Alice-Miranda at School

by Jacqueline Harvey

  “Do the teachers usually make excuses for her?” Alice-Miranda asked.

  “Haven’t you been for a walk around the school?” Millie inquired.

  “Yes, of course. It’s beautiful,” said Alice-Miranda, wondering why Millie was changing the subject.

  “And what’s the loveliest building here?” Millie asked.

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

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

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

  “Did you happen to read the plaque next to the entry?”

  “No,” Alice-Miranda replied. “Why? What does it say?”

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

  “Tell me what it says,” Alice-Miranda begged.

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

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

  “There—on the wall.” Millie pointed at the giant brass plaque beside the entry.

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

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

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

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

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

  “What are you doing?” Alice-Miranda asked.

  “Shh.” Millie put her hand over Alice-Miranda’s mouth.

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

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

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

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

  “But I can’t teach drama. I don’t know the first thing about Shakespeare. I’m the science teacher and I have been the science teacher for thirty years,” the fat man sighed.

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

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

  Miss Reedy blushed and looked away.

  “It’s not fair—she’s getting worse each year and I won’t put up with it for much longer.” Mr. Plumpton stamped his foot.

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

  “Why did we have to hide?” Alice-Miranda asked as she and Millie stood up. “I would have liked to meet them.”

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

  “Why? What does she do? Apart from teach English.”

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

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

  “I can’t imagine telling Miss Grimm anything,” Millie replied. “And I wouldn’t worry about Miss Reedy and Mr. Plumpton—I’m sure they can look after themselves.”

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

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

  “Hello, Mrs. Oliver.” Alice-Miranda ran the few steps toward her and was welcomed like a much-loved granddaughter.

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

  “Cakes?” Alice-Miranda looked puzzled. “What cakes?”

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

  “Only three,” Alice-Miranda finished. “Well, I can assure you that it wasn’t us.”

  “Oh, I know it wasn’t you. I just wonder—perhaps I didn’t count properly.… ” Mrs. Oliver’s voice trailed off.

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

  “You know me far too well, lass. And who is this you’ve brought along with you?”

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

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

  “Now, my dear, would you perhaps be related to Ambrose McLoughlin-McTavish?” Mrs. Oliver inquired.

  “Yes. He’s my grandfather. How do you know him?” Millie’s green eyes sparkled.

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

  “He’s as gorgeous as ever—would you like me to send your regards?”

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

  “We’ll take it over if you like,” Alice-Miranda offered.

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

  Alice-Miranda ran over to the bench where Miss Grimm’s tea tray was set up. “Do you know what this needs?” she q
uizzed.

  “Some food,” Millie laughed.

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

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

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

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

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

  “You’ve done what?” Millie almost dropped the vase.

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

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

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

  Millie shrugged. “No, unless she’s just mean and awful and doesn’t like anything pretty.”

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

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

  The color suddenly drained from Millie’s freckly cheeks.

  “What’s the matter, Miss Millie?” Mrs. Oliver asked.

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

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

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

  “Hello, Mr. Charles,” Alice-Miranda said, beaming.

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

  “Hello, Charlie.” Millie was hesitant. She’d never been into the greenhouse before.

  “Miss Millie. Did you enjoy the holidays?” Charlie inquired.

  “Yes, Charlie, thank you.” Millie’s face broke into a smile.

  “I’ve come to ask a favor and to tell you some rather wonderful news,” Alice-Miranda began.

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

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

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

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

  Charlie dropped the pot he was planting. “But we don’t know for sure that she’s allergic,” he said, and gulped.

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

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

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

  Charlie’s face fell. “I’ll lose me job over it, that’s what’ll happen.”

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

  Alice-Miranda and Millie carried Miss Grimm’s tea tray as though they were in charge of the Queen’s own supper. At one point Millie stumbled on a stone and for a second it looked as if the whole thing might topple into the garden.

  “That was close,” Alice-Miranda gasped as they regained control of the tray.

  As the girls neared the office Alice-Miranda wondered if Miss Higgins would be very cross. She hoped she mightn’t be too upset, seeing as how they were saving her the bother of delivering Miss Grimm’s supper.

  The door to Miss Higgins’s office was closed. There was a sign hanging from the knob.

  Dear Girls and Staff,

  I have been called away to attend to family business. If you require assistance please see Miss Reedy or Mr. Plumpton in the teachers’ study. First door down the hallway to the left.

  Kindest regards,

  Miss Louella Higgins

  Personal Secretary to the Headmistress

  Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies

  Alice-Miranda was intrigued. “I wonder what sort of family business Miss Higgins has been called to?”

  “Alethea’s pillows probably need plumping or she’s run out of wardrobe space,” Millie laughed.

  “Surely not!” Alice-Miranda exclaimed. “Miss Higgins has far more important jobs than fussing over Alethea.”

  Millie raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t bet on it.”

  Alice-Miranda instructed Millie to set the tray down on the table outside Miss Higgins’s door. She clasped the brass knob and to her surprise found the door unlocked. Alice-Miranda dragged a chair over to prop open the door and the girls carefully picked up the tray and walked inside, setting it down again on the corner of Miss Higgins’s desk.

  “I always wondered what it was like in here.” Millie walked around inspecting this and that. She picked up a small brass elephant from the corner of Miss Higgins’s desk.

  “We really shouldn’t touch anything,” said Alice-Miranda. “I can’t believe you’ve never been in here. Miss Higgins is so lovely, and helpful too.”

  “Well, I suppose I’ve just never really had any reason to come in here.” Millie walked around, her forefinger skimming the desk as though she were a maid checking for dust.

  There was a sliver of light coming from under the door to Miss Grimm’s study.

  “So is that where she is?” whispered Millie, her face turning ghostly white.

  “Who? Oh, you mean Miss Grimm.” Alice-Miranda nodded. “I’ll knock and see if she�
��s about. If she’s not in we can just leave the tray on her desk. She must be expecting it soon anyway.”

  “Are you sure?” Millie whispered. “Perhaps we could just leave the tray out here and push a note under the door.”

  “Don’t be silly. I’d hate for Miss Grimm’s dinner to get cold. I can’t imagine she’d be very pleased with Mrs. Oliver. There’s nothing to be afraid of, really,” Alice-Miranda said reassuringly.

  She tapped gently on the door. There was no answer, so she turned the handle and popped her head inside.

  “Hello, Miss Grimm? Are you there?”

  She was greeted by silence.

  “Come on, let’s just take the tray in and go,” Millie urged from behind.

  “Helloooo, Miss Grimm?” Alice-Miranda took a few steps inside. Although it was summer, a fire danced in the hearth. The black marble mantel glinted darkly. Miss Grimm’s enormous desk sat proudly to the left of the double entrance doors. To the right were two dark green leather chesterfield lounges and a high-backed armchair in a stern navy stripe. On the facing wall a solid mahogany bookcase filled with classic tales groaned under its weight of wisdom. It struck Alice-Miranda that the room quite resembled her father’s study. Even the curtains, though elegant in design, were heavy and dark.

  Alice-Miranda spied another door at the opposite end of the room which looked to be slightly ajar. She headed toward it.

  “Alice-Miranda, come back!” Millie whispered urgently.

  “Miss Grimm. Helloooo. We’ve brought your tea tray. It smells utterly delicious. Are you there?” Alice-Miranda called.

  She was about to put her hand on the knob when suddenly the door burst open. She was almost bowled over but managed to jump out of the way just in time. Over by the other door Millie trembled like jelly.

  “What are you doing in here?” Miss Grimm demanded.

  “Oh, hello, Miss Grimm. There you are. I was rather hoping to see you in the garden this afternoon but I imagine, being the start of term and all, that you have loads of things to do. Life is always so busy for grown-ups. Millie and I have brought your dinner, and it’s a lovely one too.”