Alice-Miranda Holds the Key 15 by Jacqueline Harvey

Author:Jacqueline Harvey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia
Published: 2017-09-01T04:00:00+00:00

Cecelia Highton-Smith straightened her husband’s tie, then turned her attention to Alice-Miranda. She tucked a rogue ringlet behind the girl’s ear.

Marjorie Plunkett smiled at the family. ‘The press is ready when you are,’ she said.

‘I just wish we had some good news to tell them,’ Hugh said. Things had gone from bad to worse in the past twenty-four hours. There were many more reports of food poisoning and Marjorie hadn’t made any headway. This left Hugh with no other choice than the one he was about to announce.

Alice-Miranda slipped her tiny hand into her father’s. ‘You’re doing the right thing, Daddy,’ she said gently, looking up at him with her brown eyes as big as saucers.

Hugh sighed. ‘Let’s just hope we can get this solved sooner rather than later.’

Marjorie led the way into the Kennington’s foyer to the waiting media.

‘Good morning, everyone,’ Hugh said, walking to the microphone that had been set up for the press conference. ‘I think you all know my wife, Cecelia, and our daughter, Alice-Miranda. And of course, Marjorie Plunkett, Head of the Secret Protection League of Defence.’

Alice-Miranda gave a wave and smiled at the sea of journalists, cameramen and sound recordists. Cecelia managed a tight smile, but Marjorie gave nothing away. Several flashes went off as the photographers got shots of the group.

Hugh explained that, until the source of the contamination was found and dealt with, all Kennington’s stores would be closed immediately and there would be a complete recall of products purchased in the past ten days with full refunds. He promised that every employee would continue to be paid as per usual and he would be working with his suppliers to ensure that they weren’t out of pocket either. His first responsibilities were to his customers and staff. Marjorie then spoke for several minutes about the reason for SPLOD’s involvement – that this was an unprecedented situation and, due to the number of people ill and the extent of the apparent contamination, it was only proper that the investigations be carried out by a national agency with a wide range of resources at hand. Then it was over to the journalists for questions. The first few were directed at Hugh and Marjorie, but then a young woman with a dazzling set of white teeth put up her hand.

‘My question is for Alice-Miranda,’ she said loudly. ‘You’ve recently had a stay in hospital too. Can you confirm the rumours that you were actually a victim of the food-poisoning outbreak and that the story about the horseriding accident was just a cover-up?’

Alice-Miranda’s eyes widened in surprise. She stepped forward. ‘Oh my goodness, no. I can assure you I fell off my pony, Bonaparte, while on my way back from visiting Mr Frost and his daughter at Wood End. I have my best friend, Millie, to thank for being so brave in the heat of the moment, as well as the wonderful staff at the children’s hospital in Chattering for looking after me so very well. Especially Mrs Tigwell – that woman makes the best hot chocolate.

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