Needle and Thread by Ann M. Martin

Author:Ann M. Martin
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780545295666
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 2013-02-25T16:00:00+00:00

The month of October became one of the busiest times in Camden Falls that Flora and Ruby could remember. Everyone seemed to be planning something or getting ready for something — making lists and phone calls, sewing, shopping, and baking. Halloween costumes took shape. Rehearsals were scheduled. Meetings were held, some in secret.

At Min’s house, Flora and Ruby and Nikki gathered to discuss the surprise party for Olivia’s big one-oh. At school, Olivia and Nikki and Flora got the idea to give a hello/good-bye party for Mr. Donaldson and Mrs. Mandel, and to make presents for the triplets. At the Edwardses’ house, Robby and his parents talked about what Robby might do after he graduated from school next spring.

The official planning for Olivia’s party got under way in Flora’s bedroom on a Saturday morning when Olivia and her brothers were spending the day with their grandparents.

“The main thing,” said Flora, sitting at her desk with a pad of paper on her knee, “will be keeping this a secret from Olivia. Are we all going to be able to keep this huge secret?” Flora looked in Ruby’s direction and raised her eyebrows.

“Why are you looking at me?” Ruby cried.

“At you? You mean at Ruby Jane Beanspiller?” said Flora.

Nikki giggled.

“It’s not funny!” said Ruby.

“Yes, it is,” said Nikki. “Ruby Jane Beanspiller?”

“That’s what our parents started calling her almost as soon as she learned to talk,” said Flora. “She blabbed everything to everyone.”

Nikki’s smile faded. She never knew what to say when the subject of Flora and Ruby’s parents came up. Nikki didn’t care much for her own father, but she couldn’t imagine how she’d feel if both of her parents were taken away — snap — in a single unexpected moment.

“Well, anyway,” said Ruby, glaring fiercely at her sister, “I can keep this secret, and I think we have more important things to do. Like make plans. Where are we going to have the party?”

“Yeah, and how are we going to pull it off as a surprise?” asked Nikki.

“We should make lists,” said Ruby. “For food, supplies, guests.”

Flora held her pad of paper aloft. “That’s why I have this.”

“What about gifts?” asked Nikki.

“She wants a pet,” said Flora.

“A pet? I — well, you know I don’t have much money. How can we get her a pet?”

“I don’t know. We’ll have to talk to her mom and dad. I thought we could make most of her gifts anyway. We can get supplies at Needle and Thread. And look at all my craft stuff here. You can make cards — I’ve already made one for her — and some of the decorations, too. Olivia wants everything in silver and pink. I have lots of ideas. Now, here’s what I think we should do. We should meet —”

Ruby interrupted her. “You sound like Olivia!” she said.

Flora smiled. “Do I?”

“Yeah,” said Ruby. “It’s nice. All bouncy like Olivia. Not sad.”

“Well, anyway,” said Flora, flushing and looking down at the pad of paper, “I thought we could meet on the afternoons when Olivia’s at Whiz Kidz.

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