Alice-Miranda at School

by Jacqueline Harvey

  “I do think Miss Grimm’s being a bit tough on you, darling, but she is the headmistress and I suppose she has her reasons. Anyway, your father tells me you will be absolutely fine and you know I trust his judgment,” her mother went on. In fact, Cecelia Highton-Smith had been aghast at the thought of her daughter’s having to complete such an enormous challenge. But after speaking to her sister Charlotte, who reminded her of their own camping adventures at a similar age, she allowed herself to get used to the idea. Besides, Mrs. Oliver had reported that Alice-Miranda’s preparations with Mr. Charles had been very thorough.

  “Daddy wants to say hello, so I’ll go now. Have a wonderful week, darling, and I’ll look forward to hearing all about it on Friday night. Love you.”

  “Thank you, Mummy. I love you too.” Alice-Miranda waited for her father’s voice.

  “Hello, sweetheart, how are things at school?” he purred.

  “Wonderful, Daddy. Mrs. Oliver has had a tremendous time, and thank you for letting us keep her another week. You should have seen Mrs. Smith when she returned this afternoon. She was like a new person—all refreshed and looking rather fabulous too. She and Mrs. Oliver had tea together. I think Mrs. Oliver was a little nervous, having taken over her kitchen in such a rush, but they got on famously and Mrs. Smith is ever so glad to have Mrs. Oliver stay on.” Alice-Miranda’s voice fizzed with excitement as she reported her news. “They even insisted on calling each other Dolly and Doreen—and you know Mrs. Oliver doesn’t invite just anyone to call her Dolly.”

  “That’s such good news. I’m glad it worked out so well for everyone.” His voice took a more serious tone. “Now, how are you feeling about that hike tomorrow?”

  “Really good, Daddy. Mr. Charles has been helping me prepare and I think I will be absolutely fine. Mrs. Oliver has packed me a load of her freeze-dried meals, so as long as I can get the fire going I’ll be eating like a princess,” Alice-Miranda replied.

  But Alice-Miranda sounded more confident than she felt. She knew she was well prepared. But just in the past few days she had acquired an uneasy feeling. Not the same one she had when she first arrived; this was different—like there was someone about, watching. First there was the crumpled blanket in the potting shed and then Mrs. Oliver had complained a couple of times about cakes going missing from the kitchen. Alice-Miranda shook the idea from her head. She wasn’t about to tell anyone—she had an adventure ahead.

  “Well, you just take care,” said her father. “It will be a splendid opportunity to write in your diary, and make sure that you take your camera too. We’ll look forward to hearing all about your adventure on Friday night. And if you get into any real trouble you know you can always activate the emergency button on your phone and we’ll be there straight away.”

  Alice-Miranda hesitated for a moment. “Actually, Daddy, I was planning to leave my phone here at school. I don’t think I’ll need it and I don’t even want to be tempted if things get a little tricky or I get a bit lonely. I need to do this on my own—to prove to Miss Grimm that I really do belong here.” She held her breath and waited for her father’s reply.

  He was silent for a moment. “Hmm. I’ve seen how good you are at camping and hiking, but it is still a big adventure to have on your own. If you’re sure about it, I believe you can do it. But perhaps we just won’t tell Mummy. You know she can be such a worrier.”

  His confidence buoyed Alice-Miranda’s spirits. “Thank you, Daddy. I knew you’d understand—you of all people, who’s climbed every major peak in the world and backpacked across South America. And back in those days mobile phones hadn’t even been invented!” She couldn’t help laughing.

  “Thank you for reminding me how terribly old I am, sweetheart,” her father replied, laughing too. “Now you’d better get some sleep. We will talk to you on Friday evening when you are back safe and sound. Love you, darling.”

  “Love you too, Daddy.” And with that Alice-Miranda rang off.

  The next morning she awoke just a little earlier than usual. The plan was to have breakfast with the girls in the dining room and then head out. She hopped out of bed and went to have a shower and get dressed. On her way back to the dorm she bumped into Howie, who was about to start the wake-up rounds.

  “Hello, Alice-Miranda, all ready for your big adventure?” asked the house mistress with a smile.

  “Yes, I think I am,” Alice-Miranda replied.

  “It’s going to be awfully quiet around this place without you,” Howie said, and frowned.

  “It will be over in a blink, Howie. I’m really rather excited.” Alice-Miranda grinned broadly. But there was a little flutter in her tummy.

  “Take care, my poppet. I will hear all about it on Friday evening.” Howie leaned forward and hugged Alice-Miranda. Unbeknown to either of them, Alethea saw the whole thing from her bedroom doorway.

  “Brat,” she muttered under her breath.

  Howie continued down the corridor and Alice-Miranda headed for her bedroom.

  “Hello, little girl.” Alethea appeared from her hiding place. She folded her arms and blocked Alice-Miranda’s path. Then in a ridiculous baby voice, she said, “Going on a big adventure, sweetie pie? Hope you don’t get lost out there.”

  “Oh, hello, Alethea.” Alice-Miranda smiled back. “Yes, big adventure, but I am so looking forward to it. I’ve read the map, my backpack is packed and I think everything will be fine.”

  “What’s wrong with you?” Alethea demanded. “Camping on your own in the forest for five days! I’d rather cut my toenails with an axe. Are you mad or just completely delirious?”

  “But it’s an adventure,” Alice-Miranda said hesitantly.

  “An adventure,” Alethea mimicked. “Well, good luck, little girl. Last year on the junior camp that idiot Jacinta saw a headless highwayman, a band of gypsies and an escaped convict. I wonder how many loonies will be out there after you,” she whispered. “Probably just the one who’s been stealing cakes and sleeping in the rowing shed. Or so I’ve heard.” Alethea’s eyes widened.

  “I don’t believe in ghosts and I’ve always found gypsies to be the nicest people and, well, if I do come across any escaped criminals I’ll be sure to take extra care,” Alice-Miranda replied.

  Alethea snorted. “By the way, I’m so glad that you decided to pick sailing for your sporting challenge. Daddy’s sending up a new skiff for me tomorrow. It’s a special one built for the Olympics and he says that the most ordinary sailor in the whole world would win in it.”

  Millie appeared behind Alethea, on her way to the bathroom.

  “That’s just as well, then, seeing as you’re particularly ordinary at sailing,” Millie interrupted. “Excuse me, Alethea, would you mind moving?”

  Alethea turned around and glared. Her eyes were like winter frost on bare toes. “Why? Are you busting? I was just warning your little friend about all the bogeymen out there in the woods. Hope she doesn’t get too scared and run back here to school.”

  “Oh, that’s rich coming from you, Alethea!” The words were out of Millie’s mouth before she had time to stop them.

  “Why did you say that?” Alethea hissed.

  “No reason. Now, will you let me through before I piddle on your doorstep?”

  Alethea rolled her eyes and gave Millie a hefty shove before retreating into her bedroom.

  “Why did you say that?” Alice-Miranda asked.

  “The truth is Alethea’s not exactly the school’s best adventurer. Apparently the first year she was here she faked appendicitis when camp was on. Then the next year she told everyone her granny had died and she had to go home for the funeral, which was amazing because the very next week her granny was in the social pages. Then last year she couldn’t come up with another excuse so she actually headed out and then phoned her father to send his helicopter to come and get her once the groups had split up. They dropped her back in on the last day and she emerged from the woods looking like she had spent all week out there. I
t’s amazing what a bit of dirt and a few twigs can do,” Millie sighed.

  “But how do you know that?” Alice-Miranda was wide-eyed.

  “Everyone heard the chopper, but nobody knew for sure until Ivory overheard Danika moaning to Shelby that it was so unfair she’d had to carry her own pack and Alethea’s and Alethea had spent the whole week at the Downsfordvale Manor Spa having all sorts of posh body treatments, eating caviar and swanning about like Lady Muck,” Millie replied.

  “Did anyone tell the teachers?” asked Alice-Miranda.

  “No, there was no point, really,” Millie said with a sigh. “The Manor has a watertight confidentiality clause because of all the celebrities who go there, so there was no way to prove it.”

  Alice-Miranda shook her head. “Well, I promise that I won’t be phoning Cyril. In fact, I’ve told Daddy that my phone is staying right here, safe in my drawer. No matter what happens I won’t give up.”

  “That’s the spirit. We know you can do it.” Millie hugged her little friend and bounded off to the bathroom.

  At breakfast Miss Reedy made the usual round of notices. At the end of the information about debating trials, music practices and sporting fixtures, she made one final announcement.

  “May I take this opportunity to wish Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones all the best for her Wilderness Walk adventure? Although we are not able to offer her bodily assistance, I’m sure that all of us will be there with her in spirit.” Miss Reedy then asked Alice-Miranda to stand while Millie led the school in a rousing three cheers.

  In the depths of her wardrobe Ophelia Grimm was watching the morning’s antics. Although she couldn’t hear what was going on in the dining room, she had a most uncomfortable feeling. She would have to tell those stupid men to hurry up and get the sound enabled in all areas—not just the assembly hall.

  Her thoughts fixed on Alice-Miranda. Five days in the woods should sort her out. Ophelia had planned the route herself, setting what might only be described as a very challenging course indeed. The little brat had to retrieve a set of flags to prove she had covered the route exactly as it was marked. She had ordered Higgins to instruct Charlie to place the flags in the most difficult of places: the top of a tree, beside a beehive, in an animal hole. While he seemed somewhat soft in the head of late, with all that smiling and whistling, she still trusted him to do the right thing. Without his job at Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale, he had nothing.

  The sight of almost the entire dining room clapping while that infernal pest stood up was more than a little disturbing. Although she did notice that Alethea, Danika, Shelby and Lizzy didn’t seem the least taken in by her. Ophelia knew she’d made a fine choice in Alethea as Head Prefect. That girl could be relied on to do the right thing.

  Alice-Miranda finished her breakfast and went outside to retrieve her pack. It seemed the whole school turned out to wave her goodbye.

  Miss Higgins gave her a quick hug, as though she suspected someone might be watching, and shoved a small bar of chocolate into her hand. “A treat,” she said, and smiled.

  “Well then, lass, off with you.” Mrs. Oliver hugged her too, then brushed a tear from her eye. Mrs. Smith did the same. She and Dolly smiled at each other with an unspoken understanding about this tiny girl with the chocolate curls.

  Charlie walked with her across the lower oval to the gate.

  “Bye,” Millie called, waving furiously. A chorus of “Goodbye,” “See you soon,” “Good luck” and “You can do it” followed Alice-Miranda until the bell rang and the girls headed off to class.

  Charlie dropped to one knee and met Alice-Miranda’s eyes. “Now, lass, you know I have every faith in the world that you can survive out here for five days. But if you get into trouble, remember our plan and stay exactly where you are. If you are not back by four p.m. on Friday, I will be out there as fast as my legs can carry me.”

  “Thanks, Mr. Charles.” Alice-Miranda reached out and hugged him. “I’ll see you on Friday,” she called as she headed through the gate.

  Charlie felt a stinging in his eyes. He brushed the moisture from his cheeks and smiled. Ever since that child had arrived he felt different. Better. Happy for the first time in a very long while.

  Alice-Miranda bounced along the track beside the stream. It didn’t take too long before she found the first red flag, which was marked Number 1. She collected it from a low fork in an oak tree and placed it in the top of her pack. When she was tired, she rested; when she was hungry, she ate her snacks; and when the light was fading, she picked a campsite, pitched her tent, built a fire and cooked herself some rice. By flashlight she wrote in her diary.

  Monday

  A wonderful day. I’m rather tired now but I’ve collected the first two of my flags and according to the map I must have covered about 4 kilometers. For dinner I had some rice and soy sauce. It was delicious. I’ve cleaned my saucepan in the river and I think I will settle down to sleep quite soon. The trees are rustling gently and there are a few sounds I’m not sure about, but I know there’s nothing out here that could hurt me.

  Funny, but a few times I have felt rather like I was being watched. Maybe there really is someone out here—I know there have been stories. Or perhaps it’s just because I am not used to being alone. School is so busy and at home there’s always someone about.

  Everyone at school has been so kind. But I am worried about Miss Grimm. As soon as I get back on Friday I will pop in and see her. I think she’s lonely. Something terrible must have happened to make her so sad. If only she would come out and spend time with the girls and the teachers, then I know she would be happy again.

  AMHSKJ

  The next morning, Alice-Miranda washed her face in the river, packed up her belongings and ate her breakfast while consulting the map. Today she would begin the climb into the mountains, and the trails would become a little more difficult to follow.

  Back at school, Miss Grimm wondered where Alice-Miranda might be. Crying in her tent was what she hoped, but she had a nagging feeling that perhaps that would not be the case.

  Alice-Miranda walked all day, following her map and winding her way uphill. She collected another two flags and decided that she had traveled far enough. One of her flags was at the base of a tree that had a very large beehive hanging from a high branch. She wondered who had thought to put up the sign that said Take care—beehive above. She was extra cautious not to upset the bees and managed to get the flag without any bother at all.

  All day she had had the nagging feeling that someone was watching her. She really did hope that it wasn’t someone from school. Charlie knew how much she wanted to do this on her own, and she couldn’t imagine that it was any of the teachers—and certainly none of the girls. As the afternoon sun began to sink over the inky mountains, Alice-Miranda selected a campsite and repeated her actions from the previous afternoon. While she was getting dinner from her pack she heard a rustling in the bushes. Her heart began to beat a little faster but she told herself not to be scared. She would be fine. As she emerged from her tent she thought she saw a figure move in the trees.

  “Hello, is anyone there?” she called. “I’m going to cook some dinner and if you’d like to join me you’re most welcome. But if that’s you, Mr. Charles, please go home. I’m fine.”

  There was no reply, so Alice-Miranda set to, gathering some kindling from around the edge of the campsite. When she returned there was a little pile of rocks beside her tent.

  “Thank you,” she called. “If you’d like to join me I’ll put two dinners on.”

  Alice-Miranda looked around and still couldn’t see anyone. Strangely, she wasn’t afraid. If this person had taken the time to collect some rocks for her to build a fire then she didn’t think they would want to hurt her.

  She retrieved her saucepan, filled it with water and put it on the fire to boil. When the water was simmering she tore open one of the packets and scattered the little beans into the pan. Within minutes the aroma of
a fresh lamb roast filled the air.

  Alice-Miranda thought that the smell might bring whoever was hiding out of their cover. But it didn’t. She ate her dinner alone, the forest sounds her only company. Again she wrote in her diary before bed.

  Tuesday

  All day I had the same funny feeling that someone was watching me. I wasn’t afraid—I felt more like they were willing me to go on. And now tonight I know that someone is around. They gathered some rocks and laid them beside the tent. When I asked them to join me for dinner, nobody came. Perhaps they will come out tomorrow.

  I’m very tired. This afternoon I had a rather large thorn in my hand and although it was terribly sore, I managed to pull it out and apply some antiseptic and a bandage. The walking has been hard but the air is so clean and I feel very happy.

  AMHSKJ

  Alice-Miranda awoke with a start. The dawn light streamed through the gauze window above her head. She could have sworn there was a shadow but when she tore open the tent’s zip she saw no one.

  “Is anyone there? Please, you are most welcome to join me for breakfast. Don’t be scared. I want to be your friend,” she called. The poplars rustled gently in the breeze, the only answer to her questions.

  Alice-Miranda ate her breakfast and packed up her campsite. She studied the map and realized that today she would have to travel further than any other. The trail was densely wooded and the path was steep. As she walked, Alice-Miranda realized that she was climbing quite high.

  Through a gap in the trees she glimpsed the whole of Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale laid out beneath her. It was breathtaking. She moved closer to the edge of the track to take some photographs and saw that the trail rose steeply from a rocky outcrop below. She edged forward carefully, leaving her pack behind her. A flat rock made the most wonderful seat and she sat taking in the view below and picking out all of the landmarks. There was the lake, the lower oval and the upper oval, the classrooms, the stables; she could even see where Miss Grimm’s study was, below the tower in the main building. It was a glorious view.