The Magpie Society: One for Sorrow by Amy McCulloch & Zoe Sugg

The Magpie Society: One for Sorrow by Amy McCulloch & Zoe Sugg

Author:Amy McCulloch & Zoe Sugg [McCulloch, Amy & Sugg, Zoe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Young Adult Fiction, Thrillers & Suspense, Social Themes, Friendship, Law & Crime, School & Education, Boarding School & Prep School, Juvenile Fiction, Action & Adventure, General, Mysteries & Detective Stories
ISBN: 9780241402368
Publisher: Penguin UK
Published: 2020-10-29T09:05:52.486000+00:00


24

Audrey

Since the news broke that Clover was behind the podcast, the gossip fires of the school have been raging. People can’t stop talking about the bathroom incident either – Araminta’s reputation has definitely taken a beating.

But the worst part for me is that Araminta and Bonnie aren’t speaking to me. Theodore’s ghosting me. I really have alienated everyone in the school.

I also had to endure a two-hour lecture over FaceTime from my dad – the first time he’s bothered to call in a month – about how I’m not leaving the school, how I have to grow a backbone and stick it out, blah-blah.

So, with no friends, and the prospect of eighteen more months at the school on my own, I’ve taken to wandering the halls like some sort of ghost.

I go up the stairs back to Helios House slowly, dragging my feet with every step. But, when I get there, there’s a man blocking the door, staring up at the portrait of Lola. I try to avoid looking at it as much as possible. I hate how lifelike it is. No wonder there have been stories of her image haunting people’s dreams.

‘Excuse me,’ I say, and then stop when I see his face. It’s Patrick. His face looks drawn, his blue eyes clouded. My voice softens. ‘Oh, hey. What are you doing here?’

He looks at me, and a small smile lifts his lips. He wipes his hand under his eyes. ‘Audrey. Hi. I had a meeting with Mrs Abbott after the identity of the podcaster came to light. I wanted to talk to the girl … what’s her name, Clover?’

‘Yeah, that’s right. I’m so sorry, that must be real hard for you.’ I reach out and put my hand on his shoulder. It feels like the right thing to do.

‘I gave her my blessing to continue though. Don’t think Christine was too happy about that.’ He laughs at my confusion. ‘You know her as Mrs Abbott. But I figure the more people investigating, the better. I hope that she’s done a better job than I’ve managed to do.’ He sighs, then looks back up at the painting.

‘I’m sorry I refused to help before.’

‘It’s OK. It was a lot to ask of you, completely at random. I suppose I’m still just desperate to find out what happened and … why?’

I shrug. ‘Sometimes awful things happen.’

‘And sometimes awful things are done by awful people,’ he replies, an edge to his voice.

‘Very true.’ My voice almost cracks, and I squeeze my eyes shut. This time I feel his hands on my shoulders. Before I know it, he’s pulled me into a hug.

‘I hoped I’d see you again while I was here. Thank you for trying. Thank you for listening,’ he says. I open my mouth to say I haven’t tried anything at all, but he strides away, down the stairs and back into the depths of the school.

I wrap my arms around myself where he held me, a tiny shiver running through my body.



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