by Betsy Haynes
When they reached the Tower of London, they stopped for sandwiches at a kiosk before going through the entrance gate.
As they paid their way into the Tower, Jana looked at the stone walls that stretched in two directions. "I was expecting to see a tower," she said. "This is more like a fort."
"It started out as a single tower," replied Christie. "The other towers and walls were added later."
Christie led the tour, showing her friends the Bloody Tower, where two young princes were imprisoned and murdered; the Traitor's Gate, where prisoners were brought in by boat; and the White Tower, with its torture chamber and chapel. Inside the Jewel House, The Fabulous Five oohed and aahed over all the huge diamonds, gold crowns, jeweled necklaces, and beautiful scepters in the royal collection.
When they had finished their tour, the girls piled onto another bus and went to England's Central Criminal Court, known as Old Bailey.
"I can't believe I'm standing in front of the most famous criminal court in the world," said Katie, looking up at the gray stone building with awe. "Inside those walls some of the greatest trials in history were conducted, like Jack the Ripper's. Hundreds of spies and murderers and even some famous sea captains were put on trial here. This is awesome."
"Maybe you'd like to take her place," suggested Nicki, pointing up at a statue of Blind Justice that stood high atop the building.
"No thanks," retorted Katie. "But I would like to go inside and see if there are any lawyers or judges wearing white wigs and robes."
"Why don't you go on in," suggested Eleanore, sitting down on the steps. "I'll wait out here. My feet are sore."
"I'll wait here, too," said Phoebe, sitting down beside her. Nicki plopped down next to her without saying anything.
"We'll be right back," Christie reassured them. She knew the three of them weren't having much fun. They had been to all these places before. Still Christie had hoped they would join in explaining things to The Fab Five. Instead they were just following along, barely saying a word.
Inside Old Bailey Katie gazed up at the high ceilings. "Do you know that Old Bailey is built on the site of the notorious Newgate jail?"
"What's that?" asked Jana.
"A prison for debtors," Katie explained. "They were thrown into dark, dank cells for not paying what they owed. Others were imprisoned for stealing something as small as a loaf of bread. Lots of people died in Newgate."
"What happened to it?" asked Beth.
"It was destroyed in 1902," answered Katie.
"Boy, are you lucky we didn't have a Newgate jail at home when you ran up all those credit-card bills, Beth," teased Melanie. "You'd have been in jail for life." The others laughed.
For the first time since they'd left home that morning, Christie felt relaxed. The Fab Five seemed to be more relaxed, too, now that Phoebe, Nicki, and Eleanore weren't around. She wished her two sets of friends would try to get to know one another. She was getting pretty stressed out over trying to keep both groups happy.
"Look, Katie, there's a female barrister, or whatever it is they call lawyers over here."
"Barrister's correct," Katie answered as the woman in flowing black robes and white wig that barely covered her real hair passed. "I think wearing those robes and wigs is so cool—it's such an old tradition."
Phoebe got up when she saw the five of them coming out of the building. "Seen enough for one day?" she asked.
"I have," said Jana. "I'm exhausted. You guys must be, too."
"I'm going to take a bus directly home," said Eleanore, dusting off the seat of her jeans.
"We'll see you tonight at Montague's, won't we?" asked Christie. The London girls assured her they would.
"Thanks for coming with us," called Katie as they headed off on their separate ways. "It was fun."
Christie winced as she heard Nicki say sarcastically, "Yeah, it was a ball."
CHAPTER 7
"I'm starting to feel at home in England," said Katie. "It's really easy to get around here, and there are so many things to do. I just might stay."
The Fabulous Five were sitting in Montague's on Tuesday evening. With them were Connie, Charlie, Davey, and the three girls from London.
"It sounds as if you birds had a right full day," remarked Charlie. He winked teasingly at Katie. "What with seeing Buckingham Palace, and all those other places."
"I'm surprised you could get McAfee to go along," said Davey, bumping Nicki playfully with his shoulder. "She's a bit of a couch potato, you know. Her idea of action is poppin' chocolate Olivers in her mouth while she's watching the telly."
"Chocolate Olivers?" asked Beth. "What's that?"
"A biscuit. I guess you'd call it a cookie," explained Nicki. She shot Davey a fiery look. "And I wouldn't talk, Mr. Wonderful. You're not exactly fit enough to compete in the Olympics."
"Hey," Melanie jumped in eagerly. "Did Christie ever tell you that there's a guy in our school who has won all kinds of Junior Olympic swim medals?"
Christie glanced at Connie, who was listening intently to Melanie. He knew Chase Collins was a swimmer and that Christie and Chase had dated. It was obvious that he had guessed it was Chase Melanie was talking about.
Jana quickly filled the silence that followed Melanie's remark.
"We had so much fun today. The parade at the changing of the guard was exciting. Is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade ever shown on TV here? Now that's a parade. It goes on for hours, and there are tons of marching bands and entertainers."
"And they've got these gigantic balloons made to look like Superman, Spiderman, Bullwinkle, Popeye, all kinds of cartoon characters," added Beth.
None of the British kids had seen it. Another awkward silence settled over the table.
"Care to dance?" Davey suddenly asked Melanie. "Someone just put on a Brain Damage song."
"Great!" Melanie jumped up.
Oh, no, Christie thought. Nicki watched the two of them walking to the dance floor and didn't look very happy. Christie wished that Melanie hadn't seemed so eager to dance when Davey asked her. Christie hadn't had a chance to talk to Melanie and Beth and tell them to be careful about how they responded to Davey and Charlie. She vowed she'd do it soon.
"We got our tickets for Brain Damage for Friday," said Phoebe, indicating herself, Nicki, and Eleanore. "My mum got them today."
"We haven't gotten ours yet," Connie replied, "but I'll have Neal call and reserve tickets for the three of us."
"I should have had our butler get our tickets," said Nicki.
"You've got a butler?" Jana asked her.
"Yeah," answered Nicki. "He doubles as me dad." The group laughed.
"How about you?" Charlie asked Beth. "Care to dance?"
"Absolutely, luv," said Beth, imitating an English accent.
"I guess our coves would rather dance with American birds," Nicki said to Eleanore.
"You've got nothing to worry about," Christie reassured her.
But as the evening progressed, and Beth and Melanie continued to dance with the boys, Christie knew Nicki and Eleanore weren't at all convinced.
"The guys asked us to dance, and we danced with them," said Melanie defensively. "That's all."
It was Beth's and Jana's turn to sleep in Christie's bed. They were propped up against the pillows with a large bowl of popcorn in between them. Christie, Katie, and Melanie were sitting in their sleeping bags, each with a smaller bowl of popcorn in her lap.
"Nicki and Eleanore ought to know we're not a threat," added Beth. "It's not as if we've been sneaking off with their guys. And besides, we'll only be here for a few more days."
"I know," replied Christie. "I've explained that. But think about how you'd feel if the situation were reversed. Melanie, if Shane asked Nicki to dance more than he asked you, you wouldn't like it."
"Probably not," agreed Melanie, "but if girls from another country were visiting for a few days and never coming back, I could put up with it. I'd want them to have fun."
&nb
sp; "Oh!" said Katie, grinning. "So you're willing to lend your boyfriend to someone for the sake of international relations."
"I think Nicki, Phoebe, and Eleanore are also feeling a little left out," Christie replied before Melanie had time to retort. "I forgot to call them yesterday to invite them to come out with us. And it must be hard to hang out with a group of girls who have known each other for as long as we have."
Jana nodded. "You're right. We should definitely be more sensitive to how they feel."
"Okay," said Katie. "We'll be more sensitive. But I think that Nicki and the others should be more sensitive to us, too. We haven't been together for a long time. Besides that, when we leave we'll probably never be back. We want to have fun." Katie's voice dropped. "Once spring break is over, it will be a long time before we see you again, Christie."
"I've got to tell you," Beth chimed in, "I'm not used to Nicki's humor yet. When will I finally think she's funny?"
Christie gave her a wry smile. "She grows on you. It took me a while to like her, too, but she'd do anything for a friend."
"I guess I'll believe it when I see it," responded Beth. "Connie, on the other hand, is such a nice guy. You must really like him."
Christie sucked in her lower lip and thought for a moment. "I do, but I still like Chase, too. Sometimes it's pretty confusing."
"Either way, you win," Jana told her. "They're both great guys."
"So what's the story with Chase, anyway?" asked Christie. "Is he dating anyone steadily?"
"No," said Katie. "He's dated Tammy Lucero a couple of times. And Heather Clark and Lisa Snow, but there's no one steady."
"Don't worry. We'll keep a close eye on him," Melanie reassured her.
That night Christie lay awake as the other members of The Fabulous Five gradually dropped off to sleep. Katie's comment about not seeing Christie for a long time had hit her in the pit of her stomach. After the girls left, she would be on her own again, without the rest of The Fab Five. And right now, with Phoebe and the others feeling a bit angry at her, that made Christie feel terribly alone.
If only I could find a way to make my two sets of friends like each other, she thought. That wouldn't solve all my problems, but it would help an awful lot. I know if they'd just get to know each other, we could all be good friends.
CHAPTER 8
On Wednesday Christie called Phoebe, Nicki, and Eleanore to see if they wanted to go to Madame Tussaud's wax museum with The Fabulous Five. Phoebe said she had something else to do; Eleanore said her feet still hurt; and Nicki said she had better things to do, like her laundry. It sounded to Christie as if they all had had enough sightseeing. She was glad that her American friends hadn't heard Nicki's comment.
The Fab Five spent all morning at the museum, touring room after room of wax figures of famous people—world leaders, British kings and queens, American presidents, and rock stars like Elton John and Elvis Presley. Some of the wax exhibits were chillingly realistic—including prisoners chained to medieval torture racks in rat-infested dungeons.
On Thursday it rained and they spent the day writing postcards to friends and family at home, and listening to Christie's CDs. In the afternoon they had tea and hot apple pie at Mrs. Mansfield's and played with Jenny Fitzhugh. That evening they went to the Palladium theater and saw a musical. Beth was so thrilled with the play, she couldn't stop singing the songs from the show.
On Friday they all piled into the Winchells' car and drove to the Farrell estate in Hoddesdon.
"Good morning, Miss Winchell," said the Farrells' butler, Neal, when he opened the door. "Good morning, ladies." He bowed slightly to Katie, Jana, Melanie, and Beth. "Master Conrad and the others are gathered in the drawing room." He turned to lead the way.
Jana, Beth, Melanie, and Katie looked slightly stunned as they followed.
"Wow! Look at that," whispered Beth, pointing at the crystal chandelier glittering from the ceiling.
"Yeah, and look at all the portraits over the staircase," Beth whispered back. "The frames alone must be worth a fortune. Who are all those people, Christie?"
"Connie's ancestors," she replied.
Neal led them into a large room where Connie and the others were seated on sofas and armchairs. The paneled walls were painted a deep red, with pale cream trim. The ceiling was the same shade of cream with ornate woodwork accented in gold.
"Here they are," said Connie, getting up.
"What a fantastic house," said Beth, twirling around to take in the whole room. "I can't imagine what it would be like to live in a gorgeous place like this."
Connie shrugged. "I'm sure yours is as nice in its own way."
"Riight," said Jana with a wry smile.
Connie led the way out back. The riders walked through a formal flower garden bordered by green hedges that had been shaped into neat rectangles. Gravel paths cut through the gardens, and marble statues stood here and there.
"It's beautiful," said Beth, and the others readily agreed.
When they reached the stables, two saddle boys were adjusting the stirrups of a group of horses gathered in the yard.
Jana eyed the two-story brick stable admiringly. "Even the horses have it pretty good here. Would you mind if I moved in with them, Connie?"
He laughed. "I don't think you'd like what they eat. Have you girls ridden before?"
"Randy and I have gone a couple of times," replied Jana. Katie and Beth had also, but Melanie told him it was her first time.
"That must be Rigel," said Beth, pointing to a small, powerfully built black Arabian. Its tail and mane were long and creamy white.
"It sure is," replied Christie, taking the horse's head in her hands and laying her cheek against its face. "Isn't he the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?"
"He sure is," agreed Beth quickly. "And I like that horse, with the black spots, too. Can I ride it?"
"I'll help you mount," Charlie said, taking the horse's reins.
"But . . ." Eleanore started to say something, then closed her mouth.
"Here. Put your foot in the stirrup," Charlie instructed Beth. He put his hands on her waist and helped her up.
"Come here, Snowfall," he ordered a stocky white horse. Gathering its reins, he mounted, too.
"No one had better touch Sunshine," warned Nicki, stepping between Melanie and a bay-color horse. "She's mine."
Davey mounted a tall, gangly horse.
"Thanks a lot for the assist, Davey boy," said Nicki, pulling herself up on Sunshine.
"The dappled horse is gentle," said Connie. "Why don't you take her, Jana? And Melanie, you take Cleopatra."
Melanie eyed the horse nervously. "She's got such a big head. And look at her nostrils. They're huge, too."
The London girls laughed.
"That's the way they come equipped," replied Eleanore. "You can't get a horse any other way."
"Here. Let me help you," offered Connie, holding the stirrup for Melanie. "Wrong foot," he told her when she tried to put her right foot in the left stirrup.
"Ooops. Sorry," said Melanie. Eleanore giggled, and Phoebe put her hand over her mouth to hide a smile.
"Let her do it her way," said Nicki. "Maybe she prefers to see where she's been instead of where she's going."
Melanie frowned at her and changed feet.
"When you want Cleopatra to go, just dig your heels into her flanks," instructed Connie. "To turn, pull the rein in the direction you want to go, and when you want to stop, pull back on both reins. Got it?"
"I think so," answered Melanie, looking as if she wasn't at all sure.
"I'll stay with you, Melanie," volunteered Davey.
Connie looked around to see who still needed a horse.
"Katie can ride Sapphire," suggested Phoebe. "I'll ride Blackie this time."
"Eleanore, that leaves you," said Connie. "You take Buttercup." He handed her the reins of a beautiful gold-color horse.
"But he's your horse," protested Eleanore.
"No p
roblem," responded Connie. "I want to ride Duke. He has been a bit testy lately. I need to remind him to mind his manners."
Connie mounted Duke and led the way out of the stable yard and across a lush green field spotted with grazing sheep.
"This is terrific!" Jana called to Christie as they rode along next to each other.
"Fun, isn't it?" Christie called back. It was good to see Jana's face flushed with excitement. It meant that she had, at least momentarily, forgotten about her problem with her father.
Connie led the group up a small hill, masterfully handling Duke, who balked at most of Connie's commands. As they turned onto a trail that cut through the woods, Christie noticed that Charlie was riding next to Beth and talking up a storm. Nicki and Phoebe were behind them, and Eleanore was next. She and Jana were following her.
Melanie was having trouble keeping up. Cleopatra was an easy ride, but the horse seemed to love wildflowers and was making frequent stops to sniff at them. Davey was holding back to keep Melanie company, except for a few times, when he couldn't resist letting out a war whoop and galloping his horse past everyone to take the lead. Then he raced at full speed back to Melanie, showing off by making his horse prance around her. Each time he did this, and passed Nicki, she gave him a look of disdain.
Christie caught up with Eleanore. "Ellie, I want you to know that I talked with Beth last night. She's not after Charlie."
Eleanore flushed. "It may be the other way around," she said. "Charlie seems to be taken with Beth."
"It won't do him any good," Christie assured her. "The Fab Five are going home the day after tomorrow."
"I've still got to deal with him after that," Eleanore replied.
Christie looked ahead just then and noticed a large oak tree. The riders had to duck their heads to avoid low-hanging branches. Christie pushed one away and let it loose carefully, so it wouldn't snap back and hit Eleanore.
