Angela Nicely (3 page)

Chapter 1

Every Monday morning Miss Darling’s class met on the carpet for News Time. And this morning Angela had really exciting news: her family was getting a dog. It was a fact, although she hadn’t told her parents yet. But the trouble with News Time was that all the class wanted to speak. If you
Every Monday morning Miss Darling’s class met on the carpet for News Time. And this morning Angela had really exciting news: her family was getting a dog. It was a fact, although she hadn’t told her parents yet. But the trouble with News Time was that all the class wanted to speak. If you went, “Ooh, ooh, Miss,” or tugged at Miss Darling’s skirt, she wouldn’t pick you.

“Well,” said their teacher, smiling. “Who has some news today?”

Every hand shot in the air.

“Laura, what’s your news?” asked Miss Darling.

“I went to the park yesterday,” said Laura.

“Did you? Lovely!” said Miss Darling.

“William?”

“I cut my knee and it bled on the carpet,” said William.

“Oh, you poor thing! Who else?”

Angela tried to catch Miss Darling’s eye. It had to be her turn next – if she didn’t speak soon she would burst.

Miss Darling’s gaze rested on her for a moment, before moving on.

“Tiffany, what’s your news?”

Angela’s arm flopped down. Why did goody-goody Tiffany always get picked? Tiffany was top of the class and teacher’s pet.

“I’m going to be a model,” she boasted, hugging herself.

“A model?” said Miss Darling. “Really?”

Tiffany nodded. “It’s for Poppets’ catalogue.”

“How exciting!” said Miss Darling.

“I know,” said Tiffany. “Mummy’s taking me to the casting on Saturday.”

“Ah. So it isn’t definite yet?” said Miss Darling.

“No, but they’re bound to pick me,” said Tiffany. “Mummy says I’d be perfect.”

“Well, that is thrilling news!” said Miss Darling. “I think we should all give Tiffany a big clap.”

Everyone clapped while Tiffany glowed with pride.

“Right, back to your seats and get out
your books,” said Miss Darling.

Angela threw back her head. It was so unfair! She hadn’t said a word while Tiffany had hogged all the time. It was the same every week. Last Monday it was Tiffany’s ballet exam and the week before that she boasted she was getting a pony.

Angela slumped into her seat. Who cared about being a model anyway? Of course, you’d probably get amazing clothes to wear. And have your picture taken all the time, which would be okay. And lots of models were rich and famous. Hang on… Angela had second thoughts. Actually she wouldn’t mind being a model – and she’d be miles better at it than Toffee-Nosed Tiffany!

She leaned over to Laura. “I bet I could be a model,” she whispered.

“You couldn’t,” said Laura.

“Why not?”

“Because you have to be chosen like Tiffany,” said Laura.

“She hasn’t been chosen yet,” said Angela. “And you never know, they might choose someone else.”

That evening Angela brought up the subject over supper.

“You’ll never guess what Tiffany is doing,” she said.

Mrs Nicely rolled her eyes. “Something marvellous, I expect.”

“She’s going to be a model!” said Angela.

Mrs Nicely ’s mouth fell open. “SHE ISN’T!”

“She is,” said Angela. “In Poppets’ catalogue. She told us in News Time.”

“Good for Tiffany,” said Mr Nicely.

His wife shot him a look. “I bet
it’s her mother’s idea,” she said. “Mrs Charmers never tires of telling me how wonderful Tiffany is.”

Angela squashed a pea with her fork. “The casting’s on Saturday,” she said.

Mrs Nicely looked at her. “You mean it’s like an audition? Anyone can go along?”

Angela shrugged. “I think so.”

“Right then, you are going too,” decided Mrs Nicely. “If Tiffany can be a model, then I’m certain you can.”

Mr Nicely frowned. “Is that a good idea?” he said. “Isn’t Angela a bit young to be a model?”

His wife glared at him. “Are you saying she’s not as pretty as Tiffany?”

“No, of course not.”

“Well then, that’s settled,” said Mrs Nicely. “I think Angela would make a wonderful model.”

Angela smiled. She imagined her picture in Poppets’ catalogue. It would be worth it just to see Tiffany’s face.

Chapter 2

On Saturday morning Angela and her mum set off for the casting. When they arrived they were directed to a room crowded with small girls and their parents.

“Goodness!” huffed Mrs Nicely. “I had no idea there’d be so many people.”

After hours of waiting, Angela’s name was finally called.

“If you’d like to go through,” said the secretary, pointing to a door.

They found themselves in a smaller room where a girl was waiting with her mum. She had her back turned, but even before she looked round Angela recognized Tiffany Charmers. She was wearing new red shoes and ribbons in her hair.

Angela sat down beside her. “Hello, Tiffany.”

“Hello, Angela,” said Tiffany. “What are you doing here?”

“Same as you.”

Tiffany’s mouth twitched. “You want to be a model? That’s so sweet!”

Angela glared. “I stand as much chance as you.”

Tiffany looked her over. “Is that what you’re wearing?” she said.

“Yes,” said Angela. “It’s my favourite dress.”

“Never mind,” said Tiffany with a sigh. “I’m sure it won’t matter.”

Angela bit her lip. Tiffany was the most annoying person in the universe. Even worse, Angela had to listen to Mrs Charmers singing her praises.

“Don’t you think Tiffany looks
adorable
?” she was saying.

“Er, yes, I suppose so,” said Mrs Nicely.

“And she’s so talented!” Mrs Charmers went on. “In her ballet class you just can’t keep your eyes off her…”

“Angela’s very talented too,” said Mrs Nicely.

As the two mothers chatted, Tiffany reached into her bag and brought out a Twizzle bar. “Do you want some chocolate?” she asked Angela.

Angela stared. “Is this a trick?”

“Of course not, silly,” said Tiffany. “I’m just not that hungry and it’ll melt in my bag. But if you don’t—”

Angela grabbed the Twizzle bar. There was no sense in letting good chocolate go to waste. Better eat it quickly. Yum! Twizzle bars were her favourite.

Just then the door opened and a woman came in.

“Hi, my name’s Melanie,” she said. “Sorry to keep you— OH!”

She stared in horror at Angela.

“ANGELA!” screeched Mrs Nicely. “Look at you!”

Angela looked up. She had chocolate smeared round her mouth and a dark splodge on her dress.

Mrs Nicely leaped up and began dabbing at Angela’s face with a hanky.

“It wasn’t my fault!” cried Angela. “Tiffany gave it to me!”

“Really, Angela, don’t try and blame Tiffany,” snapped Mrs Nicely.

“Yes, ANG-ER-LA!” said Tiffany with a smirk.

Angela stuck out her tongue, which was a mistake because it was sticky with chocolate.

Melanie glanced at her watch. “Perhaps you should get Angela cleaned up,” she said. “In the meantime, we’ll see Tiffany.”

Tiffany stood up, patted her curly hair and gave Angela a look of triumph.