Princess at Silver Spires Read Online Free Page A

are.”
    â€œWell actually, I’m not used to dresses like—”
    â€œThere are fifteen of us designers and we’re only allowed two models each, so we have to design and make six outfits. And we’ve all chosen models that we think will suit our designs.”
    â€œNot that the models are being judged, of course,” said Tansy, frowning at her nails.
    Something like an electric shock shot through my body. “Judged! I didn’t know it was a competition…”
    I caught a look that passed quick as a flash between Elise and Tansy, but a second later Elise was smiling a laid-back smile, her hand on my shoulder. “No, you’ve got the wrong end of the stick, Naomi. It isn’t a competition. No, Tansy wasn’t speaking literally. She was just saying, you know…”
    â€œEveryone’s more interested in the clothes than the models,” Tansy finished off.
    â€œYeah, that’s right,” said Elise. She pulled her hairslide out, then scooped back her tumbling hair into a rough bun and stuck the slide back in. “Anyway, I’d better get on. I’ll let you know when there’s something for you to try on.”
    I felt as though Katy and I were being dismissed. “Er…is it okay for me to come along another time?” Katy asked.
    Elise shrugged. “As long as you’re not putting anyone off, I guess that’s fine.”
    Katy thanked her and we went towards the door, only slowing down to look at what the girl on the sewing machine was doing. “She’s called Lara,” whispered Katy as we approached her. “I talked to her when you were with Elise. She’s so skilful!”
    â€œSorry, I was in a bit of a dream!” Lara said, when she looked up and saw us watching her. She rubbed the back of her neck. “I wish I didn’t get neck ache all the time! I must be sitting wrongly.” Then she looked more carefully at me. “You’ve got a beautifully straight back. Elise is lucky to have you modelling for her. Congratulations, by the way! You’re the youngest model by a mile.”
    â€œI’m a bit nervous about that.”
    â€œDon’t worry, you’ll be fine.” Lara smiled a really warm smile, then her face clouded over with concentration as she went back to work, and Katy and I crept out.
    â€œIt’s so buzzy and exciting in there, isn’t it?” said Katy, her eyes bright.
    I nodded, not really feeling quite so convinced as Katy about that. “Thank goodness it’s not a competition, Kates. I nearly had a heart attack when Tansy said something about being judged, but then I felt stupid because I’d misunderstood what she meant.”
    Katy put her arm round me. “You’ll soon get used to everything, Naomi.”
    â€œLara’s nice, isn’t she?” I said, trying to find something positive to say.
    â€œYes, she’s lovely. I’m not so sure about Elise though.” Katy wrinkled her nose. “She made me feel about six and a half.”
    â€œI know what you mean. And I didn’t really like Tansy either.” I sighed, going over all that had just happened in the textiles room in my head, but then I came out of my daydream because we were just passing two Year Seven girls called Poppy and Ali. Poppy was from the same house as us, Hazeldean, but Ali was from Elmhurst. They seemed to be looking at me in an odd way. A moment later, when we’d gone round the corner to join the lane that led back to Hazeldean, Katy stopped to get a stone out of her shoe, and I felt my stomach tighten when I heard Poppy say, “She’s modelling at the senior fashion show. She must so fancy herself.”
    Then Ali put on a really posh voice. “Look at me! Look at me! I’m a model princess!”
    In a flash Katy straightened up and put her arm round my shoulder again. “Just ignore them. They’re stupid!” she