Alice-Miranda at Camp 10

by Jacqueline Harvey

  ‘You’re right.’ Sloane giggled conspiratorially.

  ‘Mr Plumpton’s the sweetest man and you’ll never meet anyone more passionate about their subject,’ said Alice-Miranda. ‘I think he’s adorable.’

  ‘How long’s he been in love with the dragon lady?’ asked Caprice, as she stared at the teachers.

  ‘Oh, ages,’ Sloane said.

  Alice-Miranda really didn’t like where this conversation was heading. ‘So, what sport are you doing this term, Caprice?’ she said loudly.

  ‘Gymnastics,’ the girl replied.

  ‘Great,’ said Jacinta. ‘It will be good to have someone new on the team.’ She’d hardly spoken to the girl, as Jacinta was among the year sevens who had to walk back from Caledonia Manor, but Sloane had told her about their room rescue on the way to dinner.

  Millie’s ears pricked up. ‘Do you compete, Caprice?’ It was the first time she’d spoken to her since the earlier incident.

  ‘I’ve been school champion every year,’ the girl replied.

  Millie took a deep breath. Of course she was. ‘Sounds like you might have yourself some proper competition, Jacinta,’ Millie said.

  Jacinta frowned.

  ‘Why? Are you the school champion?’ Caprice asked.

  ‘She’s the national champion,’ Alice-Miranda said proudly. ‘We hope we’re going to be cheering her on at the Olympics one day.’

  ‘So long as I stop injuring myself,’ Jacinta said with a shrug.

  Caprice gulped. Millie was enjoying watching the girl squirm.

  ‘Actually, I think I picked tennis for this term,’ Caprice said, biting her lip.

  Millie eyeballed the girl. ‘Really? Great. That’s my thing.’

  ‘Millie’s amazing,’ Alice-Miranda said.

  ‘Are you the national champion too?’ Caprice asked tartly.

  Millie shook her head. ‘No, but I’m looking forward to playing against you.’

  Miss Reedy stood up and walked to the microphone at the end of the teacher’s table. ‘Girls, we’ll start lining up for dessert. It looks like Mrs Smith has outdone herself with –’ she squinted – ‘is that apple pie and ice-cream?’

  Doreen Smith gave a decisive nod from behind the servery.

  ‘Well done! And in difficult circumstances, might I add. Now, we’ll do this in an orderly fashion and I’d ask you to keep the noise down, please. It was quite unbearable earlier and I won’t put up with that again.’

  Miss Reedy pointed at the table in front of her. ‘Off you go, girls.’

  Chairs scraped across the floorboards as the children stood up, clattering cutlery and plates. Just as the group was about to move off, a pair of high heels clack-clacked across the floorboards.

  ‘Hello everyone, I’m so sorry I’m late,’ Miss Grimm apologised loudly as she strode to the podium at the far end of the room. Her red suit stood out like a beacon and her smile was positively beaming. Alice-Miranda thought she looked as lovely as ever.

  Miss Reedy looked at the girls in front of her and indicated that they should sit back down.

  A hush fell over the room.

  Miss Reedy stepped back from the microphone. Ophelia Grimm smoothed her hair and clasped her hands in front of her before she began to speak.

  ‘Good evening, girls, staff. I am terribly sorry for being late. Mr Grump sends his regards too. Poor man has a cold and he was eager not to share his germs. I’m sure that you’re going to find what I’m about to tell you very exciting. As you’re all well aware, we’ve had some delays with the new boarding house. Things are rather uncomfortable for everyone at Grimthorpe House and in here too.’ She peered across the room. ‘You look like marbles in a jar out there. But I have an announcement that will solve all our problems.’

  The teachers stared at one another in puzzlement.

  ‘What’s going on?’ Benitha Wall, the PE teacher, said to Mr Trout. She spoke far louder than she’d meant to.

  ‘If you’d be so kind as to wait a second, Miss Wall, I’ll tell you.’ Ophelia Grimm scowled at the woman, who slumped down in her chair, trying to make herself invisible – which was quite difficult, considering she was over six feet tall and almost half as wide.

  ‘Professor Winterbottom and I have been tasked with trialling a new and exciting award scheme for none other than –’ She paused for a moment – ‘Queen Georgiana herself. The program is aimed at students from the ages of eight to fourteen, so that includes all current Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale students. We don’t have anyone under eight at the moment.’ Miss Grimm winked at Alice-Miranda, who smiled back. ‘The award requires the demonstration of resilience, respect, self-discipline, courage, creativity and service to the community. Under normal circumstances we’d be able to complete the activities over a slightly longer period. However, as we are trialling the program, which is due to be rolled out across the country before the end of term, Queen Georgiana has asked that we get cracking right away. The overall award will be known as the Queen’s Colours but you will be working towards the first level, the Queen’s Blue. I do hope that all of you will be capable of achieving it. I’m also very excited that there will be a special award for the student who achieves the highest individual point score. Over the years to come, you will be able to complete further levels towards the ultimate prize of the Queen’s Colours, which will be awarded at a ceremony at the palace. That, however, is still a way off yet.’

  A murmur shot around the room as the girls and teachers began to speculate.

  ‘Quiet, everyone,’ Miss Grimm ordered. ‘Tomorrow afternoon, all one hundred and twenty-five of you and the teachers will be heading off to camp.’

  A huge cheer went up around the room. Some girls hugged their neighbours and others jumped up and down in their seats.

  A self-satisfied look crept onto Caprice’s face. That special award was hers.

  ‘Camp? Is she joking?’ Mr Trout asked.

  ‘No, I’m certainly not joking, Mr Trout.’ Miss Grimm smiled at the man. ‘And this is not just any old camp. This is camp, community service, physical challenges, time for the choir to shine and a dozen other things all rolled into one.’

  Mrs Smith wiped her brow with the back of her hand. ‘What a blessed relief,’ she whispered.

  Miss Reedy took a step forward and whispered in the headmistress’s ear. ‘But Miss Grimm, Miss Wall and I have spent hours arranging the camp for just before the half-term break. We can’t possibly rearrange things at such short notice. Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a last-minute camp site booking?’

  Ophelia Grimm turned to the English teacher. ‘Miss Reedy, as one of the finest staff members in this school, surely you remember that the first rule of being a good educator is flexibility. Her Majesty has offered us this opportunity and, given that we have a number of problems with the facilities at the moment, I have taken it with both hands. There is a program written for the entire duration of the camp and I’m sure that you will find the amenities surprisingly comfortable in your role as camp coordinator.’

  ‘Me?’ Miss Reedy asked, scowling.

  ‘Yes, Miss Reedy, we’ve decided that you and Mr Lipp will be in charge of the camp. Professor Winterbottom must stay at Fayle to look after the boys who are not attending and I have to stay here to make sure that all of the building and maintenance is finished by the time you return.’

  ‘But, but,’ Miss Reedy protested. ‘That’s huge. How many boys are coming? And really – Mr Lipp? Again?’

  ‘But nothing, Miss Reedy. It’s time to rise to the occasion and show me how you can shine. The Winchester-Fayle Singers will have an event at the end of camp, so I expect them to be primed to do their best as always. We need Mr Lipp to attend to their rehearsals. And in answer to your question, there will be a relatively small number of boys attending. Just the singers and a few extras.’

  Beads of perspiration were dotted along Mr Plumpton’s brow. He couldn’t believe that he’d have to deal with Harry Lip
p again so soon. The man was incorrigible, as he had proved during their trip to Paris where he did his best to woo Miss Reedy.

  Miss Reedy gulped. ‘When are we leaving?’ she asked quietly.

  ‘The destination is sorted and Mrs Derby has been on the telephone arranging buses so, all things being equal, you must be ready to go tomorrow at midday. You’ll be back again on Saturday,’ Miss Grimm explained.

  Miss Reedy did the calculations in her head. ‘I suppose five days is bearable,’ she said. ‘Just.’

  Miss Grimm stepped back up to the microphone. ‘Now, girls, the only thing you need to do is collect a packing list from Mrs Derby on your way out and organise your bag as soon as you get to the house. Teachers, I’ll need you all to remain behind so we can go through the arrangements.’

  Somehow, in less than twenty-four hours, bags had been packed, parents informed and now the girls were waiting to board their transport to camp. A fleet of buses lined the driveway outside Winchesterfield Manor. The campers were still completely unaware of their destination, as Miss Grimm had decided it was more fun to leave things as a surprise.

  ‘Right.’ Miss Reedy stalked along the path armed with a clipboard and a whistle. She was dressed in khaki trousers and a white shirt with hiking boots and a straw hat. ‘Alice-Miranda, Millie, Caprice, Sloane and Jacinta, you’re on the last bus. Take your things. Off you go.’

  ‘What about the boys?’ Jacinta asked the teacher. ‘Are they coming on the same buses as us?’

  ‘You just want to see your boyfriend,’ Sloane teased.

  ‘I do not,’ Jacinta retorted, but of course that was exactly what she had in mind. Except that Jacinta wasn’t even sure that Lucas was attending the camp. Things had happened so quickly she hadn’t been able to find out anything.

  ‘How come we’re on a minibus when everyone else has a coach?’ Caprice grumbled as the girls made their way to the last vehicle in the line.

  She hadn’t heard Miss Reedy’s footsteps behind them.

  ‘Just lucky I guess, Caprice. Given the swiftness of the arrangements you’re fortunate not to be walking,’ the teacher quipped.

  ‘Oh, you misunderstood me, Miss Reedy. I love minibuses,’ the child said sweetly.

  ‘I am sorry, Caprice. I’ve heard a lot of whining this morning,’ the teacher apologised.

  ‘That’s all right, Miss Reedy. Is there anything I can do to help?’ Caprice asked.

  ‘No, everything’s under control but thank you so much for asking.’ Miss Reedy walked away to check on the other girls.

  Millie couldn’t believe the cheek of the girl.

  The group hopped on board and were surprised to find Mr Plumpton in the driver’s seat.

  ‘Good afternoon, ladies,’ he said cheerily. ‘Welcome aboard the Plumpton Express.’

  Alice-Miranda grinned. ‘Hello Mr Plumpton. I didn’t realise you could drive a minibus.’

  ‘It’s not often my skills are called upon but today there was no alternative. Charlie’s taken the school bus to be fixed, and Mrs Derby could only get three coaches at such short notice, so it was fortunate I could take the wheel.’ He noticed the new student and nodded at her. ‘You must be Caprice. My name’s Mr Plumpton. I’ll be teaching your science lessons, when I’m not driving a bus.’

  Millie was keen to hear Caprice’s response, after the girl had mocked the man so horribly at dinner the night before.

  ‘I love science,’ Caprice said warmly. ‘I was reading Scientific American last month. Did you see that article about the Higgs boson?

  ‘Oh yes, fascinating,’ Mr Plumpton replied, clearly enchanted by the girl.

  ‘I’m sure that it will change the world of physics,’ Caprice said.

  ‘Do you often read about science?’ Mr Plumpton asked.

  ‘Mmm, sometimes. I like medical journals too.’

  Millie rolled her eyes.

  Mr Plumpton’s grin grew wider. Apart from Alice-Miranda he didn’t really have any students he considered prodigies. Perhaps that was about to change.

  The girls sat down, Millie and Alice-Miranda on one side and Jacinta and Sloane on the other. Caprice sat on her own in front of the older girls.

  Millie leaned forward and called out to Mr Plumpton, ‘Who else is coming with us?’

  Just as she did, Miss Reedy hopped on board. ‘Only the five of you,’ she said.

  ‘A whole minibus for us?’ Sloane said. ‘Couldn’t we have just taken a couple of cars instead?’

  ‘We could have but then we wouldn’t fit the Fayle boys and Mr Lipp in, would we?’ Miss Reedy replied. ‘Buckle up, girls.’

  Jacinta’s face exploded into a grin.

  ‘Look at you!’ Sloane laughed.

  ‘What?’ Jacinta tried to stop smiling. ‘Well, I haven’t seen Lucas for weeks and we’re just good friends, that’s all.’

  ‘For now maybe,’ Sloane said.

  Jacinta nodded. ‘Until we’re old enough to get married.’

  Caprice looked over her shoulder at the pair. ‘Is he cute?’

  ‘He’s gorgeous,’ Jacinta replied.

  Sloane whispered, ‘And his father’s a movie star.’

  ‘Oh really?’ Caprice sounded dubious. ‘Who is he?’

  ‘Lawrence Ridley,’ Sloane said casually.

  ‘I’ve met him,’ Caprice replied. ‘He came to one of Mummy’s parties.’

  Millie was listening from the other side of the aisle. As if, she thought to herself, but kept quiet.

  ‘Does Lucas look like his father?’ Caprice asked.

  ‘Yes,’ Jacinta replied.

  ‘Maybe I’ll save him a seat.’ Caprice grinned like a fox and turned back to the front.

  Jacinta’s forehead wrinkled. ‘Did you hear that?’ she whispered to Sloane. ‘You have to move. Go and sit next to her.’

  Sloane shook her head. ‘Why?’

  ‘Are you kidding? Haven’t you noticed how pretty she is? No, not pretty. She’s perfect.’

  Caprice looked back around. ‘Do you think I can’t hear you? And don’t worry, Jacinta, I have no interest in stealing your little boyfriend. I’m sure that Lucas has a mind of his own.’ She smiled her megawatt smile.

  Jacinta didn’t know whether to be relieved or not.

  Soon the little diesel bus clattered into the driveway at the Fayle School. About twenty boys were standing on the path, laden with backpacks and sleeping bags. Mr Lipp was wearing a beige safari suit and marching about barking orders at the boys.

  ‘Who’s that?’ Caprice snorted. ‘And seriously, what is he wearing?’

  ‘That’s Mr Lipp,’ Alice-Miranda said. ‘He’s a fashionista.’

  ‘That’s one word for him,’ Sloane said. ‘Let’s just say that he doesn’t like to blend in.’

  The boys loaded their bags into the small boot at the back of the bus then clambered on board with their day packs.

  ‘Back seat’s mine,’ George ‘Figgy’ Figworth yelled as he charged down the aisle.

  ‘Hello George,’ Alice-Miranda called as he sped past.

  George grinned. ‘Morning, pipsqueak. Didn’t realise we were sharing the bus with you girls.’

  Rufus Pemberley followed his friend and the two lads stretched out across the back seat.

  ‘What a lovely surprise, little sister.’ Sep Sykes’s voice dripped with sarcasm as he and Lucas walked past the girls and slid into the seats behind them.

  ‘Don’t blame me,’ said Sloane, rolling her eyes. ‘I’d rather not see you either.’

  The twenty Fayle boys quickly filled the spare seats. Miss Reedy sat behind Mr Plumpton and Mr Lipp was directly across the aisle.

  ‘Well, this is an unexpected pleasure,’ Harold Lipp told Miss Reedy.

  From his spot in the driver’s seat, Mr Plumpton was on high alert. Harry Lipp had no shame. But in the end it was he who had taken Livinia out in Paris and it was Josiah Plumpton who had continued to court her over the term break. Their romance was still under wraps fo
r now. Alice-Miranda was the only one who knew and she was a most trustworthy child.

  ‘I’m sorry, Mr Lipp, but what are you talking about?’ Miss Reedy asked stiffly.

  ‘This. An expedition and so early in the term. We were stunned when the Professor gave the go ahead. I mean, we’d only been at school a day and the old boy’s usually so strict about outings in the first month. Queen Georgiana must have promised the Professor something fairly impressive to get him to agree.’

  ‘Oh, I’m sure she can be very persuasive,’ Miss Reedy replied.

  ‘Have you read all this bumf about the camp?’ Mr Lipp asked, holding up his folder.

  ‘Yes, of course.’ Miss Reedy nodded. ‘Have you?’

  ‘All this?’ He scoffed and waved it in the air. ‘I only received it last night. You can fill me in on the way.’

  ‘I think you’d better read it for yourself, Mr Lipp,’ Miss Reedy said tartly.

  ‘But I’ll be sick. I couldn’t possibly.’ Harry pouted and did his best impression of puppy-dog eyes.

  ‘Oh, for heaven’s sake. In the interests of making sure that we do everything properly, I’ll tell you,’ said Miss Reedy. She gave him a withering look.

  Hugh Kennington-Jones pulled up outside the arrivals hall and manoeuvred the silver Range Rover into the kerb. An endless stream of vehicles came and went every few seconds.

  Cecelia scanned the throng of people spilling out of the building.

  ‘There he is, darling.’ She opened the car door and scurried across the pavement. ‘Ed! Over here!’

  A tall, well-dressed man with a thick crop of salt-and-pepper hair strode out of the airport, pulling a black bag behind him.

  ‘Cecelia!’ Ed enveloped her in a warm embrace.

  ‘It’s wonderful to see you. We’re so excited that you agreed to come,’ Cecelia enthused. ‘The car’s just over here.’

  Hugh left the vehicle idling, hopped out and opened the tailgate.

  ‘Hello little brother.’ Ed reached out to shake Hugh’s hand.

  ‘It’s so good to have you here,’ said Hugh. His eyes twinkled. A year ago he never thought he’d be welcoming his big brother home again.