‘Hear, hear!’ said Felicity.‘Come on, we’ll have a drink of lemonade and then we’ll all feel as right as rain.’
The girls had all brought bottles of lemonade with them, and they moved to the side of the court now, drinking thirstily. Felicity was right, and they all felt refreshed once their thirst had been quenched, playing on with new heart.
Felicity and Susan won the match, but it was a close thing. As they walked off the court, Felicity said to Susan, ‘I think Freddie was off her game a little today, otherwise we might have lost. Esme played superbly.’
‘Didn’t she just!’ said Susan.‘Who would have thought, at the beginning of term, that she had it in her?’
‘She really seems to be finding her feet at Malory Towers,’ said Felicity, pleased.‘Doing well at tennis seems to have given her confidence in other ways. She doesn’t copy Amy so much now, and she’s trying much harder at her lessons. If she carries on like this, there’s a chance that she might go up into the fifth form next term, while we go into the fourth.’
‘Golly, that would be a shame,’ said Susan, looking a little dismayed.‘A shame for us, I mean, though of course it would be a jolly good thing for Esme. I suppose that Lucy will be pleased to see the back of her too.’
‘Perhaps, although the two of them do seem to be making an effort and getting on a little better now,’ said Felicity.‘In fact, the only fly in the ointment at the moment seems to be this beastly business with Bill and Clarissa.’
‘I shall be glad when Bill’s arm is better,’ said Susan.‘What with helping out at Five Oaks, tennis, swimming and lessons I feel absolutely exhausted!’
‘Yes, it’s been quite a busy term,’ agreed Felicity.‘We shall all be jolly glad of a break when half-term comes.’
The girls were so busy that the last few days before half-term simply flew by. Then on Saturday morning, Felicity woke early. She knew that she was excited about something, but at first she couldn’t think what it was. Then a little thrill of joy ran through her as she remembered, and she sat up in bed.
‘Wake up, everyone!’ she cried happily.‘It’s half-term!’
10
A super half-term
The parents seemed to arrive slowly at first—in‘dribs and drabs’, as Pam said. Then, as the morning wore on, more and more arrived, and soon the grounds were filled with groups of laughing, chattering girls and their families. Felicity was thrilled that her mother and father were among the first to arrive. She flew to meet them, hugging first her mother, then her father.
‘Did you get my letter, Mother?’ she asked eagerly.‘I’m taking part in the diving later, and so is Susan.’
‘Yes, I got it, dear,’ said Mrs Rivers, beaming happily at her excited daughter.‘Daddy and I were awfully proud to hear that you had been chosen. So was Darrell, of course. She telephoned me the other evening, and said to wish you luck.’
‘How I wish that she could have come with you!’ said Felicity.
‘Well, she’s working awfully hard at the moment,’ said Mr Rivers. ‘But the summer holidays aren’t too far away, so you will see one another then.’
Nearby, Felicity could see Pam with her parents, and Nora with her mother and young sister. And in the distance she could see Susan, chattering nineteen-to-the-dozen with her big, jolly father, while Bonnie enjoyed being fussed over by her doting parents.
I wonder if Esme’s parents are here too? thought Felicity. I do hope so.
Sadly for Esme, they weren’t. She had received a message to say that her parents wouldn’t be returning from their trip until late this afternoon, by which time it would be too late for them to travel to Malory Towers. But they meant to set off early the following morning, so that she would be able to spend tomorrow with them. All the same, the girl couldn’t help feeling a little forlorn as she saw the happy time that the others were having. There was Julie, dressed in her riding gear, ready to go off with her parents and brother for their picnic. And there—looking so like her beloved mother that Esme gave a gasp—was Aunt Janet, with Lucy. Esme hadn’t seen her aunt since the families fell out, and for a moment she stood rooted to the spot, hardly knowing what to do. But the problem was solved by her aunt, who spotted Esme and came over at once, a delighted smile on her face.
‘Esme, my dear!’ she said, kissing the girl on the cheek.‘How wonderful to see you again.’
‘Hallo, Aunt Janet,’ answered Esme, her voice a little shaky.‘I’m so pleased that you could come and see Lucy.’
Lucy, who had been hovering a little awkwardly in the background, said, ‘I was just telling Mother that you weren’t sure whether your people would be able to come, Esme.’
‘No, they telephoned Miss Grayling this morning and said that they wouldn’t be able to get here today,’ said Esme.‘But they are coming tomorrow.’
‘Well, that’s good,’ said Mrs Carstairs.‘But you can’t possibly stay here alone today, while everyone else is off enjoying themselves. I insist that you come out to lunch with Lucy and me.’
Esme glanced at her cousin, sure that she wouldn’t be too happy about the invitation, but Lucy was smiling. So Esme smiled too, and said happily, ‘Thank you, Aunt Janet. That will be a treat after I was expecting to stay here for school lunch.’
The restaurant that Mrs Carstairs took the girls to was a very good one, and they had a slap-up meal. But, even more than the delicious food, Esme enjoyed the company of her aunt and cousin. There were a few awkward moments when the girls mentioned their fathers, but on the whole they had a very pleasant time, recalling childhood incidents and telling Lucy’s mother about life at Malory Towers. Mrs Carstairs teased Esme good-naturedly about her American accent and Lucy laughed, saying, ‘You should have heard it when she first started at Malory Towers, Mother. It was much stronger then.’
‘Was it really?’ said Esme, looking surprised.
‘Oh yes,’ said Lucy.‘You seem to have lost some of it as the term has gone on. And you don’t say “gee” half as much as you used to. Why, at times you sound quite English!’
‘Heavens!’ exclaimed Esme.‘Mother will be pleased.’
‘How is your mother, Esme?’ asked Mrs Carstairs, looking rather wistful.‘I do miss her terribly, you know.’
‘Well, I know that she misses you as well,’ said Esme.‘But you’ll be able to see her tomorrow. Perhaps the two of you could talk, and—’
But Lucy’s mother shook her head, regretfully.‘I only wish that we could, my dear. But your father will be there, and Lucy’s father is hoping to come tomorrow as well, so that might make things a little awkward.’
Both girls looked uncomfortable now, so Mrs Carstairs hastily changed the subject, saying, ‘Well, we’ve a little time to spare before the diving and swimming at Malory Towers, so what would you girls like to do now?’
They thought for a moment, then Esme said, ‘Why don’t we pop over to Five Oaks and see Sandy? I never did get to say hallo to him.’
Lucy, of course, was only too happy to agree to this, so her mother said, ‘Very well. As long as you don’t try to get me up on his back, Lucy! You know that I’m not a great one for horses.’
Julie and her people were also at Five Oaks, returning Jack to his stable after their picnic. There was a flurry of introductions, then, while Julie’s mother chatted with Mrs Carstairs, Esme spotted Sandy, who had poked his head out of his stall to see what all the noise was about.
‘Sandy!’ she cried joyfully, going up to stroke the horse’s nose. ‘How marvellous to see you again, boy.’
Sandy whinnied softly and nudged Esme, who laughed and said, ‘I really believe that he remembers me!’
‘Perhaps he does,’ said Lucy, with a smile.
Just then Bill and Clarissa appeared, and there were yet more introductions, for neither Esme nor Mrs Carstairs had met the two girls before. Esme, who had heard so much about them that she felt as if she knew them very well indeed, looked at Bill and Clarissa with interest. Bill’s a
rm was still in plaster, and she said, ‘I have to go back to the hospital next week, and I’m hoping that the doctor will say that the plaster can come off. And won’t I be glad when I can get up on old Thunder again! Not being able to ride has been simply dreadful for both of us!’
Soon it was time for the Malory Towers girls and their families to return to the school in time for the swimming and tennis, but before they left, Julie found an opportunity to take Clarissa aside.
‘I don’t seem to have had the chance to talk to you or Bill in private just lately,’ she said.‘How are things? Have there been any more strange happenings?’
‘No, thank heavens,’ said Clarissa.‘Jim did catch a strange man prowling round here the other night, just before he went home for the evening. But he turned out to be one of Mr Banks’s grooms. Mr Banks had sent him over to have a scout round and check that everything was all right.’
‘That was thoughtful of him,’ said Julie.
‘Yes, he’s been very good to us,’ said Clarissa.‘Of course, Bill knows now that her “accident” was no accident. Now that she’s feeling stronger, I thought it best to tell her so that she could be on her guard.’
‘Good idea,’ said Julie.‘Although it sounds as if whoever was behind it may have decided to stop these rotten tricks.’
‘I certainly hope so,’ said Clarissa, with a sigh.‘It’s been an awfully difficult time. Of course, we’ve tried to keep the whole business quiet, but somehow word has got out and some of the children from the village have stopped coming for riding lessons. Their parents are afraid that they may be hurt too, so they won’t allow the children to come until they’re certain that it’s quite safe.’
‘Oh, Clarissa!’ cried Julie in dismay.‘I had no idea.’
‘Well, I suppose one can’t blame them,’ said Clarissa, suddenly looking rather strained.‘But of course, it means that we don’t have as much money coming in as we used to.’
Julie, guessing that Clarissa was a lot more worried than she was letting on, said stoutly, ‘Well, you may be sure that all the Malory Towers girls will continue to come, Clarissa. We’ll stand by you all right!’
But Julie wished that there was something else that she, and the others, could do to help Bill and Clarissa. She would bring it up after half-term, for she certainly didn’t want to dampen everyone’s spirits today, of all days.
And what a marvellous day it was!
All of the girls had been taken out to lunch by their parents, though those who were taking part in the sports that afternoon had been careful not to eat too much.
‘I shall make up for it at tea-time,’ Felicity had said to her mother, after refusing an ice-cream.‘half-term teas are always absolutely super!’
Indeed they were, and the kitchen staff had worked very hard at producing scores of dainty sandwiches, cakes, scones and big bowls of fat, juicy strawberries with jugs of cream.
But first there were the tennis and swimming exhibitions. Chairs had been arranged around the tennis court, and June’s parents sat proudly at the front.
June herself felt a little nervous—a most unusual thing for her—as she watched the upper-school matches and waited for her turn to come. Her opponent was to be Hilda Fenwick, after all, and—for a fleeting moment—June found herself wishing that the less aggressive Penelope was playing instead. Then she spotted Hilda, chatting with one of her friends. The fourth former saw June watching her, and gave her a scornful smirk before turning back and saying something that made her friend laugh. At once June’s moment of self-doubt vanished, her fighting spirit coming to the surface again. So, Hilda thought that she was going to have a walk-over, did she? Well, she could jolly well think again!
Felicity and her parents were sitting with Susan and her people to watch the match, and, as June and Hilda walked on to the court, Felicity whispered to Susan, ‘My word! Just look at June’s face!’
June wore an expression of grim determination, and even Hilda looked a little taken aback as the two girls faced one another.
Miss Maxwell, who was acting as umpire, tossed to see who would serve first. June won, and the two girls took their places. Then Miss Maxwell shouted, ‘Play!’ and the match began.
As there were several exhibition matches to get through, each one consisted of only one set. This meant that the spectators did not become bored and restless, and the players didn’t get too tired. June, her nerves completely gone now, played her first game superbly, getting a couple of aces past the bigger girl and winning comfortably. But Hilda fought back, taking the second and, for a while, the games went with service.
It was a very exciting match, both girls going all out to win and fighting fiercely for each point, while their supporters cheered loudly and yelled encouragement.
June, though, had quickly discovered that Hilda’s backhand was her weak point, and as the match went on she exploited this ruthlessly. And, as the score stood at five games to four in June’s favour, her persistence paid off. Hilda faulted on her first service, and her second was more cautious. Too cautious, for June slammed the ball back, placing it where the fourth former couldn’t hope to reach it.
‘Love, fifteen,’ called out Miss Maxwell, while the third formers yelled themselves hoarse.
‘Good shot, June!’
‘Go it, June!’
‘You can do it, June! Play up!’
And June played up for all she was worth, winning the next two points. There was a tense silence as Hilda served to stay in the match. But alas, her nerve seemed to have deserted her completely and she muffed the service, placing the ball almost at June’s feet. The girl could almost taste victory, and she hit the ball back so that it just cleared the net. Hilda, still at the baseline, ran forward, but it was no use. June had won! The third formers clapped and cheered, while June’s parents beamed with pride.
The two girls walked to the net and shook hands, June saying, ‘Bad luck, Hilda.’
‘It wasn’t bad luck,’ said Hilda ruefully, gracious in defeat.‘I was completely outplayed. Jolly well done, June.’
‘June played marvellously, didn’t she?’ said Susan to Felicity, as the two of them changed into their bathing costumes ready for the diving. ‘I only hope that we do half as well!’
In fact the two of them did very well indeed, their display of diving very graceful and thrilling to watch. Felicity’s beautiful swallow dive from the top board brought‘oohs’ and‘aahs’ from the first formers, and gasps of admiration from the parents. And Susan received a round of applause for her daring somersault, which she had practised to perfection.
‘Simply marvellous, darling!’ cried Mrs Rivers, when Felicity joined her parents afterwards.
‘Yes, I was proud of you,’ said Mr Rivers, giving her a hug.‘And I managed to take some good photographs as well. I shall send some to Darrell once I’ve had them developed.’
Then it was time for tea and, all too soon, it seemed, the girls were waving their parents off. Most of them were staying in nearby hotels so that they could come back tomorrow, while others, who lived nearer to Malory Towers, were going home for the night.
‘Well, what a perfectly super day!’ said Nora, as the third formers gathered in the common-room.
‘First-rate!’ agreed Pam.‘And June beating Hilda at tennis, and Susan and Felicity doing so splendidly in the diving was the icing on the cake!’
‘And talking of cakes, wasn’t that a simply wizard tea?’ said Freddie.‘I’ve eaten so much today that I feel as if I never want to eat again!’
‘I daresay you’ll feel differently tomorrow,’ laughed Felicity.
‘Ooh yes, we’ve still got tomorrow to look forward to!’ cried Bonnie, clapping her hands together excitedly.‘How lovely!’
Even Amy, who usually found something to complain about, was in a good mood, for she had enjoyed spending the day with her parents and grandmother.
‘I’ve had a marvellous time,’ she said.‘I really think that this has been the most
perfect day.’
‘I’ll second that!’ said Esme.‘Thank you for asking me along today, Lucy. I enjoyed myself so much.’
‘Well, it was really Mother who asked you,’ said Lucy.‘But I’m glad that you came too.’
‘It was so nice to see Aunt Janet again,’ Esme said, rather wistfully.‘And it’s perfectly obvious that she and Mother are missing one another terribly. If only there was something we could do to bring them together. And Father and Uncle Robert, of course.’
‘Well, there isn’t,’ said Lucy, with a sigh.‘Quite frankly, Esme, I don’t see how this rift between our parents is ever going to be mended!’
11
A family reunion
But Esme couldn’t get the idea of out her head. If only she and Lucy could make things right, and the two families could be as one again, it would be too marvellous for words!‘Lucy, we must try to think of something!’ she said, urgently.‘Tomorrow our parents are going to be here. It will be the first time that the four of them have been together, in the same place, for years. We just can’t let this opportunity slip by!’
Lucy looked at her cousin thoughtfully for a moment then, at last, she said, ‘You’re right. Look here, I can’t concentrate with all this excited chatter going on. Let’s slip away, and find somewhere quiet where we shall be able to hear ourselves think.’
So the two girls slipped quietly from the room and went off to one of the little music rooms. Esme perched on the piano stool, while Lucy sat cross-legged on the floor, their brows creased with concentration as they thought hard.
‘I’m quite certain that Mother and Aunt Maggie would be only too glad of an excuse to make up,’ said Lucy.‘Our fathers are the ones that we need to get to work on. They’re both so dreadfully stubborn!’
‘And proud,’ said Esme, with a sigh. Then her face lit up.‘What we need is a situation where they have to forget about their silly pride, because something more important is at stake. I know! Suppose we were to push one of them into the swimming-pool, so that the other had to come to his rescue?’