Alice-Miranda at Camp 10 by Jacqueline Harvey Read Free Book Online Page A

that’s all.’
    â€˜For now maybe,’ Sloane said.
    Jacinta nodded. ‘Until we’re old enough to get married.’
    Caprice looked over her shoulder at the pair. ‘Is he cute?’
    â€˜He’s gorgeous,’ Jacinta replied.
    Sloane whispered, ‘ And his father’s a movie star.’
    â€˜Oh really?’ Caprice sounded dubious. ‘Who is he?’
    â€˜Lawrence Ridley,’ Sloane said casually.
    â€˜I’ve met him,’ Caprice replied. ‘He came to one of Mummy’s parties.’
    Millie was listening from the other side of the aisle. As if, she thought to herself, but kept quiet.
    â€˜Does Lucas look like his father?’ Caprice asked.
    â€˜Yes,’ Jacinta replied.
    â€˜Maybe I’ll save him a seat.’ Caprice grinned like a fox and turned back to the front.
    Jacinta’s forehead wrinkled. ‘Did you hear that?’ she whispered to Sloane. ‘You have to move. Go and sit next to her.’
    Sloane shook her head. ‘Why?’
    â€˜Are you kidding? Haven’t you noticed how pretty she is? No, not pretty. She’s perfect.’
    Caprice looked back around. ‘Do you think I can’t hear you? And don’t worry, Jacinta, I have no interest in stealing your little boyfriend. I’m sure that Lucas has a mind of his own.’ She smiled her megawatt smile.
    Jacinta didn’t know whether to be relieved or not.
    Soon the little diesel bus clattered into the driveway at the Fayle School. About twenty boys were standing on the path, laden with backpacks and sleeping bags. Mr Lipp was wearing a beige safari suit and marching about barking orders at the boys.
    â€˜Who’s that?’ Caprice snorted. ‘And seriously, what is he wearing?’
    â€˜That’s Mr Lipp,’ Alice-Miranda said. ‘He’s a fashionista.’
    â€˜That’s one word for him,’ Sloane said. ‘Let’s just say that he doesn’t like to blend in.’
    The boys loaded their bags into the small boot at the back of the bus then clambered on board with their day packs.
    â€˜Back seat’s mine,’ George ‘Figgy’ Figworth yelled as he charged down the aisle.
    â€˜Hello George,’ Alice-Miranda called as he sped past.
    George grinned. ‘Morning, pipsqueak. Didn’t realise we were sharing the bus with you girls.’
    Rufus Pemberley followed his friend and the two lads stretched out across the back seat.
    â€˜What a lovely surprise, little sister.’ Sep Sykes’s voice dripped with sarcasm as he and Lucas walked past the girls and slid into the seats behind them.
    â€˜Don’t blame me,’ said Sloane, rolling her eyes. ‘I’d rather not see you either.’
    The twenty Fayle boys quickly filled the spare seats. Miss Reedy sat behind Mr Plumpton and Mr Lipp was directly across the aisle.
    â€˜Well, this is an unexpected pleasure,’ Harold Lipp told Miss Reedy.
    From his spot in the driver’s seat, Mr Plumpton was on high alert. Harry Lipp had no shame. But in the end it was he who had taken Livinia out in Paris and it was Josiah Plumpton who had continued to court her over the term break. Their romance was still under wraps for now. Alice-Miranda was the only one who knew and she was a most trustworthy child.
    â€˜I’m sorry, Mr Lipp, but what are you talking about?’ Miss Reedy asked stiffly.
    â€˜This. An expedition and so early in the term. We were stunned when the Professor gave the go ahead. I mean, we’d only been at school a day and the old boy’s usually so strict about outings in the first month. Queen Georgiana must have promised the Professor something fairly impressive to get him to agree.’
    â€˜Oh, I’m sure she can be very persuasive,’ Miss Reedy replied.
    â€˜Have you read all this bumf about the camp?’ Mr Lipp asked, holding up his folder.
    â€˜Yes, of course.’ Miss Reedy nodded.