Neesha grinned. “I so don’t have a clue what you’re on about, Mandy, but it sounds wicked!”
“Now what about you, Sam?” Mandy looked over at me. “Who did you say you wanted to be again?”
I opened my mouth, and closed it again. I’d told her so many times. “W-what do you mean, who do I want to be?” I stammered. “I kept telling you, over and over. Don’t you remember? I really—”
“I’m just kidding,” she laughed. “Sam, you’re going to be Laura, well done.” She handed me a script, smiling.
“Yes!” I punched the air. “I’m Laura! I’m Laura!” I got up and did a little victory dance around Ellie.
“Where’s Sandeep by the way?” said Mandy, frowning. “He hasn’t rung me to say he couldn’t make it today. Does anyone know?”
Just at that second we heard the downstairs door slam.
“That’ll be him,” I said, practically skipping round the hall in excitement. “Is he Ben? Is that what you were going to say? I’ve got to tell him.”
I rushed over to the door, expecting to hear Sandeep’s feet flying up the stairs, but there was nothing.
“Hang on a minute, what on earth was that?” said Mandy. There was a weird clunking noise. Someone was coming up the stairs, but it sounded as if they were dragging something very heavy behind them. Clunk, drag, clunk, drag, clunk, drag...
We all froze.
“Oh my God, yeah,” said Neesha. “It sounds like something out of Doctor Who…or maybe it’s the phantom face!”
But it wasn’t a Dalek or a Cyberman or the face at the window.
It was Sandeep.
On crutches.
“Sorry I’m late,” he panted, struggling to get through the door and completely out of breath. “I had a really bad accident at school and I’ve broken my leg.”
We all unfroze. I held the door open while Mandy and Adam helped him into the hall and Ellie ran to grab a chair.
“Here, sit down,” said Mandy. “What happened?”
Sandeep lowered himself down as carefully as he could. “Well, it’s a bit embarrassing really, but basically I fell down the stairs. It was just that weird thing when you think there’s another step there and then there isn’t.”
“The curse of the phantom step!” said Monty B and we all groaned.
“Did they have to call an ambulance?” said Sara. “I had to go in an ambulance once, didn’t I, Phoebe?”
“This isn’t really about you,” said Phoebe.
“But you will still be able to be in the show, won’t you?” I said.
Sandeep shook his head. “I don’t think so. I mean I won’t be able to get on and off the stage or anything like that. But I’d still like to come every week and help out with other stuff.”
“Oh, Sandeep, there’s heaps you could do!” cried Mandy, running her hands through her hair. “But you’re right, it really wouldn’t be safe to have you climbing on and off the stage. It’s so old and there isn’t even a proper rail to hold on to. I had cast you as Ben, I’m afraid, but I’ll have to change things about a bit. Poor old Sandeep!”
“But I could help him, couldn’t I?” I said desperately. “I’m really strong and he could sort of lean on me and there’s no reason why he wouldn’t be at a wedding in a castle with a broken leg, is there?”
“That’s really nice of you, Sam,” said Mandy, “but it just wouldn’t be safe. Look, why don’t you all have a game of Handshake Murder while I have a think about the show. Sandeep, you can choose the murderer and the detective.”
Sandeep chose Neesha to be the detective and she went to stand outside.
I walked around the hall shaking hands with the others but staying as far away from Adam as I could. I didn’t want to shake his hand and I really didn’t want Mandy to choose him to be Ben instead of Sandeep. My hands started to feel hot and sweaty. Why on earth did Sandeep have to go and break his leg?
I stayed out of Adam’s way for as long as possible while everyone around me was dying. Eventually there was no getting away from him. He grabbed my hand and tickled my palm. He was the murderer. My face started to burn up. It was like an automatic response that I had no control over.
“Okay, come and sit down,” Mandy called out from the front. “It’s all sorted.” Mandy read out the new cast list.
Adam was Ben.
I was dead!
“Come on then! Who’s Riley?” Ellie demanded, the second we got up to Phoebe’s room.
“Don’t tell me you’ve got a boyfriend as well!” said Polly. “Is he cute?”
“Oh, he’s very cute! The cutest thing you’ve ever seen in your life. He’s got the deepest brown eyes and a very wet nose!”
Polly screwed up her face. “Ewww! What’s the matter with him? Has he got a cold or something?”
“No, of course not,” I said, laughing. “Riley is a puppy. One of Adam’s puppies. My Aunty Mags is buying him. The puppy that is, not Adam.”
“So that’s why you were round there,” said Ellie. “I get it.”
We all threw ourselves on Phoebe’s bed, and began munching our way through a huge bowl of strawberries her mum had left for us.
“The thing is,” I said, “I had no idea it was Adam’s house. I was just sitting there with my aunt, cuddling this gorgeous little pup, when in he walks. I nearly had heart failure. He squashed right up next to me on the couch and everything. It was just so embarrassing.”
Ellie sat up. “Hey, you know Adam and Eddie go to the same school, yeah, well Eddie told me that Adam really fancies someone at drama but he wouldn’t tell me who it was. He said he was sworn to secrecy.”
“No way,” breathed Phoebe.
“I bet it’s Sam,” said Polly.
“Don’t be stupid.” My heart was pounding. Adam was in Year Ten – he wouldn’t fancy someone in Year Eight, would he?
“Come on,” Polly insisted. “He’s always liked you, ever since the first show. It’s so obvious.”
“No it isn’t,” I said, burying my face in my script. “But wait till you see Riley, he’s the most gorgeous, cute, adorable thing you’ve ever seen in your life. I just wish he was mine.”
Suddenly Sara burst in to the room. “Talking about Adam again!” she said. “Oh Adam, you’re the most gorgeous, cute, adorable thing I’ve ever seen in my life. I just wish you were mine!” She swooned onto the bed. “Can’t I rehearse with you, pleeease? I’m bored to death downstairs by myself.”
“No you can’t! Get out!” said Phoebe. She pushed her off the end of the bed.
“And we weren’t talking about Adam, we were talking about my aunt’s new puppy!” I added.
“You don’t have to be embarrassed about it, Sam,” said Sara. “Everyone fancies Adam. And now Sandeep’s broken his leg, you’ll get to do all your scenes with him.”
“What do you know about fancying boys?” said Ellie. “You’re not even ten!”
Sara stood in the middle of the room, pouting. “I’m nearly ten and I’m getting hair extensions just like Mandy’s – and anyway, I’m very grown up for my age, remember?”
“Oh, just go and watch TV or something,” said Phoebe. “This is a private meeting and you have to be twelve or over to come in here.”
Sara stamped her foot and flounced out of the room.
“See you in two years!” I shouted after her. “And I was not talking about ADAM! I honestly don’t know how you put up with her, Phoebe,” I said, turning back to the others. “I’m so happy I haven’t got a little sister.”
Phoebe laughed. “She’s just jealous of you, Sam. She was desperate to be Laura and she knows you’re the best at acting.”
I shook my head, embarrassed. “No I’m not.”
“Of course you are,” she said. “By a mile.”
“Seriously, Sam,” said Polly. “I was round here the other day and we heard her in her room pretending that you had to leave Star Makers suddenly, and Mandy gave her your part. Right, Phoebs?”
&n
bsp; Phoebe nodded. “It was totally sad! Oh, that reminds me actually,” she said, jumping up. “You’ll never guess who I saw yesterday, Sam. It was your sister, Crystal.”
My mouth dropped open. “Don’t be stupid.”
“No really, we went to this market after school that my mum knows to get some material – it’s a sort of arts and crafts market – and Crystal was there selling her jewellery. I’m pretty sure she didn’t recognize me but it was definitely her. Look…”
She handed me a small card.
Crystal’s Crystals
Hand-made silver jewellery
The perfect present — or why not treat yourself!
“Haven’t you been there?” she babbled on. “It’s such a cool place, and her stall was amazing. I really wanted to buy something myself but I didn’t have enough money and Mum said she was broke.”
“Oh, let’s see,” said Ellie, holding her hand out for the card. “I haven’t seen your sister in ages, Sam. Has she been travelling or something?”
“She’s moved in with her boyfriend,” I mumbled, desperate to change the subject. It was so weird and kind of annoying to think of Crystal out there – merrily selling her jewellery – while I was worrying myself silly, waiting for her to call.
“Let’s just start practising, can’t we?” I said, slipping the card into my pocket. I was fed up with Adam and Crystal. “Let’s do the scene in Act Two when Mr. Biscuit questions everyone in the Grand Hall. We’re all in that, even Flora the castle cook.”
“What do you mean, even Flora the cook?” said Ellie. “My part’s really good, if you don’t mind.” She grabbed her folder in a huff, but as she yanked it open, a scruffy, half-torn piece of paper covered in writing floated out from the centre of the script and down onto the bed in front of us.
We crowded round to see what it was and Ellie started reading out loud.
My darling,
I cannot keep my feelings trapped inside for one moment longer.
My heart yearns for you more each day. I’d like to think that over time you have grown to feel the same way, but please give me some sign, some signal, that my love for you is not in vain. I will watch and wait…
Forever yours, and I really do mean for ever…
Arthur
“Oh my giddy aunt!” said Ellie. “I think we’ve just found what Arthur was looking for.”
We all stared at each other for a minute then collapsed back on the bed in hysterics. No wonder Arthur was in such a state. He’d written a love letter to Mandy and lost it.
“Oh my darling,” spluttered Ellie, grabbing hold of me. “I cannot keep my feelings for you trapped inside for one moment longer. Give me some sign!”
“I can just imagine the sign Mandy would give Arthur, and it wouldn’t be terribly loving,” laughed Polly.
“I knew he liked her,” I said. “It’s been obvious for ages. The way he turns up every Saturday, thinking up a different reason to be there every time he comes in.”
“What are we going to do with it, though? I mean it is very private. How do you think it ended up in your script in the first place?” Phoebe asked Ellie.
“I’ve got no idea,” said Ellie. “You know what I’m like, I probably picked it up by mistake. Let’s just take it back next Saturday and put it on the piano by Mandy’s things – that way she can decide what to do with it.” She caught my eye and made a stupid face and we started to laugh all over again.
“This is so nice – hanging out together. I’m glad you didn’t meet up with Eddie this week,” I said.
“He was a bit funny about it to tell you the truth,” said Ellie, folding Arthur’s letter and slipping it back in her script. “He said I shouldn’t let you decide how I spend my Saturdays.”
“Hey, that’s not fair,” said Polly. “Sam didn’t decide. She just suggested we get together to practise the show. Why doesn’t he join Star Makers if he’s that bothered?”
I nodded, agreeing with Polly, but Ellie just sat there, looking confused. It was like Eddie was trying to come between us and she didn’t even realize.
“Don’t listen to him, Ellie,” I said. “He’s just being an idiot. We’ve been best friends for much longer than he’s been around!”
“You’re right,” said Ellie quickly. “Friends First.” But she didn’t sound as if she meant it at all.
Phoebe rang Monty B to come over to join us and as soon as he arrived we began to practise the scene in the Grand Hall. It starts off quite serious. Mr. Biscuit is questioning each character about the face at the window, but then Ellie comes in with one of those old-fashioned silver trolleys to serve tea.
“Oh splendid!” says Monty B. “There’s nothing like a cup of tea to help things along.”
Ellie hands Monty B one of those dainty little teacups and says, “Biscuit?” and he says, “It’s Mr. Biscuit, if you don’t mind!” But of course she’s got no idea that his name is Mr. Biscuit, so she just gives him this really funny look, holds out the plate of biscuits and says, “Oh, I am sorry, Sir, would you like a Mr. Biscuit, Sir?” and Phoebe says, “No, no, he’s Mr. Biscuit,” and Ellie says, “Oh I understand,” not understanding at all, and says, “Would you like a Mr. Biscuit, Mr. Biscuit?” and it goes on and on like that, getting more and more ridiculous.
“I’ll never be able to do this onstage without laughing,” said Ellie. “You know what I’m like once I start giggling. And stop making that funny face, Monty B!”
“He’s not,” said Phoebe. “That’s just the way he looks!”
“Thanks a lot!” said Monty B, and we all cracked up again. It was the best time I’d had in ages. I loved the new show and I loved being round at Phoebe’s having such a giggle with everyone.
When I got home I slipped Crystal’s little card into the envelope with the invitation and the note. Something else to hide from Mum. The invitation, my part in the show and now this. I used to think that families shouldn’t be allowed to keep secrets from each other, that there should be some law against it or something, but here I was, keeping so many secrets from Mum I was in danger of bursting at any moment.
I lay down on my bed, the envelope safe under my pillow. If Crystal didn’t call me soon, or come and see me at school…well, I would just have to go and find her myself.
As soon as we got to drama the next Saturday, Phoebe, Polly and I made a sort of barrier around Ellie while she slipped Arthur’s letter onto the piano by Mandy’s things. It was all my idea of course and it worked brilliantly. Mandy was busy talking to one of the parents, so she definitely didn’t see what we were up to. It was impossible to concentrate after that though. Every time she went anywhere near the piano we all held our breath, waiting to see what would happen – but then she’d pick up a pen or grab her script and not even notice the letter at all.
Just before break she called us over to the piano to teach us the second song in the show, “Clueless”. She picked up the music and was just about to sit down when she finally spotted the scruffy piece of paper. The others carried on chatting, waiting for her to start playing but the four of us froze, our eyes fixed firmly on her face as she read Arthur’s love letter.
Her eyes opened wider and wider and her mouth went all twitchy at the corners, as if she was trying very hard not to laugh. I had to breathe really deeply not to burst out laughing myself and I didn’t dare look over at Ellie. When Mandy finished reading, she stood there for a minute, biting her lip, then she folded the letter up and put it inside her bag.
“Okay,” she said. “Let’s make a start.”
“I really hope Arthur comes in later,” whispered Polly. “I can’t wait to see what she says.”
“Or what sign she gives him,” I whispered back and I had to bury my face in my script to stop myself snorting.
“Clueless” is the song Monty B and Phoebe sing when they arrive at the castle to solve the mystery of the phantom face – but the point of the song is that they really don’t have a clue about anything.
Monty B comes onstage with this massive magnifying glass, as if he’s searching for evidence, and Phoebe follows on behind with a pen and a little book, ready to make a note of anything he finds.
They sing the first part of the song by themselves as they arrive, and then the rest of us join in with the second chorus.
I’m Biscuit! I’m Sugar!
And we’re here to sort out this mystery from the past
And though we’re not terribly quick or especially fast
We won’t leave this place
Or the strange phantom face
Till we find out what happened
And sort out this case at last.
We don’t have a clue, it’s true
But wait till this case is through
We’re clueless, it’s true, right now
But wait till we take our bow!
We don’t have a clue, it’s true
But wait till this case is through
We don’t have a clue right now
But please let us take a bow!
Phoebe is brilliant at singing and Monty B’s just got one of those faces that makes you laugh even when he’s not trying to be funny. They’d obviously practised it together during the week because they’d added all these hilarious, slapstick actions, and at one point Mandy had to stop playing the piano, she was laughing so much.
“Oh my goodness, it’s perfect casting,” she said, wiping her eyes. “Just don’t get too carried away, will you, Monty B?”
“Stick to the script!” said Monty B, saluting.
When we’d learned the chorus and sung it through a few times, Mandy sent us off in groups to practise the scene leading up to the song. I had to team up with Adam and Sara, worse luck. I tried to get Sara on her own to warn her not to say anything stupid about me and Adam, but Adam came straight over before I could talk to her.
“Look after Sara, would you, Sam?” said Mandy as we clambered onto the stage to get away from the others. “It is her first production, don’t forget.”
“And her last with any luck!” I muttered to myself.
Adam was wearing his black beanie hat and black Dr. Martens boots and he looked so cool I had to force myself not to stare at him. I kept thinking about what Eddie said, about Adam liking someone at drama, and I couldn’t help wondering if Polly was right and it might be me after all.