by Ann Bryant
“Thees ees Greek cheese,” Antonia suddenly said to no one in particular. “Papa likes all things Italian, but he also likes to cook halloumi, because eet doesn’t melt.”
I felt happy that my question had been answered just like that and I decided to have another try to get Antonia to be friendly towards me. “It must be great to taste so many delicious foods all the time,” I said as clearly as I could.
“Yes, I like very much,” she replied, looking right at me. She didn’t smile or anything, but I was pleased that she’d looked at me properly. Then, just when I thought how well this whole lunch was going, Suki came and sat at our table and my spirits sank. I’d seen her trying to squash in with some Hazeldean girls and I don’t think she was very impressed that there wasn’t any room and she’d had to sit with the Forest Ash lot.
“What are you talking about?” she asked rather abruptly, as soon as she’d sat down.
“Antonia’s restaurant,” said Izzy.
“What? You’ve got a restaurant?” Suki asked in a loud voice, as though Antonia was stupid or deaf.
Antonia nodded. “In Milan.”
“In Milan, right. I’ve been there. What’s the restaurant called?”
“Ristorante Alessandro – my papa’s name.”
“Is your father the manager or the owner?”
It really annoyed me that Suki wanted to know the answer to that question. What difference did it make to her?
“He owns the restaurant.”
Suki smiled. “I’ll tell my parents. They’re often in Milan on business.”
Antonia smiled back but she didn’t make any comment.
“I love halloumi cheese,” went on Suki. “My dad goes to Greece quite often too. That’s where it comes from, you know.”
“We know,” said Emily, a bit snappily.
Suki didn’t seem to notice Emily’s tone, because she went on, “I had a real craze on anything to do with Greece at one stage. My dad taught me quite a few Greek words.”
“Oh, I had to learn the Greek alphabet for school. Alpha, beta, gamma, delta…” spouted Bryony. “That’s the first four letters. I can’t remember what comes next. Do you know, Suki?”
Suki laughed. “How should I know? People who can recite things like the Greek alphabet and the kings of England and the periodic table of elements are really sad, in my opinion. They ought to get a life!”
I felt my shoulders rising with tension and my face getting hot. I was one of those people who Suki thought was sad, because I could recite the Greek alphabet and the kings of England. I just love learning things like that and memorizing them. I know quite a bit of the periodic table too, but not the whole lot. It’s really difficult. Thank goodness I hadn’t jumped in with epsilon, zeta, eta, theta when Bryony had asked what came after the first four Greek letters.
As soon as I’d wolfed down my pudding I got up to go, because Suki’s presence just made me feel uncomfortable, and I went to the break-out room on my own before prep.
The silence in prep is one of my favourite moments of the day. There’s hardly ever any silence when you’re at a boarding school, apart from in some lessons. You’re just surrounded by a buzz the whole time. I don’t mind that, because it makes you feel as though you’re a real part of something big and exciting. But it’s lovely for just five short times a week to be able to bury yourself in silent work for a while. The only trouble is, I always get through my prep really quickly and even when I’ve checked and checked it, there’s often time left over and I get a bit bored. But I don’t want to bring a book in, or people might think I’m showing off.
This evening the prep was quite tricky because it was chemistry, and funnily enough, after we’d only just been talking about it, there was a big question about the periodic table. When I finished my own work I happened to glance across at Antonia’s. I could see that she’d been given nearly the same prep as mine even though we’re in different sets. I noticed she hadn’t filled in the grid of the periodic elements at all, and I don’t know whether she sensed me looking, but she suddenly turned to me and pointed to her empty grid, then gave a huge shrug, rolling her eyes as if to say, This is impossible! Don’t you agree?
Before I even knew it, I’d given her the same look, followed by a big smile to show just how much I agreed. I don’t know why I did that when I’d actually filled my whole grid in without any problem. I think it was just that I hadn’t been expecting Antonia to be smiling at me, and I wanted to make the most of this little moment between us, trying to pretend we had something in common. I shut my book as subtly as I could to make sure Antonia didn’t see that I’d actually filled in the whole grid, but she nodded at my closed book and mouthed, “Can you do it?” – her expression changing to an anxious one.
I had to think quickly. Should I show her my work and let her copy it? Or would she wonder then why I’d given her that look as though she and I were in the same boat, when we clearly weren’t? Suddenly I could hear Suki’s voice loud and clear as though she was sitting right here in the room with us. People who can recite things like the Greek alphabet and the kings of England and the periodic table of elements are really sad, in my opinion. They ought to get a life!
I quickly made a decision and mouthed back, “Sorry,” to Antonia. Then I gave another friendly smile and a shrug, and got such a warm smile back that I thought at last there was a tiny chance that Antonia and I might become friends. I hoped so, because Sasha and Izzy always seemed to sit next to each other in class and at lunch, and so did Bryony and Emily. It would make sense for Antonia and me to kind of pair up, because I still didn’t have a best friend. But in my heart I never really thought that could happen.
When prep finished, the six of us went along to the common room together, discussing the work on the way.
“That question about the periodic table was impossible!” said Emily. “I didn’t get what the stupid thing was on about.”
“I know,” agreed Bryony. “And when are we ever going to need to know about it? I’m not going to be a chemist when I’m older.” She stopped and looked at us all. “Anyone round here planning on being a chemist?” Then, before we could answer, “No? Well, there you go!”
“Nicole might,” said Izzy. She sighed. “You’re so clever, Nicole. I bet you understood that question easily, didn’t you?”
“No she deed not understand,” said Antonia, with a smile.
I could feel the others looking at me. “No, I didn’t… Not really… I mean, I’ve written something or other, but I’m sure it’s all complete rubbish.”
Still, I felt their eyes on me, and for the second time since I’d been at Silver Spires, I told myself off.
Chapter Four
I woke up on Saturday morning with mixed feelings. There are always lessons till lunchtime on Saturdays, which I don’t mind as the teachers are a bit more relaxed. And today it was the shopping trip after lunch. A part of me felt nervous, because the party was only one week away now and I knew I was about to spend more money than I ought to. But then I told myself to stop worrying. There were sure to be plenty of clothes left in the late summer sale. There were always sales around. I just needed to search for a bargain.
The morning seemed to take ages to get through, even though I enjoyed all the lessons. We were given our chemistry prep back and I got a hundred per cent, which gave me a lovely feeling in one way and made me desperate to tell Mum, because I knew she’d be really proud of me. But the other half of me felt guilty and anxious, especially as the chemistry teacher made a big thing out of it, announcing it to the whole class, which was really embarrassing. Thank goodness none of the girls in my dorm were in this set for science, and when I had that thought I despised myself for not having told Antonia or the others the truth. But then, if I had told them, I couldn’t bear the idea that they’d think I’m “sad”.
By lunchtime I’d forgotten all about science, as everyone was talking about getting changed for the shopping trip. Sasha, Izzy,
Antonia and I all decided to wear jeans, so that was easy. Izzy looked great in her jeans, because she’s got lovely slim muscly legs. But when we got changed for shopping and I saw Antonia’s jeans, I realized for the first time that there’s a big difference between cheap jeans and expensive ones.
“Wow, Antonia!” said Sasha. “I’ve always wanted a pair of Dolce & Gabbana’s.”
“I am very lucky, I theenk,” said Antonia, not sounding at all show-offy. “Mamma has a friend who works weeth Signor Gabbana. He sometimes gives us jeans.”
Izzy, Sasha and I just stared. We were all too stunned to speak.
“Eet ees nearly ’alf past,” said Antonia, looking at her watch. “We must go, I theenk.”
So we did, in a last-minute flurry of stuffing things into our bags. I hadn’t been sure at first if I dared to take my one and only bag with me, because it was a bit grubby. Mum had bought me so many school things, I hadn’t dared ask for a new one. My gran had actually knitted it for me in green and blue bobbly wool, and lots of people back home had admired it and my mum called it fabulously retro. But taking it on a Silver Spires shopping trip was altogether different. I knew I’d be embarrassed if anyone stared at it.
As we walked towards the main building where the two school minibuses were waiting for us, I saw Antonia eyeing my bag. She looked as though she was about to say something about it to me, but then changed her mind. Her own bag was in soft pink leather with a heavy silver chain strap and a silver heart on the front. It would be no wonder if she thought my little knitted thing was a bit weird.
Izzy and Sasha were first onto the minibus and they quickly made a dive for the seats at the back, so Antonia and I joined them and I felt glad we were all together. It meant that I didn’t have to try and make conversation with Antonia on my own during the journey. I knew I’d never be able to talk about the kinds of things she’d be interested in. It was obvious from all I’d heard about her parents, their restaurant, the people they knew and Antonia’s incredible clothes, that her life was as different from my own as it was possible to be.
We got to the town centre after about fifteen minutes and all piled out of the minibuses. Then Miss Fosbrook from Hazeldean, who’d been in the other minibus, gathered us round and told us to listen carefully because she had something important to say. First we had to put her phone number into our phone memories. “Now,” she said, “I need to see that you can behave responsibly and sensibly.” Then she explained about when and where we’d meet up later, and how we had to make sure we always stayed with at least one other person. “Phone me if you have any problems,” she finished with a smile, and added, “And try not to spend too much money. Remember, it’s only the first weekend of term!”
I swallowed, knowing that I was just about to do exactly what she’d warned us not to do.
Antonia and I both stayed close to Sasha and Izzy, and the four of us headed straight for Topshop. I suddenly felt very grown-up and independent. It was the first time that it had hit me that Mum and Dad had no idea what I was doing from one day to the next during term time.
Sasha and Izzy raced round Topshop, commenting on everything they liked and didn’t like. I went much more slowly, crossing my fingers and hoping that any second I might suddenly come across the perfect outfit for the party, reduced to less than half price. Antonia stayed close by me for the first few minutes, watching what I did carefully. Every time I picked something up and looked at the price tag before putting it down, she waited a moment, then looked at the price tag too. It was quite a relief when she wandered off, but then, when I looked round after I’d been totally absorbed in a rail of tops, I saw that she was standing right by the door, next to a man who looked as though he was completely bored and was just waiting for someone.
It suddenly dawned on me at that moment that as Miss Fosbrook had said we must stay with at least one other person, Antonia and I were kind of partners for each other, although neither of us had actually said that. Sasha and Izzy were definitely in a pair, rushing round together, so that only left me for Antonia, as everyone else seemed to be paired off too.
Oh dear, this was never going to work. It was obvious Antonia wasn’t interested in buying clothes from a shop like this if she was used to getting really expensive labels like Dolce & Gabbana for free. And what if we did find the kind of shop she liked? Then I suppose we’d be the opposite way round. I’d be the one waiting by the door – except that I wouldn’t. I’d at least pretend to be interested. I suddenly panicked at the thought of that, and wanted Sasha and Izzy to stay with us two. I looked round for them and felt big relief as I spotted them coming down the escalator.
“Have you finished in here, Nicole?” asked Sasha. “Because we have.”
“Where’s Antonia?” asked Izzy.
“She’s over there.”
Izzy and Sasha followed my gaze. “Look! She’s talking to that man!” spluttered Izzy. “She shouldn’t be talking to strangers, should she?”
Izzy was right, and I followed her and Sasha to the door, sighing inside because I had to leave Topshop now, even though I hadn’t anywhere near finished my search. Otherwise, the other two might go off and leave Antonia and me stuck trailing around together, which would be terrible.
“Antonia, you shouldn’t talk to strangers, you know,” Izzy said to her the moment we were out of the shop.
“He was nice. And also friendly,” Antonia replied.
“Yes, but you never know…” said Izzy.
“He was like my uncle Stefano.”
“All the same…” said Sasha.
“Yes, you are right.” Antonia sighed.
“Oh look, Primark!” said Izzy, and my heart leaped at the thought of my favourite shop. There was a strong chance I might be able to afford something from Primark.
So we all rushed towards it. Well, we three rushed and Antonia wandered behind, looking in every single window that we passed. In the end I stopped to wait for her so we wouldn’t lose each other.
“After, I would like to go in the bookshop,” she said, when she caught me up.
“Yes, I’d like to go in there too,” I said. “We can do it straight after this, yes?”
She nodded and I felt suddenly sorry for her. This whole English world must seem so different to her Italian world and I wondered how I’d be feeling if I’d come to a boarding school in a foreign country and everything was strange. In a way, it was no wonder she’d decided to talk to someone who reminded her of her uncle. I was determined that the moment I’d found something for the party I’d concentrate all my attention on doing the things that Antonia wanted to do.
At first I didn’t see anything in Primark that would be suitable, but then when we went upstairs everything looked a bit more glitzy and glam.
I ran my hand along rail after rail and finally stopped when I came to a pink and silver tunic that flared out a bit at the bottom. I remembered Sasha’s outfit laid out on her bed, and thought that if I bought a pair of leggings to go with this tunic, it would be perfect for the party.
“That’s nice,” said Sasha, as I held it up against me. Then she was off looking at shoes at the other end of the shop. Antonia was examining the belts, I noticed. I saw her holding two of them up to compare the lengths and then she frowned at the labels on each for ages.
I looked round the whole shop for some suitable leggings, but none of them seemed fancy enough. They were all plain, apart from the ones that were thin and more like ordinary tights than leggings. I knew I couldn’t afford to go to another shop that was more expensive than this where they might have cooler leggings. And anyway, what if I bought the tunic here and then couldn’t find any leggings at all? I sighed a deep sigh as I put the tunic back on the rail. Then I glanced at my watch. There was still plenty of time, though. I mustn’t despair yet.
The next shop we went into was much more expensive but it was full of lovely, lovely clothes. Sasha had already bought some totally fashionable shoes and Izzy had bought a
bag, and I thought how lucky they were that they didn’t seem to have to worry about how much money they spent. Antonia hadn’t bought anything, which was no wonder because I guessed she didn’t really like anything she’d seen so far. But at least she’d looked as though she was interested in the clothes, studying all the tickets and labels. Maybe she was storing up information so she could tell her mum about English fashion.
For a while she stuck quite close to me as I went from dresses to trousers to tops to skirts, just like she’d done in Topshop. I so loved everything in this amazing shop, and there were masses of things that would be perfect for the party. I knew in my heart though that there was really no way I could afford anything and that I ought to stop looking. In the end, Sasha persuaded me to try on a beautiful dress in shiny dark green material with a strappy top. I’d never worn such a thing in my life and I was excited just at the thought of trying it on. But then I saw the price. I knew it wasn’t massively expensive for most people, but for me it was far more than I could afford, and I felt my heart beating faster simply because I hadn’t immediately put it back on the rail.
“Just take it to the changing room and try it on,” said Sasha. “It doesn’t mean you have to buy it.”
“And show us what you look like, yeah?” said Izzy.
Antonia was eyeing the dress with a completely straight face. She can’t have thought much of it or surely she would have made some sort of comment. I took it into one of the cubicles and pulled it over my head, then smoothed it down and stared at myself in the mirror. I absolutely loved it and it fitted me perfectly. I turned round and admired the back in the mirror and felt bubbles of excitement whooshing up inside me. What if I did buy it? It would be all right, wouldn’t it? As long as I didn’t spend another penny for ages and ages, then it would be fine, surely. The only trouble was that I’d need new shoes, unless my old ones would do. Oh dear. But I quickly got rid of that worry and concentrated on the dress.
