Secret Schemes and Daring Dreams Read Online Free Page B

Sadly, she had no self-confidence and wore clothes that were
so
last season. To her credit, she was hugely grateful to Emma for taking notice of her and was perfectly happy to answer all her questions. Within half an hour of their first meeting, she had discovered that Harriet had once been a pupil at Oak Lodge private school but, following family problems, she had left and gone to Mole Hill three years before.
    â€˜Problems?’ Emma had rested a hand lightly on Harriet’s arm to instil confidence and encourage her to spill the beans.
    â€˜We lost all our money,’ Harriet had told her quite openly. ‘My dad gambles. Big time. And when he loses, he drinks.’ She sighed. ‘And then Mum – well, because of all the stress, she’s ended up in Lady Chichester Hospital.’
    Emma had been very impressed by Harriet’s honesty; most people would have stuck with the wayward father and avoided mentioning a mother in a psychiatric hospital.
    â€˜That must be hard for you,’ Emma sympathised.
    â€˜Thank you.’ It was the simple sincerity with which Harriet spoke that had made Emma’s mind up. She might be poor, her jeans might be badly cut, but she had potential. All she needed was someone with style, savvy and street-cred to sort her out. Which was clearly why Fate had sent her to Emma’s school.
    She had meant to start at once with a makeover – but revision and exams had spoilt her good intentions and, since Harriet was doing environmental sciences andmusic, and Emma was studying psychology, art and business studies, they hadn’t exchanged more than a few words for at least six weeks. Now was clearly the time to put that right.
    â€˜You’re not going over, are you?’ Serena demanded as Emma picked up her drink. ‘She’ll only want to tag on with us all evening and she is
so
boring.’
    â€˜You really think she’d choose to hang out with a snob like you?’ Emma remarked, turning her back and heading over to where Harriet was sitting.
    â€˜Hi, Harriet, how are you?’ As she squeezed into the seat next to her new friend, she realised the question was a pretty unnecessary one. Harriet had clearly been crying; a couple of crumpled tissues lay discarded on the table, the whites of her eyes were distinctly pink and she was staring miserably first at her watch and then at her mobile phone.
    â€˜What’s happened? Has someone stood you up?’
    â€˜How did you know?’ Harriet asked incredulously.
    â€˜Call it a wild guess,’ Emma said, smiling. ‘Come on – who is it?’
    â€˜Rob,’ Harriet said, sniffing. ‘The guy I told you about over lunch that day?’
    â€˜Did you?’ Emma had no recollection of either a shared lunch or a love element in Harriet’s life but didn’t think this was the time to say so. ‘I mean – yes, yes, Rob. And?’
    â€˜He was supposed to meet me here – well, at least I think it was here – at eight o’clock, or it could have been nine, but anyway . . .’
    â€˜You’re sure his name is Rob?’ Emma teased.
    â€˜Of course I am,’ Harriet replied, missing the joke completely. ‘We’re – well, we’re not anything really, well we are sort of . . .’
    â€˜OK,’ Emma said, her patience finally beginning to run out. ‘Give me your phone.’
    She didn’t wait for a response but picked up the bright pink mobile, scanned the phone book and gestured to Harriet.
    â€˜Is this him? Rob Martin?’
    Harriet nodded. ‘Yes, but what are you doing? You can’t —’
    â€˜Watch me!’ Emma replied sternly. She began keying in a message.
    Am at Mango M’s. R U coming? If not am going on 2 a party. Harriet.
    She read the message back to Harriet.
    â€˜Emma, no, you can’t . . .’
    â€˜Too late,’ Emma announced cheerfully. ‘Done it!’
    â€˜But