‘Did you find the loo all right?’ Aunty Gee asked.
‘Yes, thank you,’ Alice-Miranda replied.
‘We found a dumb waiter too,’ Millie added. ‘And we could hear Mr Thripp talking to someone.’
Aunty Gee looked at Mrs Marmalade, and the two women frowned.
‘What’s the matter Aunty Gee?’ Alice-Miranda asked.
‘For a start, Thripp is supposed to be up here with us. Secondly, I was just trying to remember which dumb waiter you were speaking of and the rooms that are underneath it. What in the blazes is the man doing down there?’
‘Perhaps he has a surprise planned,’ Millie said. ‘He was talking to a woman and they said that they had to have something done by tomorrow or, even better, this afternoon. And then he mentioned chess and a woman called Fiona.’
‘Do you know anything about this, Marian?’ Her Majesty asked, turning to Mrs Marmalade.
The woman shook her head. ‘No, but Thripp mentioned something about renovations a while ago and there are always tradespeople coming and going. I met a designer called Fiona once but I wouldn’t know what he was up to. ‘That man never really tells me anything – except for when I can’t take holidays.’
‘Maybe he’s done something special to commemorate the jubilee,’ Alice-Miranda suggested.
‘Oh.’ Queen Georgiana grinned. ‘Perhaps I shouldn’t be so cross with him. I hadn’t thought of that at all.’
‘Well, he certainly hasn’t shared anything with me about it,’ Mrs Marmalade griped. ‘I’d have helped if I’d known.’
‘Don’t get yourself in a lather, Marian. Thripp prides himself on being a little mysterious. Besides, you could have organised your own surprise.’ Her Majesty adjusted her turban.
‘Can I take some more photographs, Aunty Gee?’ Millie asked, retrieving her camera from where she’d left it sitting on a chair.
‘What a wonderful idea,’ the woman said. ‘And why don’t we stay in costume for the rest of the day?’
The children giggled.
‘Really?’ Jacinta smiled.
‘I think we might have to abandon the armour,’ Lucas said. ‘We’d never make it downstairs.’
‘That’s for sure,’ Sep sighed.
‘After we take the photographs, you boys can find something else to wear.’ Her Majesty suggested. ‘There are plenty of old suits.’
‘We found a huge make-up kit in the other room too,’ Millie babbled, fiddling with her camera settings.
‘Oh, really?’ Aunty Gee said, turning to look at the child. ‘It must have been up here for years.’
‘There were a whole lot of powders and lotions and a latex mask,’ Alice-Miranda added, ‘like the ones they use in Hollywood movies.’
‘Cool,’ Lucas said. ‘Dad wore a fake nose in the last movie he did. It was so realistic, even though it was pretty gross.’
‘Come along, children, shall we take these pictures? Her Majesty needs a cup of tea and something to eat soon,’ Marian Marmalade said.
Millie held up her camera while Caprice took charge and bossed everyone into position. The children had a marvellous time snapping photographs in all manner of poses. Of course, there was one of Lucas on bended knee holding Jacinta’s hand.
‘Stop pretending to be embarrassed, Jacinta,’ Sloane teased. ‘We all know you love it.’
Jacinta blushed and smiled. Lucas was smiling too but his face was hidden under his metal helmet.
Meanwhile, back at SPLOD HQ, Marjorie Plunkett stared at the pictures on the screen in front of her. She giggled as Queen Georgiana struck a dramatic pose, looking as if she were about to faint, the two knights poised to catch her. Marjorie breathed a sigh of relief. Her plan to keep Alice-Miranda out of harm’s way was working perfectly, although she was disappointed that the saliva sample had led nowhere.
When she’d returned to HQ, Fiona seemed fine. She’d have to do some checking but the interference seemed to have dissipated. Anyway, whoever was behind the plot would slip up soon. In Marjorie’s experience, they always did.
‘Well, that was fun,’ Aunty Gee said as the group, still resplendent in their dress-up clothes, descended the stairs into the front entrance foyer. She and Mrs Marmalade had been most impressed with the way the children tidied the room, particularly Caprice, who wouldn’t allow them to leave until every last article of clothing that they’d taken out was back in its rightful spot.
Even Millie had to admit that the girl was being far better behaved than usual. Although, it was only their first day alone without the rest of the guests.
‘Now, shall we have some lunch and decide what we’ll do next?’ Aunty Gee asked.
The group nodded.
Suddenly, Thornton Thripp rushed through from the back hall. ‘Excuse m– what on earth are you wearing?’ The words were out of his mouth before he had time to stop them.
‘Where have you been, Thripp? I thought you were going to play dress-ups with us, but I gather you have more pressing business on your mind.’ Her Majesty gave him a quizzical look. ‘You missed out on all the fun.’
Thornton wondered what she was talking about. ‘Actually, we have guests.’
‘Guests? I don’t recall that we were expecting anyone.’ Her Majesty glanced at Mrs Marmalade, who shrugged.
‘I’m afraid it’s the Prime Minister of Samoa.’
‘What’s he doing here?’ Her Majesty demanded. ‘He’s not due until next month!’
‘Yes, unfortunately someone sent the incorrect date on his invitation. I’ve just seen it now,’ Thornton said.
‘The wrong date!’ Her Majesty glared at the man. ‘Whose job was that?’
‘I believe it was Mrs Marmalade who was responsible.’ The man looked at Marian and pursed his lips. ‘But it doesn’t matter now. We need to get you changed and ready for a meet-and-greet and then some official photographs.’
Mrs Marmalade looked as if she’d been pricked by a pin. In all her years as Her Majesty’s lady-in-waiting, she’d never once made such an error. There had to be a mistake. It wasn’t like her at all.
‘Good heavens, Marian, should I be looking for your replacement?’ Queen Georgiana snapped.
Mrs Marmalade blushed a deep shade of red.
Aunty Gee turned to the children. ‘I can’t believe this has happened. It’s just awful.’
‘I’m sure that the Prime Minister is very excited to meet you, Aunty Gee,’ Alice-Miranda said reassuringly. ‘And we’ve got you for the rest of the week, so please don’t feel bad because of us.’
Her Majesty smiled. ‘Darling girl, you are ever so understanding. I’ll organise for someone to take you on a tour of the grounds, shall I?’
Mrs Marmalade was about to offer when Thornton Thripp talked straight over the top of her. ‘Bunyan is proving most reliable,’ he said.
‘Yes, of course. That’s perfect,’ Her Majesty declared. ‘Have you told Langley that we have a State visitor? The man will be apoplectic. We’ll need rooms made up and a dinner this evening. Good heavens, what a muddle.’
‘It’s all right, Aunty Gee.’ Alice-Miranda grinned at the woman. ‘We’re very good at entertaining ourselves.’
‘We don’t need anyone to take us, you know,’ Caprice said, taking a sip of her lemonade.
‘For once I actually agree with you,’ Millie said, her mouth full of apple.
‘And for once you’re right,’ Caprice said sweetly, popping a grape into her mouth.
‘Aunty Gee said that Mr Bunyan would take us,’ Alice-Miranda reminded the group.
Millie pulled a face. ‘Bunyan’s weird.’
‘Well, I know a really cool place we can go,’ Caprice said, showing off.
‘Where?’ Jacinta asked sceptically.
‘The hunting tower,’ Caprice said with a glint in her eye.
‘But Mr Thripp said that it’s all locked up and they can’t find the keys,’ Lucas said.
‘That’s not true at all,’ Caprice said smugly.<
br />
Sloane eyeballed the girl. ‘And how would you know that?’
‘Because I’ve been there,’ Caprice replied.
Outside in the hallway, Frank Bunyan was listening to their every word. The children’s plan couldn’t have been more perfect. He’d let them go on their own – except that he wouldn’t, of course.
Sep shrugged. ‘I’m up for it.’
The rest of the group agreed. ‘But we have to make sure that it’s all right with Mr Bunyan,’ Alice-Miranda said. ‘We don’t want him to worry.’
Just as Alice-Miranda finished speaking, the butler appeared in the doorway.
‘What shouldn’t I be worried about?’ the man said. He looked around to check that Archie and Petunia weren’t around before he proceeded into the room.
‘We were just discussing whether to go exploring on our own, seeing as you’re so busy,’ Alice-Miranda explained.
Frank Bunyan frowned. ‘Well, if you’re sure,’ he said.
‘Yes, we’re perfectly capable of looking after ourselves. Perhaps we can take something for afternoon tea?’ the child said.
‘I’ll arrange that for you now.’ Bunyan nodded and walked out the door.
Braxton Balfour had been beavering away in the silver room for hours. He glanced up at the clock and gave the last of the dinner forks a vigorous rub, then placed it back into the red-velvet-lined canteen. It seemed he might finally get his chance to see Lydie again. Vincent Langley had blustered into the room half an hour beforehand sputtering and frothing about an unexpected entourage of prime-ministerial guests.
At the time, Braxton’s heart sank as he waited for another long inventory of palace-bound duties, but Vincent had instead handed him a shopping list. Braxton was to pick up an order at the farm shop once he’d finished polishing and had organised to have the small dining room set for Her Majesty’s evening meal.
He picked up the dirty cloths and was on his way to the utility room when Frank Bunyan walked downstairs.
‘Hello,’ Braxton said.
‘Afternoon,’ Bunyan replied stiffly.
‘Langley’s not here.’
‘I was just after some supplies for a picnic,’ Bunyan said, looking lost.
Braxton nodded his head towards the main kitchen. ‘One of the chefs should be able to help you find what you need.’
Bunyan began to walk past when Braxton couldn’t help himself.
‘So where is it that you’ve come from?’ he asked. Although the man was utterly useless, he was still a potential threat and Braxton wanted to know exactly who he was dealing with.
Bunyan hesitated, itching the back of his neck. ‘Sorry, I don’t have time to chat. The children are keen to get going,’ he mumbled before scurrying away.
Braxton rolled his eyes. If the fellow couldn’t even hold a civilised conversation about his work experience, perhaps he had nothing to worry about at all.
‘Is everyone ready to go?’ Alice-Miranda asked as the group gathered in the rear entrance foyer. The children had agreed to change back into their play clothes and keep the dress-ups in their rooms for later on. Perhaps they would wear them to dinner instead.
Frank Bunyan walked towards the children with three bulging daypacks.
‘Oh, thank you, Mr Bunyan,’ Alice-Miranda enthused.
Lucas, Jacinta and Millie took the bags from him.
‘This feels like enough food for a week,’ Lucas remarked. He slung the heavy pack onto his shoulders.
‘Chef thought you might get hungry, and there are drink bottles too,’ Bunyan replied. He hadn’t actually been able to locate any of the chefs but there was a basket of food that looked just perfect with sandwiches, quiches, cakes, scones and the like.
‘Have you got your camera, Millie?’ Jacinta asked.
Millie reached into her jacket pocket and felt around but it wasn’t there. ‘That’s strange,’ she said. ‘I must have left it when we were having lunch. I’ll be back in a minute.’
‘No!’ Bunyan cried, grabbing hold of the girl’s sleeve.
‘What are you doing?’ Millie demanded, wrangling her arm free of his grasp.
Bunyan softened. ‘I’ll get your camera, miss. You can stay here with your friends.’
‘Okay,’ Millie said. ‘Keep your hair on.’ She didn’t see why he had to be so pushy about it.
‘There is something weird about that guy,’ Sloane said as she watched the butler disappear down the hallway.
Alice-Miranda couldn’t help thinking the same thing.
A few minutes later he reappeared and handed Millie the camera.
‘Thank you,’ the girl said.
Bunyan gave a bow. ‘My pleasure.’
Just at that moment, Marian Marmalade walked through from the front hall.
‘Hello Mrs Marmalade. Is the visit going well?’ Alice-Miranda asked.
‘Oh, quite,’ the woman replied. ‘Her Majesty and the Prime Minister seem to have bonded over a mutual love of dogs. The man is besotted with Archie and Petunia.’
Bunyan was glad to hear it. He wasn’t keen to see the pesky beagles anytime soon.
‘We’re going exploring,’ Alice-Miranda informed the woman.
Mrs Marmalade nodded. ‘Enjoy yourselves, and make sure you’re back before dark.’
‘You know, she’s not as crusty as I thought she was,’ Millie whispered. ‘Maybe she’s better at home, in her own surroundings.’
Jacinta grinned. ‘Most people usually are.’
Mrs Marmalade turned and shot the girls a stare. ‘I heard that,’ she said.
Jacinta and Millie grimaced at one another. Alice-Miranda giggled.
‘Come on. Let’s go,’ Caprice said, impatient to show off her knowledge of the hunting tower.
The children scurried out the back doors with Frank Bunyan behind them.
‘You’re not coming,’ Caprice snapped when she realised that the man was still part of their group.
‘Of course not,’ he replied amiably. ‘I’ll just see you to the edge of the garden.’ He looked back at the palace windows to see if anyone was watching.
‘We’re not babies, you know,’ Caprice said.
‘No, clearly not,’ Bunyan replied dryly. ‘You seem to know just about everything.’
‘Thank you,’ Caprice said with a smarmy smile.
Jacinta and Sloane stifled grins. For someone allegedly as smart as Caprice, she wasn’t very good at picking up on sarcasm.
Alice-Miranda dropped back to walk beside the man. ‘Mr Bunyan, just so you know, we’re going to explore the hunting tower,’ she said. ‘Caprice says that she knows how to get in.’
Frank Bunyan exhaled through gritted teeth. ‘Thank you so much for telling me.’
But that’s not what he was thinking at all.
The children followed Caprice across the lawn and down a long wisteria-covered walkway. At the end there was a gate that led into the woodland.
‘Is this really the way?’ Sloane asked loudly.
‘Of course it is,’ Caprice snipped, charging ahead.
As promised, Bunyan had remained behind once the children reached the edge of the garden.
‘Bye, Mr Bunyan,’ Alice-Miranda called. ‘We’ll see you later.’ She turned to wave but the man had already disappeared.
The children trekked along the dappled path which wound its way up and up until they emerged on top of the ridge.
‘Whoa,’ Lucas said. ‘The tower’s even more impressive up close.’
Caprice led the way until the boys ran to overtake her and sprinted to the front door. Sep grabbed the handle and turned, but it was locked, just as Mr Thripp had warned it would be.
Caprice smirked. ‘You won’t get in that way.’
‘Okay, smartypants, where’s the entrance?’ Millie said.
Caprice took off around to the other side of the building and the group followed. She pointed at one of the windows. ‘Give me a leg-up,’ she commanded Lucas.
He and Sep
both knelt down so she could hoist herself up to the window and prise it open. She wiggled her way through, then disappeared from view. ‘Well, are you coming or not?’ Caprice called from inside.
Within a couple of minutes, the children had hefted and heaved each other into the tower. Sep scrambled up the wall on his own and Lucas helped pull him through.
‘This is so cool,’ Lucas breathed as he looked around.
Sloane scrunched her nose. ‘It smells awful – like someone’s stomped kippers into the carpet or something,’ she remarked.
‘Did the twins bring you here?’ Millie asked, looking at Caprice.
The girl nodded.
‘Did they say you could bring us?’
‘I don’t care what they say. They’re not here now and they can’t stop us,’ Caprice said defiantly.
‘What’s in here, anyway?’ Sep asked.
‘Follow me and I’ll show you,’ the girl said, then flounced off towards the stairwell.
Edgar turned around from where he was mixing a sludgy paste in a beaker which sat on a tripod over an open flame.
‘Hey, what’s Langley doing up here?’ he said, dropping the wooden spoon and rushing to the window. In the daylight the twins weren’t afraid to draw the curtains, but when it got dark they made sure that the drapes were always fully closed. They didn’t want to risk anyone seeing lights on in the tower.
Louis stood up from the table, where he had been fiddling with a circuit board.
‘He hardly ever leaves the palace.’ Edgar frowned. ‘And why is he carrying a hammer?’
Caprice and the children climbed the spiral staircase while holding onto the rope banister.
‘This place is incredible,’ Sep said.
‘These stairs were built for midgets,’ Sloane grumbled after almost tripping on the tiny treads.
Edgar and Louis watched as Vincent Langley approached the building and disappeared around the other side.
‘Come on, let’s go and see what he’s up to.’ Edgar turned and raced towards the door. He wrenched it open and charged through to the landing, just as Caprice’s head appeared at the top of the staircase.
Alice-Miranda at the Palace 11 Page 16
