sho#l I #t Iwill i$ yo# wa&t (e to/ Ma('*elle" I ca& hol it $or a lo&

ti(e"'

0he %lew o#t her cheeks a& hel her %reath" The i&$lator

worke (arello#sly" 0he swelle isi%ly/ a& Ma('*elle

stare i& alar("

'.o/ &o — let o#t yo#r %reath/ #&e" Yo# will %#rst" hat

is ha))e&i& to yo#'

#&e let o#t her %reath with a lo# hissi& &oise/ a& at

the sa(e ti(e )#lle the e$lator" 0he e$late at o&ce — a&

it looke eactly as i$ it was %eca#se she ha let o#t her %reath" Ma('*elle was (ost reliee to see her %eco(e her

riht si*e aai&"

'It was rather &ice/ holi& (y %reath like that/' sai #&e/

$oreseei& a ery &ice little a(e o$ holi& her %reath a&

i&$lati& hersel$/ a& letti& it o#t a& e$lati& at the sa(eti(e"

To Ma('*elle's horror she %reathe i& aai&/ %lew o#t her

cheeks a& hel her %reath — a& isi%ly/ %e$ore Ma('*elle's

alar(e a*e/ she i&$late till she looke really (o&stro#s"

Ma('*elle starte #) $ro( her seat"

63



'.eer hae I see& s#ch a thi&!' she sai/ willy" '#&e/

;e o#s )rie — I %e yo#/ o &ot hol yo#r %reath i& this

(a&&er" Yo# will %#rst"'

The whole class %#rst at that (o(e&t" It was i()ossi%leto hol their la#hter i& a&y lo&er" #&e let o#t her %reath a&

e$late ra)ily"

'o&'t/ o&'t/ #&e!' as)e Felicity/ rolli& a%o#t i& her

chair" '7h o&'t o it aai&"'

#t #&e i/ a& Ma('*elle watche willy whilst she

swelle #) o&ce (ore" 'Mo&stro#s!' she crie" '#&e/ I %e o$

yo# o&ce (ore" o &ot hol yo#r %reath aai&" 0ee how itswells yo# #)/ )oor chil"'

-& the& so(ethi& we&t wro& with the e$lator! It

wo#l&'t work" #&e )#lle it $ra&tically/ %#t it wo#l&'t

e$late the $at %alloo&s #&er her clothes" 0he sat there/

)#lli& willy at the stri& $aste&e to the e$lator" It ca(e

o$$!

Ma('*elle was al(ost i& tears" 'This )oor #&e! Chilre&/

chilre&/ how ca& yo# la#h It is &o la#hi& (atter" I o/ to

et hel)" Matro& (#st co(e" e still/ #&e" o &ot %#rst"'

0he h#rrie o#t/ wri&i& her ha&s" #&e lookeeciely alar(e" 'I say! The %eastly thi&'s o&e wro&" I

ca&'t let Matro& see (e like this" I' et a& aw$#l wii&"

hat ca& I o'

arrell ha ;#st arrie at the oor at the (o(e&t that

Ma('*elle r#she o#t/ looki& $ra&tic" 0he ha )#she %yarrell witho#t ee& seei& her" arrell looke i& at the o)e&

oor"

0he saw the (o&stro#s #&e" Felicity saw arrell as a&

a&el i& is#ise" 'arrell! The e$lator's o&e wro&!

Ma('*elle's o&e to et Matro&" @#ick/ what ca& we o''>et a )i&/ iiot/' sai arrell" '0tick it i&to #&e a& she'll

o )o) a& s#%sie" The& yo#' %etter et her o#t o$ that

64



arra&e(e&t +#ickly/ %eca#se Matro& will certai&ly o so(e

e)lori&"'

- )i& was )ro#ce" Felicity # it i&to the $o#r

swelli&s a& they each we&t o$$ with a lo# o)! #&e %eca(e her ow& si*e a& sha)e at o&ce" 0he %ea& to )#ll

eerythi& o#t/ $ra&tically a& willy" 0he was $rihte&e

&ow"

0he ot the r#%%er %alloo&s o#t at last a& )#t the( i&to

her esk/ ;#st as $ootste)s were hear ow& the corrior"

arrell sli))e o#t/ $i&i& it i$$ic#lt &ot to issole i&to

la#hter" 8ow she wo#l hae loe to see Ma('*elle's $acewhe& she $irst saw #&e swelli& #)!

Ma('*elle was alo&e/ looki& rather s#%#e" 0he

h#rrie %y arrell a& ca(e to the $irst $or(" 0he we&t i& a&

a*e at #&e"

'-h — so — yo# are $lat &ow! I tol Matro& a%o#t yo#

a& she la#he at (e" 0he sai it was a treek" - T?EE!

hat is this aw$#l/ horri%le/ a%o(i&a%le treek I will $i& it" I

will seek it" I will h#&t $or it i& eery esk i& the roo("

-hhhhhhhh!'

Ma('*elle looke so $ierce as she stoo there that &o%oyare to say a wor" #&e %ea& to wish she ha le$t the

%alloo&s i& her clothes" I$ Ma('*elle i look i& her esk she

wo#l certai&ly $i& the("

Ma('*elle $o#& the(" 0he li$te #) the li a& saw the

r#%%er %alloo&s at o&ce/ $lat a& tor&" 0he )icke the( o#t a&shook the( i& #&e's $ace" '-h/ &ow yo# ca& hol yo#r %reath

aai&/ yo# %a/ wicke #&e! 8ol yo#r %reath a& liste& to

what I hae to say! Yo# will lear& $or (e o&e h#&re li&es o$

Fre&ch )oetry %e$ore T#esay" Yes/ o&e h#&re li&es! oes

that (ake yo# hol yo#r %reath/ yo# %a irl'

65



It certai&ly i" #&e alreay ha two lots o$ E&lish li&es

to lear& — &ow she ha a h#&re Fre&ch o&es to a to the

lot" 0he roa&e"

Ma('*elle r#((ae $#rther i& the esk" 0he took o#tso(e %ooklets a& looke at the("

'.ew treeks" 7l treeks" Treeks to )lay o& yo#r $rie&s"

Treeks to )lay o& yo#r e&e(ies/' she rea" '-ha! These I will

take $ro( yo#/ #&e" Yo# shall o &o (ore treeks this ter("

These I will co&$iscate/ a& I o &ot thi&k yo# shall hae the(

%ack" .o!'

0he )#t the %ooklets with her %ooks o& the esk/ a&/ery ri( a& eter(i&e/ we&t o& with the Fre&ch ictee"

The class soo& recoere a& lo&e $or the last %ell to o/ so

that they (iht la#h o&ce aai& to their heart's co&te&t"

Ma('*elle sai a shar) oo (or&i& whe& the %ell we&t/

a& we&t o$$ with the r#%%er %alloo&s/ the %ooklets a%o#t

tricks/ a& her ow& %ooks" 0he sat ow& i& the roo( she

share with Miss otts/ the ho#se,(istress o$ .orth Tower"

'Yo# look hot a& %othere/ Ma('*elle/' sai Miss otts/

sy()athetically"

'-h — this #&e — she swells #) like a $ro — #&er (yeyes!' %ea& Ma('*elle/ $iercely/ swelli& #) too" The& she

saw Miss otts' asto&ishe look/ a& she s(ile s#e&ly" 0he

o)e&e her (o#th a& la#he" 0he rolle i& her seat a&

roare"

'7h/ these treeks! 7&e o$ these ays I too will )lay atreek" It shall %e s#)er%e/ (a&i$i+#e/ (ereille#se" 8a/ o&e

ay I too will )lay a treek!'

66



Chapter 1(

IN THE COMMON-ROOM

-??ELL tol -licia a%o#t #&e's iiotic trick" -licia

la#he" 'It's i& the $a(ily/ is&'t it! I a& (y %rothers are trick,

(a/ a& &ow #&e/ (y co#si&/ is oi& the sa(e way" It's a

)ity we're i& the $i$th" I $eel it wo#l&'t %e ery i&i$ie to )lay a&y o$ o#r tricks &ow"'

arrell sihe" 'Yes/ I s#))ose yo#'re riht" >rowi&,#)

has its raw%acks/ a& that's o&e o$ the(" e hae to %ei&i$ie a& ie #) so(e o$ o#r silly ieas — %#t oh/ -licia/

I wish yo# co#l hae see&

#&e all %low& #) — ho&estly it was as oo as a&y o$

yo#r tricks!'

'It's a )ity that co#si& o$ (i&e is s#ch a har a& %ra*e&

little wretch/' sai -licia" 'I o&'t act#ally $eel she's a$rai o$

a&ythi& — ece)t )erha)s (y %rother 0a(" The o thi& isshe si()ly aores hi(/ tho#h he's ie& her so(e $irst,class

s)a&ki&s/ a& wo&'t sta& a scra) o$ &o&se&se $ro( her whe&

she co(es to stay"'

'Yo# ca&'t see( to et at her/ so(ehow/' sai arrell" 'I

(ea& — she oes&'t see( to care" ell — she's a %it like yo#/

yo# k&ow/ -licia — tho#h yo#'re a lot %etter &ow!'

-licia we&t rather )i&k" '-ll riht" o&'t r#% it i&" I k&owI'( har/ %#t yo# wo&'t (ake (e a&y %etter %y telli& (e!

Yo#'e )ro%a%ly &ot &otice it %#t I hae trie to %e (ore

sy()athetic with $ools a& o&keys! 7$ co#rse/ &ot %ei&either yo#rsel$ yo#'e ha &o cha&ce o$ seei& it"'

arrell la#he" 0he sli))e her ar( thro#h -licia's"

'Yo#'re a %it o$ a o&key yo#rsel$/' she sai" '#t there's o&e

thi& a%o#t yo# that sticks o#t a (ile — a& that is yo#r

a%sol#te straiht&ess — a& I o&'t $eel that a%o#t #&e" o

69



yo# I $eel it a%o#t (y sister Felicity — yo# co#l tr#st her

a&ywhere at a&y ti(e — %#t &ot #&e" There's so(ethi& sly

a%o#t her as well as har"'

'ell/ we'll hae to lick her i&to sha)e whilst we're still atMalory Towers/' sai -licia" 'e'e ot two (ore years to o

it i& — a& the& o$$ we o to collee — leai& kis like #&e

a& Felicity %ehi& to carry o&!'

#&e arrie i& the $i$th,$or( co((o&,roo( o& T#esay

ee&i& to say her li&es to -licia a& arrell" 0he looke ery

s#lky" The irls/ who were (ost o$ the( %#sy with o ;o%s

s#ch as ar&i&/ (aki& o#t lists/ rewriti& work/ writi&letters ho(e a& so o&/ looke #) as #&e stroe i&to the

roo("

'o&'t yo# k&ow that a lower school ki k&ocks %e$ore

she co(es i&' sai Moira"

#&e sai &othi&/ %#t lowere"

'>o o#t/ k&ock a& wait till yo#'re tol to co(e i&/'

orere Moira/ i& her ictatorial oice" #&e hesitate" 0he

eteste %ei& orere a%o#t"

Moira $elt i& her )ocket $or her little #&ish(e&t ook/

a& #&e $le" 0he i&'t wa&t a&y (ore li&es!'I &eer k&ew a&yo&e who so %aly &eee licki& i&to

sha)e/' sai Moira/ ri(ly" 'Little toa! I k&ow she's yo#r

co#si&/ -licia/ %#t she's &o creit to yo#!'

'I ca&'t say yo#r sister riet is (#ch creit to yo#

either/' retorte -licia" 0he i&'t )artic#larly wa&t to e$e&#&e/ %#t she rese&te Moira's hih a& (ihty (a&&er" Let

her look a$ter her ow& %a,(a&&ere sister!

'#&e's k&ocke twice alreay/' sai Catheri&e" '7#ht&'t

we to say Dco(e i&D'

'he& I say so/' sai Moira" 'o her oo to wait"'

6=



#&e k&ocke aai&" 'Co(e i&/' sai Moira/ a& #&e

ca(e i&/ re a& $#rio#s" 0he we&t to arrell a& sile&tly ae

her the %ook o#t o$ which she ha lear&t her li&es"

'?e)eat the( to (e/' sai arrell" #&e a%%le the( o$$witho#t a si&le (istake" arrell looke at her" 0he really was

ery like -licia — a& she ha -licia's (arello#s (e(ory/

too" .o o#%t it ha take& #&e o&ly a%o#t $ie (i&#tes to

(e(ori*e that lo& )oe("

0he we&t to -licia/ a& a%%le o$$ what she ha lear&t

$or her/ aai& with &o (istake" '?iht/' sai -licia" 'Yo# ca& o

— a& i$ yo# o&'t wa&t to s)e& the whole o$ this ter(lear&i& li&es/ try to %e (ore ciil to yo#r elers"'

#&e scowle" eli&a whi))e o#t her )e&cil"

'8ol it!' she sai to the s#r)rise #&e" 'Yes — ;#st like

that — (o#th ow&/ %rows $row&i&/ s#rly e)ressio&" 8ol

it/ hol it! I wa&t it $or (y 0cowl ook" It's calle D8ow to

0cowlD/ a& it's really i&teresti&" Yo# sho#l see so(e o$ the

scowls I'e ot!'

Moira a& >we&oli&e/ who k&ew they ha co&tri%#te

to this #&i+#e %ook/ i((eiately scowle with a&&oya&ce/

a& the& straihte&e their $aces at o&ce i& case eli&a sawthe(" low eli&a! 7&e co#l&'t ee& scowl i& )eace with

her aro#&"

#&e stoo still/ scowli& ee& (ore $iercely" 'o&e' she

sai at last" 'ell/ I wish yo# ;oy o$ all yo#r scowls — I'll %e

willi& to co(e alo& a& o$$er yo# a oo selectio& a&y ti(eyo# like" It's a& easy thi& to o whe& a&y $i$th — $or(er is

aro#&"'

0he stalke o$$/ $eeli& i& her )ocket $or the li&es she ha

lear&t $or Ma('*elle" They ha&'t really take& her ery lo&"

Tha&k oo&ess $or a )arrot (e(ory! #&e ha o&ly to reali&es thro#h o&ce/ sayi& the( o#t lo#/ to k&ow the("

7thers with less oo (e(ories e&ie her tre(e&o#sly" It

6A



i&'t see( $air that #&e/ who trie so little/ co#l o s#ch

oo work/ a& that they/ who trie so har/ ery o$te& o&ly

)ro#ce %a or ori&ary work!

'low!' sai Ire&e/ s#e&ly/ )#tti& ow& her )e&cil" 0heha %ee& co()osi& a little allo)i& t#&e/ the o&e that ha

%ee& i& her hea $or so(e ti(e a$ter she ha hear the

allo)i& hooes o$ the horses i& the rie" 'I'( ;#st &icely i&

the (ile o$ this tirretty,too t#&e — a& I'e ;#st re(e(%ere

it's (y t#r& to o the $lowers i& the classroo(" I o#ht to o

a& )ick the( %e$ore it's +#ite ark"'

'Let (e o/' sai Catheri&e/ )#tti& ow& her ar&i&" 'I'll %e )lease to o it $or yo#" Yo#'re s#ch a e&i#s/ Ire&e — yo#

;#st o o& with yo#r t#&e" I'( o&ly a& ori&ary (ortal — &o

i$ts at all — a& it's a )leas#re to o what little I ca&"'

0he s(ile her %ea(i& s(ile/ a& Ire&e $elt slihtly

sick" Eeryo&e was etti& tire o$ Catheri&e a& her (artyr,

like ways" 0he was always )#tti& hersel$ o#t $or so(eo&e/

o$$eri& to o the ;o%s &o%oy else wa&te to o/ %elittli&

hersel$/ a& )raisi& others etraaa&tly"

'.o tha&ks/' sai Ire&e/ shortly" 'It's (y ;o% a& I (#st o

it"''8ow like yo# to $eel like that!' #she Catheri&e" 'ell

— I'( +#ite %#sy ar&i& >we&oli&e's stocki&/ so i$ yo#

really wo#l&'t like (e to o the $lowers $or yo#/ I'll " " "'

#t Ire&e was o&e" 0he sla((e the oor a& &o%oy

ece)t Catheri&e (i&e" They all $elt like sla((i& the oorthe(seles"

'I o thi&k Ire&e (iht hae sai tha&k yo#/' sai

Catheri&e/ i& rather a h#rt oice" 'o&'t yo#/ Ma#ree&'

Ma#ree& $elt that eeryo&e was waiti& to )o#&ce o& her

i$ she are to say 'yes'" Ire&e was so ery )o)#lar" 0he washesitati& how to a&swer whe& the oor o)e&e a& Ire&e

ca(e %ack"

9B



'0o(eo&e's o&e the $lowers!' she sai"

'Yes — &ow I co(e to thi&k o$ it/ I saw Clarissa oi&

the(/' sai Mais"

'hat o& earth $or' e(a&e Ire&e" '>osh — I ho)e )eo)le are&'t oi& to r#& ro#& a$ter (e oi& (y ;o%s! I'(

still )er$ectly ca)a%le o$ oi& the("'

'ell/' sai arrell/ s#e&ly re(e(%eri&/ 'it's Clarissa's

week/ iiot" Yo#r week is &et week" Yo# looke it #) this

(or&i&"'

'>osh!' sai Ire&e aai&/ with a co(ical air o$ is(ay"

'I'( &#ts! I o a& i&terr#)t (y ow& %it o$ co()osi&/ a&r#sh o$$ to o a ;o% I'( &ot s#))ose to o till &et week"

-&yway — it ae ear Catheri&e a cha&ce to (ake o&e o$ her

e&ero#s o$$ers!'

'That's &ot ki& o$ yo#/ Ire&e/' sai Catheri&e/ $l#shi&"

'#t &eer (i& — I o #&ersta&" I$ I co#l co()ose like

yo# I' say &asty thi&s so(eti(es/ I e)ect! I o #&ersta&"'

'Co#l yo# sto) %ei& $orii& a& #&ersta&i& lo&

e&o#h $or (e to $i&ish (y t#&e' sai Ire&e/ i& a a&ero#s

oice" 'I o&'t care i$ yo# D#&ersta&D or &ot — all I care

a%o#t at the (o(e&t is to $i&ish this"'Catheri&e )#t o& a sai&tly $ace/ )resse her li)s toether

as i$ sto))i& hersel$ $ro( retorti&/ a& we&t o& ar&i&"

There was a k&ock at the oor" Ire&e roa&e" '>o away!

o&'t co(e i&!'

The oor o)e&e a& Co&&ie's $ace )eere ro#&" 'Is ?#thhere ?#th/ ca& yo# co(e $or a (i&#te riet is o#t here"

e'e ot rather a oo iea"'

'I o&'t like riet/' sai ?#th/ i& a low oice" '-&

a&yway I'( %#sy" 0o's eeryo&e else here"'

'#t/ ?#th — I'e harly see& yo# this week/' )rotesteCo&&ie" 'Co(e o& o#t $or a (i&#te" y the way/ I'e (e&e

yo#r roller,skates $or yo#" They're reay $or yo# to #se aai&"'

91



Ire&e roa&e" arrell roa&e/ too" 0he was tryi& to

ra$t o#t the thir act o$ the )a&to(i(e"

'Either tell Co&&ie to o/ or o yo#rsel$/' sai Ire&e" 'I$

&ot/ I'll o! I'll o a& sit i& the %athroo( a& take this with(e" erha)s I'll et a $ew (i&#tes )eace the&" Tirretty,tirretty,

too" Yes/ I thi&k I'll o"'

0he ot #)" Co&&ie $le/ thi&ki& Ire&e was oi& to row

her" ?#th looke ro#& a)oloetically/ %#t sai &othi&"

'It's all riht/' sai arrell/ so$tly" 'ee) Co&&ie at ar('s

le&th till she leaes yo# i& )eace/ ?#th — a& o&'t worry

a%o#t it!'#t Catheri&e ha to %e silly a%o#t it/ o$ co#rse" 'oor

Co&&ie/' she sai" 'I really ca&'t hel) $eeli& sorry $or her" e

o#ht&'t to %e too har o& her/ o#ht we'

92



Chapter 11

THE "EEKS GO ON

.7 the ays %ea& to sli) %y (ore +#ickly" Two weeks

we&t — three weeks — a& the& the $o#rth week t#r&e #)

a& %ea& to sli) away/ too"

Eerythi& was oi& well" There was &o ill&ess i& theschool" The weather was $i&e/ so that the )layi&,$iels were

i& #se eery ay/ a& there was )le&ty o$ )ractice $or

eeryo&e" ork was oi& well/ a& ece)t $or the real #s/&o%oy was oi& %aly" Fie lacrosse (atches ha alreay

%ee& wo& %y the school/ a& arrell/ as a(es ca)tai& $or the

$i$th/ was i& the see&th heae& o$ eliht"

0he ha )laye i& two o$ the (atches/ a& ha shot %oth

the wi&&i& oals" Felicity ha o&e &early (a with ;oy" 0he

ha %ee& a%le to watch arrell i& %oth %eca#se they were

ho(e (atches" Felicity reo#%le her )ractices a& %eearrell $or all the coachi& ti(e she co#l s)are" 0he was

resere $or the $o#rth school,tea(/ a& was eter(i&e to %e

i& it %e$ore the e& o$ the ter("

The )la&s $or the Christ(as e&tertai&(e&t were oi&

well/ too" 0o $ar &o hel) ha %ee& aske $ro( either Mr"

Yo#&/ the (#sic,(aster/ or Miss >ree&i&/ the eloc#tio&

(istress" The irls ha )la&&e eerythi& the(seles"arrell ha %ee& a(a*e at the way she a& 0ally ha

%ee& a%le to ras) the )la&&i& o$ a %i )a&to(i(e" -t $irst it

ha see(e a ho)eless task/ a& arrell ha&'t ha the $ai&testiea how to set a%o#t it" #t &ow/ hai& ot ow& to it with

0ally/ hai& rea #) a $ew other )lays a& )a&to(i(es/ a&

ot the e&eral iea/ she was $i&i& that she see(e to hae

+#ite a i$t $or worki& o#t a &ew o&e!

93



'It's wo&er$#l!' she sai to 0ally" 'I i&'t k&ow I co#l"

I'( loi& it" I say/ 0ally — o yo# thi&k/ o yo# )ossi%ly

thi&k I (iht hae a sort o$ i$t that way I &eer tho#ht I

ha a&y i$t at all"''Yes/' sai 0ally/ loyally" 'I thi&k yo# hae ot a i$t $or

this ki& o$ thi&" That's the %est o$ a school like this/ that has

so (a&y (a&y i&terests — there's so(ethi& $or eery%oy —

a& i$ yo# hae ot a hie& or slee)i& i$t yo#'re likely to

$i& it/ a& %e a%le to #se it" There's yo#r way o$ scri%%li&

ow& erse/ too — I &eer k&ew yo# co#l o that %e$ore!'

'.or i I/ really/' sai arrell" 0he $ishe a(o& her )a)ers a& )#lle o#t a scri%%le sheet" 'Ca& I rea yo# this/

0ally It's the so& Ci&erella is s#))ose to si& as she sits

%y the $ire/ alo&e" 8er sisters hae o&e to the %all" Liste&

'y the $ire I sit a& rea(

-& i& the $la(es I see/

ict#res o$ the loely thi&s

That &eer co(e to (e/

That &eer co(e to (e/

-h (e!Carriaes/ a loely ow&/

- $lowi& siler cloak —

The e(%ers (oe/ the )ict#re's o&e/

My rea(s o #) i& s(oke/

My rea(s o #) i& s(oke/I& s(oke!'

0he sto))e" 'That's as $ar as I'e ot with that so&" 7$

co#rse/ I k&ow it's &ot aw$#lly oo/ a& certai&ly &ot )oetry/

o&ly ;#st erse — %#t I &eer i& (y li$e k&ew I co#l ee& )#tthi&s i& rhy(e! -&/ o$ co#rse/ Ire&e ;#st o%%les the( #)/

a& sets the( to elicio#s t#&es i& &o ti(e"'

94



'Yes" It's ery oo/' sai 0ally" 'Yo# o e&;oy it all/ too/

o&'t yo# I say — what will yo#r )are&ts thi&k whe& they

co(e to the )a&to(i(e a& see o& the )rora((e that arrell

?iers has writte& the wors — a& the so&s/ too!''I o&'t k&ow" I o&'t thi&k they'll %eliee it/' sai arrell"

arrell was &ot the o&ly (e(%er o$ the $i$th $or(

e&;oyi& hersel$ oer the )ro#ctio& o$ the )a&to(i(e" Ire&e

was too — she was setti& arrel's so&s to eactly the riht

t#&es/ a& scri%%li& ow& the har(o&ies as i$ she ha %ee&

co()osi& all her li$e lo& — as she ery &early ha/ $or Ire&e

was h#((i& (eloies %e$ore she was o&e year ol!The class were #se to seei& Ire&e co(i& alo& the

corrior or #) the stairs/ %#()i& #&seei&ly i&to the(/

h#((i& a &ew t#&e" 'T#(ty,ta/ ti,ta/ ti,ta/ t#(ty,too" 7h/

sorry/ Mais" I ho&estly i&'t see yo#" T#(ty,ta/ ti,ta,osh/

i I h#rt yo#/ Catheri&e" I &eer saw yo# co(i&"'

'7h/ that's +#ite all riht/' sai Catheri&e/ e&tly/ )atti&

Ire&e o& the ar(/ a& (aki& her shy away at o&ce" 'e o&'t

hae e&i#ses like yo# eery " " "'

#t Ire&e was o&e" 8ow she eteste Catheri&e with her

h#(%le ways/ a& her co&ti&#al air o$ sacri$ici& hersel$ $orothers!

'T#(ty,ta/ ti,ta/' she h#((e s#e&ly i& class/ a&

%a&e her ha& ow& o& the esk" '>ot it! 7$ co#rse/ that's it!

7h/ sorry/ Miss i((y — er/ a(es/ I (ea&/ Miss a(es" I

;#st ot carrie away $or a (o(e&t" I'e %ee& ha#&te %y " " "''Yo# &ee&'t e)lai&/' sai Miss a(es/ with a twi&kle i&

her eye" 'o yo# thi&k yo#'e ot that )artic#lar t#&e o#t o$

yo#r syste( &ow/ a& co#l co&ce&trate/ say/ $or hal$ a& ho#r/

o& what the rest o$ the class are oi&'

'7h yes — yes/ o$ co#rse/' sai Ire&e/ still rather %e(#se" 0he %e&t oer her (aths %ook/ )e&cil i& ha&" Miss

a(es was a(#se to see o&e )ae o$ $i#res a& o&e )ae o$

95



scri%%le (#sic/ whe& the %ook was ie& i& — %oth

ecelle&t/ $or Ire&e was al(ost as (#ch a e&i#s at (aths as at

(#sic" 0he i&siste that the two thi&s we&t toether/ tho#h

this see(e #&%eliea%le to the rest o$ the class" Maths wereso #ll a& (#sic so loely!

The wors o$ the )a&to(i(e )roresse $ast/ a& so i

the (#sic" It was esse&tial that they sho#l %eca#se there

co#l %e &o rehearsi& #&til there was so(ethi& to rehearse!

eli&a was %#sy with esi&s $or sce&ery a& cost#(es"

0he/ too/ was etre(ely ha))y" 8er )e&cil $lew oer the )a)er

each ee&i& a& eery (o(e&t o$ $ree ti(e — she reweerythi&/ ee& the )atter& o& Ci&erella's a)ro&!

Little a&et waite eaerly as the esi&s rew a& were

)asse o& to her" 0he too was eaer a& e&th#siastic" 0he

t#r&e o#t the e&or(o#s tr#&ks o$ resses a& t#&ics a&

cost#(es o$ all )erios/ #se %y other irls at Malory Towers

i& ter(s o&e %y" 8ow co#l she alter this 8ow co#l she #se

that 7h/ what a wo&er$#l )iece o$ %l#e elet! #st riht $or

the ri&ce!

Little a&et ha always %ee& i&e&io#s/ %#t &ow she

s#r)asse hersel$" 0he chose o#t all the (aterial a& st#$$s she&eee/ with #&erri& taste — she sorte o#t resses a&

cost#(es that co#l %e altere" 0he ra& ro#& the school

)ressi& all the oo &eele,workers i&to her serice" 0he

%ee Miss Li&&ie/ the +#iet little sewi&,(istress/ to hel)

her %y allowi& so(e o$ the classes to work o& the clothes a&ecoratio&s"

'I wo#l &eer hae tho#ht that little (o#se o$ a a&et

ha it i& her to %losso( o#t like this!' sai Miss otts to

Ma('*elle" 'hat these chilre& ca& o i$ they're ;#st ie& a

cha&ce to o thi&s o& their ow&!'-&other )erso& who was worki& har/ tho#h i& +#ite a

i$$ere&t irectio&/ was -licia! -licia/ who &eer worke

96



really har at a&ythi&/ %eca#se she ha oo %rai&s a& i&'t

&ee to" #t &ow she ha so(ethi& to o that/ %rai&s or &o

%rai&s/ &eee co&sta&t har work a& )ractice"

-licia was to %e the e(o& i& i& the )a&to(i(e —a& he was to %e a& e&cha&ter/ a co&;#rer who co#l o (aic

thi&s! -licia was to show her skill at co&;#ri&/ a& she

(ea&t to %e as oo a co&;#rer o& the school stae as a&y

co&;#rer i& a Lo&o& )a&to(i(e"

'ell — I i&'t rea( that -licia's a%ility $or )layi&

silly tricks a& oi& %its o$ a(ate#r co&;#ri& to a(#se her

$rie&s wo#l (ake her work as har as this' sai Miss eters/the thir,$or( (istress/ sh#tti& the oor o$ o&e o$ the (#sic,

roo(s so$tly"

0he ha hear )ec#liar so#&s i& there — so#&s o$

)a&ti&s/ so#&s o$ so(ethi& $alli&/ so#&s o$ sheer

eas)eratio&/ a& she ha )ee)e i& to see what i& the worl

was oi& o&"

-licia was there/ with her %ack to her/ )ractisi& a s)ot o$

;#li&! Yes/ she was oi& to ;#le/ as well as co&;#re —

a& she ha a& array o$ colo#re ri&s which she was

throwi& ra)ily #) i&to the air/ o&e a$ter a&other/ catchi&the( (irac#lo#sly"

The& she wo#l (iss o&e/ a& click i& eas)eratio&" 0he

wo#l hae to %ei& all oer aai&" -h — -licia ha $o#&

so(ethi& that i&'t &ee o&ly %rai&work — it &eee

)atie&ce/ )ractice/ e$t&ess/ a& the& )atie&ce all oer aai&"'hy i I eer say I' %e the e(o& i&!' roa&e

-licia/ )icki& #) the ri&s $or the twe&ty,seco& ti(e a&

%ei&&i& aai&" 'hy i I eer aree to o co&;#ri& a&

;#li& I (#st hae %ee& (a"'

#t her )rie (ae her o o& a& o&" I$ -licia i a thi&it ha to %e o&e %etter tha& a&y%oy else co#l )ossi%ly o it"

The $i$th $or( were (ost i&tri#e %y this &ew i&terest o$

99



-licia's" It was s#ch $#& to see her s#e&ly )ick #) a )e&cil/

r#%%er/ r#ler a& )e&/ a& ;#le the( ra)ily i& the air/

catchi& the( e$tly i& o&e ha& at the $i&ish!

It was a(#si& to see her et #) to $i& Ma('*elle's$o#&tai&,)e&/ a& )ick it a))are&tly o#t o$ the e()ty air/ a&

ee& (ore a(#si& to see her raely a%stract a& e $ro(

Ma('*elle's ear"

'-licia! I will &ot hae s#ch a thi&!' stor(e Ma('*elle"

'7h/ la la! .ow yo# hae $o#& a ciarette i& (y other ear" It

is &ot &ice! It (akes (e o — what o yo# call it — #ck,

$lesh"''>oose,$lesh/ Ma('*elle/' sai -licia/ with o&e o$ her

wicke ri&s" 'ear (e — has yo#r $o#&tai&,)e& o&e aai&

It's #) i& the air as #s#al!' -& she reache o#t her ha& a&

)icke it o&ce (ore $ro( the air"

.o wo&er the class like -licia's &ew i&terest" It

certai&ly ae a lot (ore e&;oy(e&t to lesso&s!

9=



Chapter 12

G"ENDOLINE MAR) AND MAUREEN

T7 irls were a&io#sly waiti& $or arrell to $i&ish

the )a&to(i(e" They were >we&oli&e a& Ma#ree&" Each o$

the( saw hersel$ i& the )art o$ Ci&erella" Each o$ the( cre)t

away to the or(y o& occasio&/ let her ole& hair loose/ a& )ose i& $ro&t o$ the ressi&,ta%le (irrors"

'I look eactly riht $or Ci&erella/' tho#ht >we&oli&e

Mary" 'I'( the ty)e/ so(ehow" I co#l sit )e&siely %y the$iresie a& look really loely" -& as the )ri&cess at the %all

I' %e wo&er$#l"'

0he wrote a& tol her (other a%o#t the co(i&

)a&to(i(e" '7$ co#rse/ we o&'t k&ow yet a%o#t the

characters/' she sai" 'Most o$ the irls wo#l like (e to %e

Ci&erella — they say I look the )art" I o&'t k&ow what yo#

thi&k/ Mother I'( &ot co&ceite/ as yo# k&ow/ %#t I ca&'t hel)thi&ki& I' o it rather well" hat oes Miss i&ter thi&k'

ack ca(e two #shi& letters at o&ce/ o&e $ro( her

elihte (other/ o&e $ro( her ol oer&ess/ worshi))i& as

eer"

-?LI.> >E./

Yes/ o$ co#rse yo# (#st %e Ci&erella" Yo# wo#l %e

a%sol#tely riht" Yo#r hair wo#l look so loely i& the$ireliht" 7h/ how )ro# I shall %e to see yo# sitti& there

)e&sie a& sa/ looki& i&to " " "

-& so o& a& so o&" Miss i&ter's letter was (#ch thesa(e" oth o$ the( ha a))are&tly take& it co()letely $or

ra&te that >we&oli&e wo#l hae the chie$ )art"

Moira ca(e %ari& i&to the or(y o&e ay a&

iscoere a startle >we&oli&e sta&i& i& $ro&t o$ her

9A



(irror/ her hair all ro#& her $ace/ a& a towel throw& oer her

sho#lers $or a& ee&i& cloak"

'>osh — what o yo# thi&k yo#'re oi&' she sai/ i&

a(a*e(e&t" 'ashi& yo#r hair or so(ethi& -re yo# (a/>we& Yo# ca&'t wash yo#r hair at this ti(e o$ ay" Yo#'re

#e $or Fre&ch i& $ie (i&#tes"'

>we&oli&e (#ttere so(ethi& a& $l#& the towel

%ack o& its rack" 0he we&t %riht re" Moira was )#**le"

Two ays later Moira aai& ca(e r#shi& i&to the or(y

to see i$ the wi&ows were o)e&" This ti(e she $o#& Ma#ree&

sta&i& i& $ro&t o$ her (irror/ her hair loose ow& her %ack i&a ole& sheet/ a& o&e o$ the c#%icle c#rtai&s )i&&e ro#&

her waist to (ake a trai&"

Moira a)e" Ma#ree& we&t )i&k a& %ea& to %r#sh her

hair as i$ it was a )er$ectly ori&ary thi& to %e $o#& with it

loose/ a& a c#rtai& )i&&e to her waist"

Moira $o#& her oice" 'hat o yo# a& >we& thi&k

yo#'re oi&/ )arai& a%o#t here with yo#r hair loose a&

towels a& c#rtai&s ra)e ro#& yo#' she e(a&e" '8ae

yo# %oth o&e crackers Eery ti(e I co(e i&to this or(y I

see yo# or >we& with yo#r hair loose a& thi&s ra)e ro#&yo#" hat are yo# #) to'

Ma#ree& co#l&'t )ossi%ly tell the scor&$#l )ractical

Moira what she was oi& — (erely )rete&i& to %e a

%ea#ti$#l Ci&erella with a clo# o$ lorio#s hair/ a& a lo&

ole& trai& to her ress" #t Moira s#e&ly #esse"0he la#he her lo# a& scor&$#l la#h" '7h! I %eliee I

k&ow! Yo#'re )layi& Ci&erella! oth o$ yo# )rete&i& to

%e Ci&erella" hat a ho)e yo#'e ot! e' &eer choose

ra%%it,teeth to )lay Ci&erella"'

-& with this ery c#tti& re(ark Moira we&t o#t o$ theroo(/ la#hi& lo#ly" Ma#ree& a*e at hersel$ i& the (irror

a& tears ca(e to her eyes" ?a%%it,teeth! 8ow horri%le o$

=B



Moira" 8ow $riht$#lly cr#el" 0he co#l&'t hel) her teeth %ei&

like that" 7r co#l she ery #iltily Ma#ree& re(e(%ere

how she ha %ee& tol to wear a wire ro#& her $ro&t teeth to

$orce the( %ack — a& she ha&'t %ee& a%le to et #se to it/a& ha t#cke it away i& her rawer at Ma*eley Ma&or"

.o%oy there ha sai a&ythi& a%o#t it" .o%oy ha

%othere" Ma*eley Ma&or was a $ree,a&,easy school/ as

Ma#ree& was so $o& o$ sayi&/ co()ari& it #&$ao#ra%ly

with Malory Towers/ a& its co()#lsory a(es/ its i&+#isitie

Matro& a& eter(i&e/ res)o&si%le ho#se,(istresses"

'I$ I' %ee& here whe& the e&tist tol (e to wear thatwire ro#& (y teeth/ Matro& a& Miss otts wo#l %oth hae

(ae (e o it/ ee& i$ I i&'t wa&t to/' she tho#ht" '-& %y

&ow I' hae &ice teeth — &ot sticki&,o#t a& #ly"'

-& $or the $irst ti(e a o#%t a%o#t that wo&er$#l

school/ Ma*eley Ma&or/ cre)t i&to Ma#ree&'s (i&" as it so

oo a$ter all to %e allowe to o ;#st as yo# like To )lay

a(es or &ot as yo# like To o $or walks or &ot at yo#r ow&

choice erha)s — yes )erha)s it was %etter to hae to o

thi&s that were oo $or yo#/ whether yo# like the( or &ot/

till yo# were ol e&o#h a& res)o&si%le e&o#h to choose"Ma#ree& ha chose& &ot to wear the wire whe& she

sho#l hae o&e — a& &ow she ha %ee& calle ?a%%it,

Teeth/ a& she was s#re she wo#l&'t %e chose& as Ci&erella"

0he i #) her hair rather so%erly/ %li&ki& away a $ew (ore

tears/ a& tryi& to sh#t her li)s oer the )rotr#i& $ro&tteeth"

0he $orot to #&)i& the c#rtai&/ a& we&t o#t o$ the roo(/

thi&ki& so ee)ly that she i&'t ee& $eel it rai& %ehi&

her" 0he (et Ma('*elle at the to) o$ the stairs"

'Tie&s!' sai Ma('*elle/ sto))i& i& s#r)rise" '@#e $aiteso#s/ Ma#ree& hat are yo# oi& with that c#rtai&'

=1



Ma#ree& cast a horri$ie look at her 'trai&' a& r#she

%ack to the or(y" 0he #&)i&&e it a& )#t the c#rtai& %ack

i&to its )lace" Feeli& rather s#%#e she we&t ow&stairs to

$i& >we&">we& was etti& ery ery tire o$ Ma#ree&" The &ew

irl ha $aste&e o& to her like a leech" 0he relate lo& a&

%ori& stories o$ her )eo)le/ her $rie&s/ her ol school a&

es)ecially o$ hersel$" 0he &eer see(e to thi&k that >we&

wo#l like to talk too"

>we& so(eti(es %roke i&to the (ile o$ Ma#ree&'s

%ori& s)eeches" 'Ma#ree&/ i I eer tell yo# a%o#t the ti(e Iwe&t to .orway My wor/ it was s#)er" I staye #) to i&&er

each &iht/ a& I was o&ly thirtee&/ a& " " "'

'I'e &eer %ee& to .orway/' Ma#ree& wo#l i&terr#)t"

'#t (y a#&t we&t there last s#((er" 0he se&t (e a whole lot

o$ )ost,cars" I'll $i& the( to show yo#" Yo#'ll %e i&tereste

to see the(/ I'( s#re"'

>we& was&'t i&tereste" 0he was &eer i&tereste i&

a&ythi& a&yo&e else eer showe her" I& $act/ like Ma#ree&/

she was&'t i&tereste i& a&ythi& ece)t hersel$"

The o&ly ti(e that Ma#ree& eer really liste&e to herwas whe& she tol #&ki& tales o$ the others i& the $or(" The&

Ma#ree& wo#l liste& with reat i&terest" 'I wo#l&'t hae

tho#ht it o$ arrell/' she wo#l say" '>oo racio#s/ i

a)h&e really o that 7h/ I say — $a&cy ill %ei& so

eceit$#l!'>we& was $orce to )lay a(es a& &ot o&ly that %#t to

take )art i& a lot o$ )ractices" 0he was (ae to o y(

)ro)erly/ a& &eer allowe to et o#t o$ it %y a&&o#&ci& she

i&'t $eel too well" 0he ha to o $or eery walk that was

)la&&e/ $#(i& a& $#rio#s"

=2





'hat are we to o with this )est o$ a Ma#ree&'

co()lai&e a&et/ o&e ee&i&" '0he co(es a& asks i$ she ca&

hel) (e a& the& i$ I ie her the si()lest thi& to sew/ she

oes a& %otches it #) so that I hae to #&o it"''-& she ha the sa#ce to co(e a& tell (e she i&'t like

so(e o$ (y chors i& the o)e&i& chor#s o$ DCi&erellaD/'

s&orte Ire&e" 'I ticke her o$$" #t she wo&'t lear& she's &ot

wa&te" 0he wo&'t lear& she's &o oo! 0he's so thick,ski&&e

that I'( s#re a %#llet wo#l %o#&ce o$$ her i$ she was shot!'

'0he wa&ts a lesso&/' sai -licia" 'My wor — i$ she

co(es a& o$$ers to show (e how to ;#le/ I'll ;#le her! I'll ;#le her all ow& the corrior a& %ack aai&/ a& ow& i&to

the are& a& o& to the rocks a& i&to the )ool!'

'>we&'s looki& )retty sick these ays/' sai eli&a" '0he

oes&'t like hai& a o#%le that cli&s to her like Ma#ree&

oes" I wo&er i$ she k&ows how like her Ma#ree& is" I&

silli&ess a& %ori&&ess a& co&ceite&ess a& %oast$#l&ess

a& " " "'

'7h/ I say/' sai the sai&tly Catheri&e/ )rotesti&" '-re&'t

yo# %ei& rather #&ki&/ eli&a'

eli&a looke at Catheri&e" 'There are ti(es to %e ki&a& ti(es to %e #&ki&/ ear sweet Catheri&e/' she sai" '#t

yo# o&'t see( to k&ow the(" Yo# thi&k yo#'re %ei& ki& to

(e whe& yo# shar)e& all (y )e&cils to a )i&,)oi&t — %#t

yo#'re &ot" Yo#'re ;#st %ei& i&ter$eri&" I o&'t wa&t all (y

)e&cils like that" I kee) so(e o$ the( %l#&t o& )#r)ose" -&a%o#t this %ei& #&ki& to Ma#ree&" 0o(eti(es #&ki&&ess is

a short,c#t to )#tti& so(ethi& riht" I #ess that's what

Ma#ree& wa&ts — a ose o$ oo har co((o&,se&se

a(i&istere shar)ly" -& that's what she'll et i$ she oes&'t

sto) this silly &o&se&se o$ hers"'Catheri&e )#t o& her (artyr,like air" 'Yo# k&ow %est/ o$

co#rse/ eli&a" I wo#l&'t rea( o$ isareei& with yo#" I'(

=4



sorry a%o#t the )e&cils" I ;#st o ro#& seei& what I ca& o to

hel)/ that's all"'

'0hall I show yo# how yo# look i& yo#r ow& tho#hts/

Catheri&e' sai eli&a/ s#e&ly" Eeryo&e liste&e/ (osta(#se at eli&a's s#e& o#t%#rst" 0he was #s#ally so ery

oo,&at#re — %#t )eo)le like Ma#ree&/ >we& a&

Catheri&e co#l %e ery ery tryi&"

eli&a's )e&cil $lew oer a %i sheet o$ )a)er" 0he

worke at it $or $ie (i&#tes/ the& took #) a )i&" 'I'll )i& it to

the wall/ irls/' she sai" 'Catheri&e will si()ly loe it" It's the

lii& i(ae o$ her as she i(ai&es hersel$"'0he took the sheet to the wall a& )i&&e it #)" The irls

crowe ro#&" Catheri&e/ co&s#(e with c#riosity/ we&t too"

It was a )ict#re o$ her sta&i& i& a stai&e,lass

wi&ow/ a lea(i& halo ro#& her hea" <&er&eath/ i& %i

%ol letters eli&a ha writte& $ie wors

7<? LE00E M-?TY?/ 0T" C-T8E?I.E"

Catheri&e $le away $ro( the shrieks o$ elihte

la#hter" '0he's ot what she wa&te!' sai arrell" 'Catheri&e/co(e %ack! 8ow o yo# like %ei& a sai&t i& a stai&e,lass

wi&ow'

=5



Chapter 13

A PLOT * AND A +UARREL

EF7?E that week ha e&e arrell was reay with the

whole )a&to(i(e/ wors a& all" Most o$ the (#sic ha %ee&

writte&/ %eca#se Ire&e al(ost s&atche the wors $ro( arrell

as she $i&ishe the("'@#ite a >il%ert a& 0#llia&/' sai Moira/ rather

s&eeri&ly/ s)eaki& o$ the $a(o#s co(ic o)era )air o$ the last

ce&t#ry" 0he was $eeli& rather o#t o$ thi&s" <&til the )a&to(i(e was writte&/ she co#l &ot )ro#ce it/ so she ha

&othi& to o at the (o(e&t" -& Moira islike hai&

&othi& to o" 0he like r#&&i& thi&s/ ora&i*i& thi&s a&

)eo)le/ o(i&ati& eeryo&e/ layi& ow& the law"

0he was &ot a )o)#lar hea,irl" The $i$th,$or(ers

rese&te her ictatorial (a&&er" They islike her lack o$

h#(o#r/ a& they took as little &otice o$ her as they co#l"Moira cha$e #&er all this" 'o %#ck #) with this

)a&to(i(e/ arrell a& 0ally/' she sai" 'I wish I' #&ertake&

to write it (ysel$ &ow/ yo#'re so slow"'

'Yo# co#l&'t write it/' sai arrell" 'Yo# k&ow yo#

co#l&'t" Yo# harly eer et oo (arks $or co()ositio&"'

Moira $l#she" 'o&'t %e cheeky/' she sai"

Catheri&e s)oke #) $or her/ #si& a sweet a& e&tleoice" 'I'( s#re Moira o&ly let yo# a& 0ally o it to ie yo#

a cha&ce/' she sai" 'I'( s#re she co#l hae o&e it ery well

hersel$"''There s)eaks o#r %lesse (artyr/ 0ai&t Catheri&e/' )#t i&

-licia/ (alicio#sly" 'ear 0ai&t Catheri&e" 0he eseres the

halo eli&a ae her/ oes&'t she/ irls'

=6



Catheri&e $row&e" eli&a calle o#t at o&ce" '8ol it/

Catheri&e/ hol it! .o/ o&'t s(ile i& that sickly sweet (a&&er/

let (e hae that $row& aai&!'

Catheri&e t#r&e away" It was too %a that she sho#l %ela#he at whe& all the ti(e she was tryi& to %e ki& a&

sel$,sacri$ici& a& really oo/ )oor Catheri&e tho#ht to

hersel$" 0he la&ce at the wall" low! There was yet a&other

)ict#re o$ her #) there/ with a %ier halo tha& eer!

Catheri&e re#larly s&eake i&to the co((o&,roo( whe&

it was e()ty/ a& took ow& the )ict#res that eli&a as

re#larly rew o$ her" #t always there was a $resh o&e" It wasa%sol#tely (ae&i&" This o&e showe her shar)e&i&

tho#sa&s o$ )e&cils/ a& i$ a&yo&e looke care$#lly at the %i

halo they co#l see that it/ too/ was (ae o$ shar)e&e )e&cils

set closely toether"

'It's e&o#h to (ake a&yo&e $#rio#sly a&ry/' tho#ht

Catheri&e" 'I wo&er I o&'t lose (y te()er a& %reak o#t/ a&

call )eo)le &a(es" ell — I try to like the( all/ %#t it's ery

ery i$$ic#lt"'

The $i$th $or( ecie they (#st eal with Ma#ree& as

well as with Catheri&e" 'etter show the( %oth eactly wherethey sta& %e$ore we %ei& rehearsi&/' sai -licia" 'e ca&'t

%e %othere %y i&ter$erers a& whi&ers a& sai&ts whe& o&ce

we're o& the ;o%" .ow — how shall we eal with Ma#ree&'

'The tro#%le with her is that she's so $#ll o$ hersel$ —

thi&ks she ca& o eerythi& %etter tha& a&yo&e else/ a& iss#re she co#l r#& the whole show/' sai arrell" '0he's so ;olly

thick,ski&&e there's &o oi& a&ythi& with her" 0he's too

ai& $or wors!'

'?iht/' sai -licia" 'e'll ie her a real cha&ce" e'll

tell her to raw so(e esi&s to hel) eli&a — we'll tell herto si& o&e or two so&s to hel) Mais" e'll tell her to

co()ose o&e or two t#&es to hel) Ire&e — a& write o&e or

=9



two )oe(s to hel) 0ally" The& we'll t#r& the whole lot ow&

scor&$#lly/ a& she'll k&ow where she sta&s"'

'ell — it so#&s rather rastic' sai Mary,Lo#"

'It oes/ rather/' sai 0ally" 'Ca&'t we tell her to o thethi&s — a& let her ow& &ot too scor&$#lly'

'Yes" e co#l )rete& she was&'t %ei& serio#s — she

was ;#st )#lli& o#r les whe& she %ri&s the t#&es a& erses

a& thi&s/' sai arrell" '-& we co#l )at her o& the %ack

a& cla) a& la#h — %#t &ot take the( serio#sly at all" I$

she's ot a&y co((o&,se&se she'll sh#t #) a$ter that" I$ she

has&'t/ we'll hae to %e a %it (ore well — rastic/ as Mary,Lo#calls it"'

Eeryo&e was i& this )lot ece)t >we& a& Catheri&e"

The irls were a$rai o&e o$ the two (iht tell tales to

Ma#ree& i$ they k&ew o$ the )la&" Moira a))roe o$ it/

tho#h she tho#ht it &ot whole,hearte e&o#h" 0he wo#l

hae like the $irst iea/ the 'rastic' o&e"

Ma#ree& was tol to s#%(it erses/ t#&es a& esi&s"

-lso to lear& two o$ the so&s i& case she co#l i()roe o&

Mais's i&ter)retatio& o$ the("

0he was so rati$ie a& elihte that she co#l harlysta((er her tha&ks" -t last/ at last she was co(i& i&to her

ow&" 8er i$ts were %ei& reco&i*e! 8ow wo&er$#l!

0he r#she straiht o$$ to tell >we&" >we& co#l harly

%eliee her ears" 0he liste&e/ ree& with ;ealo#sy" To ask

Ma#ree& to o these thi&s! It was #&%eliea%le"'-re&'t yo# )lease/ >we& I ca& o the( all %etter tha&

the others/ ca&'t I' crie Ma#ree&/ her )ale,%l#e eyes shi&i&

%rihtly" '-t last the others are %ei&&i& to reali*e that I i

lear& so(ethi& at Ma*eley Ma&or"'

'Yo# a& yo#r Measley Ma&or/' sai >we&/ t#r&i& away"Ma#ree& was shocke" 8a >we&/ >we& her $rie&/ act#ally

==



sai 'Measley' 0he (#st hae (ishear" 0he took >we& %y

the ar(/ chatteri& ha))ily"

#t >we& was stra&ely #&$rie&ly" 0he was so ;ealo#s

that she co#l harly a&swer a wor"Ma#ree& worke har" 0he )ro#ce two lots o$ erses/

two t#&es/ a& a ariety o$ esi&s $or cost#(es" 0he lear&t

the two so&s that arrell ha ie& her/ oi& alo&e i&to a

$i$th,$or( (#sic,roo(/ where she let her lo# oice o#t to

s#ch a& ete&t/ a& so (#ch o$$ the &ote/ that the irls i& the

&et (#sic,roo(s liste&e/ startle a& a(a*e"

It was &ot o&ly a lo# oice/ %#t it was &ot tr#e i& )itch — it ke)t slii& o$$ the &ote/ a& oi& $lat/ like a

ra(o)ho&e ;#st a%o#t to r#& ow&" It (ae the asto&ishe

irls i& the roo(s &ear%y shier ow& their s)i&es" hoeer

co#l it %e/ yowli& like that

riet/ Moira's $o#rth,$or( sister/ we&t to hae a look"

>racio#s/ it was a $i$th,$or(er yowli& i& there — who was it

— Ma#ree& Little! riet ri&&e a& we&t to $i& Co&&ie"

The two o$ the( ha %eco(e $rie&s/ a& Co&&ie was

ra#ally leai& ?#th to hersel$/ co(i& less a& less to ask

$or her co()a&y"The two $o#rth,$or(ers )eere i&to the s+#are o$ lass

wi&ow set i& the oor o$ the )ractice,roo( where Ma#ree&

was si&i&"

'8ear that' sai riet/ (alicio#sly" 'o&er$#l/ is&'t it

Let's %oth o i&to the roo( &et oor a& yowl too" Co(e o&"It's e()ty &ow" I$ a $i$th,$or(er's allowe to o that/ so are

we!'

0o the two o$ the( we&t &et oor a& (ae s#ch a

h#lla%alloo/ )rete&i& to %e a co#)le o$ o)era,si&ers/ that

eeryo&e i& the corrior was startle"

=A



7&ly Ma#ree&/ lost i& her lo# oice/ soari& to hiher

a& lo#er heihts/ hear &othi&" 8er oor s#e&ly o)e&e

a& Moira ca(e i&"

'M-<?EE.! 0h#t #)! e ca& ee& hear yo# i& theco((o&,roo(!'

Ma#ree& sto))e a%r#)tly" The&/ $ro( the &et roo(

rose (ore yowls" Moira h#rrie there/ a(a*e" .ow what was

oi& o&

Co&&ie sto))e as soo& as she saw Moira" #t riet/

who care &othi& $or her sister's a&er/ sa& o& ioro#sly/

alteri& the wors o$ her s#& at o&ce"'78888888! 8ere is M7I?-! 8E?E — is 08E,EE"'

'riet! 0to) that at o&ce!' sai Moira/ a&rily" #t

riet i&'t sto)"

'8E?E — is 08EE,EEE!' she re)eate"

'i yo# hear what I sai' sho#te Moira"

riet sto))e $or %reath" T( &ot (aki& &early s#ch a

&oise as Ma#ree&/' she sai" '-& a&yway I kee) o& the &ote

a& she oes&'t" I$ a $i$th,$or(er ca& yowl away like that why

ca&'t we'

'.ow o&'t yo# start %ei& cheeky/' %ea& Moira/ oi&white with a&&oya&ce" 'Yo# k&ow I wo&'t sta& that" Co&&ie/

o o#t o$ the roo(" I aise yo# &ot to (ake close $rie&s with

riet" Yo#'ll o&ly et yo#rsel$ i&to tro#%le"'

Co&&ie we&t/ scare" I$ it ha %ee& ?#th with her/ i&

tro#%le/ she wo#l hae staye a& st#ck #) $or her — %#triet was i$$ere&t" 0he always stoo #) $or hersel$" 0he

$ace Moira &ow"

'That's a &ice thi& to tell a&yo&e a%o#t yo#r sister/

Moira/' she sai" 'ashi& yo#r irty li&e& i& )#%lic! Telli&

so(e%oy I'( &ot $it to (ake $rie&s with"'

AB



'I i&'t say that/' sai Moira" 'hy ca&'t yo# %ehae

yo#rsel$/ riet I'( asha(e o$ yo#" I'( always heari&

thi&s a%o#t yo#"'

'ell/ so a( I a%o#t yo#' sai riet" 'ho is the (osto(i&eeri& )erso& i& the $i$th Yo#! ho is the (ost

#&)o)#lar hea,irl they'e eer ha Yo#! ho i&'t o #)

with the ol $i$th $or( %eca#se &o%oy co#l )#t #) with her

Yo#!'

'7h!' crie Moira/ whiter still with rae" 'Yo#'re

#&%eara%le" I shall re)ort yo# to Miss illia(s/ yes/ a&

Co&&ie too" -& I shall re)ort yo# eery si&le ti(e I $i& yo#oi& so(ethi& yo# sho#l&'t" I k&ow how yo# s&eak o#t o$

yo#r or(y at &iht to talk to the thir,$or(ers" I k&ow how

yo# et o#t o$ the ;o%s yo# o#ht to o" I hear thi&s too!'

'0&eak/' sai riet/

It was a ery #ly siht/ the two sisters sta&i& there/

sho#ti& at o&e a&other" Moira was tre(%li& &ow a& so was

riet" Moira ha to kee) her ha&s well ow& to her sie/

she so %aly wa&te to strike her sister" riet ke)t well o#t

o$ the way" 0he always ca(e o$$ worst i& a str#le"

There was a )a#se" 'Yo#'ll %e sorry i$ yo# o re)ort (ea%o#t this a$ter&oo&/' sai riet at last" 'ery sorry" I war&

yo#" >o a& re)ort Ma#ree&! 0he'll e)ect it o$ the

o(i&eeri& Moira! #t ;#st re(e(%er — I'e tea(e yo# —

yo#'ll %e sorry i$ yo# re)ort (e"'

'ell/ I shall/' sai Moira" 'It's (y #ty to" Fo#rth,$or(ersare&'t allowe i& these )ractice,roo(s/ yo# k&ow that"'

0he t#r&e a& le$t the roo(/ still tre(%li&" 0he we&t to

$i& Miss illia(s/ the $o#rth,$or( (istress" I$ she i&'t

re)ort those two straihtaway/ whilst she was $#rio#s/ she

(iht &ot o it whe& her a&er ha ie ow&"

A1



Miss illia(s was rather cool a%o#t the a$$air" 0he wrote

ow& the two $o#rth,$or( &a(es Moira ae her/ a& &oe"

'?iht" I'll s)eak to the("'

That was all" Moira wishe she ha&'t sai a&ythi&" 0he$elt #&co($orta%le &ow a%o#t riet's threats" 8ow co#l

riet (ake her sorry riet was so ery $ierce

so(eti(es/ a& i s#ch #&acco#&ta%le thi&s — like the ti(e

whe& she ha %roke& eery si&le o&e o$ Moira's olls/ years

ao/ %eca#se Moira ha throw& o&e o$ riet's toys o#t o$ the

wi&ow"

Yes/ Moira $elt eciely #&co($orta%le as she walke %ack to the co((o&,roo(" riet wo#l certai&ly et %ack at

her i$ she co#l!

A2



Chapter 14

THE PLOT IS SUCCESS$UL

M-<?EE. ha %ee& rather scare at Moira's s#e&

arrial i& the )ractice,roo(" 0he ha hear the a&ry oices i&the &et roo( too/ whe& Moira ha le$t her/ a& ha %ee& ee&

(ore scare" It i&'t take (#ch to scare Ma#ree&! 0he

sli))e h#rriely o#t o$ the roo( a& we&t o$$ to the

classroo( to )#t the $i&ishi& to#ches to her esi&s" 0he was

to show the( to the others that ee&i&"0he saw >we&'s so#r $ace as she walke i&to the

co((o&,roo( with her shea$ o$ esi&s/ a& sheets a&

sheets o$ (#sic a& erses" 7h/ Ma#ree& ha %ee& ery %#sy!

I$ Ma('*elle a& Miss a(es ha k&ow& how har she ha

%ee& at work they wo#l hae %ee& (ost s#r)rise" .either o$the( ha a&y iea that Ma#ree& ha it i& her to work at all"

'hat they ta#ht at Ma*eley Ma&or I really o &otk&ow/' Miss a(es sai to the other teachers each ti(e she

correcte Ma#ree&'s work"

'0el$,a(iratio& — sel$,estee( — sel$,)ity/' (#r(#re

Miss illia(s/ who ta#ht o&e lesso& i& the $i$th $or(/ a&

ha ha +#ite e&o#h o$ Ma#ree&"

'#t &ot sel$,co&trol/' sai Miss a(es" 'hat a school!

It's a oo thi& it's sh#t ow&"'Eeryo&e was i& the co((o&,roo( waiti& $or Ma#ree&/

tho#h &either >we& &or Catheri&e k&ew the little )lot thatwas %ei& hatche %y the rest" Ma#ree& %ea(e ro#&" '.ow

yo#'re oi& to see so(ethi&/' she sai/ aily/ a& la#he

her silly little la#h" 'It was always sai at Ma*eley Ma&or that

I was a oo all,ro#&er — o&'t thi&k I'( %oasti&/ will yo#

— %#t ho&estly/ tho#h I say it (ysel$/ I ca& o (ost thi&s!'

A3



Ma#ree& was s#r)rise to hear so(e o$ the irls la#hi&

+#ite hilario#sly"

'Yo#'re s#ch a ;oker/ Ma#ree&/' sai -licia/

a))reciatiely" '-lways %ei& really h#(oro#s"'This was a &ew iea to Ma#ree&" .o%oy ha eer calle

her h#(oro#s %e$ore" 0he at o&ce we&t #) i& her ow&

esti(atio&"

'.ow/' she sai/ 'I'll show yo# the esi&s $irst" This is $or

Ci&erella's %all cost#(e — I'e o&e %ack to the sitee&th

ce&t#ry $or it/ as yo# see"'

0hrieks o$ la#hter ca(e $ro( eeryo&e" 'riceless!' saiarrell/ )rete&i& to wi)e her eyes" '8ow ca& yo# thi&k o$ it/

Ma#ree&'

'- )er$ect screa(/' sai Mais/ holi& #) the cr#e

rawi&/ with its )oor colo#ri&" 'hat a ;oke! I i&'t k&ow

yo#' s#ch a se&se o$ h#(o#r/ Ma#ree&"'

Ma#ree& was )#**le" 0he ha&'t (ea&t the rawi& to

%e $#&&y at all" 0he ha tho#ht it was %ea#ti$#l" 0he h#rrie

o& to the &et o&e — %#t the irls $orestalle her a& )icke

#) the sheets/ showi& the( ro#& to o&e a&other with s+#eals

o$ la#hter"'Look at this o&e! I &eer saw a&ythi& so $#&&y i& (y

li$e!'

'>oo e&o#h $or #&ch! I say — look at the %aro&'s

$ace! -& what is he weari&'

'This o&e's )riceless" >osh/ Ma#ree& really is a h#(orist/is&'t she'

The& Ire&e )icke #) the sheets o$ (#sic" '8allo! 8ere

are the t#&es she has writte&! I %et they'll %e )riceless/ too" I'll

)lay the( oer"'

0he we&t to the co((o&,roo( )ia&o/ a& with a eryroll e)ressio& o& her $ace she )laye the t#&es/ (aki& the(

so#& ee& sillier tha& they were"

A4



Eeryo&e crowe ro#& the )ia&o/ la#hi&" 'Is&'t

Ma#ree& a screa(! 0he ca& o $#&&y rawi&s a& write

riic#lo#s t#&es too!'

Ma#ree& %ea& to $eel $rihte&e" ere the irls really i&ear&est a%o#t all this They see(e to %e" 0#rely — s#rely —

they co#l&'t really thi&k that all her loely work was so %a

that it was $#&&y They (#st %e thi&ki& it was $#&&y o&

)#r)ose — )erha)s they tho#ht she (ea&t it to %e!

0he t#r&e to $i& >we&" >we& wo#l #&ersta&" >we&

was her $rie&/ she ha tol >we& eerythi& — how oo

she was at rawi&/ (#sic a& si&i&/ how har she haworke at all this/ how )lease she was with the res#lts"

>we& was looki& at her a& it was&'t a &ice look" It was

a tri#()ha&t look that sai/ '-h — )rie co(es %e$ore a $all/

(y irl — a& what a $all!' It was a look that sai/ 'I'( la

a%o#t all this" 0eres yo# riht"'

Ma#ree& was shocke" >we& la#he lo#ly/ a& ;oi&e

i& with the others/

'Friht$#lly $#&&y! riceless/ Ma#ree&! ho wo#l hae

tho#ht yo# co#l %e so $#&&y'

'.ow si&/' sai Mais/ a& thr#st o&e o$ the so&s i&toher ha&" 'Let's hear yo#" Yo#'e s#ch a wo&er$#l oice/

hae&'t yo#/ so well,trai&e"

I'( s#re it (#st %e a reat ;oy to yo#" 0i&!'

Ma#ree& i &ot are to re$#se" 0he a*e at the (#sic

with %l#rre eyes a& sa&" 8er lo# oice rose/ ee& (ore o$$the &ote tha& #s#al" It shook with isa))oi&t(e&t as the irls

%ea& to cla) a& cheer a& la#h aai&"

'8a ha! Liste& to that! Ca&'t she hae a co(ic )art i& the

)lay/ arrell/ a& si& it 0he' %ri& the ho#se ow&" i

yo# eer hear s#ch a oice'

A5



Ma#ree& sto))e si&i&" Tears $ell ow& her cheek" 0he

ae o&e es)erate look at >we&/ a look %ei& $or a wor o$

)raise — %#t &o&e ca(e"

0he t#r&e to o o#t o$ the roo(" Catheri&e ra& a$ter her"'Ma#ree&! o&'t take it like that" The irls o&'t (ea&

a&ythi&!'

'7h yes we o/' sai arrell/ #&er her %reath" 'e'e

%ee& cr#el to %e ki&" Catheri&e wo#l say a thi& like that"'

'o&'t to#ch (e!' crie Ma#ree&" '0ai&t Catheri&e —

co(i& all oer )io#s a& ooy,ooy a$ter yo#'e la#he

at (e with the rest! 8o — 0-I.T!'Catheri&e shra&k %ack as i$ she ha %ee& sla))e i& the

$ace" .o%oy s(ile/ ece)t >we&" Mary,Lo# looke #)set"

0he co#l&'t %ear sce&es o$ a&y sort" ill looke o& stolily"

0he ot #)"

'ell/ I'( oi& rii&/' she sai" 'There's hal$ a& ho#r o$

ayliht le$t" Co(i&/ Clarissa'

ill's soli&ess a& (atter,o$,$act oice (ae eeryo&e

$eel (ore &or(al" They watche ill a& Clarissa o o#t o$

the roo("

'ell — I o&'t so(ehow $eel that was +#ite s#ch as#ccess as we ho)e/' sai 0ally" '-ct#ally I $eel rather low,

ow&"'

'0o o I/' sai arrell" 'Ma#ree& is a co&ceite ass/ o$

co#rse/ a& %aly &eee taki& ow& a )e — %#t I'( a$rai

we'e take& her ow& (ore )es tha& we (ea&t to"''It wo&'t h#rt her/' sai >we&/ i& a s(# oice" '0he

thi&ks too (#ch o$ hersel$" I ca&'t thi&k why she's attache

hersel$ to (e all these weeks"'

-licia co#l&'t resist this" 'Like calls to like/ ear >we&/'

she sai" 'ee) calls to ee)" Yo#'re as like as two )eas/ yo#a& Ma#ree&" It's %ee& a sweet siht to see yo# two toether"'

A6



'Yo# o&'t really (ea& that/ -licia' sai >we&/ a$ter a

s#r)rise a& h#rt sile&ce" 'e're &ot really alike/ Ma#ree&

a& I" Yo#'e let yo#r to&#e r#& away with yo# as #s#al"'

'Thi&k a%o#t it/ ear >we&oli&e Mary/' -licia aiseher" 'o yo# %a%%le e&lessly a%o#t yo#r #ll $a(ily a&

oi&s 0o oes Ma#ree&" o yo# thi&k the worl o$ yo#rsel$

0o oes Ma#ree&" o yo# thi&k yo#' %e the o&e a& o&ly

)erso& $it to %e Ci&erella i& the )lay 0o oes Ma#ree&"'

>we& s)ra& to her $eet a& )oi&te her $i&er at Moira"

'7h! #st %eca#se yo# $o#& (e with (y hair ow& i& the

or(y the other ay/ a& a towel ro#& (y sho#lers yo#we&t a& tol the others that I wa&te to %e Ci&erella!'

'ell/ I i&'t reali*e it #&til I ca#ht Ma#ree& oi&

eactly the sa(e thi&/' sai Moira" 'oth o$ yo# )osi& with

yo#r hair loose a& thi&s ra)e ro#& yo#! -licia's )er$ectly

riht" Yo#'re as like as two )eas" Yo# o#ht to %e $rie&s"

Yo#'re al(ost twi&s!'

'#t — I o&'t like Ma#ree&/' sai >we&/ i& a lo# a&

a&ry to&e"

'I'( &ot s#r)rise/' sai -licia's s(ooth oice/ a whole

wealth o$ (ea&i& i& it" ' Yo# sho#l k&ow what she's like/sho#l&'t yo# — seei& that yo#'re al(ost twi&s!'

>we& we&t sta()i& o#t o$ the roo(/ $#(i&" arrell

r#((e o& the ta%le with a )e&cil" 'I'( &ot aw$#lly )lease

a%o#t all this/' she sai/ i& rather a s(all oice" 'Too (#ch

s)ite a& (alice a%o#t!'>we& s#e&ly )#t her hea i& at the oor aai& a&

aresse Moira"

'I'll et ee& with yo# $or telli& the irls a%o#t (e a&

Ma#ree& i& $ro&t o$ the lass!' she sai" 'Yo#'ll see — I'll )ay

yo# %ack/ hea,irl or &o hea,irl!'

A9



Moira $row&e a& eli&a a#to(atically reache $or her

)e&cil" - ery $i&e scowl! #t arrell took the )e&cil away

with a %eseechi& look"

'.ot this ti(e/' she sai" 'There's too (#ch s)ite i& thisroo( this ee&i&"'

'-ll riht — 0ai&t arrell!' sai eli&a/ a& arrell ha

to la#h"

Moira ca(e oer to her" 'Let's cha&e the s#%;ect/' she

sai" 'hat a%o#t the ho#se,(atches Let's hae a look at the

kis yo#'e )#t i&"'

arrell ot o#t the lists" Moira/ as hea,irl/ took a&i&terest i& the (atches i& which the $i$th,$or(ers )laye/ a&

%eca#se she like a(es/ she was i&tereste too i& the lower,

school )layers" It was a%o#t the o&ly thi& that she a& arrell

saw eye,to,eye a%o#t" 0oo& they were ee) i& isc#ssio&/

weihi& #) the (erits o$ o&e )layer aai&st a&other"

'This (atch aai&st ells%ro#h/' sai arrell" '.et

week's (atch/ I (ea&/ with the $o#rth tea( )layi&

ells%ro#h's $o#rth tea(" I'e )#t yo#& 0#sa& i& — a& I'

like to )#t (y yo#& sister/ Felicity i&" hat o yo# thi&k/

Moira''>oo racio#s/ yes' sai Moira" '0he's a%sol#tely $irst,

class" 0#)er! ?#&s like the wi& a& &eer (isses a catch" 0he

(#st hae %ee& )ractisi& like a&ythi&!'

'0he has/' sai arrell" 'I ;#st hesitate %eca#se — well/

%eca#se she's (y sister/ a& I was a %it a$rai I (iht %eshowi& $ao#ritis(/ yo# k&ow"'

'?ot!' sai Moira" 'Yo#' %e showi& yo#rsel$ a %a

ca)tai& i$ yo# i&'t stick the %est kis i&to the tea(! -& I

i&sist o& yo#r )#tti& Felicity i&!'

arrell la#he" 0he was )lease" '7h/ all riht/ seei&that yo# i&sist!' she sai/ a& wrote Felicity's &a(e ow&"

'>osh/ she'll %e )lease"'

A=



'8ow's #&e sha)i&' calle -licia" 'I'e see& her

)ractisi& +#ite a %it lately" T#r&i& oer a &ew lea$ o yo#

thi&k'

'ell — &ot really/' sai arrell" 'I (ea& — she )ractisesa lot — %#t whe& I coach her she's as o$$,ha& as eer" .eer

a wor o$ tha&ks/ a& always reay to ar#e" I ca&'t )#t her

i&to a (atch,tea( yet" 0he si()ly oes&'t #&ersta& the tea(

s)irit — yo# k&ow/ always )lays $or hersel$/ a& &ot $or the

sie"'

'Yes/ yo#'re riht/' sai Moira" 'I'e &otice that/ too"

Ca&'t hae a&yo&e i& the tea( who is&'t willi& to )#ll theirweiht"'

arrell la&ce c#rio#sly at Moira" 8ow (#ch &icer

Moira was oer this a(es +#estio& tha& oer a&ythi& else!

0he was $air a& ;#st a& i&tereste" 0he $orot to %e

o(i&eeri& a& o)i&io&ate" hat a )ity she was hea o$ the

$or( — she (iht hae %ee& so (#ch &icer i$ she ha ha to

k&#ckle ow& to so(eo&e else"

'Co#l yo# take the lists ow& $or (e a& )#t the( #) o&

the s)orts %oar' she sai to Moira" 'I'e ot a whole hea) o$

thi&s to o still"'Moira took the list ;#st as Catheri&e h#rrie to o$$er to

take it" 'I'll take it/' sai Catheri&e/ who see(e to thi&k it was

o&ly riht she sho#l %e a oor(at $or eeryo&e"

'.o tha&ks/ 0ai&t Catheri&e/' sai Moira/ a& Catheri&e

we&t re with h#(iliatio&" 0he ha o&e so (#ch $or Moira/ %ee& so &ice to her/ take& s#ch a lot o$ o&key,work o$$ her

sho#lers — a& all she ot was that scor&$#l/ hate$#l &a(e —

0ai&t Catheri&e" 0he ae Moira a& #&e)ectely s)ite$#l

look"

arrell saw it a& shiere i()atie&tly" 'I o&'t like allthis s)ite$#l&ess oi& a%o#t/' she tho#ht to hersel$" 'It always

AA



%oils #) i&to so(ethi& %eastly" Fa&cy the sai&tly Catheri&e

ii& her %eloe Moira s#ch a )oiso&o#s look!'

Moira we&t ow& with the lists" 0he )i&&e the list o$

&a(es $or the Fo#rth Tea( #) $irst/ heai& it/ 'TE-M F7?ELL0?7<>8 M-TC8'" I((eiately a crow o$ ecite

$irst,$or(ers swar(e ro#& her"

'Felicity! Yo#'re i&/ yo#'re i&!' yelle so(e%oy/ a&

Felicity's $ace lowe ha))ily"

'0o's 0#sa&" #t yo#'re &ot/ #&e/' sai a&other oice"

'Fa&cy — a& yo#'e %ee& )ractisi& so har" 0ha(e!'

'7h well — what o yo# e)ect — arrell wo#l %e s#reto )#t her sister i&/' sai #&e's oice" 0he was %itterly

isa))oi&te/ %#t she s)oke i& her #s#al ;a#&ty (a&&er"

Moira hear" '#&e! -)oloi*e at o&ce! arrell shows &o

$ao#ritis( at all" 0he was hal$,i&cli&e to leae Felicity o#t" I

i&siste she sho#l %e )#t i&" -)oloi*e i((eiately"'

'ell/' %ea& #&e/ e$ia&tly/ reay to ar#e/ %#t Moira

was i&siste&t"

'I sai/ D-)oloi*eD" Yo# hear (e" o as yo#'re tol"'

'I a)oloi*e/' sai #&e/ s#lkily" '#t I %et it was yo# who

(isse (e o#t!''I tol arrell that I wo#l&'t hae a&yo&e i& the (atch,

tea( who i&'t )lay $or the tea( a& &ot $or the(seles/' sai

Moira/ c#rtly" 'Yo# o&'t )#ll yo#r weiht" Yo# )ractise a&

)ractise — a& the& i& a a(e all yo# wa&t to o is to o yo#r

ow& way/ a& %low the others! .ot (y iea o$ a oos)orts(a&" Thi&k a%o#t it/ #&e"'

0he walke o$$/ &ot cari& i& the least what the $irst,

$or(ers tho#ht o$ her o#ts)oke&&ess" #&e sai &othi&" 0he

looke rather +#eer/ 0#sa& tho#ht" 0he we&t #) to her"

'It was (ea& to say all that i& $ro&t o$ #s/' she %ea&" '0hesho#l hae " " "'

1BB



'hat oes it (atter' sai #&e/ s#e&ly ;a#&ty aai&"

'o yo# s#))ose I care t#))e&ce $or Moira/ or arrell or

-licia — or a&y o$ those st#ck,#) $i$th,$or(ers'

1B1



Chapter 1

GRAND MEETING

- >?-. (eeti& was calle to isc#ss the )a&to(i(e/

the casti& o$ the characters/ a& the ti(es o$ rehearsal"

arrell ha $i&ishe her writi&/ a& Ire&e ha co()lete the

(#sic" Eerythi& was reay $or rehearsal"-ll the $i$th,$or(ers atte&e the (eeti& i& the .orth

Tower co((o&,roo(" It was ery crowe" - $ire %#r&e i&

the %i $ire,)lace/ $or it was &ow 7cto%er a& the &ihts werecol"

Moira was i& the chair" Catheri&e — rather a +#iet a&

s#lky Catheri&e/ &ot +#ite so $ree with her %ea(i& s(ile —

was at her le$t ha&/ reay to )roie her with a&ythi& she

wa&te" The co((ittee sat o& chairs o& each sie o$ the ta%le"

Moira %a&e o& the ta%le with a %ook/ a& sho#te $or

sile&ce" 0he ot it" eo)le always a#to(atically o%eyeMoira! 0he ha that ki& o$ oice/ cris) a& c#rt"

The (eeti& %ea&" arrell was calle #)o& to e)lai&

the )a&to(i(e a& the characters i& it" 0he was also aske to

rea the $irst act"

ery $l#she a& ecite she ae the liste&i& $i$th,

$or(ers a short s#((ary o$ the )a&to(i(e" They liste&e

with (#ch a))roal" It so#&e ery oo"The&/ sta((eri& a little at $irst/ arrell rea the $irst act

o$ the )a&to(i(e/ ;#st as she ha writte& it/ ialo#e/ so&s/

stae irectio&s a& eerythi&" There was a ee) sile&ce asshe rea o&"

'That's the e& o$ the act/' she sai at last/ raisi& her eyes

hal$,shyly/

&ot a%sol#tely certai& i$ she ha carrie her liste&ers with

her or &ot"

1B2





>we&oli&e a& Ma#ree& hel their %reath" as there

a&y ho)e o$ %ei& Ci&erella 7r ee& the Fairy,>o(other

7r the ri&ce

Moira rea the list o#t"'Ci&erella — Mary,Lo#"'

There was a as) $ro( Mary,Lo#/ >we& a& Ma#ree& —

o$ a(a*e(e&t $ro( Mary,Lo# a& isa))oi&t(e&t $ro( the

others"

'7h — I ca&'t!' sai Mary,Lo#"

'Yo# ca&/' sai arrell" 'e wa&t so(eo&e sort o$

)athetic,looki& — a %it scary — so(eo&e a))eali& a& %i,eye — a& it has to %e so(eo&e who ca& act a& so(eo&e

who ca& si&"'

'-& yo#'re eactly riht $or the )art/' sai 0ally" 'That's

riht — (ake yo#r eyes %i a& scare/ Mary,Lo# — yo#'re

)oor little Ci&erella to the li$e!'

Eeryo&e la#he" Mary,Lo# ha to la#h/ too" 8er eyes

%ea& to shi&e" 'I &eer tho#ht yo#' choose (e/' she sai"

'ell/ we hae/' sai arrell" 'Yo# ca& act ery well a&

yo#'e a &ice si&i& oice/ tho#h it's &ot ery lo#"'

'The ri&ce — Mais/' sai Moira" Eeryo&e k&ew thatalreay" The ri&ce ha a lot o$ si&i& to o a& Mais

wo#l o that wo&er$#lly well" 8er oice was %ea#ti$#l

aai&/ a& Ire&e ha writte& so(e loely t#&es $or her to si&

to arrell's wors" Eeryo&e cla))e"

'The aro& — ill/' sai Moira/ a& there was a elihtela#h"

'7h yes! ill sta()i& a%o#t i& rii&,%reeches/ calli&

$or her horse!' crie Clarissa i& eliht"

'Fairy,o(other — Lo#ella/' sai Moira" Eeryo&e

looke at Lo#ella who ca(e $ro( 0o#th Tower/ a& ha a tall/sli( $i#re/ ole& c#rls a& a oo clear oice"

1B4



'8#rray!' sho#te all the 0o#th Tower irls/ la to hae

so(eo&e $ro( their tower i& a oo )art"

'#tto&s — the little %oots — ?achel/' we&t o& Moira"

'?achel ca& act ;olly well a& she's ha the sa(e )art %e$ore/so she o#ht to o it well"'

'ho are the <ly 0isters' calle a oice"

>we&'s heart s#e&ly ae a l#rch a& sa&k ow& i&to

her shoes" <ly 0isters! 0#))ose she ha %ee& chose& to %e

o&e 0he co#l&'t/ co#l&'t %ear it" 0he saw -licia ati& at

her (alicio#sly a& $elt s#re she ha %ee& chose&"

0he si()ly co#l&'t %ear it" 0he ot #)/ sayi& she i&'t$eel ery well/ a& we&t towars the oor" -licia s(ile" 0he

co#l rea >we&'s tho#hts etre(ely well" >we& was oi&

%eca#se she was a$rai her &a(e wo#l %e rea o#t &et as

o&e o$ the <ly 0isters"

'Yo#r heart worryi& yo# aai&' calle o&e o$ the est

Tower irls to >we&/ a& eeryo&e la#he" >we&

isa))eare" 0he (ae #) her (i& &ot to o %ack till the

(eeti& was oer"

Ma#ree& was also worrie a%o#t the sa(e thi&" 0he

tho#ht a%o#t her ra%%it,teeth" Moira (iht thi&k she was(ae $or a& <ly 0ister" hy/ oh why ha&'t she %ee&

se&si%le a& ha her teeth straihte&e whe& she ha a

cha&ce 0he rew her #))er li) oer the( to try a& hie

the("

'<ly 0isters — at — a& ?ita!' sai Moira/ a& therewas a& i&sta&t roar o$ a))roal $ro( the irls"

at a& ?ita looke ro#& h#(oro#sly" They were twi&s/

a& certai&ly &ot #ly — %#t they ha #)t#r&e co(ical &oses/

eyes ery wie,set/ a& hair that $lew o#t i& a shock" They

were co(ical/ oo at acti&/ a& wo#l (ake a s)le&i )airo$ <ly 0isters"

1B5



'Tha&ks/ Moira!' calle o#t ?ita" 'That s#its #s ow& to

the ro#& — riht ow& to o#r %i #ly $eet!'

'e(o& i& — -licia' sai Moira/ a& aai& there was a

reat roar o$ a))roal/ le %y a elihte etty"Moira %ea(e ro#&/ looki& +#ite )leasa&t" '-licia's

oi& to o

;#li& a& co&;#ri& as well as lea) a%o#t the stae like

a e(o&/' she sai" 'I ca&'t thi&k o$ a&yo&e else who co#l %e a

e(o& so s#ccess$#lly"'

More shrieks o$ a))roal" Miss a(es/ &ot $ar o$$/

wo&ere what i& the worl was ha))e&i&" It so#&e as i$a%o#t $i$ty tho#sa& s)ectators at a $oot%all (atch were

yelli& the(seles hoarse"

'olly oo casti&!' calle so(e%oy" '>o o&!'

'ell/ &ow we co(e to the sera&ts a& co#rtiers a& so

o&/' sai Moira" 'That (ea&s the rest o$ yo#" There's a )art $or

eeryo&e/ ee& tho#h it (ay %e s(all"'

'hat a%o#t arrell' calle a oice"

'arrell's writte& the )lay a& will hel) i& the )ro#ci&/'

sai Moira" '0ally will hel) her too" They wo&'t %e i& it

%eca#se their ha&s will %e $#ll" e're oi& to ask o) i$ he'llo the electricity )art — he'll loe it"'

o) was the ha&y(a& o$ the school/ ery (#ch %eloe/

a& +#ite i&al#a%le o& these occasio&s"

'It all so#&s ;olly oo/' sai i&&ie" 'he& are the

rehearsals''Eery T#esay ee&i&/ a& o& Friay ee&i&s too $or

those who wa&t a& etra o&e/' sai Moira" '-& the )arts will

%e se&t o#t to eeryo&e to(orrow" For oo&ess' sake lear&

the( as +#ickly as yo# ca&" It's ho)eless to kee) reai& the(

whe& we rehearse — yo# ca&'t act )ro)erly like that"''Yo# $orot to say that Ire&e's o&e the (#sic a& eli&a

the ecoratio&s a& a&et's oi& the cost#(es/' sai arrell"

1B6



'.o/ I ha&'t/' sai Moira/ +#ickly" 'I was co(i& to that"

-&yway/ eeryo&e k&ows it" y the way/ we'll %e la o$ a&y

hel) $or a&et i& (aki& the cost#(es" -&yo&e oo with their

&eele will %e welco(e" a&et will ie o#t the work i$ yo#'ll %e ece&t e&o#h to ask her $or it"'

More cla))i&" The& a s)ate o$ ecite talk" This was

oi& to %e the %est )a&to(i(e eer! It wo#l (ake the whole

school sit #)! It wo#l %ri& the ho#se ow&"

'There's &eer %ee& a show %e$ore where the irls wrote

the so&s a& wors a& (#sic the(seles/' sai i&&ie" 'My

wor — wo&'t the >rayli& o)e& her eyes!'- %ell we&t so(ewhere a& eeryo&e ot #)" 'e'll %e at

rehearsal! e'll lear& o#r )arts! Mais/ what a%o#t the

si&i& -re yo# oi& to trai& the chor#s'

Chatteri& a& calli& they all we&t to their ow& Towers"

arrell sihe ha))ily a& )#t her ar( thro#h 0ally's"

'This is a%o#t the (ost eciti& thi& I'e eer o&e i&

(y li$e/ 0ally/' she sai" 'Yo# k&ow — I sho#l&'t %e s#r)rise

i$ I o&'t t#r& o#t to %e a writer/ o&e o$ these ays!'

1B9



Chapter 1#

$ELICIT),S $IRST MATCH

FELICITY ca(e to see arrell the &et ay a%o#t the

(atch with ells%ro#h 0chool" 0he looke with %riht eyes

at her $i$th,$or( sister"

'I say! Fa&cy (e )layi& i& the Fo#rth 0chool Tea(! Itho#ht )erha)s I (iht %y the e& o$ the ter(/ with l#ck —

%#t &et week" Tha&ks aw$#lly $or )#tti& (e i&/ arrell"'

'ell/ act#ally — it was Moira who i&siste o& )#tti&yo# i&/' sai arrell" 'I wa&te to — a& yet I ;#st wo&ere i$

I was thi&ki& $ao#ra%ly o$ yo# %eca#se yo# were (y sister/

yo# k&ow" The& Moira sai yo# (#st certai&ly o i&/ a& i&

yo# we&t"'

'#&e's aw$#lly isa))oi&te she's &ot i&/' sai Felicity"

'0he's %ee& )ractisi& like a&ythi&/ arrell" 0he )rete&s she

oes&'t care/ %#t she oes really" I wish she wo#l&'t say s#chaw$#l thi&s a%o#t yo# $i$th,$or(ers all the ti(e — she really

see(s to hae ot her k&i$e i&to yo#" It's horri"'

'0he'll et oer it/' sai arrell" 'e o&'t lose a&y slee)

oer yo#& #&e/ I ca& tell yo#!'

'ill yo# %e a%le to co(e a& watch the ells%ro#h

(atch' aske Felicity/ eaerly" '7h o" I shall )lay eer so

(#ch %etter i$ yo#'re there/ yelli& a& cheeri&"''7$ co#rse I'll co(e/' sai arrell" '-& I'll yell like

a&ythi& — so ;#st %e s#re yo# ie (e so(ethi& to yell $or!'

The $irst,$or(ers )raye $or a $i&e ay $or their (atch" Itwas to %e at ho(e/ &ot away/ a& as it was the $irst ti(e they

ha )laye ells%ro#h Fo#rth Tea(/ they were really

ecite a%o#t it"

The se&ior school s(ile to see the '%a%ies' so ecite"

They re(e(%ere how they/ too/ ha $elt whe& they ha the

1B=



eliht o$ )layi& i& a& i()orta&t (atch $or the ery $irst

ti(e"

'.ice to see the( so kee&/' sai Moira to arrell" 'I thi&k

I'll et (y lacrosse stick a& o a& ie the( a %it o$coachi& %e$ore i&&er" I'e ot hal$ a& ho#r"'

'I'll $etch yo#r stick/' sai Catheri&e at o&ce/ i& her #s#al

oor(at oice"

'.o tha&ks/ 0ai&t Catheri&e/' a&swere Moira/ 'I'( still

a%le to walk to the locker a& reach (y ow& stick"'

The ay o$ the (atch aw&e %riht a& clear/ a

(a&i$ice&t 7cto%er ay" The trees ro#& the )layi& $ielssho&e re a& %row& a& yellow i& their a#t#(& colo#rs" The

%ree*e $ro( the sea was salty a& cris)" -ll the irls re;oice

as they ot #) that (or&i& a& looke o#t o$ the wi&ow"

Malory Towers was so loely o& a ay like this"

The ha))iest irls/ o$ co#rse/ were the s(all $irst,

$or(ers/ ecite twele,year,ols who talke to o&e a&other at

the to)s o$ their oices witho#t sto))i&" 8ow they eer hear

what a&yo&e else sai was a (ystery"

Miss otts/ the $irst,$or( (istress/ was le&ie&t that

(or&i&" 0o was Ma('*elle who was always ecite hersel$whe& a&y o$ her classes were"

'ell/ so toay is yo#r (atch' she sai to the $irst $or("

'Yo# will )lay well/ &'est,ce )as Yo# will wi& all the oals" I

shall co(e to watch" -& $or the irl that wi&s a oal " " "'

'0hoots a oal/ Ma('*elle/' sai 0#sa&"'0hoots! -h yes — %#t yo# hae &o #& to shoot a oal/'

sai Ma('*elle/ who &eer co#l lear& the la&#ae o$ s)orts"

'ell/ well — $or the irl who shoots a oal I will say D&o

Fre&ch )re) to(orrowD!'

'#t/ Ma('*elle — that's &ot $air!' crie a o*e& oices"'e're &ot all i& the (atch — o&ly Felicity a& 0#sa& a&

era"'

1BA



'-h/ I $orot/' sai Ma('*elle" 'That is so" The& what shall

I say'

'0ay yo#'ll let #s all o$$ Fre&ch )re) $or the rest o$ the

week i$ we wi&!' calle Felicity"'.o/ &o/' sai Ma('*elle/ shocke" 'For o&e ay o&ly I

sai" .ow/ it is #&erstoo — i$ yo# wi& yo#r (atch &o

Fre&ch )re) $or yo# to(orrow!'

'Yo#'re a )each/ Ma('*elle/' calle a elihte $irst,

$or(er"

'Co((e&t!' sai Ma('*elle/ asto&ishe" 'Yo# call (e a

)each" .eer hae I " " "''It's all riht/ Ma('*elle — it's a co()li(e&t/' sai

Felicity" eaches are wi*ar"'

Ma('*elle ae it #)" '.ow — we will hae o#r er%s/'

she sai" 'ae thirty,$ie/ s'il o#s )laJt/ a& &o (ore talki&"'

The ells%ro#h irls arrie at twe&ty )ast two i& a %i

coach" They were rather oler tha& the Malory Towers tea(/

a& see(e (#ch %ier" The Malory Towers irls $elt a little

&ero#s" The two ca)tai&s shook ha&s a& the tea(s &oe

a& s(ile at o&e a&other"

The a(es (istress %lew her whistle a& the tea(s ca(ero#& her" The ca)tai&s tosse $or e&s"

The tea(s took their )ositio&s i& the $iel" Felicity

ri))e her lacrosse stick as i$ it (iht lea) $ro( her ha& i$

she i&'t" 0he )#t o& a ri( e)ressio& that (ae eeryo&e

who saw it s(ile"8er k&ees shook ;#st a little! 8ow she ho)e &o%oy

co#l see the(" It was silly to %e &ero#s i& a (atch — ;#st

the ti(e &ot to %e!

'>oo l#ck/' whis)ere 0#sa&/ who was &ot $ar o$$" '0hoot

a oal!'Felicity &oe/ still looki& ri("

11B



arrell a& Moira a& 0ally were toether/ watchi&"

Most o$ the other $i$th,$or(ers were there/ too/ %eca#se (a&y

o$ the( hel)e the yo#&er o&es a& were i&tereste i& their

)lay" - oo s)ri&kli& o$ the other $or(s were also there"ells%ro#h was a s)le&i school $or s)ort a& #s#ally se&t

o#t $irst,class (atch,tea(s"

'Yo#r s(all sister looks )retty $ierce/' sai 0ally to

arrell" 'Look at her! 0he (ea&s to o a& are all riht!'

The (atch %ea&" The %all shot o#t ow& the $iel/ a&

the irls %ea& to race a$ter it/ )icki& it #) i& their &ets/

throwi& it/ catchi& it/ k&ocki& it o#t aai&/ )icki& it #)/tackli& o&e a&other a& (aki& the o&lookers yell with

ecite(e&t"

The ells%ro#h tea( shot the $irst oal" It we&t clea&

i&to the &et/ +#ite i()ossi%le to sto)" The twele,year,ol

oal,kee)er was ery ow&cast" 7&e to ells%ro#h!

Felicity ritte her teeth" ells%ro#h ha the lea &ow"

0he shot a look at arrell" Yes/ there she was/ &eer taki& her

eyes o$$ the %all" Felicity lo&e to o so(ethi& really

s)ectac#lar a& (ake arrell a&ce a& cheer with )rie" #t

the ells%ro#h tea( was to#h/ a& &o%oy co#l oa&ythi& ery startli&" -lways there was a ells%ro#h irl

reay to k&ock the %all o#t o$ a Malory Towers lacrosse &et as

soo& as it was there!

-& always there was a ells%ro#h irl who see(e to

%e a%le to r#& $aster tha& a&y o$ the ho(e tea(" It was(ae&i&" Felicity a& 0#sa& %eca(e ery o#t o$ %reath a&

)a&te a& )#$$e as they tore ow& the $iel/ their hearts

%eati& like )isto&s!

-& the& 0#sa& shot a oal! It was (ost #&e)ecte" 0he

was teari& ow& the $iel/ $ar $ro( the oal/ with twoells%ro#h irls a$ter her/ a& Felicity r#&&i& #) to catch

the %all i$ 0#sa& )asse it"

111



0#sa& took a +#ick la&ce ro#& to see i$ Felicity was

reay to catch it" - ells%ro#h irl ra& #) %esie Felicity/ a

tall irl who wo#l )ro%a%ly take the %all i&stea o$ Felicity/ i$

it was )asse" low!7& the s)#r o$ the (o(e&t 0#sa& $l#& the %all at the

ista&t oal" It was a )ower$#l throw/ a& the %all $lew

straiht" The oal,kee)er r#she o#t to catch it — %#t she

(isse/ a& the %all %o#&ce riht i&to the ery (ile o$ the

&et!

Cheers ra& o#t $ro( the s)ectators" arrell yelle too"

The& she t#r&e to Moira"'- ery l#cky oal" Those $ar throws o&'t #s#ally co(e

o$$ — %#t that o&e i" 7&e all!'

It was al(ost hal$,ti(e" 7&e (i&#te to o" The %all ca(e

to Felicity a& she ca#ht it e$tly i& her &et/ ;#()i& hih i&

the air $or it"

'>oo!' yelle eeryo&e/ )lease to see s#ch a $i&e catch"

Felicity s)e o$$ with it a& )asse to ?ita" 0he i&'t see a %i

ells%ro#h irl r#&&i& #) to her a& collie heaily" 7er

she we&t o& the ro#& a& $elt a& ao&i*i& )ai& i& her riht

a&kle" It was so shar) that she co#l&'t et #)" Thi&s we&t %lack aro#& her" oor Felicity was horri$ie" .o/ &o/ she

(#st&'t $ai&t! .ot o& the )layi&,$iel i& the (ile o$ the

(atch! 0he co#l&'t!

The whistle we&t $or hal$,ti(e" Felicity heae a lo&

shaky sih o$ relie$" Fie (i&#tes' rest" o#l her a&kle %e allriht

0he was&'t oi& to $ai&t a$ter all! 0he sat there o& the

rass/ )rete&i& to $ile with her lacrosse %oot till she $elt a

little %etter" 0#sa& ca(e r#&&i& #)"

'I say — yo# we&t oer with a terri$ic wallo)" i yo#h#rt yo#rsel$'

112



'Twiste (y a&kle a little/' sai Felicity" 0he looke ery

white a& 0#sa& was alar(e" The a(es (istress ca(e #)"

'Twiste yo#r a&kle Let's hae a look"'

0he #&i the %oot +#ickly a& looke at Felicity's $oot/ )ressi& it a& t#r&i& it"

'It's a& ori&ary twist/' she sai" '8orri%ly )ai&$#l whe& it

ha))e&s/ I k&ow" Yo#' %etter co(e o$$ a& let yo#r resere

)lay"'

Felicity was al(ost i& tears" arrell ca(e r#&&i& #)"

'8as she twiste her a&kle 7h/ she o$te& oes that" 8er riht

a&kle's a %it weak" ay always tells her to %a&ae it $airlytihtly — ro#& the $oot ;#st here — a& walk o& it

i((eiately/ &ot lie #)"'

'ell/ I'( areea%le to that i$ Felicity ca& sta& o& it all

riht/ a& r#&/' sai the (istress" 'It's #) to her"'

0#sa& %ro#ht Felicity a le(o& +#arter to s#ck" 0he

%ea& to $eel (#ch %etter a& colo#r ca(e %ack i&to her

checks" 0he stoo #)/ testi& her a&kle i&erly" The& she

s(ile"

'It's all riht" It will %e %lack a& %l#e to(orrow/ %#t

there's &othi& really wro&" I& a $ew (i&#tes ti(e it will %e %etter"'

The a(es (istress %o#& the $oot #) tihtly/ a&

Felicity )#t o& her %oot aai&" The $oot ha swolle& a little %#t

&ot (#ch" Chewi& her le(o&/ Felicity ho%%le a%o#t $or a

(i&#te or two/ $eeli& the $oot etti& %etter a& %etter as shewe&t"

'.othi& (#ch wro&/' re)orte the a(es (istress" '-

&asty twist — %#t Felicity's a eter(i&e little character/ a&

where a&other irl wo#l (oa& a& (ake a $#ss a& o o$$

li()i&/ she's oi& to o o& )layi&" It wo&'t o the $oot a&yhar( — )ro%a%ly o it oo"'

113



The whistle we&t aai&/ a$ter a little lo&er hal$,ti(e to

ie Felicity a cha&ce to recoer" The irls took their )laces/

all at the o))osite e&s this ti(e"

0#sa& was a (arel that seco& hal$" 0he sae Felicityall she co#l/ a& lea)t a%o#t a& ra& like a (a March hare!

Eeryo&e cheere her"

Felicity's $oot cease to h#rt her" 0he $orot a%o#t it" 0he

%ea& to r#& aai&/ a& (ae a&other wo&er$#l catch that set

all the s)ectators cheeri&" 0he tackle a ells%ro#h irl a&

ot the %all away" 0he ra& $or oal"

'0hoot!' yelle eeryo&e" '0877T!'#t/ %e$ore she co#l shoot/ the %all was k&ocke o#t o$

her &et a& a ells%ro#h irl was s)eei& %ack ow& the

$iel with it" 0he )asse

the %all o&/ a& it was ca#ht a& )asse aai&/ a& shot

straiht at the Malory Towers oal"

'0ae it/ sae it!' yelle eeryo&e i& ao&y" The oal,

kee)er stoo there like a rock" 0he (ae a wil slash with her

lacrosse stick a& (irac#lo#sly ca#ht the har r#%%er %all/

$li&i& it o#t to a Malory Towers irl at o&ce"

'.o oal/ &o oal!' sa& the irls i& eliht" 'ell sae/8ila/ well sae!'

'Looks as i$ it's oi& to %e a raw/' sai Moira/ la&ci&

at her watch" '7&ly two (i&#tes (ore" Felicity's li()i& ;#st a

%it aai&" l#cky ki to r#& o& as she i"'

'0he's ot the %all!' crie arrell/ cl#tchi& Moira i&ecite(e&t" '-&other (arello#s catch! My wor/ )ractice

oes )ay! 0he catches %etter tha& a&yo&e" Look/ she's ke)t it!'

Felicity was r#&&i& ow& the $iel with the %all" 0he

was tackle %y a ells%ro#h irl/ oe/ t#r&e hersel$

riht ro#& a& )asse to 0#sa&" 0#sa& ca#ht it a&i((eiately )asse it %ack to Felicity/ seei& two o$ the

e&e(y co(i& straiht at her" Felicity &early i&'t catch it/

114



%eca#se it was s#ch a hih throw/ %#t %y lea)i& like a oat

she ot it i&to the ti) o$ her &et/ a& it ra& ow& sa$ely"

The& o$$ she we&t/ teari& ow& the $iel/ her $ace set

ri(ly"'0877T!' yelle the irls" '0877777777777T!'

-& she shot/ ;#st as the stick o$ a& e&e(y ca(e crashi&

ow& to et the %all $ro( her" The %all shot o#t hih i& the air/

a& the oal,kee)er r#she o#t to et it"

0he (isse it — a& the %all %o#&ce a& ra& slowly a&

eli%erately i&to a cor&er o$ the oal/ where it lay still as i$

+#ite tire o#t with the a(e"'>7-L!' yelle eeryo&e/ a& we&t co()letely (a"

Moira/ 0ally a& arrell sw#& each other ro#& i& a (ost

#&i&i$ie way $or $i$th,$or(ers/ ill a& Clarissa i a ki&

o$ %ar&,a&ce toether/ a& as $or the lower school/ they

%ea& a (ost ea$e&i& cha&t that (ae Ma('*elle )#t her

ha&s to her ears at o&ce"

'ell — o&e — Felici — TEEEEEE! ell — o&e —

Felici — TEEEEEE!'

The whistle we&t $or ti(e" The tea(s troo)e o$$/ re i&

the $ace/ )a&ti&/ la#hi& a& ha))y" Felicity was li()i& alittle/ %#t so ha))y a& )ro# that she wo#l&'t hae &otice i$

she ha li()e with %oth $eet!

arrell th#()e her o& the %ack" 'Yo# ot the wi&&i&

oal/ (y irl! Yo# i the trick! >osh/ I'( )ro# o$ yo#!'

Moira th#()e her/ too" 'I'( la we )#t yo# i&to thetea(/ Felicity! Yo#'ll %e there $or the rest o$ the ter(" Yo#'e

ot tea(,s)irit all riht" Yo# )lay $or yo#r sie all the ti(e"'

#&e was ;#st &ear%y" 0he hear what Moira sai/ a& $elt

s#re she was sayi& it so that she (iht hear" 0he t#r&e away/

sick at heart" 0he (iht hae %ee& )layi& i& the (atch — she(iht ee& hae shot that wi&&i& oal" #t Felicity ha

115



i&stea" #&e co#l&'t o a& th#() Felicity o& the %ack or

co&rat#late her" 0he was ;ealo#s"

Felicity was too ha))y to &otice little thi&s like that" 0he

we&t o$$ with her tea( a& the ells%ro#h irls to a's(ashi&' tea" -&yo&e seei& the )iles o$ sa&wiches/

%#ttere a& ;a((y %#&s/ a& slices o$ $r#it cake )ile hih

o& %i ishes wo#l thi&k that s#rely it wo#l &ee twe&ty

tea(s to eat all that!

#t the two tea(s (a&ae it all %etwee& the( +#ite

easily" hat $#& it all was! hat a &oise o$ sho#ti& a&

la#hter a& whole,hearte (erri(e&t"'0chool's s(ashi&/' tho#ht Felicity/ (#&chi& her

$o#rth ;a((y %#&" '0#)er! i*ar!'

116



Chapter 1%

HAL$-TERM

?E8E-?0-L0 %ea&" - T#esay a& a Friay ca(e/

a& a&other T#esay — three rehearsals alreay!

'I thi&k it's oi& well/ o&'t yo#' sai arrell to 0ally"

'Little Mary,Lo# k&ows her )art alreay — she (#st haeslae at lear&i& it/ %eca#se Ci&erella has al(ost (ore to

say the& a&yo&e"'

'Yes — a& she's oi& to look the )art eactly/' sai0ally" 'ho wo#l eer hae tho#ht that ti(i little Mary,

Lo#/ who was scare ee& o$ her ow& shaow whe& she was

i& the lower school/ wo#l %e a%le to take the )ri&ci)al )art i&

a )a&to(i(e &ow!'

'0hows what Malory Towers oes to yo#!' sai arrell"

'0till/ I s#))ose a&y oo %oari&,school oes the sa(e

thi&s — (akes yo# sta& o& yo#r ow& $eet/ r#%s o$$ yo#rcor&ers/ teaches yo# co((o&,se&se/ (akes yo# acce)t

res)o&si%ility"'

'It e)e&s o& the )erso&!' sai 0ally/ with a la#h" 'It

oes&'t see( to hae ta#ht ear >we&oli&e Mary (#ch"'

'ell/ I s#))ose there (#st %e ece)tio&s/' sai arrell"

'0he's a%o#t the o&ly o&e that's co(e #) the school with #s

who oes&'t see( to hae lear&t a&ythi& se&si%le at all"''It was a shock whe& we tol her she a& Ma#ree& (iht

%e twi&s!' sai 0ally" '0he really saw hersel$ the& as others see

her" -&yway/ I thi&k she is %etter tha& she was — es)eciallysi&ce she's ha to o i& $or a(es a& y( )ro)erly"'

'0he oes&'t like %ei& a sera&t i& the )lay/' sai arrell/

with o&e o$ her wie ri&s" '.or oes Ma#ree&" They'e

&either o$ the( ot a wor to say i& the )lay/ a& &ot (#ch to

o either — %#t as they %oth act so %aly/ it's ;#st as well!'

119



'It's a& aw$#l %low to their )rie/' sai 0ally" 'I say —

ill's oi&

to %e oo/ is&'t she 0he's the s#rly %aro& to the li$e as

she stries a%o#t the stae i& her rii&,%oots/ a& sla)s herwhi) aai&st her sie!'

Yes — the )lay was really oi& +#ite well" The $i$th,

$or(ers were al(ost sorry that it was hal$,ter( weeke&

%eca#se it (ea&t (issi& a rehearsal that Friay" 0till/ it wo#l

%e loely to see their )eo)le aai&" arrell ha a lot to tell her

)are&ts — a& so ha Felicity"

Felicity's a&kle ha certai&ly %ee& %lack a& %l#e the &etay/ a& she showe it o$$ )ro#ly to the $irst,$or(ers" hat a

(arel to shoot a oal whe& yo# ha a& a&kle like that!

Felicity was +#ite the heroi&e o$ the lower school"

8al$,ter( ca(e a& we&t/ all too +#ickly" arrell's $ather

a& (other ca(e/ a& ha to liste& to two ecite irls %oth

talki& at o&ce a%o#t )a&to(i(es a& (atches"

'e're rehearsi& well/ a& (y wors so#& $i&e/ a&

yo# sho#l see Mary,Lo# as Ci&erella/' crie arrell at the

to) o$ her oice"

'-& whe& I shot the wi&&i& oal I si()ly co#l&'t %eliee it/ %#t there was s#ch a terri$ic &oise o$ cheeri& a&

sho#ti& that I ha to/' sho#te Felicity/ at the sa(e ti(e as

arrell" 8er (other s(ile" hat a )air!

Fo#r o$ ill's %rothers ca(e to see her/ a& her (other as

well/ all o& horse%ack! It was the %oys' hal$,ter(/ too/ a& illroe o$$ ha))ily/ taki& Clarissa with her" 'hat a loely way

to s)e& hal$,ter(/' tho#ht Clarissa/ 'rii& all ay lo&/ a&

hai& a )ic&ic l#&ch a& tea!'

>we&oli&e watche her o ;ealo#sly" I$ she ha %ee&

se&si%le last ter( she co#l hae %ee& Clarissa's $rie&" #tshe ha&'t %ee& se&si%le — a& &ow she was st#ck with that

aw$#l Ma#ree&!

11=



The rea$#l thi& was that Ma#ree&'s )are&ts co#l&'t

co(e at the last (o(e&t/ so Ma#ree& ha &o o&e to o o#t

with" 0he we&t to tell >we&"

'7h/ >we& — are yo# taki& a&yo&e o#t with yo# My )are&ts ca&'t co(e" I'( so %itterly isa))oi&te"'

>we& stare at her crossly" This wo#l ha))e&/ o$

co#rse" .ow she wo#l hae to hae Ma#ree& tai& a%o#t

with her all ay lo&"

0he i&tro#ce Ma#ree& to her (other a& Miss i&ter/

her ol oer&ess/ with a ery %a race"

'Mother — this is Ma#ree&" 8er )are&ts hae&'t co(etoay/ so I sai she co#l co(e with #s"'

'7$ co#rse/ o$ co#rse!' sai Mrs" Lacy at o&ce" -s #s#al

she was resse i& $ar too $#ssy thi&s/ with eils a& scares

a& %its a& )ieces $lyi& eerywhere" 'oor chil — what a

sha(e!'

Ma#ree& war(e to Mrs" Lacy" 8ere was so(eo&e she

co#l talk to easily" 0he ae her silly little la#h"

'7h/ Mrs" Lacy/ it's so ki& o$ yo# to let (e co(e with

yo#" It's (y $irst ter( here/ yo# k&ow — a& really I o&'t

k&ow what I' hae o&ewitho#t ear >we&oli&e" 0he's really %ee& a $rie& i&

&ee"'

'I'( s#re she has/' sai Mrs" Lacy" '>we&oli&e is always

so ki&" .o wo&er she is so )o)#lar"'

'-& o yo# k&ow/ the irls say >we& a& I o#ht to %e$rie&s/ %eca#se we're so alike/' chattere Ma#ree&/ t#cki&

the r# ro#& hersel$ i& the car" 'e'e %oth ot ole& hair

a& %l#e eyes/ a& they say we'e ot the sa(e ways/ too"

-re&'t I l#cky to hae $o#& a twi&!'

This was the ki& o$ co&ersatio& that %oth Miss i&tera& Mrs" Lacy #&erstoo a& like" Miss i&ter (ae +#ite

a $#ss o$ Ma#ree&/ a& >we& i&'t like that at all"

11A



>we& ho)e that Ma#ree& wo#l say &ice thi&s a%o#t

her as she was taki& her o#t $or the ay" #t Ma#ree& i&'t"

Ma#ree& talke a%o#t hersel$ the whole ti(e" 0he escri%e

her ho(e/ her $a(ily/ her os/ her are&/ all the holiaysshe ha eer ha/ a& all the ill&esses" >we& co#l&'t et a

wor i&/ a& a$ter a ti(e she $ell sile&t a& s#lke"

'hat a %ore Ma#ree& is! 8ow silly! 8ow sel$ish a&

co&ceite!' tho#ht >we&/ s#lkily" 'hat a silly a$$ecte

la#h"'

8er (other (ae a (ost terri$yi& re(ark at l#&ch,ti(e"

0he %ea(e ro#& at %oth irls" 'Yo# k&ow/ ece)t thatMa#ree&'s teeth stick o#t a little/ yo# two are really ery alike!

Yo#'e ot >we&'s loely way o$ chatteri& all a%o#t yo#r

oi&s/ Ma#ree& — a& ee& yo#r la#h is the sa(e — is&'t

it/ Miss i&ter'

'Yes/ they really (iht %e sisters/' aree Miss i&ter/

s(ili& ki&ly at the elihte Ma#ree&" 'Their ways are

eactly the sa(e/ a& ee& their oices"'

>we& $elt +#ite sick" 0he co#l harly eat a&y i&&er" I$

her (other a& Miss i&ter/ who really aore her/ ho&estly

tho#ht that that aw$#l/ %ori&/ co&ceite Ma#ree& waseactly like her/ the& she/ >we&/ (#st %e a really a))alli&

)erso& too" .o wo&er she was&'t )o)#lar" .o wo&er the

irls la#he at her"

That ay was a really terri%le o&e $or >we&" To sit %y

so(e%oy who was s#))ose to %e like her/ to hear her ow&silly la#h #ttere %y Ma#ree&/ to liste& to her eerlasti&/

#ll tales a%o#t hersel$/ a& see her ow& shallow/ i&si&cere

s(ile s)rea oer Ma#ree&'s $ace was a horri%le e)erie&ce"

'I shall &eer $oret this/' tho#ht )oor >we&" '.eer" I'll

%e ;olly care$#l how I %ehae i& $#t#re" -& I'll alter (y la#hstraihtaway" o I really la#h like that Yes — I o" 7h/ I o

$eel so asha(e"'

12B



'>we&'s ery +#iet/' sai Miss i&ter/ at last" '-&ythi&

wro&/ >we&'

'7h/ )oor >we& — she's so isa))oi&te %eca#se she's

&ot chose& $or Ci&erella/' sai Ma#ree&/ swi$tly"'ell/ so were yo#!' retorte >we&"' Yo# tho#ht yo#

were oi& to %e" Moira sai so!'

'>irls/ irls! o&'t talk like that to o&e a&other/' sai Mrs"

Lacy/ shocke" 'hy — I +#ite tho#ht >we& was to %e

Ci&erella!'

'Yes — yo# sai i& yo#r letter that (ost o$ the irls

wa&te yo# to %e/' sai Miss i&ter" 'hy i&'t they chooseyo#/ >we& Yo# wo#l hae (ae a $i&e Ci&erella! It's a

sha(e"'

'For the sa(e reaso& they i&'t choose Ma#ree&/ I

s#))ose/' sai >we&/ s#lkily" 'They i&'t thi&k we were oo

e&o#h"'

'ell/ o$ co#rse/ I co#l&'t )ossi%ly e)ect to %e chose&

— it's o&ly (y $irst ter(/' sai Ma#ree&/ +#ickly"

'Yo# i e)ect to %e!' sai >we&"

'7h &o/ >we& ear/' sai Ma#ree&/ a& la#he her silly

la#h" It rate o& >we&'s eas)erate &eres"'I shall o (a i$ yo# la#h that la#h aai&/' she sai/

saaely"

There/ was a s#r)rise sile&ce" Ma#ree& %roke it %y

la#hi& aai& a& >we& cle&che her $ists"

'oor >we&!' sai Ma#ree&" '8o&estly/ Mrs" Lacy/ it wasa sha(e they i&'t choose her — it really i #)set her" -&

whe& we o to rehearsals it's/ (ae&i& $or >we& to see

Mary,Lo# as Ci&erella/ whilst she's o&ly a sera&t/ a& says

&othi& at all — &ot a si&le wor i& the whole o$ the )lay!'

'arli&!' sai Mrs" Lacy/ co($orti&ly/ to the loweri&>we&" 'I'( so sorry! I o&'t like to see Mother's irl sa"'

'0to) it/ Mother/' sai >we&" 'Let's cha&e the s#%;ect"'

121



Mrs" Lacy was ery h#rt" 0he t#r&e away $ro( this

#&#s#ally s#rly >we&/ a& %ea& to talk to Ma#ree&/ %ei&

etra &ice to her so as to show >we& that she was ery

is)lease with her" Miss i&ter i the sa(e/ a& Ma#ree& %losso(e o#t ee& (ore #&er this s#&shi&e o$ $lattery a&

ra)t atte&tio&" oor >we& ha to liste& to (ore a& (ore tales

o$ Ma#ree&'s li$e/ a& to hear her silly la#h (ore a& (ore

o$te&!

The ay ca(e to a& e& at last" Ma#ree& tha&ke Mrs"

Lacy a& Miss i&ter )rettily/ t#cke her ar( i&to >we&'s/

a& we&t o$$/ wai&"'I'll look a$ter >we& $or yo#!' she calle %ack"

'ell/ what a char(i& chil — a& what a &ice $rie&

she' (ake $or >we&/' sai Mrs" Lacy/ rii& o$$" 'It's a )ity

>we&'s so #)set a%o#t that Ci&erella %#si&ess" Ma#ree& (#st

hae %ee& ;#st as isa))oi&te"'

'Yes" I'( a$rai ear >we&'s &ot taki& that ery %raely/'

sai Miss i&ter" '.eer (i&/ she has that &ice chil

Ma#ree& to set her a oo ea()le"'

'I thi&k we o#ht to ask Ma#ree& to stay $or a week or

two i& the Christ(as holiays/' sai Mrs" Lacy" 'It wo#l %e so&ice $or >we&"'

oor >we&! I$ she ha hear all this she wo#l hae %ee&

$#rio#s" 0he was to et a reat shock whe& her (other's letter

ca(e/ telli& her she ha i&ite Ma#ree& to stay $or a week i&

the holiays"0he )#lle her ar( away $ro( Ma#ree&'s as soo& as the

car roe o#t o$ siht" 0he t#r&e o& her"

'ell — I ho)e yo#'e e&;oye s)oili& (y whole ay/

yo# %east! Telli& yo#r aw$#l tales/ a& la#hi& yo#r aw$#l

la#h/ a& s#cki& #) like a&ythi&" <h!'

122



'#t/ >we& — they sai I was so like yo#/' sai Ma#ree&/

looki& )#**le" 'They like (e" 8ow ca& I %e so aw$#l i$ I'(

eactly like yo#'

>we& i&'t tell her" It was a thi& she really co#l&'t %ear to thi&k a%o#t"

123



Chapter 1&

THE DICTATOR

T8E ays %ea& to $ly a$ter hal$,ter(" arrell a& 0ally

ot $its o$ )a&ic +#ite re#larly whe&eer they tho#ht o$ the

)a&to(i(e %ei& )er$or(e to the )are&ts at the e& o$ ter("

'e'll .EE? %e reay!' roa&e arrell"'.o" e &eer i(ai&e there' %e so (#ch to o/' sai

0ally/ serio#sly"

'I$ o&ly eeryo&e k&ew their )arts like Mary,Lo# a&Mais/' sai arrell" 'Lo#ella ries (e (a" 0he $orets the

wors o$ her so&s eery si&le ti(e" I wish we ha&'t chose&

her to %e the $airy,o(other &ow"'

'7h/ she'll %e all riht o& the &iht/' sai 0ally" '0he was

like that i& the )lay she was i& last year — &eer k&ew a wor

till the last &iht/ a& the& was +#ite )er$ect"'

'ell/ I o&ly ho)e yo#'re riht/' roa&e arrell/ a(#si&the steay 0ally ery (#ch" arrell we&t ow& i&to the #()s

easily oer her )recio#s )a&to(i(e" 0ally was ery oo $or

her" 0he re$#se to thi&k a&yo&e was ho)eless/ a& was

always reay with so(ethi& co($orti& to say"

'-licia's (arello#s/ is&'t she' she sai/ a$ter a )a#se/

looki& #) $ro( the work she was oi&"

'Yes" 0he's a %or& e(o&/' sai arrell/ with a ile" 'Iet +#ite scare o$ her so(eti(es/ the way she lea)s a%o#t the

stae a& yells" -& her co&;#ri& is (irac#lo#s"'

'0o is her ;#li&/' sai 0ally" '-& she's )ractise thate(o&,so#&i& oice till it really so#&s +#ite #&ca&&y"'

a)h&e ;oi&e i& with a la#h" 'Yes — a& whe& she

s#e&ly )ro#ces it i& Fre&ch class/ the a(a*e(e&t o&

Ma('*elle's $ace is too oo to %e tr#e"'

124



'-licia's a screa(/' sai arrell" '0he'll %e the %est i& the

show/ I thi&k"'

There was a little sile&ce" 'There's o&ly o&e thi& that

really worries (e/' sai arrell/ i& a low oice" '-& that'sMoira" 0he's &ot hitti& it o$$ with etty at all — or -licia

either" 0he's %ossi& the( too (#ch"'

'Yes" 0he ca&'t see( to hel) it/' sai 0ally" '#t it's iiotic

to %e %ossy with )eo)le like etty a& -licia" -$ter all/ etty's

co,)ro#cer/ a& -licia's a terri$ic hel) to the("'

arrell was riht to worry a%o#t Moira" Moira was

i&te&sely kee& o& etti& the whole )a&to(i(e )er$ect/ a&(ae eeryo&e work like slaes #&er her co((a&" The irls

rese&te it" Lo#ella )#r)osely $orot her wors i& orer to

a&&oy Moira" ill )#r)osely ca(e i& at the wro& sie each

ti(e to (ake her sho#t" -& Moira co#l&'t see that she was

ha&li& thi&s i& the wro& way"

0he was a wo&er$#l ora&i*er/ certai&ly" 0he ha o&e

i&to eery etail/ worke o#t eery sce&e with arrell/ )roe

hersel$ (ost i&e&io#s/ a& ie& ery wise aise"

#t she i it all i& the wro& way" 0he was aressie

a& o)i&io&ate/ she co&traicte )eo)le $latly/ a& she $o#&$a#lt too (#ch a& )raise too little"

'Yo#'re a ictator/ Moira/' ill i&$or(e her at o&e

rehearsal" 'I o&'t take ki&ly to ictators" .or oes a&yo&e

else here"'

'I$ yo# thi&k yo# ca& )ro#ce a $irst,class )a&to(i(ewitho#t ii& a $ew orers a& $i&i& a $ew $a#lts/ yo#'re

wro&/' sai Moira/ $#rio#sly"

'I o&'t/' sai ill/ (illy" 'I &eer sai I i" #t yo# ca&

o all that witho#t %ei& a ictator" Yo# sit #) there like a

warlor a& chiy #s all alo& #&(erci$#lly" I +#ite e)ect to %e se&t to )riso& so(eti(es"'

125



'Let's et o&/' sai arrell/ a$rai that Moira was oi& to

%low #)" -r#i& always waste so (#ch ti(e" 'e'll take

that %it aai&" Mais/ %ei& yo#r so&"'

Mais sa&/ a& a sile&ce $ell" hat a loely oice sheha/ low a& )#re a& sweet" That wo#l (ake the a#ie&ce

as)! It was&'t o$te& that a schoolirl ha a oice like that"

'e shall (iss her whe& she leaes/ a& oes to st#y

(#sic a& si&i& at the Collee o$ M#sic/' tho#ht arrell"

Mais's so& ca(e to a& e&/ a& she ste))e %ack to let

#tto&s co(e o& a& o her %it"

Yes/ rehearsals were har work/ %#t they were $#&/ too"0ally a& arrell %ea& to $eel (ore co&$ie&ce as ti(e we&t

o&" arrell s#r)rise hersel$ at ti(es/ whe& she s#e&ly saw

so(ethi& wro& with the li&es o$ the )lay/ a& h#rrie to

alter the("

'I k&ow ;#st what's wro& a& what's riht &ow/' she

tho#ht/ as she scri%%le &ew li&es" 'I aore oi& this

)a&to(i(e — $eeli& it's (i&e %eca#se I wrote it all" I wa&t to

o a )lay &et" Co#l I write o&e — )erha)s ;#st a short o&e

$or &et ter( 0hall I eer/ eer %e a well,k&ow& )laywriht'

>we& was a s#lky actor" 0he hate %ei& st#ck at the %ack i& the chor#s/ resse as a sera&t/ with &othi& to say or

o %y hersel$" Ma#ree& was (#ch (ore cheer$#l a%o#t it" 0he

roe >we& &early (a %y so(e o$ the thi&s she sai"

'7$ co#rse/ I o&'t (i& hai& s#ch a s(all/ i&si&i$ica&t

)art/' she sai" '#t it's i$$ere&t $or yo#/ >we&" Yo#'e %ee&here $or years/ a& I'e &ot %ee& ee& o&e ter(" Yo# o#ht to

hae ha a oo )art" I co#l&'t e)ect o&e"'

>we& rowle"

'I shall write a& tell yo#r (other yo# are aw$#lly oo

as a sera&t/' we&t o& Ma#ree&" 'I o thi&k it's so ki& o$ her toask (e to stay" o&'t it %e $#& to %e toether so (#ch/ >we&/

i& the hols'

126



>we& i&'t a&swer" 0he was %ei&&i& to %e a little

a$rai o$ Ma#ree&" Ma#ree& was silly a& a$$ecte — %#t she

ha a c#&&i& a& sly sie to her &at#re/ too" 0o ha >we&/ o$

co#rse" 0he reco&i*e it easily i& Ma#ree& %eca#se it was i&hersel$ too" That was the rea$#l )art o$ this $orce $rie&shi)

with Ma#ree&" It was like %ei& $rie&s with yo#rsel$/ a&

k&owi& all the $alse/ silly/ sly thi&s that we&t o& i& yo#r

ow& (i&"

>we& i try to alter hersel$ a %it/ so that she wo#l&'t %e

like Ma#ree&" 0he sto))e her silly la#h a& her wie/ $alse

s(ile" 0he sto))e talki& a%o#t hersel$ too"To her e&or(o#s a&&oya&ce &o%oy see(e to &otice it"

-s a (atter o$ $act/ they took so little &otice o$ her at all that i$

she ha s#e&ly row& a (o#stache a& wor& rii&,%oots

they wo#l&'t hae %othere" ho wa&te to )ay a&y atte&tio&

to >we& 0he ha &eer o&e a&ythi& to (ake hersel$ like

or tr#ste/ so the %est thi& to o was to i&ore her"

-& i&ore her they i/ tho#h )oor >we& was oi&

her %est to %e se&si%le a& likea%le &ow" 0he ha le$t it a %it

too late!

Two (ore weeks we&t %y/ a& the& s#e&ly a row $lare#) at a rehearsal" It %ea& oer a ery silly little thi& i&ee/

as %i rows o$te& o"

-licia took it i&to her hea to eole a ki& o$ e(o&,

cha&t whe&eer she a))eare or isa))eare o& the stae" 0he

o&ly tho#ht o$ it a $ew (i&#tes %e$ore rehearsal/ a& ha&'tti(e to tell arrell or 0ally/ so she tho#ht she wo#l ;#st

i&tro#ce the weir little cha&t witho#t war&i&"

-& she i" 0he a))eare with her s#e&/ s#r)risi&

lea)s/ cha&ti& eerily" '7o,woo,la/ woo,la/ ri(i&y,ree/ oo,

woo,la " " "'

129



Moira ra))e lo#ly" The rehearsal sto))e" '-licia!

hat o& earth's that It's &ot i& the scri)t/ as yo# ery well

k&ow"'

'7$ co#rse I k&ow/' sai -licia/ a&&oye as always %yMoira's #&&ecessarily shar) to&e" 'I ha&'t ti(e to ask arrell

to )#t it i&" I o&ly tho#ht o$ it ;#st &ow"'

'ell/ we ca&'t i&sert &ew thi&s &ow/' sai Moira/ colly"

'-& i& a&y case it's &ot $or yo# to s#est etraori&ary

cha&ts like that" I$ we' wa&te o&e we' hae ot arrell to

write o&e i&"'

'Look here/ Moira/' sai -licia/ losi& her te()er ra)ily/T( &ot a $irst,$or(er" I'( " " "'

arrell i&terr#)te hastily" 'Moira/ I thi&k that's really a

oo iea o$ -licia's" hat o yo# thi&k/ etty I &eer

tho#ht o$ a cha&t like that $or the e(o& — %#t it oes so#&

ery e(o&,like/ a& " " "'

'Yes/' sai etty/ a&io#s to o aai&st Moira/ a& %ack

#) her $rie& -licia" 'Yes" It's a ;olly $i&e iea" e'll hae it"'

Moira we&t #) i& s(oke at o&ce/ i& a way that a e(o&

ki& hi(sel$ (iht hae e&ie!

0he stoo #)/ loweri&" 'Yo# o&ly say that/ etty/ %eca#se yo#'re -licia's $rie&/ a& " " "'

'0h#cks/' sai etty/ r#ely"

Moira we&t o& witho#t sto))i&" '-& arrell o&ly says it

%eca#se she always %acks #) -licia/ too" ell/ I'( chie$

)ro#cer/ a& I'( oi& to hae (y way oer this" There'll %e&o e(o&,cha&t" >et o& with the rehearsal"'

-licia was white" 'I'( &ot )er$or(i& a&y (ore to&iht/'

she sai/ i& a col a& a&ry oice" 'Yo#'re +#ite steali& the

)er$or(a&ce yo#rsel$/ are&'t yo#/ Moira o&er$#l e(o&

+#ee& yo#' (ake/ with that look o& yo#r $ace!'

12=



It was so eactly what Moira i look like that there were

+#ite a lot o$ #$$aws" -licia walke o$$ the stae" arrell was

)etri$ie" 0ally took chare"

'ho's o& &et Co(e o&/ ill"'ill ca(e o& the wro& sie as #s#al/ eter(i&e to $lo#t

Moira/ too" 0he stalke i&/ her ha&s i& her %reeches )ockets"

0he always wore rii& thi&s whe& she rehearse" 0he sai it

(ae her $eel (ore %aro&ial!

'ILL! Yo# k&ow )er$ectly well yo# o&'t co(e i& that

sie/' sho#te Moira/ who also k&ew )er$ectly well that it was

;#st ill's way o$ showi& that she sie with -licia" illstoo there like a #((y"

'>o %ack a& co(e i& the riht sie/' orere Moira/

harshly"

'.o" I'( oi& rii&/' sai ill" @#ite si()ly a& (illy/

;#st like that! 0he walke o$$/ h#((i&/ a& Moira hear her

calli& to Clarissa"

'Clarissa! Co(e o&! I'( &ot $eeli& $it $or acti& to&iht"

I wa&t to o so(ethi& e&eretic!'

'This is silly/' sai etty" 'Eeryo&e walki& o$$" Let (e

take chare/ Moira" Yo#'re r#%%i& the( #) the wro& wayto&iht"'

Moira shoe her ro#hly asie" 0he ha a wicke

te()er whe& she was really ro#se/ the sa(e ki& o$ te()er

as her sister riet/ who like to s(ash thi&s #) i$ she really

$elt (a!'I'( oi& o&/' she sai/ %etwee& her teeth" '7&ce we let

thi&s et o#t o$ ha&/ we're o&e" e'll take the sera&ts'

chor#s"'

The chor#s ca(e o&/ ili& a& reay to )lay #) Moira

i$ they co#l" They all rese&te her har ways/ ee& tho#hthey a(itte that she co#l et thi&s o&e a& o&e well"

Moira )icke o& >we& a& Ma#ree& at o&ce"

12A



'Yo# two! Yo#'re &ot si&i&! 7h &o/ yo#'re &ot! 0o o&'t

say yo# were" Yo#'re )retty aw$#l eery ti(e/ a& yo#' %etter

)#ll yo#r socks #) &ow/ or yo# wo&'t ee& %e i& the chor#s" I'll

et so(e thir,$or(ers i&stea"''I say! o sh#t #)/ Moira/' sai etty/ i& a low to&e" 'Yo#

k&ow yo#'ll &eer o (#ch with those two/ a& certai&ly &ot i$

yo# o $or the( like that"'

Moira took &ot the slihtest &otice" 'i yo# hear what I

sai/ >we& a& Ma#ree&' she calle" 'Co(e o#t i& $ro&t a&

si& %y yo#rseles/ so that I shall see i$ yo# o k&ow the

wors"'>we& hesitate" 0he lo&e to cheek Moira/ or walk o$$

as ill ha o&e" #t she was a$rai o$ Moira's shar) to&#e"

'ery well the& — sto) where yo# are a& si& there/'

sai Moira/ s#e&ly reali*i& that she co#l&'t ery well o

a& ra >we& a& Ma#ree& to the $ro&t %y (ai& $orce"

'M#sic/ Ire&e!'

Ire&e/ looki& ery l#( a& is#ste/ )laye the

sera&ts' chor#s" >we&'s reey oice )i)e #) a& Ma#ree&

(#(%le the wors/ too"

'0to)/' sai Moira/ a& the (#sic sto))e" 'Yo# o&'tk&ow the wors a& yo# o&'t k&ow the t#&e — a& it is a%o#t

the see&th rehearsal" Yo#'re the worst i& the whole )lay/ %oth

o$ yo#"'

>we& a& Ma#ree& were $#rio#s at %ei& h#(iliate like

this i& $ro&t o$ eeryo&e" #t still they are &ot a&swer Moira %ack" They were %oth little cowars whe& it ca(e to a&ythi&

like that" They stoo (#te/ a& >we& $elt the #s#al easy tears

welli& #) i& her eyes"

.eeless to say the rehearsal was &ot a s#ccess" Eeryo&e

sihe with relie$ whe& the s#))er,%ell we&t" Moira we&t o$$scowli&" Ma&y o$ the irls se&t scowls a$ter her i& i(itatio&"

'east/' sai a)h&e" '0he ets worse!'

13B



'0he's worrie %eca#se she has so (a&y rehearsals to

take/ a& so (#ch to o/' sai arrell/ tryi& to sto) the

e&eral r#(%li&" It (ae thi&s so i$$ic#lt i$ the irls i&'t

co(e willi&ly a& cheer$#lly to rehearsal" It was her )a&to(i(e/ her (aster)iece — she co#l&'t let their rese&t$#l

$eeli&s $or Moira s)oil it all"

'0ai&t arrell!' calle etty/ i& eliht" arrell ri&&e"

'I'( &o sai&t!' she sai" 'I'( as hot a& %othere as

eeryo&e else" #t what's the oo o$ (essi& #) the show

;#st %eca#se we'e ot a )ro#cer who ca&'t kee) her te()er'

'Let's ch#ck her o#t/' s#este so(e%oy" 'e'e otetty — a& there's yo# a& 0ally a& -licia at ha& to hel)"

e o&'t &ee Moira &ow the o&key,work is o&e"'

'e ca&'t )ossi%ly ch#ck her o#t/' sai arrell/ eciely"

'It wo#l %e (ea& a$ter she's ot it (ore or less i&to sha)e" I

o ho&estly thi&k she's irrita%le %eca#se she's so i&tereste i&

etti& it )er$ect/ a& eery little thi& #)sets her" >ie her

a&other cha&ce!'

'-ll riht/' aree eeryo&e" '#t o&ly 7.E (ore cha&ce/

arrell'

131



Chapter 1'

THE ANON)MOUS LETTERS

-??ELL s)oke to Moira rather &ero#sly a%o#t the$ail#re o$ the last rehearsal"

'e all k&ow yo#'re a %it oerworke %eca#se yo#'e

o&e so (#ch $or the show alreay/' she %ea&"

'7h/ o %e +#iet" Yo# so#& like 0ai&t Catheri&e/' sai

Moira/ with a la&ce at the &ear%y Catheri&e" '0he's alreaytrie to (ake a h#&re silly ec#ses $or (e" I hate )eo)le

who s#ck #)" I was&'t a&ry %eca#se I was tire or

oerworke" I was a&ry %eca#se )eo)le like -licia a& ill

a& >we& a& Ma#ree& were e$ia&t a& r#e a& silly a&

la*y a& i&'t %ack (e #)" .ow yo# k&ow"''ell/ look/ Moira — $or oo&ess' sake %e (ore

#&ersta&i& a& )atie&t &et ti(e/' sai arrell/ holi&tiht o& to her ow& te()er" 0he $elt it s#e&ly risi& #)" 7h

ear! It wo#l &eer o $or two o$ the( to et $#rio#s!

'ill yo# let (e et o& with (y Fre&ch or &ot' aske

Moira/ i& a a&ero#s oice" arrell ae it #)"

The &et rehearsal was a little %etter/ %#t &ot (#ch"

arrell ha i&siste o& writi& i& -licia's cha&t/ a& Moira

ha $row&e %#t sai ery little" -$ter all/ the scri)t wasarrell's %#si&ess" Moira i&'t $i& a&y $a#lt with either

-licia or ill this ti(e" 0he i&'t &ee to" oth werea(ira%le a& k&ew their )arts well" ill/ at arrell's re+#est/

ca(e o& the stae $ro( the riht sie/ a& all was well"

#t other thi&s we&t wro&" 7ther )eo)le ca(e i& $or

criticis( a& %la(e/ the co#rtiers were orere to si& their

so& $o#r ti(es/ the sera&ts i&'t %ow )ro)erly/ or c#rtsy atthe riht (o(e&t/ #tto&s was talki& whe& she sho#l&'t %e!

132



Moira i&'t lose her te()er/ %#t she was #&)leasa&t a&

har" 0he $o#ht to kee) hersel$ i& ha&" 0he was hea,irl o$

the $i$th" 0he was chie$ )ro#cer o$ the show" 0he ha o&e all

the o&key,work a& licke thi&s i&to sha)e" 0he (ea&t tohae her ow& way/ a& to hae thi&s as she like — a& she

was&'t oi& to say )lease a& tha&k yo# a& s(ile a& cla)/

as that iiot o$ a etty i!

There was a lot (ore r#(%li& a$terwars" arrell a&

0ally %ea& to $eel )a&icky" 0#))ose the )a&to(i(e we&t to

)ieces i&stea o$ etti& )er$ect

-& the& a&other horri thi& %ea&" It was the co(i&o$ the a&o&y(o#s letters — s)ite$#l/ hate$#l letters with &o

&a(e at the e&!

7&ly o&e irl i& the $or( ot the( — a& that was

Moira" 0he ot the $irst o&e o& a rehearsal ay" 0he slit o)e&

the e&elo)e a& rea it i& the co((o&,roo(" 0he eclai(e

alo# i& is#st"

'hat's #)' sai arrell" Moira threw the letter across to

her" '?ea that/' she sai"

arrell rea it a& was horri$ie" This was the letter

I$ o&ly yo# k&ew what )eo)le really thi&k o$ the hea,irl o$ the $i$th! a,te()ere/ #&;#st/ %ossy — i$ yo# le$t at

the e& o$ the ter( it wo#l&'t %e too soo& $or ME"

'hat a is#sti& thi&/' sai arrell/ i& is(ay" 'ho

co#l )ossi%ly hae writte& it It's all i& )ri&te ca)itals/ to

hie the writer's ow& ha&writi&" Take &o &otice o$ it/ Moira"The o&ly )lace $or a&o&y(o#s letters is the $ire"'

Moira tosse the &ote i&to the $ire/ a& we&t o& with her

work" .o%oy co#l tell i$ she was #)set or &ot — %#t

eeryo&e wo&ere who ha writte& s#ch a horri%le letter"

The &et o&e arrie the $ollowi& ay" There it was/ o&to) o$ Moira's )ile o$ %ooks/ aresse i& the sa(e )ri&te

writi&"

133



0he o)e&e it/ #&thi&ki&"

0o yo# ot (y $irst letter" I ho)e yo# e&;oye it"

o#l&'t yo# loe to k&ow what the irls say a%o#t yo# It

wo#l (ake yo#r ears %#r&! Yo#'e certai&ly ot theisti&ctio& o$ %ei& the (ost #&)o)#lar irl i& the school —

%#t who wa&ts that isti&ctio& Certai&ly &ot ME"

'8ere's a&other o$ the(/' sai Moira/ i& a cas#al to&e/ a&

ae it to arrell a& 0ally" They rea it/ is(aye %y the

s)ite that lay %ehi& the $ew li&es"

'#t/ Moira — who ca& it %e' sai arrell" '7h ear —

it's horri%le" -&o&y(o#s letters are always writte& %y thelowest o$ the low/ I $eel — a& it's aw$#l to thi&k there's

so(eo&e like that at Malory Towers"'

'I o&'t care/' sai Moira" #t she i care" 0he

re(e(%ere the s)ite$#l wors a& worrie oer the( i& %e"

0he worrie oer the rehearsals/ too" 0he %aly wa&te the(

to o as well as they ha o&e at $irst — %#t )oor Moira

always $o#& it ery i$$ic#lt to ie #) her ow& o)i&io&s a&

ways" 0he co#l&'t alter hersel$ — she e)ecte eeryo&e else

to aa)t the(seles to her" -& they wo#l&'t/ o$ co#rse"

'o&'t o)e& a&y (ore &otes/' sai 0ally to Moira/ seei&her look rather white the &et ay" 'Yo# k&ow which they are

— ch#ck the( i& the $ire" Yo# ca& tell %y the )ri&ti& o& the

e&elo)e what they are"'

#t the &et o&e was&'t i& a& e&elo)e" It was st#$$e i&

Moira's lacrosse locker ow& i& the cha&i&,roo(" It wasact#ally i&sie her riht %oot! 0he took it o#t/ a& saw

i((eiately what was writte&/ $or the &ote this ti(e ha &o

e&elo)e"

hat's a ictator -sk Moira" o&'t ask — ME"

#st that a& &o (ore" Moira cr#()le #) the &ote$iercely" This horri%le letter,writer! 0he k&ew ;#st what to say

to h#rt Moira (ost"

134



0he tol arrell" 0he i&'t really wa&t to tell a&yo&e/ %#t

so(ehow she $elt she (#st )#t a %rae $ro&t o& the (atter/ a&

%y telli& a%o#t the letters a& (aki& the( )#%lic she $elt

that wo#l show the writer she i&'t care"0he la#he as she showe arrell the &ote" '@#ite short

this ti(e/' she sai" '#t &ot eactly sweet!'

'7h! It's hate$#l sai arrell" 'e (#st $i& o#t who it is"

e (#st sto) it" I'e &eer/ &eer k&ow& s#ch a thi& ha))e&

all the ti(e I'e %ee& at Malory Towers" oiso&o#s/ (alicio#s

letters! Moira/ why are&'t yo# (ore #)set I sho#l %e

a%sol#tely (isera%le i$ I ot these! Ee& i$ I k&ew they were&'ttr#e/' she ae/ h#rriely"

'Yo# &ee&'t a that/' sai Moira/ with a $ai&t s(ile"

'They are tr#e/ act#ally" More tha& o&e o$ yo# hae calle (e

a ictator/ yo# k&ow — a& %ossy a& %a,te()ere"'

arrell stare at her i& horror" 'Moira — yo# wo#l&'t

thi&k I i it/ wo#l yo# 7r 0ally 7r -licia — or " " "'

Moira shr#e her sho#lers a& t#r&e away" arrell

stare a$ter her i& is(ay" 0he t#r&e to 0ally"

'e (#st $i& o#t who it is" e ca&'t hae Moira

s#s)ecti& eeryo&e o$ #s! >osh/ what will the rehearsals %elike i$ this ki& o$ thi& oes o&'

The $o#rth &ote i&'t et to the )erso& it was i&te&e

$or" It was certai&ly sli))e/ #&$ole/ i&to a %ook o& Moira's

esk — %#t the %ook ha))e&e to %e o&e that Miss otts ha

le&t Moira a%o#t )lay,)ro#ctio&" -& hai& $i&ishe with it/Moira ha&e it %ack to Miss otts witho#t iscoeri& the

a&o&y(o#s &ote i&sie"

0o it was Miss otts who $o#& it" It sli))e o#t to the

$loor i& the roo( she share with Ma('*elle" 0he )icke it #)

a& rea it"-re yo# worryi& a%o#t these &otes There are )le&ty

(ore to co(e! I'e ot +#ite a $ew (ore &a(es to call yo#/

135



a& a;ecties that will s#it yo#" 8ow a%o#t the e(o&

@#ee& Yo# look like a e(o& so(eti(es" - o(i&eeri&/

%ossy/ scowli&/ loweri& o&e/ too" -t least/ that's how yo#

a))ear to ME"Miss otts was a(a*e at this &ote" 0he rea it oer

aai&" ho was it (ea&t $or 0he t#r&e it oer a& saw a

&a(e )ri&te o& the %ack" M7I?-!

'Moira!' she sai" '0o so(e%oy sli))e it i&to the %ook I

le&t her" -& a&o&y(o#s &ote — a& a )artic#larly s)ite$#l

o&e" ho i& the worl is low e&o#h to thi&k o#t thi&s like

these'0he ea(i&e the writi&" It ae her &o cl#e/ %eca#se all

the letters were i& ca)itals/ ery care$#lly o&e" Miss otts

$row&e as she stoo there" Like all ece&t )eo)le she tho#ht

that a&o&y(o#s letter,writers were either (a or cowarly"

They i&'t are to say what they tho#ht o)e&ly — they ha

to o it secretly a& loathso(ely"

0he se&t $or Moira" Moira tol her a%o#t the other &otes"

'8ae yo# a&y iea at all who se&t these' aske Miss otts"

Moira hesitate" 'Yes" #t I'( &ot s#re a%o#t it/ so I ca&'t

say"''>o a& et arrell/ a& 0ally/ too/' sai Miss otts/

thi&ki& she co#l )ro%a%ly et (ore o#t o$ the(" 'This has

ot to %e sto))e" 7&ce a )erso& o$ this sort ets away with a

thi& like this there's &o k&owi& what they'll o &et"'

0ally a& arrell ca(e" They rea the &ote" arrelllooke sick" '8orri%le/' she sai"

'ho has writte& the(' e(a&e Miss otts"

-ll three irls looke away" 'ell' sai Miss otts/

i()atie&tly" 'This is &ot a thi& to %e %ackwar a%o#t/ is it

o&'t yo# aree that it (#st %e sto))e''7h yes/' sai arrell"

136



'ell the& — i$ yo# hae a&y iea who has writte& the(/

tell (e/' sai Miss otts" 'I ca& the& o a& tackle the( at

o&ce"'

'ell — yo# see — it (iht %e o&e o$ +#ite a &#(%er o$ )eo)le/' sai arrell"

'- &#(%er o$ )eo)le' sai Miss otts/ is%eliei&ly"

'-re yo# tryi& to tell (e that there are a &#(%er o$ )eo)le

who hate Moira e&o#h to write her &otes like this'

There was a sile&ce" Miss otts clicke i& eas)eratio&"

'8as Moira so (a&y e&e(ies -& why I hae ha &o

co()lai&ts o$ her as hea,irl" hy o yo# thi&k so (a&y )eo)le hate Moira'

This was ery awkwar a& (ost e(%arrassi&" arrell

a& 0ally i&'t k&ow what i& the worl to say" Moira ca(e to

their resc#e" 0he was )ale/ a& looke strai&e"

'I'll tell yo# who it (iht %e/ Miss otts!' she sai" 'It

(iht %e >we&" It (iht %e Ma#ree&" It (iht ee& %e -licia"'

'.7!' sai %oth 0ally a& arrell toether"

Moira we&t o&" 'It (iht %e Catheri&e" It (iht %e — it

(iht %e riet"'

'riet — o yo# (ea& yo#r sister i& the $o#rth' askeMiss otts/ a(a*e"

Moira &oe/ looki& (isera%le" 0he wo#l&'t look at

0ally or arrell" Miss otts t#r&e to the(" 'hat o yo# thi&k

o$ all this' she e(a&e"

'ell — it co#l %e a&y o$ those ece)t -licia/' saiarrell" '-licia oes $eel a&ry with Moira %eca#se o$

so(ethi& that ha))e&e at a rehearsal — %#t -licia's &ot

#&erha&e" I$ she wa&te to tell Moira all those thi&s she'

say the( o#t lo#/ )ro%a%ly i& $ro&t o$ eeryo&e/ too! It's

certai&ly &ot -licia"''I aree with yo#/' sai Miss otts" 'e ra& certai&ly r#le

o#t -licia" That still leaes $o#r )eo)le that Moira thi&ks

139



etest her e&o#h to write these &otes" Moira — it's rather

rea$#l to $eel yo# hae $o#r )eo)le aro#& yo# that (iht

rear yo# with s#ch %itter $eeli&s/ is&'t it hat ca& yo#

hae %ee& oi& to aro#se the('Moira sai &othi&" 0he k&ew )er$ectly well why all $o#r

ha ca#se to hate her" 0he ha s&eere at >we& a& Ma#ree&

#&(erci$#lly/ a& ha h#(iliate the( too/ o& the stae at last

week's rehearsal" 0he ha calle Catheri&e a oor(at a&

s&eere too at her/ $or her a&&oyi& sel$,sacri$ici& ways/ a&

ha shoe her to o&e sie/ i& s)ite o$ all the h#&res o$

thi&s Catheri&e ha o&e $or her"-s $or riet — well/ there &eer ha %ee& a&y loe lost

%etwee& the sisters" riet hate her/ she was s#re o$ it" -&

ha&'t riet threate&e her &ot so lo& ao hat ha she

sai/ 'I war& yo#/ Moira/ yo#'ll %e sorry $or this" I tea( yo#!'

ell — it (iht %e Catheri&e/ it (iht %e >we& or

Ma#ree&/ a& it (iht %e riet" It )ro%a%ly was&'t -licia —

%eca#se these letters ca(e $ro( a cowar/ a& &o%oy co#l

call -licia that!

ho i write those %eastly letters -& how co#l they

eer $i& o#t

13=



Chapter 2(

THINGS HAPPEN

-LL sorts o$ thi&s ha))e&e that week" -t the &et

rehearsal there was a&other $lare,#) %etwee& -licia a& Moira

— a really %a o&e that e&e i& -licia resi&i& $ro( the

show! etty )ro()tly resi&e/ too/ as co,)ro#cer"It was a terri%le %low to 0ally a& arrell" 'e ca&'t o

witho#t yo#/ -licia/' waile arrell" 'e'll &eer/ &eer et a

e(o& ki& like yo# — a& all yo#r wo&er$#l ;#li& a&co&;#ri& a& lea)i& a%o#t/ too" Yo#'ll r#i& the whole thi& i$

yo# resi&"'

'I$ I resi&! I hae resi&e!' sai -licia/ looki& cal(

a& #&r#$$le/ %#t i&warly seethi& with a&er/

isa))oi&t(e&t a& (isery at seei&

arrell so #)set" I'( sorry it a$$ects yo# too — %#t I'(

&ot worki& with Moira a&y (ore" -& &othi& i& the worlwill (ake (e o %ack i&to the )a&to(i(e &ow — &o/ &ot

ee& i$ Moira hersel$ resi&e a& ca(e a& a)oloi*e"'

arrell k&ew that Moira wo#l &eer o that" 0he was as

#&%e&i& as -licia was o%sti&ate"

'Talk a%o#t the i((oa%le (eeti& the irresisti%le!' she

roa&e" '7h/ -licia — $or (y sake/ withraw yo#r

resi&atio&" hy/ it's o&ly three weeks &ow till the )a&to(i(eis )rese&te" I ca&'t rewrite it/ a& c#t o#t yo#r )arts — yo#

co(e i& so o$te&"'

'arrell/ I'( ho&estly sorry/' sai -licia/ looki& harasse&ow" '#t yo# k&ow I &eer o %ack o& (y wor" It's (y )rie

&ow that's i& the way" .othi& i& the worl wo#l (ake (e

k&#ckle #&er to Moira — a& that's what I sho#l %e oi& i$

I withrew (y resi&atio&"'

13A



arrell stare ho)elessly at -licia" e$ia&t/ o%sti&ate/

stro&,wille -licia — &o%oy co#l o a&ythi& with her

o&ce she ha (ae #) her (i&" 0he t#r&e away/ a(a*e a&

$#rio#s to $i& s#e& tears i& her eyes" #t she was so %itterlyisa))oi&te" 8er loely )a&to(i(e — a& s#ch a wo&er$#l

e(o& ki& — a& all that ;#li& a& co&;#ri& o#t o$ it

&ow" .o o&e %#t -licia co#l o that"

0ally we&t with arrell/ tryi& to co($ort her" 0he/ too/

was %itterly isa))oi&te/ a& sihe whe& she tho#ht o$ all

the rewriti& there wo#l %e to o — a& a&other e(o& ki&

to $i& a& trai& i& s#ch a short ti(e" #t arrell $elt it (ost"It was her $irst %i ;o%/ the $irst ti(e she ha trie her ha& at

writi& so(ethi& worth while — a& &ow it was s)oilt"

Moira was o%sti&ate too" 0he wo#l &ot talk a%o#t the

(atter at all" .or wo#l she resi&" '-ll I ca& say is/ I'( sorry

it's ha))e&e/ %#t it was -licia who %lew #) a& resi&e/ &ot

(e/' she sai" -& &ot o&e wor (ore wo#l she say a%o#t it"

It was Ma('*elle who create the &et ecite(e&t" 0he

sat ow& at her esk i& Miss otts' roo( o&e ay/ a&

a&&o#&ce her i&te&tio& o$ t#r&i& it o#t"

'-%o#t ti(e/ too/' sai Miss otts/ ryly" 'Yo#'ll )ro%a%ly$i& the year %e$ore last's ea( )a)ers there/ I sho#l thi&k" I

&eer saw s#ch a collectio& o$ r#%%ish i& a&yo&e's esk i& (y

li$e"'

'8a/ Miss otts! Yo# wish to %e $#&&y' sai Ma('*elle/

h#$$ily"'.o/' sai Miss otts" 'Merely tr#th$#l"'

Ma('*elle s&orte/ a& took hol o$ a%o#t a h#&re

loose )a)ers i& her esk" 0he li$te the( o#t a& they

i((eiately $ell a)art a& slithere all oer the $loor" 7&e

%ooklet $loate to Miss otts' $eet" 0he looke at it withi&terest/ $or there was a ery %rihtly colo#re )ict#re o& the

coer/ showi& a co&;#rer oi& tricks" '.ew tricks" 7l tricks"

14B



Tricks to )lay o& yo#r e&e(ies" Tricks to )lay o& yo#r

$rie&s/' she rea o#t lo#" 0he la&ce at Ma('*elle i&

asto&ish(e&t" '0i&ce whe& i yo# thi&k o$ taki& #) tricks to

)lay' she i&+#ire"'I o &ot thi&k o$ it/' sai Ma('*elle/ e)ositi& a&other

h#&re )a)ers o& the $loor" 'Tie&s! 8ere is the )rora((e o$

the )lay the thir,$or(ers ae si years ao!'

'hat i I tell yo#' sai Miss otts" 'Yo#'ll )ro%a%ly

$i& the 0)eeches (ae at the 7)e&i& o$ the First Ter( at

Malory Towers i$ yo# look a little $#rther i&to yo#r esk"'

'o &ot ti** (e/' sai Ma('*elle" 'I o &ot like %ei&ti**e"'

'I'( &ot teasi&/' sai Miss otts" 'I'( +#ite serio#s" I say

— where i yo# et these trick a& co&;#ri& lists $ro(

Look at this o&e — I'( s#re it's ot i& it all the tricks that

-licia a& etty eer )laye o& yo#!'

Ma('*elle took the %ooklets" 0he was soo& co()letely

a%sor%e i& the(" 0he ch#ckle" 0he la#he" 0he sai '

Tie&s!' a& '7h/ la la!' a o*e& ti(es" Miss otts we&t o& with

her work" 0he was #se to Ma('*elle's little ways"

Ma('*elle ha &eer rea a&ythi& so e&thralli& i& allher li$e as these %ooklets that escri%e tricks o$ all sorts a&

ki&s" 0he was co()letely lost i& the(" 0he rea o$ (achi&es

that co#l a))are&tly saw )eo)le's $i&ers i& hal$ witho#t

h#rti& the( — ciarettes with lowi& e&s that were &ot

really aliht — i&k s)ots a& ;a(,clots that co#l %e )lace o&ta%le,cloths to eceie a&&oye (others or teachers i&to

thi&ki& they were real"

The %ooklets %la&ly escri%e these a& a h#&re

others" Ma('*elle was a%sol#tely $asci&ate" 0he ca(e to o&e

trick that (ae her la#h o#t lo#" '-h/ &ow liste&/ Missotts/' she %ea&"

141



'.o/ Ma('*elle/' sai Miss otts/ ster&ly" 'I'e twe&ty,

three israce$#l (aths )a)ers to (ark that the $irst $or( hae

ha the &ere to ie i& toay — a& I o .7T wa&t to liste&

to yo#r recital o$ chilish tricks"'Ma('*elle sihe a& we&t %ack to the %ooklets" 0he rea

oer aai& the thi& that ha so i&tri#e her" There were two

)hotora)hs with the escri)tio& o$ the trick" 7&e showe a

s(ili& (a& with ori&ary teeth — the other showe the sa(e

(a& — with trick teeth! 8e looke horri%le"

Ma('*elle rea the escri)tio& oer aai&" 'These trick

teeth are cleerly (ae o$ cell#loi/ a& are sha)e to $it&eatly oer the wearer's ow& teeth — %#t )ro;ect $orwars a&

ow&wars/ a& so alter the e)ressio& o$ the wearer's $ace

co&siera%ly as soo& as he s(iles/ ii& a really terri$yi&

a& eceei&ly stra&e a))eara&ce"'

Ma('*elle st#ie the )hotora)hs" 0he trie to i(ai&e

hersel$ weari& teeth like that — a& s#e&ly $lashi& the(

at the irls with a s(ile" 8a! They ha are her to o a trick

o& the(! Ma('*elle ha a ery ery oo (i& to write $or

this teeth trick" erha)s she wo#l wear the( at a lacrosse

(atch o#t i& the $iel — or (ay%e take the irls $or a walk/a& kee) showi& her trick teeth"

Ma('*elle shook with la#hter" 8a — so (a&y 'treeks'

ha those %a irls )laye o& her/ it was ti(e their )oor ol

Ma('*elle )laye a 'treek' o& the( too" 8ow they wo#l %e

asto&ishe! 8ow they wo#l stare" 8ow they wo#l la#ha$terwars"

Ma('*elle sc#$$le a%o#t a(o& her #&tiy )a)ers a&

$o#& her writi&,)a" I& her sla&ti& Fre&ch ha&writi& she

wrote $or the 'teeth trick' a& se&t a che+#e with the letter" 0he

was elihte" 0he wo#l &ot tell ee& Miss otts"'.o" I will &ot tell her" I will s#e&ly s(ile at her — like

this/' sai Ma('*elle to hersel$ — a& i a s#e& $ierce ri&

142



— 'a& I shall look so stra&e that she will start %ack i& $riht

at (y horri%le teeth"'

Ma('*elle $i&ishe the letter a& the& cas#ally looke

thro#h the other trick %ooklets %e$ore throwi& the( away"-& it was the& she ca(e across the &ote" It was writte& i&

ca)itals/ ery care$#lly" It was &ot a &ice &ote" It was heae

T7 FELICITY/

Yo# thi&k yo#'re so oo at a(es/ o&'t yo# ell/ it's

o&ly %eca#se arrell $ao#rs yo# that yo#'re eer )#t i&to a&y

a(es" Eeryo&e k&ows that!

It was &ot si&e at all" '8ere is a &asty little &ote/' saiMa('*elle i& is#st/ a& tosse it to Miss otts" Miss otts

reco&i*e the )ri&te letters at o&ce — they were eactly the

sa(e as those o& the a&o&y(o#s letters se&t to Moira"

'here i yo# et this' she aske/ shar)ly"

'I $o#& it i& this trick %ooklet/' sai Ma('*elle/ startle"

'hose is the %ooklet here i yo# et it' e(a&e

Miss otts"

'I took it $ro( that %a little #&e's esk/' sai Ma('*elle"

'ery i&teresti&/' sai Miss otts" 0he ot #) a& we&t to

the oor" 0he se&t a irl to $i& Moira/ 0ally a& arrell" Theyca(e/ looki& s#r)rise"

'I thi&k I'e $o#& the writer o$ those &otes/' sai Miss

otts" '#t %e$ore I tackle her I wa&t to k&ow i$ she's a&y

reaso& to islike yo#/ Moira" It's #&e/ i& the $irst $or("'

'#&e!' eclai(e eeryo&e/ a(a*e"Moira looke at Miss otts" 'Yes — I s#))ose she' thi&k

she ha ca#se to islike (e/' she sai" 'I ticke her o$$ %eca#se

she was cheeky a%o#t &ot %ei& )#t i&to the ells%ro#h

(atch" Tol her she ha &o tea(,s)irit" I also (ae her

a)oloi*e to (e $or ari& to say i& $ro&t o$ (e that arrellha )#t Felicity i&to the (atch o#t o$ $ao#ritis(/ %eca#se she

was her sister"'

143



Miss otts &oe" 'Tha&k yo#" It is #&e the&/ I'( a$rai"

I'll see her &ow" 0e& her to (e/ will yo#" I'( rather a$rai this

is a (atter $or Miss >rayli&" e are &ot )lease with #&e

a& it wo#l&'t take (#ch to hae her se&t away $ro( here"This is a )artic#larly loathso(e act o$ hers — to se& o#t

a&o&y(o#s letters"'

#&e ca(e/ looki& e$ia&t %#t scare" 0he ha &ot %ee&

tol why she was wa&te"

'#&e/ I hae calle yo# here o& a ery ery serio#s

(atter/' sai Miss otts" 'I $i& that yo# hae %ee& writi&

etesta%le a&o&y(o#s letters" o&'t atte()t to e&y it" Yo#will o&ly (ake thi&s worse" Yo#r o&ly ho)e is to co&$ess

ho&estly" hy i yo# o it'

#&e ha &o iea how Miss otts k&ew all this" 0he we&t

white/ %#t still looke %ol" 'I s#))ose yo# (ea& the o&es to

Moira' she sai" 'Yes/ I i write the( — a& she esere

the(" Eeryo&e hates her"'

'That's %esie the )oi&t/' sai Miss otts" 'The )oi&t we

hae to kee) to is that there is a irl i& this school/ a irl i& the

$irst $or(/ who is #ilty o$ so(ethi& $or which i& later years

she co#l %e se&t to )riso& — a thi& that as a r#le rarely %ei&s #&til a irl is (#ch (#ch oler tha& yo#/ %eca#se it is

o&ly e)rae a& cowarly characters who atte()t this

#&erha&/ sta%,i&,the,ark ki& o$ thi&"'

0he )a#se" 8er eyes %ore like i(lets i&to the )etri$ie

#&e"'e call this ki& o$ thi& D)oiso&,)e&D writi&/ whe& the

writers are row& #)/' she we&t o&/ 'a& they are hel i&

#&iersal loathi& a& hatre/ co&siere the lowest o$ the

low" i yo# k&ow that'

'.o/' as)e #&e"'I wo#l &ot talk to yo# i& this serio#s (a&&er i$ there

were &ot also other thi&s I islike ery (#ch i& yo#/' sai

144



Miss otts/ still i& the sa(e har/ rii& oice" 'Yo#r

iso%eie&ce/ yo#r e$ia&ce/ yo#r aressie&ess/ yo#r total

lack o$ res)ect $or a&yo&e" Yo# (ay thi&k it is a(ira%le a&

%rae a& ra&" It is&'t" It is the si& o$ a stro& charactero&e wro& — a& o& to) o$ all that yo# hae show& yo#rsel$

a cowar — %eca#se o&ly a cowar eer writes a&o&y(o#s

letters"'

#&e's k&ees were shaki&" Miss otts saw the( %#t she

took &o &otice" I$ eer a&yo&e wa&te a oo shaki& #) it

was #&e"

'This (atter (#st o to Miss >rayli&/' she sai" 'Co(ewith (e &ow" Yo# (ay %e i&tereste to k&ow that it was

%eca#se Ma('*elle $o#& this &ote — to Felicity — that I

iscoere who was the writer o$ the other letters"'

#&e took a +#ick la&ce at the &ote to Felicity" 'I i&'t

ie it to her/' she sai" 'I (ea&t to — a& the& I i&'t" I (#st

hae le$t it so(ewhere i& a %ook"'

'7#r si&s always $i& #s o#t/' sai Miss otts/ sole(&ly"

'-lways" .ow/ co(e with (e"'

'Miss otts — shall I %e — %e — e)elle' aske #&e

— a #&e &o lo&er %ol a& %ra*e&/ %#t a #&e as e$late aswhe& her %alloo&s ha %ee& s#e&ly )ricke that ay i& class"

'That rests with Miss >rayli&/' sai Miss otts/ a& she

ot #)" 'Co(e with (e"'

The &ews we&t ro#& the $i$th $or( ra)ily" 'The letters

were writte& %y #&e — the little %east!''0he's o&e to see Miss >rayli&" I %et she'll %e e)elle"

0he's &o oo/ a&yway"'

-licia liste&e i& horror" 8er ow& co#si&! 0he islike

#&e as (#ch as a&y%oy else — %#t this was her ow& co#si&

i& terri%le tro#%le a& israce" 0he was ery istresse"'It's a israce $or o#r whole $a(ily/' she tho#ht" '-&

what will #&e's )eo)le say They'll &eer et oer it i$ she's

145



e)elle" They'll thi&k I o#ht to hae ke)t a& eye o& #&e

(ore — a& )erha)s I sho#l" #t she really is s#ch a little

%east!'

Felicity ca(e teari& #) to the $i$th,$or( co((o&,roo(that ee&i&" 0he was i& tears" 'arrell!' she sai/ harly

waiti& to k&ock" '7h/ arrell — #&e's oi& to %e e)elle"

0he is really" Miss >rayli& tol her so" 7h/ arrell — I o&'t

like her — %#t I ca&'t %ear her to %e e)elle" 0#rely she's &ot

as %a as all that"'

Eeryo&e i& the $i$th,$or( co((o&,roo( sat #) with a

;erk at this &ews" E)elle! It was aes si&ce a&yo&e ha %ee&se&t i& israce $ro( Malory Towers" -& a $irst,$or(er/ too"

-licia sat sile&t/ %iti& her li)s" 8er ow& co#si&" 8ow terri%le"

oor Felicity %ea& to so%" '#&e's ot to o to(orrow"

Miss >rayli& is tele)ho&i& her )eo)le to&iht" 0he's )acki&

&ow/ this (i&#te" 0he's terri%ly/ terri%ly #)set" 0he kee)s

sayi& she's &ot a cowar/ a& she i&'t k&ow it was so aw$#l/

she kee)s o& a& o& " " " arrell/ ca&'t yo# o so(ethi&

0#))ose it was (e/ arrell o#l&'t yo# o so(ethi&'

The $i$th $or( were ahast at all this" They )ict#re #&e

)acki&/ %ewilere a& $rihte&e" Miss >rayli& (#st haeha ery %a re)orts o$ her to (ake her o to this le&th" 0he

(#st hae tho#ht there was &o oo i& #&e at all &ot to ie

her o&e (ore cha&ce"

'arrell! 0ally! -licia! Ca&'t yo# o a& ask Miss

>rayli& to ie her a cha&ce' crie Felicity/ a %i tearr#&&i& ow& her &ose a& $alli& o& to the car)et" 'I tell yo#/

she's aw$#lly #)set"'

Moira ha %ee& liste&i& with the others" 0o it was #&e!

0he looke ro#& at >we&/ Ma#ree& a& Catheri&e/ three o$

the irls she ha s#s)ecte" It was a loa o$$ her heart that itwas&'t a&y o$ the(" It was a& ee& reater relie$ that it was&'t

riet/ her sister"

146



#t s#))ose it ha %ee& It wo#l hae %ee& riet who

was )acki& the& — riet who wo#l hae %ee& so 'aw$#lly

#)set'" It wo#l hae %ee& her ow& )are&ts who wo#l %e so

sa a& (isera%le %eca#se a chil o$ theirs ha %ee& e)elle"Moira ot #)" 'I'll o a& see Miss >rayli&/' she sai" 'I

wo&'t let her e)el #&e" I'll ask her to ie her a&other cha&ce"

-$ter all — I'e %ee& )retty aw$#l (ysel$ this ter( — a& it's

&ot to %e wo&ere at i$ a (ere $irst,$or(er hate (e — a&

esce&e to writi& those letters" There was +#ite a lot o$

tr#th i& the(! #&e eseres to %e )#&ishe — %#t &ot so

%aly as that"'0he we&t o#t o$ the roo(/ leai& %ehi& a ee) sile&ce"

Felicity ra& with her/ a& act#ally took her ha&! Moira

s+#ee*e it" '7h/ Moira — )eo)le say yo#'re har a& #&ki&

— %#t yo#'re &ot/ yo#'re &ot!' sai little Felicity" 'Yo#'re ki&

a& e&ero#s a& oo/ a& I shall tell eery si&le )erso& i&

the $irst $or( so!'

.o%oy eer k&ew what ha))e&e %etwee& Miss

>rayli&/ Moira a& #&e/ $or &ot o&e o$ the three eer sai"

#t the res#lt was that #&e was se&t to #&)ack her thi&s

aai&/ ery s#%#e a& tha&k$#l/ a& that Moira ca(e %ackto $i& a co((o&,roo( $#ll o$ a(iratio& a& oowill

towars her"

'It's all riht/' sai Moira/ s(ili& ro#& a little &ero#sly"

'#&e's let o$$" 0he's #&)acki& aai&" 0he wo&'t $oret this

lesso& i& a h#rry"'-licia s)oke i& a rather shaky oice" 'Tha&ks (ost

aw$#lly/ Moira" Yo#'e %ee& (ost $riht$#lly ece&t oer this"

I ca&'t eer re)ay yo# — it (ea&s a& aw$#l lot to (e to k&ow

that (y co#si& wo&'t %e e)elle" I — er — I — wa&t to

a)oloi*e $or resi&i& $ro( the )a&to(i(e" I$ — i$ yo#'ll let(e withraw (y resi&atio&/ I' like to"'

149



This was a ery i$$ic#lt thi& $or -licia to o — -licia

who ha sai that &othi& i& the worl wo#l (ake her

withraw her resi&atio& or a)oloi*e! ell/ so(ethi& ha

(ae her — a& she was ece&t e&o#h a& %rae e&o#h &otto shirk the awkwar&ess a& i$$ic#lty %#t to say it all

straiht o#t i& )#%lic"

Eeryo&e we&t s#e&ly (a" arrell ae a s+#eal o$

eliht a& r#she to -licia" 0ally th#()e her o& the %ack"

Mais sa& lo#ly" Ire&e we&t to the )ia&o a& )laye a

tri#()ha&t (arch $ro( the )a&to(i(e" ill a& Clarissa

allo)e ro#& the roo( as i$ they were o& horse%ack/ a&little Mary,Lo# th#()e o& the to) o$ the ta%le" Moira

la#he s#e&ly"

hat ha ha))e&e to all the s)ite a& (alice a&

%eastli&ess hat ha ha))e&e to the s+#a%%les a& +#arrels

a& worries They were o&e i& a& i&sta&t/ %low& to

s(itheree&s %y Moira's i&sti&ctie/ e&ero#s,hearte actio& i&

oi& to sae #&e"

'Eerythi&'s riht aai&/' sa& Mais/ a& Mary,Lo#

th#()e the ta%le i& ti(e" 'Eerythi&'s riht/ eerythi&'s

riht — 8<??-Y!'

14=



Chapter 21

MAM,ELLE,S ,TREEK,

CE?T-I.LY eerythi& was (#ch %etter &ow" -licia

we&t to see #&e a& aresse a oo (a&y so#& a&

se&si%le wors to that (#ch chaste&e a& s#%#e $irst,

$or(er" It wo#l %e a lo& ti(e %e$ore #&e $orot the(/ i$ sheeer i" 0he i&'t thi&k she eer wo#l"

Moira was %aski& i& a &ew,$o#& a(iratio& a& liki&/

that (ae her (#ch (ore a(e&a%le to the others' s#estio&s/a& rehearsals %eca(e a )leas#re" Ee& the s#lky riet

ca(e s(ili& i&to the $i$th,$or( co((o&,roo( to say she was

la Moira ha sae #&e" 'It (akes (e $eel yo# (iht o the

sa(e $or (e/ Moira!' she sai"

'ell — I wo#l/' sai Moira/ shortly/ a& riet we&t

o#t/ )lease"

Ma('*elle ha %ee& ery shocke a& #)set a%o#teerythi&" '#t it is terri%le! 8ow co#l #&e o s#ch a thi&

-& Moira — Moira/ that har Moira to o a& sae her like

that! Miss otts/ &eer wo#l I hae tho#ht that irl ha a

e&ero#s actio& i& her! Miss otts — it shocks (e that I k&ow

so little o$ (y irls!'

'7h/ yo#'ll et oer the shock/' sai Miss otts/

cheer$#lly" '-& yo#'ll hae )le&ty (ore" ell/ well — theirls hae cheere #) a lot — the $i$th,$or(ers I (ea&" They

really were a worrie/ (isera%le/ +#arrelso(e crew last week!

I was serio#sly thi&ki& o$ )layi& a trick o& the( to cheerthe( #)!'

Ma('*elle looke at Miss otts" I& her esk were the

trick teeth which ha arrie that (or&i&" Miss otts (#st

&ot )lay a trick — i$ a trick was to %e )laye/ she/ Ma('*elle

14A



wo#l )lay it" -h yes — to cheer #) the )oor irls! That

wo#l %e a ki& act to o"

There was a ho#se,(atch that a$ter&oo& — .orth Tower

irls aai&st est Tower" Ma('*elle ecie she wo#la))ear as a s)ectator at the (atch — with her teeth!

-h/ those teeth! Ma('*elle ha trie the( o&" They

(iht hae %ee& (ae $or her! They $itte oer her ow& teeth/

%#t were lo&er/ a& )ro;ecte slihtly $orwar" They were &ot

&oticea%le at all/ o$ co#rse/ whe& she ha her (o#th sh#t —

%#t whe& she s(ile — ah/ how si&ister she looke/ how

stra&e/ how $ierce!Ma('*elle ha shocke ee& hersel$ whe& she ha )#t i&

the etraori&ary teeth a& s(ile at hersel$ i& the lass"

'Tie&s!' she sai/ a& cl#tche her ressi&,ta%le" 'I a( a

(o&ster! I a( tr#ly terri%le with these teeth " " "'

That a$ter&oo& she )#t the( i& care$#lly oer her others

a& we&t ow&stairs to the )layi&,$iels/ wra))i& hersel$ #)

war(ly i& coat/ scar$ a& t#r%a&" arrell saw her $irst/ a&

(ae roo( $or her o& the $or( she was o&"

'Tha&k yo#/' sai Ma('*elle/ a& s(ile at arrell"

arrell ot a tre(e&o#s shock" Ma('*elle ha s#e&lylooke altoether i$$ere&t — +#ite terri$yi&" arrell stare at

her — %#t Ma('*elle ha +#ickly sh#t her (o#th"

The &et o&e to et the 0(ile was little Felicity who

ca(e #) with 0#sa&" Ma('*elle s(ile at her"

'7h!' sai Felicity i& s#e& horror/ a& 0#sa& stare"Ma('*elle sh#t her (o#th" - esire to la#h was ra#ally

worki& #) i&sie her" .o/ &o — she (#st &ot la#h"

La#hi& s)oilt tricks"

0he i &ot s(ile $or so(e ti(e/ tryi& to co&+#er her

#re to la#h" Miss Li&&ie/ the sewi&,(istress/ )asse %y a&&oe at Ma('*elle" Ma('*elle co#l &ot resist showi& her

the teeth" 0he s(ile"

15B



Miss Li&&ie looke a(a*e a& horri$ie" 0he walke o&

+#ickly" 'as that really Ma('*elle' she wo&ere" '.o/ it

(#st hae %ee& so(eo&e else" hat aw$#l teeth!'

Ma('*elle $elt that she (#st et #) a& walk a%o#t" Itwas too col to sit — a& %esies she so %aly wa&te to

la#h aai&" -h/ &ow she #&erstoo why the irls la#he so

(#ch a& so hel)lessly whe& they )laye their (ischieo#s

tricks o& her"

0he walke alo& the $iel/ a& (et ill a& Clarissa"

They s(ile at her a& she s(ile %ack" ill stoo still/

th#&erstr#ck" Clarissa ha&'t really &otice"'Clarissa!' sai ill/ whe& Ma('*elle ha o&e" 'hat's

the (atter with Ma('*elle this a$ter&oo& 0he looks horri%le'

'8orri%le 8ow' aske Clarissa i& reat s#r)rise"

'ell/ her teeth! i&'t yo# see her teeth' aske ill"

'They see( to hae cha&e or so(ethi&" 0i()ly aw$#l teeth

she ha — lo& a& sticki&,o#t"'

Clarissa was asto&ishe" 'Let's walk %ack a& s(ile at her

aai&/' she sai" 0o %ack they we&t" #t Ma('*elle saw their

i&+#isitie looks/ a& was str#li& aai&st a $it o$ la#hter"

0he wo#l &ot o)e& her (o#th to s(ile"Matro& ca(e #)" '7h/ Ma('*elle — o yo# k&ow where

>we& is 0he's ar&e her &ay y( )a&ts with rey wool

aai&" I wa&t her i&oors this a$ter&oo&!'

Ma('*elle co#l &ot resist s(ili& at Matro&" Matro&

stare as i$ she co#l&'t %eliee her eyes" Ma('*elle sh#t her(o#th" Matro& %acke away a little/ looki& rather alar(e"

'>we&'s oer there/' sai Ma('*elle/ her etra teeth

(aki& her wors so#& rather thick" Matro& looke ee&

(ore alar(e at the thick oice a& isa))eare i& a h#rry"

Ma('*elle saw her aress a $ew wors to Miss otts" Missotts looke ro#& $or Ma('*elle"

151



'-ha!' tho#ht Ma('*elle/ 'Matro& has tol her I look

terri%le! 0oo& Miss otts will co(e to look at (y 0(ile" I

shall la#h" I k&ow I shall" I shall la#h witho#t sto))i&

soo&"'Miss otts ca(e #)/ eyei& Ma('*elle care$#lly" 0he ot

a +#ick li()se o$ the $a(o#s teeth" The& Ma('*elle cla()e

her (o#th sh#t" 0he wo#l e)loe i$ she i&'t kee) her

(o#th sh#t! 0he )#lle her scar$ across her $ace/ tryi& to hie

her esire to la#h"

'o yo# $eel the col toay/ Ma('*elle' aske Miss otts

a&io#sly" 'Yo# — er — yo# hae&'t ot toothache/ hae yo#'- )ec#liar wil so#& ca(e $ro( Ma('*elle" It startle

Miss otts co&siera%ly" #t act#ally it was o&ly Ma('*elle

tryi& to sti$le a s+#eal o$ la#hter" 0he r#she away

h#rriely" Miss otts stare a$ter her #&co($orta%ly" hat

was #) with Ma('*elle

Ma('*elle strolle ow& the $iel %y hersel$/ tryi& to

recoer" 0he ae a $ew lo# #l)s that (ae two seco&,

$or(ers wo&er i$ she was oi& to %e ill"

oor Ma('*elle $elt she co#l&'t $lash her teeth at a&yo&e

$or a lo& ti(e/ $or i$ she i she wo#l e)loe like Ire&e"0he ecie to o i&" 0he t#r&e her ste)s towars the school

— a& the&/ to her #tter horror/ she saw Miss >rayli&/ the

hea (istress/ %eari& ow& o& her with two )are&ts!

Ma('*elle ae a& a&#ishe look a& h#rrie o& as $ast as

she co#l"'7h — there's Ma('*elle/' sai Miss >rayli&'s )leasa&t

oice" 'Ma('*elle/ will yo# (eet Mrs" e&&i&s a& Mrs"

etto&'

Ma('*elle was $orce to o to the(" 0he lost all esire

$or la#hter at o&ce" The trick teeth s#e&ly sto))e %ei&$#&&y/ a& %eca(e (o&strosities to %e ot ri o$ at o&ce" #t

152



how 0he co#l&'t s)it the( i&to her ha&kerchie$ with )eo)le

;#st a%o#t to shake ha&s with her"

Mrs" e&&i&s hel o#t her ha&" 'I'e hear so (#ch

a%o#t yo#/ Ma('*elle #)o&t/' she sai/ 'a& what tricks the&a#hty irls )lay o& yo#/ too!'

Ma('*elle trie to s(ile witho#t o)e&i& her (o#th at

all/ a& the e$$ect was rather )ec#liar — a sort o$ s#))resse

s&arl" Mrs" e&&i&s looke s#r)rise" Ma('*elle trie to (ake

#) $or her lack o$ s(ile %y shaki& Mrs" e&&i&s' ha& ery

ioro#sly i&ee"

0he i the sa(e with Mrs" etto&/ who t#r&e o#t to %ea talkatie (other who wa&te to k&ow eactly how her

a#hter Teresa was etti& o& i& Fre&ch" 0he s(ile aily at

Ma('*elle while she talke/ a& Ma('*elle $o#& it ao&y &ot

to s(ile %ack" 0he ha to )ro#ce the s#))resse s&arl aai&/

s(ili& with her (o#th sh#t a& her li)s $ir(ly oer her teeth"

Miss >rayli& was startle %y this )ec#liar s(ile" 0he

ea(i&e Ma('*elle closely" Ma('*elle's oice was &ot +#ite

as #s#al either — it so#&e thick" '-s i$ her (o#th is too $#ll

o$ teeth/' tho#ht Miss >rayli&/ little k&owi& that she ha hit

o& the eact tr#th"-t last the (others we&t" Ma('*elle shook ha&s with

the( (ost ioro#sly o&ce (ore/ a& was so reliee at

)arti& $ro( the( that she $orot hersel$ a& ae the( a

%roa s(ile"

They ot a $#ll iew o$ the terri%le teeth/ Miss >rayli&/too" The hea stare i& the #t(ost horror — what ha

ha))e&e to Ma('*elle's teeth 8a she ha her ol o&es o#t

— were these a &ew/ $alse set #t how TE??ILE they

were! They (ae her look like the wol$ i& the tale o$ ?e

?ii& 8oo"The two (others t#r&e their heas away +#ickly at the

siht o$ the teeth" They h#rrie o$$ with Miss >rayli& who

153



harly hear what they sai/ she was so co&cer&e a%o#t

Ma('*elle's teeth" 0he eter(i&e to se& $or Ma('*elle that

ee&i& a& ask her a%o#t the(" ?eally — she co#l&'t allow

a&y o$ her sta$$ to o a%o#t with teeth like that! They were(o&stro#s/ hieo#s!

Ma('*elle was so tha&k$#l to see the last o$ the (others

that she h#rrie straiht i&to a little co()a&y o$ $i$th,$or(ers

oi& %ack to the school/ so(e to o their )ia&o )ractice a&

so(e to hae a lesso& i& eloc#tio&"

'8allo/ Ma('*elle!' sai Mais" '-re yo# co(i& %ack to

school'Ma('*elle s(ile" The $i$th,$or(ers ot a rea$#l

shock" They stare i& sile&t horror" The teeth ha sli))e a

little/ a& &ow looke rather like $a&s" They ae Ma('*elle

a (ost si&ister/ %i,%a,wol$ look" Ma('*elle saw their alar(

a& asto&ish(e&t" La#hter s#re %ack i&to her" 0he $elt it

swelli& #) a& #)" 0he as)e" 0he #l)e" 0he roare"

0he sa&k o& to a %e&ch a& crie with hel)less la#hter"

0he re(e(%ere Matro&'s $ace — a& Miss >rayli&'s — a&

the $aces o$ the two (others" The (ore she tho#ht o$ the(

the (ore hel)lessly she la#he" The irls stoo ro#&/ (orealar(e tha& eer" hat was the (atter with Ma('*elle

hat was this e&or(o#s ;oke

Ma('*elle's teeth sli))e o#t altoether/ $ell o& to her

la)/ a& the& to the ro#&" The irls stare at the( i& the

#t(ost a(a*e(e&t/ a& the& looke at Ma('*elle" 0he &owlooke co()letely &or(al/ with ;#st her ow& s(all teeth

showi& i& her la#hi& $ace" 0he la#he o& a& o& whe&

she saw her trick teeth lyi& there %e$ore her"

'It is a treek/' she s+#eake at last/ wi)i& her eyes with

her ha&kerchie$" 'i yo# &ot ie (e a are i yo# &ottell (e to o a treek o& yo# I hae o&e o&e with the teeth"

154



They are treek teeth" 7h/ la la — I (#st la#h aai&" 7h (y

sies/ oh (y %ack!'

0he swaye to a& $ro/ la#hi&" The irls %ea& to

la#h/ too" Ma('*elle ?o#ier ca(e #)/ asto&ishe to see theother Fre&ch (istress la#hi& so (#ch"

'hat is the (atter' she aske/ witho#t a s(ile o& her

$ace"

Ire&e i o&e o$ her e)losio&s" 0he )oi&te to the teeth

o& the ro#&" 'Ma('*elle wore the( — $or a trick — a&

they'e $alle& o#t a& ie& the a(e away!'

0he we&t o$$ i&to s+#eals o$ la#hter aai&/ a& the otherirls ;oi&e i&" Ma('*elle ?o#ier looke col a&

isa))roi&"

'I see &o ;oke/' she sai" 'It is &ot $#&&y/ teeth o& the rass"

It is ti(e to see the e&tist whe& that ha))e&s"'

0he walke o$$/ a& her s)eech a& isa))roi& $ace

se&t eeryo&e i&to $its o$ la#hter aai&" It was altoether a

(ost s#ccess$#l a$ter&oo& $or Ma('*elle/ a& the 'treek' story

$lew all thro#h the school i((eiately"

Ma('*elle s#e&ly $o#& hersel$ etre(ely )o)#lar/

ece)t with the sta$$" '- little #&i&i$ie/ o&'t yo# thi&k'sai Miss illia(s"

'.ot a thi& to o too o$te&/ Ma('*elle/' sai Miss otts/

(aki& #) her (i& to re(oe the trick %ooklets $ro(

Ma('*elle's esk at the $irst o))ort#&ity"

'>la yo#'e lost those $riht$#l teeth/' sai Matro&/ %l#&tly" 'o&'t o that aai& witho#t war&i& (e/ Ma('*elle" I

ot the shock o$ (y li$e"'

#t the irls loe Ma('*elle $or her 'treek'/ a& eery

class i& the school/ $ro( to) to %otto(/ worke twice as har

Kor so Ma('*elle eclare a$ter she ha )laye her tr#lyasto&ishi& 'treek'!

155



Chapter 22

A GRAND SHO"

T8E e& o$ the ter( was co(i& &ear" The )a&to(i(e

was al(ost reay" Eerythi& ha o&e s(oothly si&ce the

i ?ow/ as it was calle"

Moira ha so$te&e ow& a lot/ )lease %y the #&sti&tea(iratio& o$ the irls $or her act i& oi& ow& to the 8ea to

s)eak $or #&e" -licia was %ack as e(o& ki&/ as oo as

eer/ co()lete with eerie cha&t" etty was %ack as co, )ro#cer" Eeryo&e k&ew her )art )er$ectly"

eli&a's sce&ery was al(ost $i&ishe" 0he ha )ro#ce

all ki&s o$ wo&er$#l e$$ects/ hel)e %y the )ro)erties o)

ha o#t i& the %ar& — relics o$ other )lays a& )a&to(i(es"

0he )ai&te $ast a& $#rio#sly/ a& o) ha hel)e to eole a

(a&i$ice&t coach which they ha so(ehow (a&ae to

aor& with ilt )ai&t"'It looks (arello#s/' sai Clarissa/ i& awe" 'I s#))ose

Merryles co#l&'t )#ll it/ eli&a 8e' %e aw$#lly oo/ I

k&ow"'

'I aresay — %#t i$ yo# thi&k I'( oi& to hae Th#&er

a& Merryles allo)i& a%o#t (aly all oer (y )recio#s

stae/ yo# ca& thi&k aai&/' sai eli&a/ ai& a $i&al to#ch

o$ ilt to a wheel"-ll the actors k&ew the so&s/ %oth wors a& (#sic" The

cost#(es were reay" a&et ha o&e well/ a& eeryo&e ha a

cost#(e that $itte a& s#ite the wearer )er$ectly" Ci&erellalooke e&cha&ti& i& her %all,ow& — a ress whose $#ll skirt

$loate o#t (istily/ litteri& with h#&res o$ se+#i&s

)atie&tly sew& o& %y the $irst,$or(ers i& the sewi&,class"

The whole school was i&tereste i& the )a&to(i(e

%eca#se so (a&y o$ the( ha either hel)e to )ai&t the

156



sce&ery or (ake the ')ro)s' or sew the cost#(es" They were all

looki& $orwar tre(e&o#sly to the show the &et week"

>we& a& Ma#ree& looke e&io#sly at Mary,Lo# i& her

%all,ow&" 8ow they wishe they co#l wear a $rock like that"8ow %ea#ti$#l they wo#l look!

Catheri&e a*e at little Mary,Lo#/ too" 0he ha ot ery

$o& o$ her" Mary,Lo# was e&tle a& ti(i a& always

rate$#l $or a&ythi& that Catheri&e i $or her" 0he i&'t call

her a oor(at or la#h at her sel$,sacri$ici& ways" 0he i&'t

ee& call her 0ai&t Catheri&e as the others i"

Catheri&e ha sto))e %ei& a oor(at $or the $or(" 0heha $elt a&ry a& sore a%o#t it" #t she so(ehow co#l&'t

sto) waiti& o& )eo)le — a& Mary,Lo# i&'t (i&! 0o she

$#sse oer her/ a& altere her $rock/ a& )raise her/ a&

hear her wors: a& altoether she (ae li$e ery easy $or

Mary,Lo#/ who was really ery &ero#s a%o#t taki& the

)ri&ci)al )art i& the show"

.ow the ays were s)i&&i& away $ast — Friay/

0at#ray/ 0#&ay/ Mo&ay — two (ore ays le$t/ o&e (ore

ay " " "

'-& &ow it's T8E -Y!' crie arrell the &et (or&i&/r#shi& to the wi&ow" '-& it's a heae&ly ay/ so all the

)are&ts will et ow& witho#t a&y %other" >osh/ I $eel so

ecite I o&'t k&ow what I'( oi&"'

'ell/ yo# certai&ly o&'t k&ow the i$$ere&ce %etwee&

(y s)o&e a& yo#rs/' sai 0ally/ taki& her ow& s)o&e away$ro( the ecite arrell" 'Co(e o& — et resse/ iiot"

e'e ot a lot to o toay!'

The )are&ts arrie at tea,ti(e" Tea was at $o#r" The

)a&to(i(e was #e to %ei& at hal$,)ast $ie/ a& we&t o& till

hal$,)ast see&" The& there ca(e a >ra& 0#))er/ a& a$terthat the )are&ts we&t — so(e to their ho(es/ i$ they were

withi& rii& ista&ce/ so(e to hotels"

159



The tea was ra& a& the $irst a& seco&,$or(ers

sc#rrie a%o#t with )lates a& ishes/ hel)i& the(seles to

the (eri&#es a& eclairs whe&eer they co#l" The $i$th,

$or(ers sli))e away to ress at hal$,)ast $o#r" arrell )ee)eat the stae"

8ow %i it looke — how ra&! It was alreay set $or

the $irst sce&e/ with a reat $ire,)lace $or Ci&erella to sit %y"

arrell $elt sole(&" 0he ha writte& this )a&to(i(e" I$ it was

a $ail#re she wo#l &eer &eer write a&ythi& aai& — a&

yo# &eer k&ew — it (iht %e a terri%le $lo)"

0ally ca(e #)" 0he saw arrell's sole(& $ace a& s(ile"'It's oi& to %e a terri$ic s#ccess/' she sai" 'Yo# ;#st see! -&

yo#'ll esere it/ arrell — yo# really hae worke har"'

'0o hae yo#/' sai arrell/ loyally — %#t 0ally k&ew that

the creatie )art ha all %ee& arrell's" The wors a& the

so&s ha all co(e o#t o$ arrell's ow& i(ai&atio&" 0ally

ha&'t (#ch i(ai&atio& — she was se&si%le a& st#ry a&

stoli" 0he a(ire arrell $or her +#ick creatie&ess witho#t

e&yi& her"

The school orchestra were i& their )laces/ t#&i& #)"

They ha lear&t all Ire&e's (#sic/ a& she was oi& toco&#ct the(" 0he looke $l#she a& )lease"

'-re yo# &ero#s' aske eli&a"

'Yes" .ow I a(" #t at the ery $irst stroke o$ (y %ato&/

at the ery $irst &ote o$ the (#sic/ I'll $oret to %e &ero#s" I

;#st wo&'t %e there" I'll %e the (#sic/' sai Ire&e" eli&a#&erstoo this re(arka%le state(e&t ery well/ a& &oe

raely"

The actors were all resse i& their cost#(es" Mary,Lo#

ha o& her rae Ci&erella $rock a& looke $rihte&e" '#t

it oes&'t (atter yo# looki& )e&sie a& scare/' Moira tolher" 'Yo#'re ;#st riht like that — Ci&erella to the li$e!'

15=



-licia looke si()ly (a&i$ice&t" 0he was resse i& a

tiht,$itti& lowi& re cost#(e that showe o$$ her sli(

$i#re )er$ectly" It was litteri& with %riht se+#i&s" 8er eyes

littere/ too" 0he wore a )oi&te hoo a& looke ')ositielywicke' etty sai"

'-& o&'t yo# ro) a&y o$ yo#r ;#li& ri&s/ a&

iscoer yo#r ra%%it is&'t i& yo#r hat a$ter all/ or so(ethi&/'

she sai to -licia" #t -licia k&ew she wo#l&'t" -licia was&'t

&ero#s — she was cock,s#re a& co&$ie&t a& %rillia&t,

eye/ a& lea)t a%o#t as i$ she ha s)ri&s i& her heels"

'0hhhhhhh!' sai so(e%oy" 'The orchestra's %ei&&i&"The a#ie&ce are all co(i& i&" 0hhhhh!'

The orchestra )laye a liely ro#si& t#&e" Loely!

arrell )ee)e thro#h the c#rtai&s a& saw Ire&e sta&i& #)/

co&#cti& ioro#sly" hat i it $eel like to co&#ct yo#r

ow& (#sic #st as oo as it wo#l $eel to see yo#r ow& )lay

acte/ &o o#%t" 0he shiere i& ecite(e&t"

- %ell ra& %ehi& stae" The c#rtai&s were a%o#t to

swi& o)e&" The chor#s ot reay to o i&" The )a&to(i(e

ha %e#&!

he& the chor#s a&ce o$$ the stae/ Mary,Lo# was le$t %y the $ire as Ci&erella" 0he sa& — a& her s(all sweet

oice ca#ht Ire&e's lilti& (eloies/ (aki& eeryo&e liste&

i&te&tly"

The aro& ca(e o& — ill/ sta()i& aro#& i& rii&,

%oots/ roari& here a& roari& there"'It's ILL!' sho#te the elihte school a& cla))e so

(#ch that they hel #) the )a&to(i(e $or a %it" The two <ly

0isters %ro#ht ow& the ho#se too" They were )er$ectly

hieo#s/ )er$ectly iiotic a& )er$ectly wo&er$#l" -& how

they e&;oye the(seles! >we& ee& $o#& hersel$ wishi&she (iht hae %ee& o&e o$ the(! <ly or &ot/ it (#st %e

15A



wo&er$#l to hae a co(ic )art like that" #t >we& was o&ly a

sera&t i& the chor#s/ #&see& a& al(ost #&hear!

Mrs" Lacy harly ca#ht siht o$ her at all" #t $or o&ce

i& a way she i&'t (i& — she was so e&ra)t#re with the )a&to(i(e"

The& the ri&ce ca(e — tall/ sle&er Mais/ looki& shy

a& &ero#s #&til she ha to si& — a& the& what a (arel!

8er oice %roke o& the startle a#ie&ce like a (iracle/ a&

there was &ot a si&le so#& to %e hear while she sa&"

Mothers $o#& their eyes $#ll o$ tears" hat a wo&er$#l

oice! hat a oo thi& it ha co(e %ack to Mais" hy/o&e ay she wo#l %e a reat o)era,si&er/ )erha)s the

reatest that eer lie" Mais sa& o& a& o& like a %ir/ her

oice )#re a& tr#e/ a& Ire&e e#lte i& the t#&es she ha

writte& so well $or her"

There was s#ch a stor( o$ cla))i& that aai& the

)a&to(i(e was hel #)" 'E&core!' sho#te eeryo&e" 'E&core!

E.C7?E!'

arrell was tre(%li& with ecite(e&t a& ;oy" It was a

s#ccess" It -0 a s#ccess" I& $act/ it looke like %ei& a

0<E? s#ccess" 0he co#l harly kee) still"-licia was ecelle&t" 0he lea)t o& (a&i$ice&tly/ with her

eerie cha&t" '7ooooh!' sai the lower school/ elicio#sly

thrille" 'The e(o& ki&" It's -licia!'

itho#t a si&le (istake -licia ;#le a& t#(%le/ i

cart,wheels a& co&;#re as i$ she ha %ee& oi& &othi& elseall her li$e" Fathers t#r&e to o&e a&other a& eclai(e i&

asto&ishe a(iratio&"

'0he's oo e&o#h to %e o& the Lo&o& stae" 8ow o&

earth i she o that trick'

0o the show we&t o&/ a& eeryo&e cla))e a& cheere(aly at the e& o$ the $irst act" The actors r#she to Moira

16B



a& arrell — whe& the c#rtai& ca(e ow& at the e& o$ the

act"

'-re we oi& all riht I &early $orot (y li&es! Is&'t the

a#ie&ce ra& 7h/ arrell/ are&'t yo# )ro# Moira/ we'reoi& $i&e/ are&'t we -re&'t we'

The seco& act was )er$or(e" .ow the a#ie&ce ha

ti(e to a))reciate the loely cost#(es a& (arel at the("

They (arelle at the sce&ery/ too — a& a))la#e the ilt

coach $ra&tically/ es)ecially the lower school/ so(e o$ who(

ha hel)e to )ai&t it"

-& the& at last the e& ca(e" The $i&al chor#s was s#&/the last %ow (ae" The c#rtai& sw#& %ack o&ce — twice —

three — $o#r ti(es" The a#ie&ce rose to its $eet/ cheeri& a&

sho#ti& a& sta()i&" It was the %iest s#ccess Malory

Towers ha eer ha"

The a#ie&ce sat ow&" - call ca(e that rew (ore a&

(ore i&siste&t"

'-#thor! -#thor! -<T87?!'

0o(eo&e ae arrell a )#sh" '>o o&/ silly" They're

calli& $or yo#" Yo#'re the a#thor! Yo# wrote it all!'

li&ly arrell ste))e o#t i& $ro&t o$ the c#rtai&" 0hesaw Felicity's ecite $ace so(ewhere" 0he searche $or her

$ather a& (other" There they were — cla))i& willy" Mrs"

?iers $o#& tears r#&&i& ow& her $ace" arrell! 8er

arrell! 8ow wo&er$#l it was to hae a chil yo# co#l %e

)ro# o$! ell o&e/ arrell/ well o&e!'0)eech!' ca(e a call" '0)eech! 0)eeeeech!'

'0ay so(ethi&/ ass!' sai Ire&e/ $ro( the orchestra"

There was s#e&ly sile&ce" arrell hesitate" hat

sho#l she say 'Tha&k yo#/' she sai/ at last" 'e — we i

loe oi& it" I co#l&'t hae o&e it %y (ysel$/ o$ co#rse"There was Ire&e/ who wrote all the loely (#sic" Co(e #)

here/ Ire&e!'

161



Ire&e ca(e #) %esie her a& %owe" 0he was cla))e

a& cheere"

'-& there was eli&a who esi&e eerythi&/' we&t

o& arrell/ a& eli&a was )#she o#t $ro( %ehi& thec#rtai&/ %esie her" '-& 0ally hel)e (e all the ti(e"' 7#t

ca(e 0ally/ %l#shi&"

'Moira a& etty were co,)ro#cers/' sai arrell/

war(i& #) a little '8ere they are" 7h/ a& a&et i all the

cost#(es!'

They a))eare/ %ea(i&/ a& ot a lare share o$ cla)s

a& cheers"'-& Mais o#ht to co(e/ too/ %eca#se she hel)e so

(#ch with the si&i& — a& trai&e the chor#s/' sai arrell"

Mais sile o#t shyly/ a& ot a tre(e&o#s oatio&"

'7h — a& I (#st&'t $oret o)!' sai arrell — a&

(#ch to eeryo&e's eliht o#t ca(e the ha&y(a& i&

waistcoat a& ree& %ai*e a)ro& looki& co()letely %e(#se

a& etre(ely )ro#" 8e %owe seeral ti(es a& the&

isa))eare like a ;ack,i&,the,%o"

-& the& it was really all oer" 7&e last lo& cla)/ o&e

last lo& sho#t — it was oer"'I wish I co#l hol this (o(e&t $or eer a& eer/'

tho#ht arrell/ )ee)i& thro#h the c#rtai&s o&ce aai&" 'My

$irst )lay — (y $irst s#ccess! I o&'t wa&t this (o(e&t to o!'

8ol it the&/ arrell/ while we sli) away" It's yo#r ow&

reat (o(e&t" There'll &eer %e a&other +#ite like it!

162



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16=



16A



19B



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Famous Five | Secret Seven | Faraway

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Documents

Blyton Enid Malory Towers 5 in the Fifth at Malory Towers (1950)