A Girl's Guide to Spying by Holly Webb

Author:Holly Webb
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: phil earle;rhian tracey;robin stevens;hilary mckay;katherine woodbine;world war one;ww1;girl guides;girl guide;mystery;spy;spies;adventure;MI5;rose patrol
Publisher: Oneworld Publications
Published: 2026-01-15T12:23:27+00:00

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What will you do for England,

Dear little English maid?

You may be poor, weak, and obscure,

Still you can lend your aid.

Song by Philip Trevor, from The Handbook for Girl Guides

“Stand still, Annie!” Ruby said. “I’ll never get this crown to stay put if you don’t stop jigging about.”

The bazaar had started and it was less than half an hour until their performance. Phyl was hurrying about the back room of the hired hall in a panic, while Minna and Ruby tried to get everyone dressed. She wished she’d suggested a raffle like the Snowdrops.

“Can you remember your lines?” she demanded, stopping in front of Annie.

“I’ve only got one line,” Annie pointed out patiently. “And you know I know it. The children of the world are wishing for peace.”

“You say that, but I just asked Iris the same thing and she said she didn’t know she had to say anything.”

Annie looked round at Iris, and Ruby swore under her breath as the crown of roses slid off again. “Sorry!” Annie squeaked.

“Could you go away and bother someone else?” Ruby snapped. “Or she’ll never be ready in time. Iris was having you on, Phyl. What’s the point of being so clever if you can’t work that out?”

Phyl stepped back, feeling suddenly cold despite the stifling heat of the afternoon. She could see Annie watching them. Before her sister could demand they tell her why they were fighting, Phyl turned round and whisked out of the room.

She went to lurk on the steps by the side of the stage, looking out into the main hall, which was full of smart ladies drinking tea and eating cake. Guide companies from all around their district had brought cakes and jam and handicrafts and games. There was even a White Elephant stall, piled up with strange things that no one could ever want to buy. The Snowdrops’ raffle stall had a crowd round it buying tickets, Phyl noticed, trying to forget the angry glitter in Ruby’s eyes.

“Are you not feeling well, Phyl?” Miss Lynley came to stand at the bottom of the steps. “You look pale. You mustn’t be nervous. I’m sure everything will go perfectly.”

“I’m all right,” Phyl muttered. “I’d better get back in there. You’ll tell us when it’s time?”

Miss Lynley nodded. “I was just about to get all our Guides standing by the steps, ready for their song.”

Phyl ducked back inside the little room. “It’s nearly time,” she hissed. “Come and wait by the door. Miss Lynley’s going to introduce us soon.” She beckoned to Charlotte and Freddie, who were wearing their Guide uniform, with their badges polished even more than usual. They practically glittered. “Are you two ready? Do you remember your words?”

“Stop fussing.” Charlotte patted her arm. “We know the script back, front and sideways, Phyl. You’ve gone through it with us loads of times.”

“I didn’t check the aeroplane!” Phyl suddenly squeaked.

“Miss Fielding’s got it ready in the hall,” Annie soothed her. “Under the sheet, so no one can see what it is.

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