Alice-Miranda at Sea Read Online Free Page B

the two girls laughed uproariously. Another loud thud was followed by silence.
    â€˜Goodness, are you all right in there?’ Alice-Miranda called.
    Jacinta emerged first. Her hair was rumpled and she looked as if she’d just fought off a tiger.
    â€˜We’re fine,’ she giggled. ‘We just had a wrestle over the beds. Millie fell off but she’s okay.’
    â€˜Jacinta, this is Mr Winterstone. He unpacked our things,’ Alice-Miranda informed her.
    Jacinta stared. ‘Is that your real hair?’
    â€˜Jacinta!’ Alice-Miranda rebuked. ‘I’m sorry, Mr Winterstone, she didn’t mean that.’
    â€˜Yes I did,’ Jacinta continued. ‘It must be so long on that side.’ She pointed to his left ear. ‘Do you have to use product to comb it over and stick it down?’
    â€˜Jacinta . . .’ Alice-Miranda tried again.
    â€˜It’s all right, miss,’ Winterstone began. ‘I understand that my hair can be a source of fascination for the young and old alike. Yes, it is my own and it’s all I have, so unlike others who may be tempted to opt for a less is more approach, I’m afraid that I haven’t yet been able to bring myself to part with the little I have left.’
    â€˜I think it’s perfectly lovely hair,’ said Alice-Miranda.
    Jacinta crossed her arms in front of her. ‘Well, no offence, Mr Winterstone, but I think you’d look much better if you had a number one all over. My grandfather did it a few years ago and he’s never looked back.’
    â€˜Thank you for your learned opinion, miss.’
    â€˜Mr Winterstone, I should have introduced you properly. This is my friend Jacinta.’
    â€˜Charmed.’ Winterstone narrowed his steel-grey eyes.
    Millie joined the girls in the sitting room.
    â€˜And this is Millie,’ Alice-Miranda finished.
    â€˜Hello.’ Millie smiled sheepishly. ‘I heard Alice-Miranda say that you unpacked our bags. Thanks very much for that.’
    â€˜It was my pleasure,’ Winterstone replied crisply.
    Somehow, Millie didn’t really believe him.
    â€˜We’d better get moving,’ Alice-Miranda informed the group. ‘We have to meet Mummy and Daddy on deck in a minute.’
    â€˜May I say, Miss Jacinta, that your own hair is looking rather untidy?’ Winterstone remarked. ‘Would you like me to fix it for you?’
    Jacinta shook her head. ‘No, I can do it.’
    â€˜Before you head off and run riot among the guests, I am obliged to explain a few things to you regarding the voyage, so I would appreciate if you would take a seat for a moment.’
    â€˜Oh, I promise, Mr Winterstone, there’ll be no running riot –’ Alice-Miranda began.
    â€˜Shh,’ Winterstone raised a bony finger to his lips.
    â€˜But, what I wanted to say –’
    â€˜Might you listen for just a moment, young lady?’ Winterstone’s stare silenced the tiny child.
    Alice-Miranda and Millie sat down on the long couch and Jacinta plonked onto the armchair, throwing the cushion on the floor. Winterstone drew in a sharp breath and he made a fist with his left hand. He reached down with his right and picked up the cushion, clutching it against his chest as he spoke.
    â€˜Firstly, I may be reached any time of the day or night by pressing number nine on the telephone. You will find one beside the beds, another next to the lounge here and the third in the bathroom beside the lavatory,’ Winterstone began.
    â€˜That won’t be necessary. I’m sure we won’t be calling you in the middle of the night, Mr Winterstone,’ said Alice-Miranda.
    â€˜I don’t know about that.’ Jacinta bit back a grin. ‘What if I’m thirsty?’
    â€˜Jacinta.’ Millie rolled her eyes.
    Winterstone exhaled slowly. ‘As we will be travelling close to the coast, if you would like to send any mail, there