The Case of the Stolen Film by Gareth P. Jones Read Free Book Online

the opportunity that she never had, to learn properly how to play an instrument.’
    â€˜Have you been here all summer?’ asked Holly in disbelief, remembering how much disdain Miss Gilfeather had always showed for both Petal and her popstar mother.
    Miss Gilfeather looked uncomfortable. ‘Well, yes … I did have some misgivings when she asked but opportunities like this don’t come along every day. I’d never been to this side of America before and I have to admit that pop stars pay rather better than schools …’
    Petal’s phone rang. ‘Excuse me. Chase Lampton, the famous director, is calling me.’ She walked back into the house and answered it. ‘Oh, Chase, darling, are you coming round?’
    â€˜Why don’t you join us for breakfast?’ said Miss Gilfeather. ‘There’s plenty of food and I could do with some civilised conversation for a change.’
    â€˜Is that OK? And Archie too?’ said Holly, who could hear Petal twittering on inside the house.
    â€˜Oh yes,’ said Miss Gilfeather. ‘As much as it annoys Madam, her mother put me in charge of the house while she’s away recording her new album. Come round now and I’ll make some pancakes.’

Chapter 10

    Where are you going?’ demanded Big Hair, as Holly and Archie made for the front door.
    â€˜We’ve been invited next door for breakfast. Miss Gilfeather is staying there.’
    â€˜Your old music teacher?’ said Big Hair. ‘What a small world it is. I wouldn’t want to decorate it though,’ she added, laughing at her own joke.
    Archie and Holly looked at each other. America appeared to have had a rather odd effect on Big Hair.
    â€˜So it’s OK to go round?’ said Holly.
    â€˜Of course. Don’t be too long, I thought we’d go and see the sights later on,’ she said.
    Holly and Archie headed down the drive.
    â€˜I think the sun’s gone to her head,’ said Archie, looking up at the perfect blue sky.
    â€˜Don’t knock it,’ said Holly.
    She pressed the buzzer outside Petal’s house and the gate opened. They headed up the driveway and Miss Gilfeather welcomed them into the house. The walls were covered with framed discs, album artwork and photos from Petal’s mum’s career. A cabinet by the door displayed hundreds of gleaming awards in different shapes and sizes. In the centre of the hallway, at the base of the sweeping staircase, was a life-sized marble statue of Petal’s mother kneeling in what looked like a puddle. Water trickled down from the statue’s eyes and at the base of the statue was a gold plaque that read: ‘She weeps for world peace’.
    â€˜Apparently it’s the name of one of her albums,’ said Miss Gilfeather. ‘Isn’t it hideous?’
    The buzzer sounded and Petal appeared at the top of the stairs.
    â€˜Will you get that, Miss Gilfeather? It’ll be Chase …’ She stopped, noticing Holly and Archie. ‘What are you doing here?’
    â€˜I invited them round, and I am not your servant, Petal,’ said Miss Gilfeather, pressing the button to open the gate.
    â€˜You can’t go inviting people round my house.’
    â€˜As you well know, I am in charge in your mother’s absence,’ said Miss Gilfeather. ‘Holly did, at least, show some glimmer of natural ability at the trumpet. Do you play anything?’ she asked Archie.
    â€˜My dad gave me a guitar once,’ replied Archie.
    â€˜A lovely instrument if played well,’ said Miss Gilfeather approvingly.
    â€˜Only the strings hurt my fingers and then he flogged it,’ he added.
    â€˜Learning any instrument always involves an element of pain to begin with,’ said the music teacher. ‘More often for those having to listen to the beginner’s efforts, but one must go through the pain barrier in order to achieve beauty.’
    â€˜Then what