Party at Silver Spires by Ann Bryant Read Free Book Online

to the common room together, discussing the work on the way.
    â€œThat question about the periodic table was impossible!” said Emily. “I didn’t get what the stupid thing was on about.”
    â€œI know,” agreed Bryony. “And when are we ever going to need to know about it? I’m not going to be a chemist when I’m older.” She stopped and looked at us all. “Anyone round here planning on being a chemist?” Then, before we could answer, “No? Well, there you go!”
    â€œNicole might,” said Izzy. She sighed. “You’re so clever, Nicole. I bet you understood that question easily, didn’t you?”
    â€œNo she deed not understand,” said Antonia, with a smile.
    I could feel the others looking at me. “No, I didn’t… Not really… I mean, I’ve written something or other, but I’m sure it’s all complete rubbish.”
    Still, I felt their eyes on me, and for the second time since I’d been at Silver Spires, I told myself off.

Chapter Four

    I woke up on Saturday morning with mixed feelings. There are always lessons till lunchtime on Saturdays, which I don’t mind as the teachers are a bit more relaxed. And today it was the shopping trip after lunch. A part of me felt nervous, because the party was only one week away now and I knew I was about to spend more money than I ought to. But then I told myself to stop worrying. There were sure to be plenty of clothes left in the late summer sale. There were always sales around. I just needed to search for a bargain.
    The morning seemed to take ages to get through, even though I enjoyed all the lessons. We were given our chemistry prep back and I got a hundred per cent, which gave me a lovely feeling in one way and made me desperate to tell Mum, because I knew she’d be really proud of me. But the other half of me felt guilty and anxious, especially as the chemistry teacher made a big thing out of it, announcing it to the whole class, which was really embarrassing. Thank goodness none of the girls in my dorm were in this set for science, and when I had that thought I despised myself for not having told Antonia or the others the truth. But then, if I had told them, I couldn’t bear the idea that they’d think I’m “sad”.
    By lunchtime I’d forgotten all about science, as everyone was talking about getting changed for the shopping trip. Sasha, Izzy, Antonia and I all decided to wear jeans, so that was easy. Izzy looked great in her jeans, because she’s got lovely slim muscly legs. But when we got changed for shopping and I saw Antonia’s jeans, I realized for the first time that there’s a big difference between cheap jeans and expensive ones.
    â€œWow, Antonia!” said Sasha. “I’ve always wanted a pair of Dolce & Gabbana’s.”
    â€œI am very lucky, I theenk,” said Antonia, not sounding at all show-offy. “Mamma has a friend who works weeth Signor Gabbana. He sometimes gives us jeans.”
    Izzy, Sasha and I just stared. We were all too stunned to speak.
    â€œEet ees nearly ’alf past,” said Antonia, looking at her watch. “We must go, I theenk.”
    So we did, in a last-minute flurry of stuffing things into our bags. I hadn’t been sure at first if I dared to take my one and only bag with me, because it was a bit grubby. Mum had bought me so many school things, I hadn’t dared ask for a new one. My gran had actually knitted it for me in green and blue bobbly wool, and lots of people back home had admired it and my mum called it fabulously retro . But taking it on a Silver Spires shopping trip was altogether different. I knew I’d be embarrassed if anyone stared at it.
    As we walked towards the main building where the two school minibuses were waiting for us, I saw Antonia eyeing my bag. She looked as though she was about to say something about it to me, but then changed