Alice-Miranda in Paris 7 Read Online Free PDF Page A

followed by a snappy medley of songs from
Sister Act
that soon had the patrons humming along. Their final chorus for the night was a particularly animated version of the old Elton John classic ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’, in which Figgy and Susannah had solos. They both hammed it up, much to the delight of everyone watching.
    As they finished their last tune, the patrons clapped and cheered. The children took a bow just as Mr Lipp had taught them and Cornelius Trout stood up from the piano and acknowledged the applause.
    ‘That was fun,’ Jacinta whispered. ‘I hope all the shows are as good as that.’
    ‘We’ll rehearse your solo tomorrow, Jacinta,’ Mr Lipp said and smiled at her.
    Jacinta nodded. She had been surprised to get the part in the first place. Now, after visiting Notre Dame that morning, she was terrified by the prospect of singing on her own in the cathedral, even if it was only one verse.
    Sloane felt a twinge in her tummy. She had wanted that part but hadn’t been game enough to audition. It wasn’t fair. Jacinta was a gymnastics superstar and now she was going to be a singing sensation too. Sloane wondered if she’d ever get a chance to be in the spotlight – for something good.
    ‘Well done,’ Professor Winterbottom called as the children returned to their seats.
    ‘Yes, good work everyone,’ Miss Grimm added. ‘But I think we should be getting back to the hotel. It’s almost bedtime and we have a busy day of sightseeing tomorrow.’
    ‘Hopefully we won’t be walking everywhere,’ Sloane whispered.
    ‘And we’ll be travelling on foot, so please make sure that you wear appropriate shoes.’ Miss Grimm arched an eyebrow at Sloane. ‘If I were you, young lady, I’d bring a good supply of bandaids.’
    ‘Yes, Miss Grimm,’ Sloane muttered.
    The group trotted back to the hotel in high spirits and assembled in the foyer.
    ‘We’ll see everyone down here for breakfast at half past seven,’ Professor Winterbottom informed the children. ‘And I expect all of you to have showers and wash properly, and brush your teeth. Yes, I’m looking at you, Rufus Pemberley.’ The headmaster glared at the lad, whose hair resembled a bird’s nest.
    ‘Tomorrow we will visit several historic sites . . .’ Miss Grimm began.
    Miss Reedy was standing to the side fidgeting with her hands. ‘Oh dear me,’ she said.
    ‘Is everything all right, Miss Reedy?’ asked Alice-Miranda, who was standing next to her.
    ‘I think I’ve left my camera at the restaurant,’ the teacher explained. ‘I’d best pop back and get it before they close.’
    ‘I’ll come with you,’ Mr Lipp offered. He hadn’t left the woman’s side since they’d departed from the restaurant.
    Miss Reedy shook her head. ‘Oh, no, I’ll be fine.’
    ‘I insist,’ said Mr Lipp. ‘It’s not right for a lady to be out on her own at this time of night.’
    ‘Mr Lipp, it’s half past eight and it’s still daylight. I’m sure that I can walk a few hundred metres without finding myself in mortal danger,’ Miss Reedy rebuffed.
    ‘I’m sure you can, Miss Reedy. But I wouldn’t be a gentleman if I didn’t offer.’
    The English teacher looked cornered.
    ‘Miss Reedy, may I speak with you in private?’ Alice-Miranda asked.
    ‘Yes, of course.’ Miss Reedy removed herself from Mr Lipp and wondered at the reason for her youngest student’s serious face.
    ‘Perhaps we could talk outside?’ The tiny child pointed at the glass doors that led from the foyer to the courtyard. Meanwhile, Miss Grimm was waxing lyrical about the Louvre Museum and the Eiffel Tower and myriad other landmarks on the tour list.
    Miss Reedy looked puzzled. ‘Is everything all right, Alice-Miranda?’
    ‘Yes, I just thought you might like me to go with you to the restaurant. I’m sure that we can be there and back before anyone’s had time to miss us,’ she suggested.
    ‘Oh, sweet girl.’ Miss Reedy smiled. ‘That would be