“Hello, Mrs. Oliver.” Alice-Miranda bounded into the kitchen, straight into Dolly’s arms.
“Hello, my darling girl,” Mrs. Oliver said, hugging her gently. “Did you enjoy your tea this morning?”
“Delish. I loved the devil’s food cake—one of your best ever, I’d say.”
“Yes, pity about the cream buns,” Dolly muttered under her breath.
“Cream buns?” Alice-Miranda replied.
“Never mind, dear. There are some days I think I might be losing my marbles.” Mrs. Oliver shook her head.
Alice-Miranda smiled. “That’s silly,” she said. “You’re the sanest person I’ve ever met. Now, what is it that you want me to taste?”
Dolly moved to the long stainless-steel bench, where she had several small mounds of what looked to be dried beans laid out on a series of plates.
“You know I’ve been working on freeze-dried recipes, so that people who go off on camps, or adventurers like my dear Dougal, God rest his soul, will have enough nutritious food to survive for extended periods?” She moved toward the stove, where several shallow pans of water hissed and boiled.
“Yes, I thought you were making some great progress last time I was in the lab,” Alice-Miranda enthused.
“Well, my dear girl, I’ve done it. I have managed to take a whole roast dinner and freeze-dry it into these few beans.” Dolly scooped up one of the piles and held them in her hand for Alice-Miranda to see.
“That, there, will turn into a roast?” Alice-Miranda looked at her in disbelief.
“Just watch this.” Dolly dropped the beans into one of the boiling pans. Within a minute the water had evaporated and there in the pan for all to see was a roast lamb dinner, complete with baked potatoes, pumpkin, peas, carrots and brussels sprouts.
“That’s incredible!” Alice-Miranda gasped.
“Go on.” Dolly pushed her forward and handed her a fork. “Taste it.”
Alice-Miranda took the fork from Dolly and gently pierced one of the small potatoes. She held up the steaming vegetable and blew on it before biting through the crisp outer skin.
Alice-Miranda chewed and swallowed. “That’s fantastic. I can’t believe it. You’ll be famous the world over.”
“I don’t care about the fame, my love. It’s about looking after people and making sure that they have enough food to eat. Your father told me it has all sorts of possibilities for people in needy places, as long as they don’t mind a roast.” Dolly wiped a small splodge of gravy from the corner of Alice-Miranda’s lip.
“I’m sure that you could freeze-dry other dinners too, things people from other countries would prefer to eat,” Alice-Miranda said, before she cut a small piece of lamb and pushed it onto her fork with a bright orange carrot.
“I’ll show you the next one.” Mrs. Oliver dropped another pile of beans into a pan. “This one’s roast pork.”
It seemed that there was quite a range in Dolly’s collection. She had roast lamb, roast pork and roast beef, but the most amazing of all was yet to come. She had also developed a range of puddings to go with the dinners. When she produced a chocolate pudding, followed by a ginger pudding, followed by a plum pudding (for adventurers who might be out at Christmastime), Alice-Miranda was truly astounded. Not only did they look great, they tasted even better. Alice-Miranda had a spoonful of each and decided she had better not have any more or she would spoil her dinner.
“So there you have it, my dear girl. You can have a roast dinner every night that you have to be out on that wretched hike.” Mrs. Oliver began clearing away the pots.
“Thank you, that’s marvelous. Although I should like to try cooking some rice for myself as well,” said Alice-Miranda, looking up at the huge canisters of ingredients.
“I can pack some for you. I just want to make sure you don’t have too much to carry. You are only small, sweetheart, and you already have to take the tent and a sleeping bag and clothes. At least the freeze-dried dinners don’t weigh much.” By now Mrs. Oliver was up to her elbows scrubbing pots in the sink.
Alice-Miranda grabbed a tea towel and began drying a saucepan.
“Get off with you, girl.” Mrs. Oliver wiped her brow with the back of her pink-gloved hand. “I’ve plenty of help in here. You go and spend some time with Millie and your friends. You’ve worked far too hard today already.”
Alice-Miranda did as she was told. She finished wiping the saucepan and sat it on the bench. Just as she was about to head out, Charlie appeared at the door.
“Oh, hello, Mr. Charles, you should see what Mrs. Oliver has invented. It’s incredible. I’ll be able to eat like a princess while I’m on my hike,” she chattered as he kicked off his boots before entering the kitchen.
“That’s wonderful, lass. I just thought I’d pay a visit and see if there might be any more of that chocolate cake from this morning.”
Alice-Miranda could have sworn she saw Mr. Charles wink at Mrs. Oliver. Mrs. Oliver was suddenly bright red—and not just from the steaming kitchen sink, it would seem.
The next few days passed quickly. Alice-Miranda spent more time with Charlie learning camp craft and preparing for her hike. Fortunately she would be able to stay on the school grounds the whole time, as it occupied an enormous piece of land with varied terrain. There was a forest and some mountains, open countryside and a stream.
On Thursday, Miss Reedy met Alice-Miranda just after breakfast and introduced her to the school sports teacher, Miss Benitha Wall. Miss Wall was impossibly tall and equally square. Alice-Miranda had to lay her head back as far as she could to see Miss Wall’s face. Apparently she had competed most successfully in wrestling, shot put and discus at the Olympics. That wasn’t a surprise in the least.
“Alice-Miranda, Miss Wall will help you prepare for your sporting match. Have you given any thought to what you would like to compete in?” Miss Reedy asked.
“Well, Miss Reedy, I know a few sports that I won’t be trying. Gymnastics, for example—no one could beat Jacinta. And it won’t be running because I’m not very fast and I can’t run for a long time either, so cross country is off the list. I’m all right at tennis but I don’t think my forehand would stand up to Millie’s ground strokes.”
“Are you a swimmer?” Miss Wall bent down so that she could meet Alice-Miranda’s eyes.
“I’m afraid not. I like swimming but I haven’t trained enough to be competitive. And no offense, Miss Wall, but I don’t think I have quite the right frame to be attempting any field sports.” Alice-Miranda sighed. This was harder than she had expected.
“Do you ride?” Miss Reedy inquired.
“Oh yes, I have a lovely pony called Bonaparte. Daddy calls him Bony Pony but I can tell you he eats so much there is no possibility of spying any bones on that boy. I decided that when I came to school he could have a good spell, so he’s at home being thoroughly spoiled. It wouldn’t be fair to bring him in—I told him he could have at least three months off playing.”
Alice-Miranda thought for a few moments longer and then her eyes lit up. “I know! I love sailing and Daddy bought me a little skiff. I called her Emerald because she is the most beautiful green. Could we have a sailing regatta on the lake?”
“That’s a wonderful idea,” Miss Reedy agreed. “We must phone your parents and see if they can have your sailboat sent up at once. You need to have some days to practice.”
“But do any of the other girls sail?” Alice-Miranda asked.
“We had a regatta on the lake last year. The winner was named the school champion and given a trophy. Funny thing was, all the girls were fairly terrible at sailing and this girl only won because everyone else ended up in the reeds or sank,” Miss Wall laughed.
“That means I should at least have a chance,” Alice-Miranda smiled. “I mean, I’m not brilliant but I have had a few lessons.”
Miss Reedy seemed lost in her thoughts. She said that she would have to consult the school records to see who won the regatta. Suddenly she seem
ed to remember.
“Are you sure about this, Alice-Miranda?” Miss Reedy asked ominously.
“Yes, Miss Reedy. Really, I can’t think of anything else. Why? Do you remember who the school champion is?” Alice-Miranda was wide-eyed.
“Yes I do. And I’m afraid that it’s someone who would do anything to beat you,” her teacher replied.
“Alethea?” Alice-Miranda asked.
Miss Reedy nodded slowly.
Miss Wall nodded too. “I remember now. She had her father buy her a brand-new boat and he had it shipped here just before the race. It was a real beauty, but by the end of the weekend she had made a right mess of it. She said that she didn’t want to sail ever again.”
“That could work in your favor, Alice-Miranda. The fact that she’s not actually a skilled sailor and she doesn’t particularly like sailing may give you a small advantage,” said Miss Reedy. “Although we all know that Miss Goldsworthy will go to extraordinary lengths to win,” she finished in a whisper.
“Well, I’ll just have to beat her fair and square. I’ll call Daddy now and see if he can send my boat straight away. Then I might have a few days to get out on the lake before I have to go on camp.”
Alice-Miranda marched off to phone her parents. Miss Reedy and Miss Wall shook their heads and smiled.
“There’s never been one like her before,” Miss Wall laughed.
“Yes, and that’s why we absolutely can’t let her fail.”
“I can’t believe that Grimm still hasn’t told you your test results,” said Millie, as she lay on her bed with her legs pointed at right angles to the ceiling.
“Well, I suppose Miss Grimm has her reasons. I was going to head over and see her about it, but then I thought that perhaps she wants to tell me after I have been on the camp and competed in the regatta.” Alice-Miranda hugged Brummel Bear to her chest.
It was late on Sunday afternoon. Alice-Miranda was packed, ready to head off on her hike the next day. She’d had lots of lessons in map reading and using the compass. But she wouldn’t receive the final route until later that evening, when Miss Higgins was to deliver her map from Miss Grimm.
“Mrs. Smith should be back soon,” said Alice-Miranda.
“Who?” Millie asked.
“Mrs. Smith. You know, Cook.” Alice-Miranda rolled onto her stomach to face Millie.
“Oh no. I hope this trip has put her in a better mood … and that she’s had some cooking lessons while she’s been away. Her food is gross.” Millie screwed up her face and poked a finger down her throat.
“Mrs. Oliver has agreed to stay on for another week or so, until Mrs. Smith settles back in. I’m sure she’ll appreciate the company and someone else to help with the meals.” Alice-Miranda glanced out the window and noticed a beam of light, which seemed to be heading toward the field.
“There’s Birdy now!” She jumped up and ran to the window. “Come on, Millie, let’s go and see how she is. I want to say hello to Cyril too.” Alice-Miranda slipped her feet into her shoes and threw a jumper over her head. The familiar chop-chop-chop of Birdy’s whirring blades filled the twilight air. By the time the helicopter had landed on the lower oval Alice-Miranda and Millie were ready to pounce. The helicopter’s engine shuddered to a halt. Cyril placed his headset on the dashboard, hopped out and retrieved a suitcase from the rear.
At first Alice-Miranda didn’t recognize the tall woman with the fashionable brown hair who emerged from the chopper.
“Who’s that?” Millie frowned. “It’s not Cook.”
As she approached, Alice-Miranda realized that it was indeed Mrs. Smith. Her bent frame was upright and she had a very nice new hairdo. Even her skin seemed to be glowing. Alice-Miranda ran forward to greet her.
“Hello, Mrs. Smith.” She wrapped her arms around the stylish woman.
“Oh, my dear girl, hello to you too,” Mrs. Smith replied. A wide smile beamed from her face and Millie realized for the first time that Mrs. Smith was actually quite attractive for an older woman.
“Hello, Millicent,” Mrs. Smith said warmly.
“Welcome back, Cook.” Millie smiled too.
The pilot was securing the helicopter. “Hello, Cyril,” said Alice-Miranda.
“Hello, Alice-Miranda,” he called back.
“When you’ve finished doing your checks on Birdy you must come up for a cup of tea. Mrs. Oliver is looking forward to seeing you.”
“I’ll be there shortly,” he replied.
Alice-Miranda turned back to Mrs. Smith. “So, how was your trip? You must tell us all about it.” She grabbed Mrs. Smith’s hand and they began to walk toward the kitchen.
“I simply don’t know where to begin!” she replied.
“Mrs. Oliver has baked something special as a welcome-home treat. How about a snack, and then you can tell us everything?”
They reached the door and Alice-Miranda called, “Hello, Mrs. Oliver, Mrs. Smith’s back.” She opened the screen and let herself and the others inside. The most delicious smell hovered in front of the oven. Mrs. Oliver emerged from the pantry. Although she and Mrs. Smith had met each other briefly, this was their first proper meeting and Mrs. Oliver was a little nervous. Mrs. Smith had a formidable reputation among the staff and girls and it was not for her cooking.
“Good evening, Mrs. Smith.” Mrs. Oliver held out her hand.
Mrs. Smith took it and then steamed forward, enveloping Mrs. Oliver heartily. “You have made me the happiest woman in the world, Mrs. Oliver.” A tear sprouted from her eye. “And you, Miss Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones, to whom I may just be related somewhere a long time ago”—she scooped Alice-Miranda into her arms—“you, my dear girl, have made me the happiest grandmother on earth.”
Over tea and pound cake Mrs. Smith told her eager audience all about her grandchildren in America. She had taken them to Disneyland and gone to Grandparents’ Day at their school. They visited the Grand Canyon and went to see the Empire State Building too. But most of all and best of all, her grandchildren now knew her. The real her, not just the granny on the telephone who sends cards and presents for Christmas and birthdays.
“Now, you must tell me everything that’s been happening here too,” she said over her second piece of cake. “I suppose I should really ask if I still have a job.”
“Of course you do, Mrs. Smith. I told Miss Grimm as soon as I could. She’s eaten all her meals and there haven’t been any complaints at all. She knows that you’re coming back and Mrs. Oliver was only here for two weeks.” Alice-Miranda looked down and shook some imaginary crumbs from her lap. “Except, Mrs. Oliver is going to stay another week—if that’s all right with you, of course. Miss Higgins thought that it was about time you had someone else to bounce your ideas off and Mummy and Daddy don’t need Mrs. Oliver just yet.” Alice-Miranda smiled hesitantly.
“I would be honored to have you by my side, Mrs. Oliver,” Mrs. Smith announced.
“Well, in that case, Mrs. Smith, you must call me Dolly,” Mrs. Oliver replied.
“And you must call me Doreen.”
So it was settled. The two ladies nattered on like schoolgirls. Cyril soon appeared for a cup of tea and gave Alice-Miranda a full update on what was going on back home.
“Your parents are well but that pony of yours has been in a bit of strife,” Cyril told them. It seemed that Bonaparte had escaped from his stable and somehow managed to get into the vegetable garden. He demolished half the cabbages before Mr. Greening caught up with him.
“Well, you know how that boy only has to look at rich food and he gets the colic, so Mr. Greening called the vet just in case,” Cyril continued.
“Oh dear,” Alice-Miranda sighed. “He’s a very naughty boy. Is he all right?”
“Yes, he’s fine but young Max—he’s the stablehand,” Cyril explained to Mrs. Smith, “reported that Bonaparte had a very windy night.”
Millie roared laughing at the thought of Bony the farting pony. Alice-Miranda asked Cyril to send her love
to everyone and tell them that she was having the most wonderful time. She would see them all at midterm.
Mrs. Oliver and Mrs. Smith finished their chat and began bustling about the kitchen.
“May I suggest, girls, that if you and the rest of this school would like to be fed this evening, you’d best be off. We have a lot to get done and there’s not much time before dinner,” said Mrs. Smith with a dry smile.
Millie and Alice-Miranda headed out the door.
“Gosh, that was amazing. She’s so different,” Millie gasped.
“Everyone needs a holiday sometime. I suppose Mrs. Smith just proved that,” Alice-Miranda replied.
After dinner Miss Higgins delivered the map from Miss Grimm and Alice-Miranda spent an hour going over it with Charlie. He thought it was a reasonable route, although he was a little concerned by the mountain trek, where the trails weren’t especially well marked. Alice-Miranda assured him she would be fine. If she got really lost she would just wait it out in the one spot until the end of the week. Her backpack contained enough of Mrs. Oliver’s freeze-dried baked dinners and desserts to last at least a month.
Before bed she telephoned her parents, who were in particularly good form.
“Hello, darling,” her mother cooed. “Are you having a dreadful time? We can be there to pick you up straight away.”
“No, Mummy, as I have told you every day since I arrived, I’m having a marvelous time and I love it here. Please stop asking me if I’m having a dreadful time,” Alice-Miranda replied.
“All right, darling, I promise to stop. You know Daddy and I are only teasing. We’re so proud of you.” Alice-Miranda could tell her mother was smiling.
“Now, Mummy, I won’t be able to call you until Friday night as I am off on my Wilderness Walk. Remember, I told you that Miss Grimm wants me to complete a twenty-kilometer hike and camp out for the week? Mr. Charles has been so helpful, showing me how to pack my tent and roll my sleeping bag and all those other things I need to know. I’m so glad Daddy took me to Africa too. Five days out on the grounds is a wonderful adventure. So please don’t worry about me. If I don’t come back at the end of the week, I know they will send a search party.”
Alice-Miranda at School Page 11
