Alice-Miranda at Camp 10 Read Online Free Page A

perfect title pages but the large table that had been brought into the house for the new girls to do their homework at was empty.
    As she rounded the corner to the fridge, Millie heard a muffled voice.
    It sounded like it was coming from the cupboard under the back stairs. She wondered who was hiding in there already. It was a favourite spot, especially when the girls wanted to steer clear of Mrs Howard and her jobs.
    â€˜You didn’t tell me that I’d have to share a room, Mummy,’ the voice hissed.
    Millie knew immediately who it was.
    â€˜And it’s a pigsty. I can’t believe it – they’ve never ever won a room inspection.’
    â€˜Boo hoo,’ Millie whispered, and made a face.
    â€˜And there’s a horrible girl.’
    Millie’s eyes widened and she leaned closer to the door.
    â€˜She has red hair and freckles and she’s ugly and mean. She said that I wasn’t the cleverest girl in the school. She said that Alice-Miranda is and she’s not. She’s stupid and she’s a baby,’ Caprice spat.
    Millie’s jaw dropped.
    There was a long silence.
    â€˜Don’t tell me I’d better make the best of it. What! Well, you can tell Daddy that if he sells Shah I’ll never speak to him again,’ Caprice threatened.
    Millie’s stomach twisted. If Caprice’s father had any sense at all that’s exactly what he’d do.
    â€˜I hate you. And I hate Daddy.’ A noise like a whimpering puppy came from the cupboard. The door flew open and Caprice stormed out.
    Millie stared at her and took a deep breath. ‘I heard what you said about me.’
    â€˜So now you’re an eavesdropper too.’ Caprice walked into the sitting room and slammed the telephone back into its cradle.
    Millie followed her. ‘It’s not okay, you know!’
    Caprice walked to the table where her books were piled neatly on top of one another. She ignored Millie completely.
    An uncomfortable silence settled over the room.
    The girl’s poisonous words swirled in Millie’s head. ‘Calling someone mean and ugly isn’t very nice, Caprice,’ Millie persisted.
    â€˜I didn’t say that,’ Caprice lied.
    â€˜You must think I’m deaf and stupid,’ Millie said with a gulp. She was determined not to cry.
    Caprice’s eyes filled with tears. ‘You made me feel stupid.’
    â€˜What?’ Millie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. ‘Why are you crying? You’re the one who’s mean. You’re just upset because I heard you.’
    â€˜You don’t understand what it’s like. I’m new and I don’t know anything and all anyone cares about is my famous mother.’ Caprice’s shoulders began to heave.
    The girl deserved an Academy Award, Millie thought to herself. She brushed away the fat tears that had spilled onto her cheeks and glanced around for a box of tissues.
    Sloane walked into the room. She looked at Millie and then at the new girl, who she assumed was Caprice.
    â€˜What’s the matter?’ she asked, rushing to Caprice’s side.
    Millie shook her head and dumped a handful of tissues on the table in front of Caprice.
    The girl took them, then blew her nose and wiped her face.
    Millie was waiting for it. More lies.
    Caprice stared at Sloane. The girl’s brilliant blue eyes glistened. ‘I …’ she began. Millie was ready. ‘I … I was feeling really homesick and Millie got homesick too.’
    Millie flinched. She wondered what the girl was playing at.
    â€˜Don’t worry. Everyone does sometimes,’ Sloane said. But she wondered about Millie. That seemed strange.
    Millie wanted to go back to her room but she didn’t like the idea of leaving Caprice on her own with Sloane. She hovered on the other side of the table.
    â€˜I’m Sloane,’ the girl said gently. ‘You must be Caprice. We’re sharing a room. Thanks