by Betsy Haynes
"Thanks," she replied. "Where's Dad?"
"He went to the office for a while," said Mrs. Winchell. "He'll be home in plenty of time. Want some juice, sweetheart?"
"Sure." Christie took the glass her mother offered her and opened the breadbox and took out a pastry. "Be back in a minute," she said, heading upstairs to the library. Her real reason for going downstairs had been to see where her friends were before she called Phoebe back.
"Did you talk to Nicki and Ellie?" asked Christie when Phoebe answered the phone.
"Yes, I did," replied Phoebe, "and they're not happy, as you might suspect. Especially Nicki. But since Melanie, Beth, Katie, and Jana are leaving tomorrow evening, they're willing to forget what happened.
"You know, Christie, part of the problem is, you're paying so much attention to The Fabulous Five, we're feeling left out. It's as if we're second-rate friends."
"We're?" echoed Christie. "Do you feel that way too, Phoebe?"
There was a moment of silence before Phoebe answered. "Yes, I do. Nicki, Ellie, and I are used to being your best friends, and now The Fabulous Five have come and taken you over."
"You're my best friends, too," protested Christie. "And The Fab Five are only here for a week." She lowered her voice. "I might never see them again."
"If your father gets transferred back to the States, we might never see you again, either," said Phoebe.
Christie sighed. "All I wanted was for you guys to like each other."
"Cheer up, Christie," said Phoebe, sounding warmer. "We're willing to try being friends if they are. We'll have fun tonight. You'll see."
After they had hung up, Christie sat staring at the wall, thinking. Phoebe had said she, Ellie, and Nicki were feeling left out, like second-rate friends. The Fab Five felt they had a right to monopolize Christie because they might never see her again after this vacation. That left Christie smack in the middle. It seemed as though there wasn't anything she could say or do to make things better for one group without hurting the other group's feelings even more. Tears filled her eyes. She had had such high hopes that this would be a great vacation. But instead it had felt like one long juggling act. She tossed half of her pastry in the wastebasket. Suddenly she wasn't hungry anymore.
"Mrs. Fitzhugh wants you to mind Jenny for about an hour," said Mrs. Winchell when Christie returned to the kitchen.
"When did she call?" asked Christie, puzzled.
"I talked to her earlier this morning," said her mother. "I forgot to mention it."
Christie groaned. "Couldn't she get someone else? The Fab Five are leaving tomorrow, and I want to spend as much time as I can with them."
"It won't hurt you to do it," answered her mother. "The girls can entertain themselves for an hour."
"But, Mom . . ."
"Aw, go ahead, Christie," Beth interjected. "It's just an hour. Melanie and I want to wash our hair, anyway. You won't be missing anything."
CHAPTER 13
"Hello, Mrs. Fitzhugh," said Christie.
Jenny was peeking out from behind her mother's legs.
Christie waved at the little girl.
"Meow," replied Jenny.
"I'm afraid she's still pretending she's a kitten," said Mrs. Fitzhugh with a look of resignation. "The only way I can get her to drink her milk is out of a saucer. Come in, Christie."
Usually Mrs. Fitzhugh was dressed impeccably when she was going out. Today she had on casual-looking clothes. "I'm not going out," she explained. "I've some office work I brought home that I need to do. If you'll keep Jenny out of my hair for an hour, I would appreciate it."
"Sure," agreed Christie, reaching down and picking up Jenny. "Let's go to your room, Jen, and see what you've got to play with."
Jenny started purring and licking Christie's face.
"I don't know why Mrs. Fitzhugh wanted me to mind Jenny," Christie told her mother when she returned home. "She said she had office work to do, but I heard her moving around downstairs the whole time I was there."
"Maybe she just needed a little relief," suggested Mrs. Winchell, smiling.
"Where is everybody?" asked Christie.
"Up in your room," said her mother. "Jana and Katie just got back."
Christie took the steps two at a time. When she opened the door to the bedroom, her friends' chatter stopped abruptly.
"What's going on?" asked Christie.
"We were just talking," said Melanie.
"Do you want to see what we got Randy and Tony?" asked Jana, jumping up.
Jana and Katie pulled shopping bags out from under the bed.
"I got Randy this," Jana said, holding up a white shirt with a green silhouette of famous London buildings. Across the top it said "London" in beige letters.
"And I got Tony this," said Katie, pulling out a chain with a dragon on it. "It's like the dragons at the bridges that protect London," she explained.
"Did you get lost while you were shopping?" asked Christie. "You were gone a long time if that's all you guys bought."
"We did a little sightseeing on our own," replied Jana. "We were all over the city."
"Now we're sooo cosmopolitan," said Katie, feigning a bored expression.
"You are, are you?" Christie laughed. "You've only been in one of the largest cities in the world for a few days, and you think you know all there is to know about it."
"We're fast learners," said Jana, laughing. Christie was glad to see that Jana seemed to have put aside worrying about her father and stepmother and was having fun.
"What's left on our list of things to see that we can get in this afternoon?" asked Beth.
"Well, there's the Old Curiosity Shop that Charles Dickens wrote about," said Christie. "It's fun and easy to get to. We can be back in plenty of time to go out to eat."
"We're near Hyde Park, aren't we?" asked Katie as Mr. Winchell parked the car near the Hard Rock Cafe later that afternoon.
Christie nodded. "It's right down that street."
"We're lucky," said Mr. Winchell, when they reached the restaurant. "Usually there's a line to get in here."
Inside the girls ogled the guitars and other memorabilia from famous rock stars that hung on the walls. Along one side of the restaurant was a counter and booths. The rest of the room was filled with tables.
"This place is neat," exclaimed Beth.
"What's a pig sandwich?" asked Jana, looking at the menu.
"One of the house specialties," replied Mr. Winchell. "It's roast pork on a roll. Try it—you'll like it."
"Since it's Christie's birthday, I think we should see if we can get them to bring us a cake with candles so we can sing 'Happy Birthday' to her," said Jana.
"I'll never forgive you if you do, Jana Morgan," replied Christie.
"I propose a toast," said Katie after the waiter had brought their food. "To Christie," she began, raising her water glass. "May she live to be a very, very old maid."
"Hey!" protested Christie. "I don't mind the old part, but I do mind the maid part. I'm not going to drink to that."
"Just kidding," Katie assured her as the others laughed. "May you just live to be very, very old."
"That's better," said Christie. "Where are all my presents, anyway? I expected at least a truckload."
"Greedy, greedy," scolded Beth.
"We didn't get you any, because you don't deserve it," teased Jana.
"Actually we planned on your opening your presents when we got home," explained Christie's mother.
"I'd like to propose a toast, too," offered Mr. Winchell, raising his glass. "To The Fabulous Five, a great bunch of girls."
They clinked their glasses together.
"Happy birthday, Christie," they said in unison.
"We're so glad you girls could come," Mrs. Winchell told Christie's friends. "It's been fun having you."
"Thanks, Mrs. Winchell," said Jana.
The others nodded their appreciation.
As Christie looked at her parents and The Fabulous
Five, happiness welled up inside her. It felt wonderful to have them all together.
After dinner they stopped by the restaurant shop so Katie, Jana, Melanie, and Beth could buy themselves T-shirts.
When they arrived at Queen's Pudding Square, Christie said, "I don't want to seem rude or anything, but would it be okay if I open my presents after we get home from Montague's? Phoebe and Nicki and Ellie are probably already there."
"It will only take a minute, dear," said her mother.
"Can we see the room in the basement where you built your science project first?" asked Jana.
"I'll show it to you in the morning," said Christie.
"Show it to us now," insisted Katie. "We have to pack tomorrow. There may not be time."
Christie felt a twinge of irritation. If they were late getting to Montague's, the situation with Phoebe, Nicki, and Eleanore would only get worse.
"Come on, Christie," said Melanie.
"It'll just take a couple of minutes," added Christie's father. "I'll drop you off at Montague's to save time."
Everyone seemed to be against her, so Christie shrugged and led the way downstairs.
Opening the door to the basement room, she felt for the light switch and flicked it on.
"SURPRISE! SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" rang out a chorus of voices.
Christie was almost knocked backward by the shouting.
She was immediately surrounded by Mrs. Fitzhugh, Jenny, Mr. Fitzhugh, Mrs. Mansfield, and Mr. Dudley. Her parents and The Fabulous Five stood beaming behind her.
On the worktable where Christie had put together her project a few months ago was a large cake with candles and three cartons of ice cream. Plates, silverware, and napkins were arranged neatly in front, and a pile of gaily wrapped presents sat behind. Brightly colored strands of crepe paper crisscrossed the room.
"Happy Birthday, Christie," said Jenny, reaching out with both arms.
Christie took the child and hugged her close.
"You got tears in your eyes," said Jenny. "Why are you crying?"
"That's what you're supposed to do on your fourteenth birthday and your best friends throw a surprise party," answered Christie.
"Hey," exclaimed Mr. Winchell. "This is a time for merriment."
"Happy birthday, dear," said Mrs. Winchell. "I thought it would be nice if we had a small party for just family and neighbors before you went off to be with your friends."
"Happy birthday, dear," echoed Mrs. Mansfield, squeezing Christie's hand.
"Thank you, Mrs. Mansfield," said Christie. Everybody sang "Happy Birthday," then Katie began cutting the cake and dishing out the ice cream.
"Now I understand a lot of things," remarked Christie as she took a bite of cake.
"Like what?" asked Katie.
"Where you and Jana went this morning, and why Mrs. Fitzhugh had me mind Jenny today. You wanted me out of our flat so you could wrap presents and decorate down here," Christie said.
"Wow, Christie really is a brain," kidded Melanie.
"Open the presents. Open the presents," urged Jenny.
"Jenny and I'll deliver them," said Melanie, taking the present on top of the stack and handing it to Christie.
When the presents were all unwrapped and placed on the table so everyone could see, Mr. Winchell raised his hands for quiet.
"I've got one more announcement," he said, "and this one is very important."
The room fell silent.
"While I was at work today, I received a call from Mrs. Davies, the lady I work for in the United States. She offered me a job at our corporate headquarters, coordinating mergers of offices similar to the one I've been overseeing here in London."
Christie felt as if time had just stopped. The only thing she could see was her father's face as he talked. What was he saying?
"Of course I immediately called Val," continued Mr. Winchell, putting his arm around his wife. "We talked it over and decided we should accept the offer."
He looked around the room. "We feel sad about leaving such wonderful friends," but—he smiled at Jana, Beth, Katie, and Melanie—"we're happy about rejoining our other friends and family in the States."
Christie stared at her father in disbelief. They were going home. Going home to the town she had lived in nearly all her life. To Wakeman Junior High and all the friends she had grown up with. To The Fabulous Five.
CHAPTER 14
"YEA!" A cheer went up from The Fabulous Five when they heard Mr. Winchell's announcement. They surrounded Christie and hugged her.
"Well, we certainly will miss you," said Mrs. Mansfield.
"Oh, yes," agreed Mrs. Fitzhugh. "You've been such good neighbors. We'll all be sad to see you go, especially Jenny."
Jenny looked confused over what the adults were talking about.
"When will you be moving?" asked Mr. Fitzhugh.
"In time for Christie to start school in the States this fall."
"That means you'll be with us in the eighth grade at Wakeman, Christie!" said Beth. "Boy, won't everyone be surprised to see you back."
"Especially Chase and Laura," Katie chimed in. "But for different reasons."
"Yeah, Laura will hate it that The Fab Five will be together again," said Melanie.
Christie's head was swimming. All of a sudden she had so much to think about. What would it be like to return to Wakeman after her year in England? She would be with all the people she had thought about and missed while she was here.
But she would also be leaving behind many new friends—Mrs. Mansfield, Jenny and her parents, Phoebe, Nicki, and Eleanore, and Davey and Charlie. The hardest part, she thought with a start, might be saying good-bye to Connie.
"I propose a toast," said Mr. Fitzhugh, raising his paper cup. "To our good friends the Winchells, whom we'll always remember fondly."
"Here, here," said Mrs. Fitzhugh. Mrs. Mansfield and Mr. Dudley applauded enthusiastically.
When The Fabulous Five walked into Montague's later, Christie's jaw fell. Sitting at a table and looking very unhappy were Phoebe, Nicki, and Eleanore. Connie, Davey, and Charlie were with them. So were Rebecca Stewart and Denise Hume from the girls' class at St. Margaret's.
In the center of the table was a very sad-looking ice-cream cake that had melted down at the corners. Next to it was a stack of paper plates and plastic forks. Party balloons floated in the air above the table.
Christie felt her cheeks flame with color. "I guess we're late," she mumbled.
Phoebe nodded glumly and didn't reply.
"Been out sightseeing, have you?" Nicki asked sarcastically.
"No, we . . ." Christie's voice trailed off. How could she explain to her London friends why they were late? Judging from their faces, there was nothing she could do to make up for ruining their surprise. She wanted to turn around and pretend none of this was happening, or better yet, melt right into the floor as rapidly as the cake was melting onto the table.
"Sit down, and let's cut the cake," suggested Davey.
"Spoon it, you mean," corrected Nicki.
"Whatever," said Connie, quickly passing out the paper plates. "Why don't we all have a piece, anyway?"
"This is awfully nice of you," said Christie lamely.
"Where were you?" asked Denise.
"We went to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner and stopped by Christie's for ice cream and cake," babbled Melanie. "And guess what. Christie's father announced that the Winchells are moving back to the United States before school starts in the fall. Isn't that exciting?"
In stunned silence everyone at the table looked at Melanie and then at Christie. A furious expression clouded Nicki's face.
"You had a birthday party at Christie's and now you think we ought to be excited about her moving back to the States? I can't believe this!"
Melanie cringed.
A moment ago Christie thought things couldn't possibly get any worse. But they just had, and rapidly. "I'm sorry. We didn't mean to leave you out," she tried to explain.<
br />
Jana jumped to Christie's defense. "Mrs. Winchell is the one who thought the party should be just for family and neighbors. It's not Christie's fault."
"Are you family members or neighbors?" asked Eleanore, finally speaking up.
Jana looked taken aback.
"No, but we've known Christie a lot longer than you have," said Beth in an angry tone. "We grew up with her."
"Does that make you better friends than we are?" asked Phoebe. Then, turning to Christie, she said, "We thought we were your good friends, too. But ever since they've been here, you've practically ignored us."
"That's not true!" protested Katie. "We asked you to go sightseeing with us."
"You totally forgot about us the first day," countered Phoebe.
"And when we did go with you, all we could do was follow you around and listen to you ooh and aah over things," said Eleanore.
Christie looked back and forth, from one girl to the other, as her two groups of friends stormed at each other.
"And now Christie's moving back to the States, so you can all forget about us," said Nicki.
"Stop it!" shouted Christie, abruptly standing. "All of you, stop it!" She was so upset, she was trembling.
The table went silent as everyone looked at her in surprise.
"I've had enough," she said. "I thought this was going to be the happiest week of my life, having my best friends from the United States and England all together. But it hasn't been. It's been a mess.
"You three keep saying you're being left out," she said, looking at Phoebe, Nicki, and Eleanore. "And you four seem to think that Phoebe, Nicki, and Eleanore shouldn't mind what we do, since we might never see each other again," she said to Katie, Melanie, Beth, and Jana. "Well, what about me?" Tears were starting to well up in Christie's eyes, and everyone moved nervously. "Did you even think about how hard this has been for me?"
She turned again to look at the British girls. "You know how much I missed The Fabulous Five. You were the ones who helped me to adjust. The Fab Five have been my best friends for years, and they mean a lot to me."
Then looking at The Fabulous Five, she continued, "And you knew that Phoebe, Nicki, and Eleanore helped me to get over my loneliness when I came here. They've also been my best friends." Christie's voice softened. "And now I'm going to have to leave them, the way I left you."
