Summer Term at Malory Towers

  ‘That would never work,’ said Lucy scornfully.‘Both of them swim like fish, and wouldn’t need rescuing. All that would happen is that you and I would get into a dreadful row.’

  ‘Yes, I suppose you’re right,’ said Esme, rather glumly.‘Oh dear, how difficult it all is!’

  But Lucy suddenly snapped her fingers and cried, ‘Wait! Perhaps we could do it another way. We can’t push Father or Uncle Philip in—but you could pretend to fall in!’

  ‘Me?‘ said Esme, looking quite alarmed.‘But what good would that do?’

  ‘Don’t you see?’ said Lucy.‘You’ll have to make some excuse to get away from your parents, and come down to the swimming-pool, where I will be waiting with mine. Then you must throw yourself in the deep end, and pretend that you’re in difficulties. Of course, my father will dive in and rescue you. And your father will be so grateful to him that it will be quite impossible for the pair of them to carry on being enemies.’

  Esme looked simply horrified at this, and said, ‘Why can’t you pretend to fall in, and my father can rescue you?’

  ‘Because I swim like a fish too,’ answered Lucy.‘What’s the matter, Esme? Are you afraid of spoiling your hair?’

  ‘No, I’m afraid of drowning!’ retorted Esme, nettled by the scorn in her cousin’s voice.‘Lucy, you know that I’m not a very good swimmer, and I always stay in the shallow end.’

  ‘Yes, and that’s why it will be so much more convincing if you pretend to fall in, rather than me!’ said Lucy.‘And there’s not the slightest chance of you drowning. Even if my father doesn’t come to the rescue—which he most definitely will—I shall be there to haul you out.’

  Esme digested this in silence for a moment, then said, ‘But suppose someone else rescues me? That would simply ruin everything! It’s half-term, remember, and there will be lots of people about.’

  ‘Well, we shall just have to choose our time carefully,’ said Lucy, looking thoughtful.‘I know! We’ll do it at two o’clock. There’s a gymnastics display on then, so most of the parents will be watching that. The whole thing will only take a few moments. Now, once my father has pulled you out of the pool, you will have to pretend to be unconscious for a few minutes. Meanwhile, I’ll dash off to fetch your parents and tell them that Father has saved you from drowning. We’ll have to exaggerate a bit, of course, so that Uncle Philip feels properly grateful. And once your parents arrive at the pool, you can pretend to come round, and tell them that you owe your life to Father. If that doesn’t get them talking, I don’t know what will!’

  Esme still looked rather doubtful and Lucy said earnestly, ‘Esme, if you find the courage to go through with this, it will be the bravest and best thing that you have ever done. Our families will be reunited, and it will be all thanks to you.’

  Esme was much struck by this, but a little voice piped up at the back of her mind: what if it doesn’t work? What if something goes wrong?

  Yes, but what if I let the chance of ending this stupid feud pass by? thought Esme. What if my parents, and Lucy’s, never speak to one another again, because I didn’t have the pluck to go through with our plan? That would be far worse than trying and failing.

  She took a deep breath and said, ‘I’ll do it.’

  ‘Good for you!’ said Lucy, getting up and clapping her cousin on the back.‘I say, if it all works out, perhaps our parents will decide to move next door to each other again. Won’t that be fun?’

  ‘I’ll say,’ said Esme, her face breaking into a smile.‘Things will be just as they used to be.’

  But they wouldn’t be quite the same, thought Lucy, sobering suddenly, for Julie was her best friend now. And Lucy had no intention of throwing her off. She was getting on with Esme very much better now than she had at the beginning of term, and the old fondness they had felt for one another was starting to come back—but her cousin would never take Julie’s place with her. She wondered how she could broach this subject without offending Esme, but, almost as if the girl had read her mind, Esme said, ‘Of course, I realise that things have changed. We have both changed a great deal over the years. And I know that Julie is your friend now. I certainly wouldn’t try to come between you—the two of you get on so well together that it simply wouldn’t be right. But it will be nice for the two of us to have one another for company in the holidays.’

  ‘Oh yes, that would be super,’ agreed Lucy, relieved that Esme understood and accepted the situation. Grinning, she added, ‘Perhaps I can teach you to ride.’

  ‘And perhaps I can teach you how to dress properly, and do your hair so that you don’t look like a boy!’ laughed Esme.

  Just then the bell rang for bedtime and Lucy said, ‘Heavens, I had no idea it was so late! We’d better dash. You know what a stickler Felicity is for putting the lights out on time.’

  So the two girls made their way to the dormitory, both of them feeling excited and a little apprehensive. If only their scheme worked, then this would turn out to be the best half-term ever!

  The third formers gathered in the common-room to wait for their people after breakfast on Sunday morning.

  ‘Your parents won’t arrive any sooner because you’re standing there watching, you know,’ June called out to Freddie, who had stationed herself at the window.

  ‘I know, but I get so impatient and restless when I’m waiting for people,’ sighed Freddie.‘I just can’t seem to settle to anything. Oh, here comes a car! Does it belong to anyone here?’

  ‘No, those are Kay Foster’s parents,’ said Felicity, going across to join Freddie.‘But a few more cars are coming. Bonnie, I do believe one of them belongs to your people!’

  As Bonnie gave a squeal and ran from the room, Freddie said, ‘Your parents are here, too, Lucy—or are they Esme’s? Your mothers look so alike that I can’t tell one from the other!’

  The two cousins went across to the window, and Esme said in a rather hollow voice, ‘They’re mine.’

  ‘Well, you don’t sound very pleased to see them!’ said Nora, surprised.

  In fact, Esme’s feelings were very mixed. Of course she was pleased to see her parents, but she was also feeling extremely nervous about the scheme that she and Lucy had come up with. She glanced at her cousin, who gave her a reassuring smile, then went off to greet her parents. She was doing this for the good of the family, Esme reminded herself firmly, and if the plan failed it wouldn’t be because of a lack of courage on her part!

  Susan’s parents weren’t able to come that day, so she was going out with Felicity and her people. The two girls ran outside together to greet Mr and Mrs Rivers as soon as their car drew up, almost knocking over Eleanor Banks, who was standing at the bottom of the steps, talking to her uncle.

  ‘Watch where you’re going, you third formers!’ she said crossly.

  ‘Sorry, Eleanor!’ chorused Susan and Felicity, both of them glancing at Mr Banks rather curiously. He was a tall man—very pale, like Eleanor herself—with hooded eyes and thin lips, which seemed to be curved into a permanent smile.

  ‘Is that Eleanor’s uncle?’ murmured Felicity to Susan.‘He looks rather sinister, don’t you think? I never trust people who smile all the time!’

  Susan laughed and said, ‘You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Mr Banks has been jolly good to Bill and Clarissa in their time of need.’

  ‘Of course, I had forgotten about that!’ said Felicity.‘Well, he must be quite decent after all—and I suppose he can’t help the way that he looks.’

  Esme and Lucy, meanwhile, were having a grand time with their respective parents, though there was a tricky moment when the two families came face to face in the courtyard. The two mothers greeted one another rather awkwardly, while Mr Walters and Mr Carstairs merely nodded unsmilingly, and rather stiffly, before walking on. Lucy, unseen by the grown-ups, gave her cousin a wink, and Esme grinned back. Her father wouldn’t be so stiff and unfriendly once he thought that Uncle Robert had saved her life!

  But, once the
time came for Esme to carry out her part in this daring plan, she didn’t feel like grinning at all! There were butterflies in the girl’s stomach as she led her parents to a bench, under the shade of a tree, in the courtyard. The grounds had been thronged with people earlier, but now it was quieter, for the gymnastics display was due to start shortly, and many of the parents had gone to watch.

  ‘How pleasant it is just to sit quietly for a few moments,’ said Mrs Walters.‘We have had such a busy morning, with so much to see. I must say, dear, Malory Towers seems a splendid school.’

  ‘And that games mistress of yours was telling me that you’re beginning to shine at tennis,’ said Mr Walters, looking proudly at his daughter.‘It sure looks like this English school is bringing out some hidden talents in you.’

  Normally, Esme would have basked in her parents’ praise, but now she was on tenterhooks, for it was time for her to go down to the swimming-pool.

  ‘Are you quite all right, dear?’ asked her mother, looking at her in concern.‘You look a little flushed.’

  ‘I’m fine, Mother,’ said Esme.‘It’s just that I’m a little hot and thirsty. I might go to the kitchen, and see if Cook can spare us some lemonade.’

  ‘Good idea,’ said her father.‘Shall I come and help you carry it?’

  ‘Oh no, I can manage, Father,’ Esme assured him hastily.‘You sit here and relax with Mother.’

  And Esme walked off towards the kitchen, changing direction as soon as she was out of sight of her parents, and running off to the swimming-pool.

  Lucy and her parents were already there, Lucy feeling quite as nervous as her cousin, now that the time had come for them to put their plan into action. She glanced round as Esme approached, but Mr and Mrs Carstairs had their backs to the girl, and didn’t spot her until she was on the ledge of rocks surrounding the pool.

  ‘Hallo, Esme!’ said her aunt, sounding surprised.‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘Oh, I—er—I thought I saw Felicity here,’ answered Esme, a little flustered.‘I just needed to ask her something. Hallo, Uncle Robert.’

  ‘Hallo, my dear,’ answered her uncle, a little gruffly.

  Lucy gave her cousin a meaningful look, which Esme knew meant that she was supposed to fall into the pool. But how was she to do it in a convincing way? If she just threw herself in, it wouldn’t look realistic at all. As it turned out, though, Esme’s fall was very realistic indeed! The rocks around the pool were extremely slippery and, as the girl stepped forward, her feet suddenly slid from under her, and she tumbled headlong into the pool, her scream of fright quite genuine.

  Lucy stood rooted to the spot, as Esme disappeared under the water, while Mrs Carstairs gave a little cry of horror. And Mr Carstairs sprang into action immediately, throwing off his jacket and plunging into the pool after Esme. For a moment he, too, vanished beneath the surface, then he came up, gasping for air, an unconscious Esme in his arms.

  ‘I think she may have banged her head on the rocks!’ he called to his wife.‘Help me to get her out. And Lucy, run as fast as you can and find Esme’s parents—and you’d better fetch Matron, too!’

  Scared now, Lucy ran like the wind towards the school. Why had she thought up this stupid idea? If Esme turned out to be badly injured, it would all be her fault, and she would never forgive herself! And where on earth was she supposed to start looking for her aunt and uncle, for she didn’t have the faintest idea where Esme had left them! Perhaps she had better go and fetch Matron first, for there was no time to waste. But, as she reached the courtyard, Lucy spotted her aunt and uncle sitting on a bench, and raced up to them.

  ‘Why, Lucy!’ said Mrs Walters, alarmed at the girl’s panic-stricken expression.‘What on earth is the matter?’

  ‘It—it’s Esme,’ gasped Lucy, trying to catch her breath.‘There’s been an accident. She’s fallen into the swimming-pool and hit her head.’

  Mrs Walters turned pale, while Mr Walters was on his feet immediately, a look of horror on his face.

  ‘My father dived in and pulled her out,’ Lucy said.‘And he sent me to fetch you both, and Matron.’

  ‘We shall go there at once,’ said Mr Walters, trying to speak calmly, as he helped his wife to her feet.‘Lucy, you carry on and find Matron, will you? Tell her to come to the pool immediately. Good girl!’

  Lucy sped off into the school, and up the stairs to Matron’s room. She burst in, without pausing to knock, giving Matron a terrific start.

  ‘My goodness!’ she cried, looking most displeased at the third former’s lack of manners. But before she could begin to scold, Lucy’s face crumpled and, between sobs, she cried, ‘Matron, you must come quickly! There’s been a dreadful accident, and Esme is hurt.’

  Matron was on her feet at once, putting a comforting arm about Lucy’s shoulders, and saying in her brisk but kindly manner, ‘There now, Lucy. Do try to keep calm, my dear, or you won’t be able to tell me what has happened. Take me to Esme, and you can explain what has happened on the way.’

  But Matron and Lucy only got as far as the big hall when the door was suddenly opened and a very bedraggled Mr Carstairs appeared, followed by Mr Walters, who was carrying a pale, but conscious, Esme.

  ‘Thank goodness!’ breathed Lucy, while Matron took charge and said crisply, ‘Bring her up to the San, Mr Walters. And Mr Carstairs, you had better get out of those wet things. Wait in my room, and I’ll get someone to fetch you a blanket.’

  With her usual efficiency, Matron soon had Esme undressed and in bed, where she examined her carefully.‘No bones broken, thank heavens,’ she announced at last.‘But I’m afraid you’re going to have a beautiful bruise on your forehead tomorrow, young lady!’

  ‘I don’t mind,’ murmured Esme, a little smile on her lips.‘It was worth it.’

  ‘Why, whatever do you mean?’ asked Matron, astonished.

  ‘I shouldn’t be surprised if she was concussed,’ said Lucy, hastily. ‘I say, Matron, do you think I might have a word with Esme alone?’

  Mr Walters frowned at this, and said, ‘Gee, I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Lucy. Esme really needs some peace and quiet.’

  But Esme said, ‘It’s all right, Father. I’d like to talk to Lucy. You and Mother will come and see me in a little while, won’t you?’

  ‘Just try to keep me away!’ said her father.

  ‘Don’t keep Esme talking for too long, Lucy,’ admonished Matron, as she ushered Mr Walters from the room.‘And now I’d better go and see how poor Mr Carstairs is doing.’

  ‘I’ll come with you, Matron,’ the girls heard Esme’s father say, as the door closed behind the two grown-ups.‘I’ve already shaken him by the hand once, but I need to do it again. He sure is a hero!’

  ‘Did you hear that?’ whispered Lucy gleefully.‘It worked! Esme, it worked!’

  Esme smiled wanly and at once Lucy was contrite, saying, ‘But I never meant you to get hurt, Esme. I wouldn’t have had that happen for the world. I don’t know about my father being a hero, but you’re certainly a heroine.’

  ‘No, I’m not,’ said Esme, ruefully.‘I slipped and fell. So, you see, your father really did save my life!’

  ‘But where are our mothers?’ asked Lucy.‘I can’t believe that they aren’t here, at a time like this.’

  ‘The last I saw of them, they were having a tearful reunion in the courtyard,’ said Esme with a contented sigh.‘Though I daresay they will be here any minute. As soon as I came round, and Mother saw that I was going to be all right, she burst into tears. Of course, Aunt Janet comforted her, and before I knew what was happening, she was crying too, and the pair of them were hugging like nobody’s business! As for my father, he simply couldn’t thank Uncle Robert enough. Lucy, I do really think that everything will be all right now.’

  So it seemed, for a moment later Matron bustled in, saying, ‘I’m afraid I shall have to throw you out now, Lucy, for Esme’s parents want to see her.’

  ‘Darling, how are you feeling?’
asked Mrs Walters, a very concerned look on her face as she entered the San.

  ‘My head aches a bit, but I’ll be all right,’ answered Esme.‘I’m sorry to have given you both such a fright.’

  ‘I’m just glad that your uncle was there,’ said her father, gravely. ‘I don’t think I’ll ever be able to thank him enough for saving you.’

  ‘Does that mean that you’re friends again now?’ asked Esme hopefully.

  ‘It sure does,’ answered Mr Walters.‘I think what happened to you today made us realise how stubborn and foolish we had both been. But we won’t let our pride get in the way of our friendship—or our families—again.’

  ‘I’m so pleased to hear that,’ said Esme contentedly.‘And I expect you are, too, aren’t you, Mother?’

  Mrs Walters nodded.‘I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed my sister.’

  ‘And Lucy and I are friends now, too,’ said Esme.‘So everything has worked out perfectly. We’re just one big, happy family again!’

  12

  Mam’zelle is a sport

  The story of Esme’s accident spread through the school like wildfire, and Lucy became quite embarrassed as one girl after another came up to her and congratulated her on her father’s bravery.

  ‘How lucky that he was there,’ said Nora, in the common-room that evening.

  ‘I’ll say,’ said Freddie, with a shudder.‘Just imagine what might have happened if no one had been around when Esme fell in.’

  ‘You must be so proud of your father, Lucy,’ said Felicity.‘I know I would be, if mine had done something so marvellous.’

  ‘I saw your father and Esme’s together at tea-time,’ said Bonnie, staring hard at Lucy.‘The two of them were gabbling away nineteen-to-the-dozen. Just as if they were the best of friends.’

  By now, the whole form knew the story of the feud between Lucy and Esme’s family, and Susan said, ‘Well, I should think it would be impossible for the two of them to remain enemies after what happened today. So at least something good has come out of it.’