Alice-Miranda on Vacation by Jacqueline Harvey

Author:Jacqueline Harvey [Harvey, Jacqueline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-375-89859-4
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2012-04-10T04:00:00+00:00

Alice-Miranda’s mind was racing. If I’m not going mad, she thought, then I think someone must have put something in Granny’s tea. She wondered what sort of medicine made people go to sleep and forget things.

Something else was bothering Alice-Miranda. She needed to find Jasper. She felt awful about what had happened earlier and wanted to make sure that he was all right.

Alice-Miranda left Rose Cottage and ran down the lane to Jasper’s house, where she knocked loudly on the back door. Heinrich was in the kitchen having lunch.

“Hello, Alice-Miranda,” he called. “Come in, come in. How is zat pony of yours?”

“He’s fine,” she replied. “I don’t think he actually ate that much. Is Lily home?” It had just occurred to her that she might have a chance to talk to Lily before seeing Jasper. Hopefully Lily could clear up one of the mysteries.

“No. She’s gone to ze city today.” Heinrich shook his head. “Won’t be back until late.”

“Is Jasper in?”

“He’s upstairs—in a bit of a mood, I zink. Poppy’s gone to play wiz a little friend in ze village. I ’ave to pick her up later. Better not forget or I’ll be in trouble wiz her mother.” He winked. “Why don’t you go up and see Jas—might make ’im feel better.”

Alice-Miranda bounded upstairs, eager to put things right with her friend. He was in the room under the eaves, playing with his models.

“Hello, Jasper,” she said from the doorway. “I’ve come to apologize.”

“For what?” He didn’t look up.

“You know—for before … with Lucas. I didn’t mean for him to wreck your model. I was only trying to help,” Alice-Miranda explained.

Jasper stood up and walked around to the other side of the table. He picked up two soldiers and moved them to another part of the battlefield.

“I’m sorry,” Alice-Miranda tried again. “I was hoping we could spend some time together. Jacinta’s not feeling well, so she’s gone to bed, and Bonaparte’s in trouble,” she began. “I’ve really missed you.”

Jasper brushed a hand across his eye. “Why did you have to go away to that stupid school?” He looked up at her.

“But I love school,” Alice-Miranda replied, “and I’ll be home every couple of months.”

“It’s not the same,” said Jasper. “And now that he’s here, he’s wrecked everything.”

“Who?” Alice-Miranda asked.

“Who do you think?” Jasper stood up and faced her.

“Oh,” Alice-Miranda whispered.

Jasper looked as though he might cry.

“Why is he here, Jasper?” she asked.

He didn’t reply.

“Do you want to go for a walk?” Alice-Miranda suggested. Jasper nodded his head ever so slightly. “Come on then.”

She walked downstairs with Jasper two steps behind her.

“Bye, kids—go and have zum fun now,” Heinrich said as the children walked through the kitchen.

“Goodbye, Heinrich,” Alice-Miranda called. Jasper raised his hand to wave at his father.

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