Olivia's First Term (9 page)

Chapter Twenty

Georgia trailed her fingers in the pool and tuned back in to what the other girls were saying.

“We're going to Egypt for Christmas,” said Aeysha.

“Oh, I've been there,” said Katie. “It was boring. Just sand and history. It's the pits.”

“I think the pyramids are interesting—” started Georgia, seeing Aeysha's face drop, but Katie talked over her.

“We're going to Dubai,” said Katie. “It's going to be awesome. My dad's got business there. It's supposed to be fantastic. The height of luxury. It's got the tallest building in the world. Totally.” She turned to Georgia. “So what thrilling things have you got planned, little Miss Georgia Jones?” 

The tone was sweet but Georgia knew the question was treacherous. She squirmed. She wouldn't be going anywhere. The best she could hope for was that her mum might manage a few days off work and that they would go to some museums together. Her favourite was the V&A because sometimes there were exhibitions of costumes and intricate miniature designs for stage sets. Georgia enjoyed these days out with her mum, riding on the top deck of the bus together and eating her mum's special cheese and Marmite doorstep sandwiches and
home-made
brownies. They laughed a lot together, and it always reminded Georgia of a time when her mother hadn't looked so tired and worried.

She opened her mouth to say, “Nothing much,” but then she glimpsed a strange expression on Katie's face. It was almost triumphant, as if she was really enjoying making Georgia feel small, and poor, and bad about herself. Suddenly Georgia found herself saying, “Actually, my mum's taking me to New York. We're flying first class and staying in a five-star hotel.”

“Wicked!” said Aeysha. “You
are
lucky. That easily tops Egypt and Dubai.”

Georgia felt a feeling of warmth seep through her. It was nice being the interesting and glamorous one for a change, the centre of attention, not just someone always on the edge of things.

“Yes, that's the best,” agreed the others enviously; all except Katie, who looked at Georgia through narrowed eyes. “I thought your mum didn't have any money,” she said.

“Wherever did you get that idea, Katie?” said Georgia. “She's loaded. We just don't like to talk about. My mum thinks it's vulgar to talk about money and splash out on big houses and cars.”

It was the most effective piece of acting that Georgia had done in her entire life. She was saved from further explanation by Katie's dad announcing that the barbecue was ready and inviting everyone to load their plates with chicken and burgers, and help themselves to baked potatoes, corn on the cob and bowls of coleslaw. Georgia made sure she sat as far away from Katie as possible, but every time she looked up she saw Katie staring at her, smiling her dangerous, cat-like smile, and she felt worried.

Georgia knew she ought to confess that of
course she wasn't going to New York, explain that she had only been joking and that she and her mum were poorer than the average church mouse – she couldn't even afford new jazz shoes, for heaven's sake! But Aeysha was saying how envious she was of Georgia going to the Big Apple, how she had always dreamed of going there, and Georgia knew with a sinking feeling that if she admitted she'd lied now, she would look like a complete idiot. What's more, Katie would never let her forget it and would take great pleasure in telling the whole school that Georgia Jones was a liar and a fantasist.

So instead she found herself unhappily embroidering the lie, telling Aeysha that she and her mum planned to see a Broadway show and go shopping on Fifth Avenue. In fact she was almost beginning to believe it herself when Katie said brightly, “Well, Georgia, as you're so rich, you'll have to promise to bring us all back presents, won't she, girls?”

Everyone murmured their approval at this plan, and Georgia found herself turning red and muttering, “I'll see what I can do.” She pushed aside the rest of her chicken. Suddenly she didn't feel hungry any more.

After lunch they swam again, but all the pleasure had evaporated for Georgia and she kept wondering how long it would be before Aeysha's dad came to pick them up. He was giving her a lift home because her mum was working, even though it was a Saturday.

Then Katie showed them her mum's room, and opened the massive cupboards so they could try on some of her designer clothes and shoes. They were all giggling and clomping around in heels far too big and high for them when Katie suddenly produced a key and unlocked a jewellery box on the dressing table. She casually pulled out a glittering necklace, studded with hundreds of diamonds and emeralds, and posed with it around her neck.

“It's worth thousands,” she boasted.

“Won't your mum be angry with us for playing with it?” said Aeysha, looking worried.

“Of course not,” said Katie scornfully. “We're not going to lose it, and even if we did, she could just buy another one.”

She looked at Georgia. “I expect your mum's got loads of jewels, hasn't she, Georgia?”

Georgia felt flustered. “Er, totally, of course she has. Masses.” 

“What kind?” enquired Katie.

“Oh, you know, diamonds, rubies,” said Georgia, waving her arm and trying to think of other precious stones. She suddenly remembered her mum's Victorian garnet and topaz ring. Her mum had said that it wasn't worth very much, but it was very pretty and unusual and she cherished it because it reminded her of somebody she loved and that made it unique, worth more than all the money in the world.

“Actually, she has a ring that's priceless because it's so incredibly rare. It's the only one of its kind in the world. It's an old family heirloom,” said Georgia.

“Oh,” said Katie dangerously. “We'd like to see that, wouldn't we, girls?” The others nodded, and even before Katie opened her mouth again, Georgia felt her stomach plummeting like an out-of-control lift.

“You'd better bring it into school for us all to see, little Miss Jones. Otherwise we might not believe you. We might think that you're telling porky pies, not just about the ring but about other things too.”

Again, it was sweetly said, but the threat was unmistakable, and Georgia knew it was now
or never to come clean and admit that New York was only a fantasy. But at that moment Katie's dad called upstairs to say Aeysha's father had arrived and it was time to go home.

Chapter Twenty-One

Miss Swan gazed out at the Swan pupils, her sharp eyes passing over the faces of the children. They were all gathered in the theatre for assembly. Everyone loved these assemblies because it was a chance to hear about upcoming auditions, and to find out who had got bookings and in which shows and movies. Last week Alicia announced that all three main roles in the remake of
The Railway Children
had gone to Swan pupils, and that the latest release by a former pupil, the singer-songwriter Amber Lavelle, who had only left the school three years ago, had gone straight to number one.

Alicia was pleased to see Eel clowning around with her friends. The child was a real character and had settled down well at the
school, already fulfilling the promise that Alicia had spotted. She was doing well academically, and she was affectionate too, often curling up on Alicia's lap in the evenings.

Alicia's eye fell on Olivia, standing close to the rest of her form and yet somehow completely detached from them. As ever, Olivia looked as if she was weighed down by some terrible burden. Alicia wished she knew how to help her granddaughter, who was clearly unhappy. But every approach that she made, every attempt to get Olivia to open up, was politely rebuffed.

Alicia felt that she was somehow failing Olivia, but she didn't know what to do to put it right, and if Olivia wouldn't let her near, she knew she never
would
know. The child would always remain a stranger to her. Olivia had suddenly taken to disappearing for long periods and when Alicia asked her where she was spending her time, she clammed up so decisively it made Alicia feel like a thief trying to steal a pearl from an oyster.

Her gaze moved on across the auditorium. Tom McCavity and William Todd were making their classmates laugh. One who wasn't laughing was Georgia Jones, who was looking
pinched and almost as unhappy as Olivia. Alicia knew from a tiny comment made by Mrs Jones when she had come to pick Georgia up from the newbies' concert that money was tight at the moment and she wondered whether she should offer a scholarship. She didn't want to lose Georgia, who had real talent and who could be a great asset to the Swan, perhaps even one of its stars. She decided she would invite Georgia's mum in for a chat.

Her gaze fell on Katie Wilkes-Cox, who was eyeing Tom and William disdainfully, and Alicia sighed. That child was spoiled rotten by her dreadful parents and she was often rude to teachers and dismissive of the achievements of other children. Her schoolwork was getting worse too.

Alicia knew she would have to do something about Katie before things got out of hand. When she accepted a child at the Swan, she felt that she was making a commitment to that child and she would do anything to avoid breaking it. But Alicia wondered whether Katie might turn out to be one of her few failures. Katie's talent wasn't in question, but her attitude certainly was. If there was one thing
Alicia wouldn't stand at the school, it was prima donnas who thought themselves a cut above everyone else.

Alicia raised a hand and the children fell silent.

“A good morning to you all. Now, I have two very important announcements to make. There is good news and there is some bad news. I'll give you the bad news first. This is very serious, I'm afraid, very serious. I fear we have a thief in our midst.”

A murmur rippled through the room.

“Money and valuable items have gone missing from the rehearsal room at the top of the school. Miss Hanbury's gold chain broke while she was giving a voice class in there the day before yesterday. She left it on the window ledge and forgot all about it. When she returned a few hours later, it had gone, and it hasn't been handed in. She is very upset because it was a gift from her fiancé. Several pupils have also reported money and jewellery disappearing from that particular room. Aeysha, you lost a bracelet, didn't you, dear?”

Aeysha nodded.

“I would urge you to take care of your
possessions and not to bring anything valuable into school.” Alicia paused and gazed at the faces in the room. Several people blushed and everybody, even the most innocent, felt a little bit guilty inside. “If anybody has any information that they would like to share in confidence, or indeed any items that they would like to hand over, then please do feel free to come and see me in my study. Nobody should be afraid. Whoever is responsible for the thefts needs help, not punishment. They will be treated fairly. Whoever you are, we can sort this out, but you must return all the missing items.”

Alicia paused again.

“Now to the good news! Tomorrow we will be holding auditions to select those who will be part of this year's Swan entry for the Children's Royal Spectacular at the London Palladium. I'd like as many of you as possible to give it your best shot. Even if you don't make the grade, the audition experience will be good for you, particularly for those of you who might be put forward for the
Sound of Music
auditions just before Christmas. Besides, we want the very best people. The Swan does not just have some of the most talented children in the country, it has
the best trained, so we want to show the whole world what we can do. It's a terrific showcase for you and the school. We want to make sure that the Swan wins through the TV heats and is top of the bill!”

A huge cheer erupted in the theatre.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Eel took a deep breath as the music started. Immediately she was totally immersed in the dance. It was as if there was nothing else in the world except her and her body. There was a fire in the place where her heart was, and her limbs felt as if they had become molten, allowing her to do the impossible. She felt both exhilarated and incredibly calm too, as if nothing else in the world mattered except the dance. She felt as if she was flying, not dancing. She soared as the music reached its climax and turned a final sequence of explosive cartwheels, coming to a standstill on stage with a little flourish.

Eel beamed from ear to ear, still feeling as if she was floating two metres above the ground. But had she done enough to persuade Granny
Alicia to include her in the Swan team for the Children's Royal Spectacular? Eel hoped so, but she knew it was an outside chance. Almost everyone at the Swan had more experience and more training than her. She was pretty well a complete beginner as a dancer, and while she had bucketfuls of natural ability, that would count for very little against the impressive technique of many of the other pupils. Sometimes Eel and her friends went to watch the seniors practise and Eel hoped that one day she would be as good as some of them. She thought Abbie Cardew was wonderful, practically perfect in every way.

“Thank you very much, Eel. Results will be posted on the board at the end of the week.” Eel curtsied, said, “Thank you,” and left.
Please, please, let me be in it
, she thought, giving the audition panel her cheekiest grin.

Alicia smiled and watched her go.

“Of course, we can't possibly include her,” she murmured to her fellow judges. “She's only been here a few weeks.”

“Why not?” replied India Taylor. “She may only be seven but she's got more self-possession than the average seventeen-year-old. She's much more confident than her sister. I think it
might be good for her. And she's working like a Trojan. Performing before a live audience might be just the thing to spur her on to greater heights. A dangling carrot, as it were.”

“I think she developed a taste for live performance at the newbies' concert,” said Alicia wryly. “But maybe you're right. At the very least, she'd charm the judges and the audience into voting for the Swan, and we might need all the help we can get. I'll put her on the Possible list.” She looked at her sheet. “Who's next? Ah, Georgia Jones, how nice.”

Georgia walked nervously on to the stage and stood in the spotlight.

“When you're ready, Georgia,” said Alicia.

Georgia wasn't sure she would be truly ready ever again. This was the first time she had performed properly since the catastrophe of the newbies' concert. She felt sick inside in case she made a fool of herself. She had started to doubt her abilities more and more. Maybe Katie was right; maybe she was just a clumsy oaf.

Alicia peered at Georgia. “Are you all right, dear?” she asked, a look of concern on her face.

Georgia nodded, but she didn't feel it. Mrs Collett at the piano began to play. Georgia
opened her mouth but nothing came out.

“Begin again, dear,” said Alicia. Once again, Mrs Collett played the intro and Georgia opened her mouth a second time. Then she burst into tears and rushed off stage, where she was sick into the fire bucket in the wings.

She knew that she had blown it. There would be no Children's Royal Spectacular for her. She felt defeated, as if all the long years of hard practice had been for nothing. It didn't matter if her mum couldn't pay the fees because Miss Swan would probably ask her to leave anyway. Georgia knew she had performed badly in almost every lesson since the newbies' concert; most of her teachers had expressed disappointment in her. Georgia felt a total failure.

Katie breezed through the wings with Kylie Morris in tow. “Oh, yuk, Georgia Jones, that's gross!” she cried. “Get a grip, can't you, you'll put the rest of us off. My dad always says that if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. Losers like you shouldn't even
try
to compete with people of genuine talent.”

Back in the auditorium, Alicia asked Abbie to go and check that Georgia was all right, then
she turned to the rest of the panel. “I wish I knew what was worrying that child. It's as if her accident has knocked every shred of confidence out of her. She hasn't been the same since the newbies' concert.”

“Shall I put her on the No list?” asked Miss Hanbury.

“If you all don't mind, I'd like to suggest a private audition in my office. If I can be sure she's up to it, being included in the team might be just the boost she needs.”

The others nodded.

“Next!” called Alicia.

Katie walked on stage, tossing her hair, and with great aplomb launched into “Truly Scrumptious” from
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
. Her routine included a highly polished tap-dancing interlude. Katie felt invincible. She knew she was making a good impression. A place in the team was hers for sure. She curtsied and walked off, humming “Popular” under her breath.

“A bit too sweet for me,” said Sebastian.

“Yes,” agreed Alicia, “but not a performance you can really fault.”

“She's good, even if she's not quite as good as she thinks she is,” said Miss Taylor.

“I agree,” said Miss Hanbury. “I'm not sure we can afford to leave her out. She's very strong.”

“Not in maths she isn't,” said Alicia ominously. She looked at her watch. “I think Katie was the last one. I'm going to find Georgia and see if I can persuade her to perform for me, and then we'll reconvene at teatime to try and finalise the team.”