Bryony Bell Tops the Bill by Franzeska G. Ewart, Kelly Waldek Read Free Book Online Page A

Mrs Ashraf was saying, ‘I like a challenge. Adds spice to life!’
    Bryony chewed thoughtfully.
    Liked a challenge, did she?
    She raised her eyebrows at Abid. Another little gem of an idea had just begun to sparkle. She turned to Mrs Ashraf.
    â€˜Do you think we could use the hall for our homework meeting, please?’ she asked her.
    â€˜Certainly, dear,’ Mrs Ashraf said. ‘But do take cushions. That cold marble’s very bad for the back passage, as Abid will testify…’
    â€˜Mum’ Abid protested, getting up to hold the door open for her, then closing it with relief.
    â€˜Your mum’s incredible,’ Bryony said, as he sat back down. ‘Those dresses! Give her a bit of media exposure, Abid, and there’s no knowing where she could end up.’
    Abid gulped some Coke and looked doubtfully at Bryony.
    â€˜Do you think so, Bryony?’ he said. Then he brightened up a little. ‘She’d be in her element in the world of showbiz,’ he sighed. ‘Loves the limelight, does Mum. That’s why she pushes me to go on the stage, you know. Wants me to fulfill her dreams of stardom.
    â€˜Maybe if she’d her own stage career she’d lay off me.’ Then he gave himself a little shake. ‘Ain’t going to happen though, is it,’ he said sadly. ‘Now — what about this swan thing, Bryony? Had any more breathtakingly-brilliant,scintillatingly-surefire gems of ideas?’
    Bryony was just about to tell Abid the sad news of the loss of the Viper 3000s when Big Bob’s words flashed into her head. She stood up and led the way to the kitchen door and out into the wonderful silky-smooth rink that was Abid’s hall.
    â€˜Come on, Abid,’ she called. ‘Hope you’re in good voice this morning, ‘cause I need you to sing for me.’
    â€˜Sing for you?’ Abid cleared his throat nervously.
    â€˜You betcha!’ smiled Bryony. ‘Sing, watch, and be amazed — be very amazed!’.
    Then she skated out into the middle of the hall and spun so fast on its icy surface that Abid’s jaw dropped right down to his knees.

Chapter: Nine
    Monday morning dawned bright and clear, and as soon as Bryony opened her eyes she knew that this was the perfect day to put her plan into action. The sweet smell of success hung in the air.
    Her rollerskates dangled expectantly over the bedside lamp. The night before, Big Bob had helped her give them six more applications of shoe whitener and, provided you narrowed your eyes, they looked really quite convincing. She bounced out of bed and eased them into her schoolbag, supporting them carefully between
Physics is Fun
and
Spelling Without Tears
.
    As she brushed her hair and selected a pair of white rosebud hair ties, she noted with satisfaction that the house was filled with the sounds of breakfast preparation, and as she sauntered down to take her place at the table she met Angelina carrying Clarissa’s tray up to her. Bryony gave her sister an encouraging nod,then stopped, hooked her by the elbow, and held up a finger.
    â€˜What?’ said Angelina crossly. Her face was very red and some of her braids had unravelled in the effort of S.M.T.
    â€˜I believe we have overlooked the rose, have we not?’ Bryony pointed out.
    â€˜Oh no!’ sighed Angelina, turning back to the kitchen.
    â€˜Don’t worry’ Bryony called after her encouragingly. ‘You’ll soon get the hang of it!’ And she went to inspect the breakfast table.
    â€˜Very nice,’ she complimented Melissa, who was munching a large slice of toast.

    The toast was spread thickly with a lumpy brown substance studded with pink and orange sugary shapes, and Melissa had a rather odd expression on her face as she ate.
    â€˜â€¦though you’ll find we don’t actually need mango chutney or crystallised fruits at breakfast,’ Bryony observed.
    Melissa paused mid-bite, peered