Annabel's Starring Role by Holly Webb Read Free Book Online

long as it was something she’d like! “Cool. Do you think I could ask David if he wants to help too?”
    Annabel rolled her eyes. “Course you can, silly. More the better, I should think. You can go and paint together – awww!”
    Becky just grinned good-naturedly. She was getting used to Annabel’s teasing, and she knew it was partly because her sister was a weeny bit jealous.
    â€œReally, Annabel,” Mrs Ryan was trying hard to sound cross in the face of Annabel’s enthusiasm. “You should have asked everybody before you did all this. I know you’re excited about the play, but you can’t just assume that everybody else will be too.”
    Annabel looked innocent. “But you are, aren’t you?” she asked, gazing hopefully round at her mother and sisters. “And you will do it?”
    â€œYes,” chorused her family, in long-suffering tones.
    Annabel beamed. Perhaps this was not the moment to admit that she’d volunteered Fran and Megan as well…

Chapter Five
    â€œGreat news,” said Mrs Ryan at breakfast the next morning. “I spoke to your Auntie Janet last night after you’d gone to bed and told her all about the ballgown and the play. She’s agreed to help me put it together, Bel, and suggested we bring the pattern and everything with us when we all go up to London.”
    Annabel promptly spilt milk down her sweatshirt. “Auntie Jan’s going to help? Oh, Mum, that’s fantastic.”
    â€œHey, watch it!” The milk was still dripping, and Katie was trying to keep her sleeves out of the way. “Bel! Wake up and look what you’re doing, will you?”
    Becky dived for a cloth to wipe up Annabel, and Mrs Ryan just stared resignedly at the state of the breakfast table. Annabel ignored the carnage around her entirely, and concentrated on the important issues. “Auntie Jan’s so good with clothes and stuff – my dress’ll be perfect!”
    Her mother made a face. “Well, thank you too, Annabel. I’m not that bad!”
    Annabel wasn’t listening. She’d been excited enough about the trip before, but the thought of having super-fashionable Auntie Jan make her dress had pushed her into bliss. “I can’t believe we’re going to London tomorrow !Actually” – she was suddenly serious – “I need to plan what clothes to take.” And she was dead silent from then on, gazing into space as she worked out her wardrobe. She only woke up halfway to school, when she’d covered every possible combination, and then she started dancing along the pavement.
    Katie looked at her irritably. “Bel, will you please try to get your head in gear for school? Remember what happened on Monday? I know it’s turned out OK in the end, but I’m not going through that again. Just calm down.”
    Annabel gave her sister a shocked look. This was truly grumpy behaviour from Katie, and it was difficult for Annabel to process someone being grumpy when she felt so bouncy herself.
    â€œWhat’s the matter?” she asked curiously, walking backwards to stare into her sister’s face. “Why are you all cross? Aren’t you excited about tomorrow?”
    â€œI’m not cross,” Katie muttered crossly.
    â€œYou are.”
    â€œI’m not.”
    â€œYes, you are.”
    â€œIf I say I’m not cross, I’m not cross, OK?” Katie snapped.
    â€œ Fine ,then. I was only trying to be nice.” Annabel stomped off ahead.
    Becky decided it was definitely time to intervene. “Don’t you want to go to London, Katie? It’s going to be fun.”
    â€œHuh.”
    â€œIt will! What’s the matter?”
    Katie huffed crossly. “It was bad enough when it was a whole weekend of shopping, but now we’ve got to sit around while Mum and Auntie Jan make dresses for Annabel. I’d rather stay at home.”
    Becky