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

a massive problem,” she declared, waving a finger in her sister’s face in a doom-laden way.
    Becky shrank back – not actually because she was worried by Bel, she was too used to her being overdramatic for that, but because she could tell that Orlando was objecting to fingers being waved in front of his jaws, and was preparing to have a piece out of her sister. “What?” she enquired curiously.
    â€œWhat are you going to buy David for Christmas?” Annabel folded her arms and looked down at Becky smugly.
    â€œOh. I hadn’t thought. I don’t know, really.” A worried expression appeared on Becky’s face. What on earth was she going to get him?
    â€œYou see? We need to make a list of everyone we want to get presents for, and start thinking before tomorrow.” Annabel smiled sweetly. “You two need to start thinking what to give me ,as well. I could show you some stuff in magazines if you like.” She started over to the teetering pile of magazines by her bed, but Katie grabbed her and bundled her over to the big table.
    â€œ No, thank you. We want you concentrating for now. You can drop hints later, when we’ve got everyone else sorted.” Katie was in organizing mode now, and she grabbed paper and pens for list-making. “Let’s start off with making a list of everybody we need to get presents for.”
    â€œWell, each other, obviously,” Becky suggested. “But you want to leave that till last, don’t you.”
    Katie grinned. “Oh, I don’t mind discussing you ,I just want Bel’s mind clear, that’s all. Got any ideas what you want?”
    Annabel gasped indignantly, and would have protested, but Katie put her hand over her mouth. “Shut up, Bel, or I’ll tickle you.” She waved her fingers threateningly close to Annabel’s neck. Annabel was so ticklish that if she was in the right mood even this could send her into hysterics. She struggled feebly, and made pleading eyes at Katie.
    Katie released her. Annabel sighed resignedly and she started making the list. “OK. Saima. Megan and Fran, yes? David —” with a teasing look at Becky.
    Becky refused to rise. “Mum, Dad, Auntie Jan, Grandma and Grandpa, Nan.”
    Katie came round to look over Annabel’s shoulder. “What on earth are we going to get Mum?”
    â€œHaven’t a clue. But we should probably get Auntie Janet something wedding-y, do you think?” Becky suggested. “You can get lots of books on how to organize weddings, I’ve seen them.” Auntie Janet was getting married to her fiancé, Mark, in the spring, and she was full of wedding plans already.
    Katie pointed at their grandparents’ names. “Mum’ll probably have good ideas about what to get. But her present’s really difficult.”
    â€œMmm. It would be nice to get her a surprise that she actually did really like.” Becky frowned. “She’s not easy to get presents for.”
    Annabel nibbled her pen. A tiny scrap of an idea was gathering. She nibbled harder. They were going shopping with Auntie Jan… Auntie Jan who was very, very similar-looking to Mum – different hair, but their figures and faces were almost as identical as the triplets’ were. Mum was always complaining that she had nothing nice to wear, but she didn’t really enjoy clothes shopping all that much (which Annabel found very hard to understand). Mum said she always ended up trying on things that looked lovely on the hanger but horrible on her. So… The idea was slipping round the edges of her brain…
    â€œI’ve got it! We get rid of Mum somehow” – Annabel was still sketchy on the details – “and then we borrow Auntie Jan!”
    Katie and Becky looked at her sceptically.
    â€œWhat?” said Katie witheringly.
    Annabel sighed. They were so slow sometimes. “We go to a clothes shop,” she