Bryony Bell Tops the Bill Read Online Free PDF

‘It’s like they think I’m a traitor.’ She gave a long sigh. ‘Well, maybe I am. Maybe we both are — not thinking they’d need costumes.’
    â€˜There’s more to life than being able to sing, Bryony,’ Big Bob said comfortingly. ‘When God was giving out vocal chords, you and me weren’t too far up the queue. So, singing’s just not in our genes and that’s all there is to it. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be a star — you mark my words!’
    â€˜I think you’re a star,’ Bryony said, smiling bravely. ‘But Dad,’ she went on, ‘there’s another problem. The Vipers are vital for the success of a plan I’ve got, and now Mum says they’ve got to go back tomorrow.’
    â€˜A plan, Bryony, love?’
    Bryony slipped off Big Bob’s knee, shifted the box of shoe-cleaning materials, and knelt at his feet.
    â€˜It’s my pal Abid Ashraf. You know — the big shy quiet one? Got asthma and a lovely singing voice and doesn’t like being looked at?’
    Big Bob nodded. “Course I know Abid,’ hesaid. ‘Heart of gold, that boy, and clever with it. So what’s up, Bryony?’
    â€˜He’s got to play the swan part in the school play and it’s making him really miserable, and I had this idea that I could do it — on skates! You know — really smooth ‘n’ elegant, balancing on one leg a lot and with loads of arabesques. And Abid could still sing, but he’d be offstage so no one could see, so he wouldn’t feel embarrassed.
    â€˜If only Mrs Quigg had seen the Viper 3000s,’ she sighed. ‘That would have clinched it. The swan costume’s white, you see.’
    â€˜Sure, Bryony,’ said Big Bob thoughtfully. ‘I get the picture.’
    He put his hands on his knees and rocked to and fro, whistling through the gap in his front teeth. He always did that when he was thinking, and Bryony sat silently, hopefully, waiting. Sure enough, after a few moments the whistling stopped and Big Bob leapt to his feet, gave his thigh a swipe, and said ‘Yeeee-hah!’ — which was what he always did when inspiration struck.
    â€˜Actions speak louder than words — that’s the key to it!’ he beamed. ‘Like when I was courting your mother. Flipping terrified, I was, to ask her to marry me — she being a singer, you know, and me just a humble joiner. So, guess what I did?’
    â€˜What?’ said Bryony, eyes sparkling.
    Big Bob glanced at the shed door and loweredhis voice. ‘Went out and spent half my wage packet on a bouquet of red roses, then got down on one knee and presented her with them!’
    And he lowered himself down on his right knee to demonstrate.
    â€˜So a bunch of flowers did it?’ Bryony asked. ‘As easy as that?’
    â€˜Well … not just a bunch of flowers,’ Big Bob told her with a wink. ‘Right in the middle of the roses, I hid a box. And when your mum opened it, what do you think there was inside but a ruby ring, winking up at her from the black velvet lining. Like a tiny beating heartful of love, that ruby was. Cleaned me out for years Bryony, but it did the trick!’

    Bryony gazed dreamily at her father. ‘That is so romantic, Dad. But what’s it got to do with me and old Mrs Quigg? Sure as anything I’m not marrying her!’
    â€˜What I said, Bryony: actions speak louder than words. You have to do the dance for her, never mind telling her about it. Catch her off her guard then dazzle her — bowl her over — like I did with your mother! OK?’
    â€˜Without the Viper 3000s, though?’
    Big Bob rummaged about among the shoe-cleaning materials and took out a tube.
    â€˜Fetch your old skates, lass,’ he told her. ‘Your dad’ll fix it!’
    * * *
    After four coats of shoe whitener, the black skates looked marginally better.