Naughtiest Girl 9: Naughtiest Girl Wants To Win Read online

  ‘I’ve had a horrible shock, Elizabeth.’ There was still that funny expression on Julian’s face. ‘You and Joan are going to get one, too. You’ll never guess in a thousand years!’

  ‘Sssh!’ said Patrick, rather bossily. ‘Keep your voices down! You know we’ve been told not to make a fuss. Mr Leslie says we are all to behave perfectly normally.’

  ‘Just because somebody’s famous, they don’t want to be stared and gawped at,’ said Arabella, primly. In fact her hands were shaking slightly as she folded her napkin. She seemed hardly able to control her excitement. ‘Mr Leslie’s just been over to our table and had a word with us about it.’

  ‘Famous?’ asked Elizabeth. She settled down in her seat between Julian and Joan. ‘What’s being famous got to do with anything, Julian?’

  ‘Look for yourself, Elizabeth,’ he muttered, as the doors swung open. ‘Look who’s here!’

  The three friends were facing the swing doors. They had a perfect view as an elegant figure swept into the dining-hall, her golden hair brushed to a gleaming halo, her smile radiant. It was a grand entrance. Miss Belle and Miss Best, the joint headmistresses, bustled the girl quickly across to the senior pupils’ table. A boy called Paul was already on his feet, pulling out a chair for her.

  All round the dining-hall, conversation ceased.

  The clatter of knives and forks was stilled.

  ‘What’s she doing here?’ whispered Elizabeth, indignantly. ‘And whatever does she think she’s doing wearing our school uniform? I don’t understand!’

  It was Kerry Dane.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Elizabeth shows restraint

  ‘ELIZABETH, CAN’T you guess?’ asked Julian. He tried not to laugh. The expression on Elizabeth’s face was really comical!

  The chatter in the dining-hall had suddenly resumed, on a rather forced note, as the children remembered that they were supposed to take no notice of the new arrival and on no account to be rude and stare! It was a tall order but they were managing it well, even the younger ones. Two exceptions, at the second form table, were Patrick and Arabella. In spite of their fine words, they had actually swivelled round to get a better look. Patrick’s eyes were almost out on stalks.

  Elizabeth lowered her gaze and busily piled vegetables on to her plate. She was trying to collect her thoughts. What an astonishing turn of events! For a moment, in her bewilderment, she’d wondered if a scene for some new film was being shot at Whyteleafe School. But a quick glance towards the seniors’ table showed no sign of cameras, or cameramen, or special lighting . . . It was every bit a real-life happening.

  Kerry Dane, golden-haired, elegant in a brand new Whyteleafe uniform, was sitting with the other seniors, chatting, smiling, making friends . . .

  ‘She’s a new senior pupil, Elizabeth, that’s what!’ Julian was whispering. ‘I’m very much afraid she’s come to Whyteleafe! She must have been in that taxi which passed us. She must have been somewhere on our train.’

  ‘So that’s why she was in such a rush this morning!’ realized Joan, with a slight gasp. She, like Elizabeth, could hardly believe her eyes. The vision from the silver screen, the girl they had queued up to meet in London that morning, who had turned out to be such a disappointment, was sitting in this very dining-hall. She was now a member of their school. ‘She had to catch the train. The same train as us!’

  Elizabeth glowered.

  ‘Just look at her now!’ She tossed her curls in the direction of the senior table. Kerry was talking animatedly to her new friends. ‘If only they knew what she’s really like!’

  Julian grinned. He hissed from behind his hand:

  ‘She’d have a surprise if she knew where those flowers were now!’

  ‘Not as big a surprise as Mummy must have had when Daddy brought them home! Mummy does love flowers so!’ replied Elizabeth, cheering up.

  The three friends started to laugh.

  ‘Hey, pass the roast potatoes please, Elizabeth.’ That was Harry’s voice. ‘What are you three laughing and whispering about?’

  ‘Oh, nothing!’ Elizabeth said quickly.

  ‘Isn’t it wonderful that she’s decided to come here?’ Belinda was exclaiming. ‘Of all the boarding-schools her parents could have chosen, they chose Whyteleafe. I feel so proud.’

  ‘It’s going to be good for the school,’ chimed in Kathleen, her rosy cheeks dimpling. ‘And she’s so nice. Wasn’t she good in that film? Did you see it, Elizabeth?’

  ‘Yes,’ replied Elizabeth, at the same time giving both Julian and Joan a warning nudge.

  Her feelings were still very raw. So far, the three friends had kept quiet about their adventure. And Elizabeth wanted to keep it that way. She wasn’t going to tell her classmates about the humiliating episode in London. It had been such a horrible experience, asking Kerry Dane for an autograph!

  But there was something else, too.

  She knew that if she didn’t guard her tongue carefully she would soon be rude about Kerry Dane. And they would think her very catty. At the moment, everybody believed that Kerry must be like Zara in the film. Elizabeth had believed that herself. They would find out soon enough, but this, reasoned Elizabeth, was hardly a good time to start upsetting her classmates. They were planning to elect her as a monitor at the end of the week!

  ‘So what did you think, Elizabeth?’ pressed Kathleen.

  ‘She’s a very good actress,’ replied Elizabeth. ‘Brilliant, I’d say.’

  Julian was amused.

  It was not often that the Naughtiest Girl showed such restraint. She really was on her best behaviour. She must want to be a second form monitor very badly!

  After dinner, as soon as the three friends came out of the hall, Elizabeth gave full vent to her feelings.

  ‘I don’t feel in the least bit proud that she’s come to Whyteleafe!’ she declared. ‘I wish she hadn’t bothered! Why didn’t she want to stay on at her London school? After all, she must be in the middle of studying for her certificate. It’s a funny time to change schools.’

  ‘Why go back to school at all, after you’ve been in a film and become famous?’ wondered Joan. ‘You’d think she’d want to leave school now and try to be a full-time actress.’

  ‘Perhaps she’s not quite old enough to leave school,’ Elizabeth pointed out. ‘Or perhaps her parents think she should take her exams first.’

  ‘But why Whyteleafe?’ mused Julian, pushing his untidy black fringe back. He was puzzled. ‘Why not some big famous school somewhere, with its own theatre and all that sort of thing. Somewhere really posh. We’re only a small school, buried away in the countryside!’

  Elizabeth thought this over carefully. As far as she was concerned, Whyteleafe was the best school in the whole world. But it was a fair point.

  ‘You’re right, Julian. Somehow Kerry Dane and Whyteleafe School just don’t go together.’

  ‘Perhaps she wants to be a big fish in a small pond?’ suggested Joan, gently.

  ‘She certainly wants to be noticed,’ said Julian, shrewdly. ‘That warning from Mr Leslie about how she wants to be treated like any other pupil and not made a fuss of . . . Really! So why didn’t she just slip quietly into the dining-hall at the same time as the other seniors?’

  ‘Yes! Why didn’t she? Instead of making a grand entrance!’ Elizabeth could feel a temper coming on. ‘She wants to be the centre of attention, all right. She doesn’t belong here. I’m longing for everyone to find out how horrible she is and then perhaps she’ll go away again!’

  ‘But we must let them find out for themselves, Elizabeth,’ said Joan, quietly. ‘You’ve decided that, haven’t you? At the moment I don’t think anyone would believe us if we told them what she’s really like.’

  ‘Don’t worry, Joan.’ Elizabeth linked arms with her friend. She h
ad instantly calmed down. ‘I know I mustn’t lose my temper or say anything silly. But I’ve just thought of something – you don’t think she might recognize me, do you? That would be a bit awkward!’

  ‘She won’t recognize any of us,’ declared Julian, who had been thinking about it. ‘We were wearing raincoats over our school uniform. There was nothing to connect us with Whyteleafe at all. And she certainly wouldn’t recognize you, Elizabeth. Your hair was all plastered down by the rain. As a matter of fact, you looked a sight! Anyway, she didn’t even bother to look at you.’

  ‘Thank you, Julian,’ said Elizabeth. What a mean, horrid person the girl was. Oh, her lovely autograph book! All spoiled now.

  But she felt relieved, all the same. She had to make sure that she continued to keep her temper. It would make life very much simpler if Kerry Dane did not recognize her.

  ‘I still find it odd, her coming to Whyteleafe, though,’ mused Julian. ‘You put it exactly, Elizabeth. She doesn’t belong. Whyteleafe and Kerry Dane just don’t mix. But now,’ he continued airily, ‘let’s forget all about her, shall we? There’s Harry looking for me. Isn’t it time we all went and unpacked?’

  ‘It certainly is,’ agreed Joan. ‘Come on, Elizabeth.’

  Elizabeth needed no second bidding. Kerry Dane or no Kerry Dane, she was going to get on with her life! She was a second former now. She had a lovely new room. She was longing to get her things out of her trunk and arrange them just how she wanted. After that, she would go and practise her table tennis and work up an appetite for tea.

  Her mouth watered at the thought of the delicious chocolate cake in her tuck-box.

  And Kathleen had some excellent news for them.

  It was to do with the choosing of the new heads of school.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Julian is puzzled about something else

  ‘YOU’LL BE pleased when you hear my news, Elizabeth,’ said Kathleen, as she came into Room 14. ‘I’ve been talking to some of the seniors and looking at the notice-board.’

  Joan smiled gently.

  ‘I don’t want to sound too monitor-ish, Kathleen, but you should have been up here unpacking. You know it’s all got to be done by three o’clock.’

  ‘Sorry, Joan!’

  Jenny had unpacked her trunk already and left the room. Elizabeth and Joan had almost finished. Elizabeth was standing back and admiring the way she had arranged her ornaments and photograph frames. It was very satisfying to have been given a much larger chest of drawers this year and to be allowed to put extra things on top. How glad she was to be a second former now.

  ‘What news, Kathleen?’ she asked.

  ‘It looks as though your wish is going to come true, Elizabeth,’ smiled the rosy-cheeked girl. ‘You know, what we were discussing on the train. It looks very likely that Thomas and Emma will be the new head boy and head girl.’

  ‘How do you know?’ Elizabeth asked eagerly.

  She and Joan exchanged delighted looks.

  ‘There’s a notice up about it!’ explained Kathleen. ‘And their names have been written up there. Some of the seniors are backing them. And there are no other names up at all!’

  Elizabeth clapped her hands with pleasure.

  They’d all been sure that Thomas would be made head boy. But – how pleasing – some of the top class agreed with her about Emma!

  ‘Great minds think alike!’ she said, gleefully. ‘Oh, I think Emma’s going to make a very fine head girl.’

  ‘So we may not even need an election then!’ said Joan, happily. ‘If no more names are put up Thomas and Emma will just be appointed the new head boy and girl on Saturday and take the first Meeting.’

  Now that William and Rita had left, Joan could think of no two nicer heads. As a monitor, she was looking forward to working with them and helping them in the running of the school.

  And so was Elizabeth.

  Knowing that she was going to be chosen as a monitor at the Meeting, she could hardly wait for Saturday to arrive.

  She hummed happily to herself as she looked for her table-tennis bat. She would go and take a look at that notice herself sometime!

  ‘And there are no other names up, Kathleen?’ she asked. ‘You’re sure?’

  ‘Quite sure!’ laughed Kathleen.

  Elizabeth spent the afternoon practising her table tennis. She had three quite even games with Patrick and then a long session with Harry. She found that she was able to beat Harry easily!

  By the end, he was quite out of breath. A few people had gathered to watch them.

  ‘I’m going off to have a shower now!’ he told Elizabeth, as he left. ‘You’re a great player, though. I’m really impressed.’

  ‘I’m impressed, too,’ said a quiet voice.

  A senior girl had stepped forward. Elizabeth spun round to see who had spoken. It was Emma!

  ‘I think you might be school team material, Elizabeth,’ she said. ‘I’m running some coaching sessions this term. Would you like to put your name down?’

  ‘Oh, I’d love to!’ replied Elizabeth eagerly, hardly able to believe her ears. ‘Thank you, Emma.’

  ‘If you come with me, I’ll show you the list.’

  The senior girl led Elizabeth along to the main school notice-board. Proudly she signed up for the table-tennis coaching sessions.

  ‘Oh, good. The first one’s tomorrow!’ she exclaimed.

  But she realized that Emma was staring rather dreamily at the notice next to it. She followed Emma’s gaze.

  There it was, just as Kathleen had said:

  APPOINTMENT OF HEAD BOY

  AND HEAD GIRL

  Pupils in the second form and above may propose names. Please write the candidate’s name in block capitals, with the name of the proposer in brackets. Do not put anyone’s name forward unless you have first obtained their permission. IF MORE THAN ONE NAME IS PUT FORWARD FOR EITHER POST, AN ELECTION WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY IN TIME FOR THE FIRST MEETING OF TERM.

  The notice was signed by Miss Belle and Miss Best, the joint headmistresses of Whyteleafe School. There were only two names entered:

  EMMA GLOVER [John Terry]

  THOMAS HILL [Philippa Dearing]

  Elizabeth smiled.

  ‘Some of us were really hoping you might be made head girl!’ she blurted out. ‘With Thomas as head boy! It’s really good that it seems to be all decided!’

  ‘Oh, I wouldn’t say that, Elizabeth,’ replied Emma lightly, a flush coming to her cheeks. She was feeling very excited but was trying her best to hide it. ‘I was very honoured when John and some of the others asked me if I would allow my name to go forward. But there’s plenty of time for other names yet. There may have to be an election.’

  ‘I’m sure there won’t be!’ said Elizabeth, confidently. ‘Everybody in the school respects John and Philippa’s opinions. I shouldn’t think anyone would want to go against them. I know I certainly shan’t.’

  ‘Thank you, Elizabeth,’ said Emma. ‘And I’ll see you tomorrow, then? I think I can help you a bit with that service.’

  Feeling extremely pleased with life, Elizabeth went off to find John Terry. He was one of her favourite people at Whyteleafe. He was in charge of the school gardens and she knew that was where she would find him.

  ‘Hello, Elizabeth!’ he greeted her. He straightened up, trowel in hand. ‘Look at what all the weeds have been doing while we’ve been away! Happy to be back, then?’

  ‘Very!’ said Elizabeth. ‘And even happier that you’ve persuaded Emma to stand as head girl. Won’t she make a fine one?’

  ‘Some of us think so,’ he said.

  ‘Only some of you?’ asked Elizabeth.

  ‘Well, there are those that are worried that she’s not forceful enough. I don’t agree with them.�
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  ‘Nor do I!’ said Elizabeth.

  ‘But a few of them are worried.’

  ‘Like Jenny then,’ laughed Elizabeth. ‘She says the same thing. But it’s silly, isn’t it?’

  John nodded, wisely, and returned to his weeding.

  At teatime, Elizabeth was told that Jenny had gone along to see Nora. She had gone to ask her permission to put her name forward as head girl.

  ‘What did she say?’ asked Elizabeth, when Jenny appeared.

  ‘She refused,’ said Jenny, with a sigh. ‘She said she doesn’t feel she can stand in Emma’s way. Isn’t that noble of her? Now I don’t suppose there will be an election at all. It might have been fun. I was looking forward to it!’

  ‘Well, never mind, Jenny,’ said Elizabeth. ‘She would have lost anyway. Want a piece of chocolate cake? Doesn’t it look scrumptious?’

  Teatime on the first day back was always very enjoyable. The children were permitted to bring their tuck-boxes to the dining-hall and share some of the good things that they’d brought from home. They were allowed to go and chat to people at other tables. There was quite an informal atmosphere on the first day of term.

  ‘Kerry Dane was with Nora when I went to see her,’ Jenny confided, watching hungrily as Elizabeth divided up the cake. ‘They seem to be quite friendly. She’s really nice, you know. She’s just like Zara in the film. She asked me all about myself.’

  ‘Yes, everybody’s saying how nice she is!’ agreed Belinda.

  ‘Hurry up with that cake, Elizabeth!’ said Julian. He had been out all afternoon, helping Robert with the school ponies. ‘It looks very good.’

  ‘Wait a minute, Julian!’ scolded Elizabeth. She had counted the number of children at the table. She wanted them each to have a piece. ‘I’m trying to get the slices all exactly the same size.’

  While completing this task, Elizabeth became aware of a sudden buzz of excitement around the table. She looked up, quickly.

  Kerry Dane had just strolled into the dining-hall, arm in arm with Nora. They were heading this way! Kerry was giving Jenny a friendly little wave.