Alice-Miranda Shows the Way (7 page)

Alice-Miranda urged Bonaparte forward. Wally did the same to Rockstar. Side by side the unlikely duo walked out of the stables and towards the track. There were nickers and neighs and lots of chatting between the two beasts. Millie, Dick and Freddy followed on foot.

‘That's the strangest thing I've ever seen,' Freddy said. ‘Only person who can handle him is Miss Pepper and the only jockey who can stay on him is Diego Dominguez.'

‘Wally seems to be managing okay,' Millie commented as they watched Bony and Rockstar jogging towards the track.

‘This way.' Dick Wigglesworth led Millie and Freddy through a gap in the hedge and they emerged on the side of the course.

Wally looked over at Alice-Miranda. ‘I really don't know what's going to happen when we get on the track. If he goes off, we could both be in trouble.'

‘Perhaps I should just try to keep up for a little while,' she suggested. ‘Bony's no champion but we could give it our best, just to get Rockstar off and running.'

They reached the entrance to the racetrack and walked through.

‘All right, are you ready?' Wally asked, taking a deep breath. He lowered his goggles and Alice-Miranda adjusted her helmet. ‘Off you go first and I'll see if I can hold him.' Wally tightened his grip on the reins. He felt as if he'd swallowed a bucket of sand. The young lad licked his lips and told the butterflies in his stomach to keep still.

Alice-Miranda dug her heels into Bonaparte's flank and he took off.

‘Come on boy, run fast and then you can have a treat,' she urged. At the mention of a treat Bony seemed to pick up the pace and his fast canter became a gallop. Behind them Walt Whitstable was doing his best to hold Rockstar, who was whinnying and dancing all over the place.

‘All right, it's now or never.' Wally gave the
champion his head and he bolted towards Bonaparte. He was gaining on the pony and it didn't take long before he rounded the turn and raced for home, leaving Alice-Miranda in his mud-spattered wake.

‘Go, Rockstar,' Millie shouted. ‘Go, boy!'

‘Whoo hoo!' Freddy pumped his fist into the air and clicked off his stopwatch. ‘It's a good time too,' he said, staring at the numbers in front of him.

Dick Wigglesworth shook his head. ‘I don't believe it.'

‘There'll be no stopping him in the Queen's Cup now,' said Freddy with a smile.

Dick's shoulders slumped and he sighed loudly.

‘Are you all right, Mr Wigglesworth?' Millie asked.

‘Yes lass, fine, just fine,' he said slowly.

Rockstar snorted and sidestepped, then spun around as if looking for something. Alice-Miranda charged around the turn and when Bonaparte crossed the finish line, Rockstar greeted him with an ear-splitting whinny.

‘That was amazing,' said Millie. She was standing on the lower fence rail with her arms slung over the top. Beside her, Freddy and Mr Wigglesworth were shaking their heads in disbelief.

‘Well done, Mr Walt. That was incredible,' Alice-Miranda said to the young lad.

He was grinning broadly. ‘I can't believe it. I stayed on him!' He reached down and patted Rockstar's neck.

Alice-Miranda patted her little fellow's neck too. ‘Well done, Bonaparte. Good boy.'

A
mbrosia Headlington-Bear reached into the centre console and pushed the U-shaped lever. In a series of robotic movements, the roof of the shiny silver sports car folded itself neatly into a panel above the boot. A click and a pop signified the end of the process.

‘That is sooooo cool,' Sloane gasped. ‘I want a car just like this when I grow up.'

‘It's not even that warm, Mummy. I don't see why you need to show off and put the roof down,' Jacinta fumed.

‘Darling,' her mother cooed. ‘What's the point in having a convertible if you don't get to use it? And Sloane seems to like it.'

‘Sloane would.' Jacinta turned and glared at her friend in the back seat.

‘Come on 'Cinta, don't be in a grump. We've had such a lovely day.' Ambrosia stuck out her lip, making sure that Sloane could see her in the rear-vision mirror.

Sloane clasped her hands over her mouth to smother a giggle.

‘My name is Jacinta, Mother, with a J.' Jacinta folded her arms in front of her and stared through the passenger window, which she refused to put down just because the rest of the vehicle was open to the elements.

The unlikely threesome had been enjoying a particularly pleasant day until Ambrosia insisted that they stop at the village general store on their way back from seeing a movie in the city. It was the conversation that followed that had made Jacinta see red.

‘If I'm going to spend some time in this place, the locals should really know that I'm here,' Ambrosia had informed the girls as the sports car sped into the
village. ‘I mean, once the paparazzi get hold of the location, the place is likely to be swarming with photographers.'

‘Don't you mean, once your publicist lets it slip, Mummy, which I'm surprised she hasn't done already.'

‘Oh, I couldn't have anyone taking photos of me outside the cottage before we fixed it up,' Ambrosia complained.

Jacinta rolled her eyes. ‘I wouldn't know about that, seeing as you haven't taken me there yet – even though you've had it for a couple of months now.'

‘Darling, you know tradesmen, they never finish anything on time,' Ambrosia said with a pout. ‘Of course I want you to come and stay.'

‘Mummy, you don't have to tell the paparazzi about the village. Wouldn't it be nice just to have some time for us – without anyone wanting to take your photograph?'

‘Jacinta, you know that's not how the paps operate. We help each other. They sell photographs to magazines and I stay on top of everyone's invitation list,' Ambrosia informed her daughter.

At this revelation, Jacinta's mood had gone from fizz to fug.

Sloane had tried to help her friend find the positives. ‘At least you get to see your mother during the term, Jacinta. I don't get to see my mother until the term break and then I have to go all the way to Barcelona.'

‘But you told me yesterday that being back here is the best thing that has ever happened to you because now you don't have to put up with your mother and her whining,' Jacinta said.

‘I didn't mean it exactly like that. It's complicated,' Sloane snapped back.

‘Yes and so is this.' Jacinta was beginning to wonder if her mother renting the cottage was a good idea after all. She had been stupid to get her hopes up and think that things had really changed between the two of them.

Ambrosia parked the car outside the village store and asked the girls if they wanted an ice-cream. Jacinta was less than enthusiastic but Sloane was keen and the trio hopped out of the vehicle.

A bell tinkled above the shop door as the group entered. The proprietor, Herman Munz, was standing behind the counter watching an ancient television set on the end of the bench.

‘Hello,' Ambrosia smiled.

‘Hello, may I help you vith somethink?' Herman asked.

‘The girls are going to get some ice-creams but I just wanted to say hello. I've recently got a little place in the village. Wisteria Cottage.' Ambrosia batted her long lashes.

Herman Munz had turned his attention back to the television and seemed engrossed in the drama on the screen.

Ambrosia tried again. ‘So I imagine that
you'll
be delivering my groceries.'

‘No, that vill be my boy, Otto,' said Herman, still focused on the set.

Ambrosia rolled her eyes, then turned around and stared at the magazine rack behind her.

‘Oh, look at that,' she cooed. ‘Fancy.'

Herman ignored her. Jacinta and Sloane were hovering over the freezer at the back of the store deciding which ice-creams they would have.

‘Goodness, that's amazing,' Ambrosia laughed to herself. It was rather forced but it did the trick.

Herman Munz glanced at her. She was an attractive woman, and well-dressed too. ‘Vot are you looking at?' he asked.

Ambrosia spun on her towering heels and threw
a copy of the latest
Gloss and Goss
down in front of him.

Herman stared at the page, then back at Ambrosia and shrugged.

‘Can't you see?' she asked.

Herman shook his head. ‘I don't know vot I am supposed to be seeing.'

‘It's me!' Ambrosia's high-pitched shriek caused the man to jump. She pointed a perfectly manicured finger at a photograph of herself dressed in a stunning gold gown. ‘I'm at the FFATAS.' She ran her left hand through her brunette tresses.

‘Who is farters?' Herman asked blankly.

‘Are you joking?' Ambrosia stared at the man in disbelief. ‘Everyone knows about the FFATAS.'

‘Not me.' Herman's blue eyes stared vacantly at the picture. ‘But is nice frock. You look good.'

‘For your information, Mr . . .' Ambrosia sniffed. Jacinta and Sloane had joined her at the counter and placed their ice-creams on the bench.

‘It's Mr Munz, Mummy,' Jacinta said. So much for her mother introducing herself, she thought.

‘For your information, Mr Munz, the FFATAS are the Foreign Film and Television Awards.'

‘Are you actress?' he asked. ‘Because I don't know you.'

Ambrosia shook her head.

‘Are you director?'

Ambrosia shook her head again.

‘Writer? Camera operator, sound person?' Herman Munz was drawing a blank.

‘Of course not.' Ambrosia's mouth turned down slightly in a frown, although the rest of her face didn't move.

‘Then you are married to one?'

‘No,' Ambrosia scowled.

‘Then why you go to FFATAS and get photograph in magazine?' Herman asked.

‘Because I'm Ambrosia Headlington-Bear, that's why.' Ambrosia opened her purse and pulled out a large note, which she pushed angrily across the counter.

‘Sorry, I not know who that is.' Herman rang up the amount for the ice-creams and magazine and began to count out Ambrosia's change.

Ambrosia pushed the magazine towards him. ‘I'm not buying that. I've already got three copies.'

Herman pointed at a sign behind the counter. ‘You read magazine, you buy magazine.'

The hulky man pushed the volume back towards Ambrosia.

‘Hmph.' She turned and strode out of the store, leaving Jacinta and Sloane in her wake.

‘I'm sorry, Mr Munz,' Jacinta apologised, ‘but you've just had the pleasure of meeting my mother.'

‘Vos no pleasure, Miss Jacinta. But you are not like her,' he said and grinned at the blonde girl.

Jacinta and Sloane picked up their ice-creams and peeled off the wrappers, depositing the papers in the bin outside the shop.

Ambrosia was sitting in the car, red-faced and flicking her fingernails.

‘You'd better hurry up and eat those before you get in,' she called. Her lower lip quivered. ‘I want to go home and I have to get you back to school.'

Jacinta couldn't believe her ears. She threw the rest of the ice-cream in the bin.

‘But I thought we were staying out with you, Mummy?' She opened the passenger door and pulled the back seat forward for Sloane to wedge herself in.

‘I can't stay down tonight. I have a ball back in town. Your father is coming in from overseas and he insisted I go with him,' Ambrosia explained. ‘I think he's got something for me. He was being very mysterious on the telephone. I rather hope it's that gorgeous diamond necklace I've had my eye on.
It would be just perfect with the pink Chanel gown I'm planning to wear.'

‘I should have guessed there would be something more important than me. I don't think I'm ever going to see Wisteria Cottage,' Jacinta complained, folding her arms in front of her, ‘let alone stay there.'

‘Of course you're the most important thing, darling. It's just that Daddy really wants to see me, and we haven't spent any time together for ages. You know him; his whole life is just work, work, and more work. Anyway, I'm sure you could con that dowdy old housemistress into taking you to the cottage if you're that desperate to have a look. There's a key under the flowerpot at the back door. Heavens knows the place is nothing special. It needs a load of work. Besides, I'll be back again in a week or two.' Ambrosia hit the start button beside the steering wheel. The engine purred like a lion. She glanced around to see if anyone was watching, then put her foot to the accelerator and roared off down the street.

‘I
can't believe you're going to leave him here,' Millie said as she and Alice-Miranda left the stable block.

‘It's the best thing for Rockstar,' said Alice-Miranda. ‘He and Bony seem to have a connection, and if it means that Mr Wigglesworth can train Rockstar to run in the Queen's Cup, then it's the least I can do. Imagine how pleased Aunty Gee would be if Rockstar won! We can come over tomorrow to visit. Maybe they'll have had a fight by then and I'll be able to take Bony home,' she finished with a little smile.

‘But we can't train for the show,' Millie said sulkily.

‘If Bonaparte gets a workout like that every day, he'll be fitter than ever for the show. Maybe I could ask someone to drive me over after school to see him during the week,' Alice-Miranda suggested.

‘I suppose so,' Millie said with a frown. ‘Anyway, you're going to have to double back with me on Chops this afternoon and I can't guarantee it will be the best riding experience of your life.'

‘I will be honoured to accept a lift.' Alice-Miranda curtsied.

After witnessing Rockstar's behaviour on the track, Alice-Miranda had started to wonder. She'd heard about racehorses sometimes having companion ponies but she'd never seen anything like it before.

Wally had joked that he'd come to Chesterfield Downs to get away from Bony the menace, but he thought it was awfully kind of Alice-Miranda to let him stay there for Rockstar's sake.

The only person who hadn't seemed terribly excited about having Bony was Mr Wigglesworth, but Alice-Miranda had insisted. When she'd pointed out that Aunty Gee would be pleased to know that Rockstar was at least out training again, he seemed
to change his mind. She thought Miss Pepper would be thrilled too.

Alice-Miranda had kissed Bonaparte goodbye and said that she would come and see how he was getting on tomorrow. He had ignored her completely, which was not unusual.

Now, outside in the sunshine, the two girls were chatting about the events they planned to enter in the show when they spied Mrs Smith's car trundling towards them.

‘Hello,' Alice-Miranda called out as the cook turned off the ignition and hopped out.

‘Hello girls,' Mrs Smith said with a wave. From inside the car she retrieved a sizable biscuit tin and a huge plate containing an equally huge strawberry sponge cake.

Alice-Miranda took the tin and Millie offered to help carry the cake but Mrs Smith just asked that she close the car door.

‘How was your ride?' the older woman asked.

‘Eventful,' Millie replied.

‘And how's Wally settling in?' Mrs Smith motioned for Millie to open the gate that led to the whitewashed cottage in front of the stables.

‘He's amazing,' Alice-Miranda said, her eyes wide.

‘Amazing?' Doreen frowned at Alice-Miranda. ‘Really? I'm looking forward to hearing what he's done to earn such high praise on his first day. Now, Mr Wigglesworth said I should leave these at the cottage,' said Mrs Smith.

On hearing the visitors' approach, Evelyn Pepper's faithful hound Keith raised his head and began to howl.

‘Hello there boy.' Alice-Miranda reached down and gave the basset a pat on the head. He reciprocated by sniffing her hand.

Mrs Smith motioned for Millie to open the back door and the girls followed her inside.

The country kitchen was warm and inviting with a fire burning in the giant AGA stove.

Doreen placed the cake on the pine table in the centre of the room and Alice-Miranda handed her the tin of brownies.

The screen door opened and Dick Wigglesworth entered the kitchen.

‘Hello Doreen. This is marvellous,' he said, spying the sponge cake on the table. He planted a kiss on her cheek. ‘With Evelyn away it feels like we're running on half-steam. Place just isn't the same without her. But all this food has been wonderful.
The lads just about inhaled those chicken sandwiches you made yesterday.'

‘It's no trouble at all. I'm quite used to feeding the masses and I'm glad it's a help to Ev.'

‘You're a good friend, Doreen,' Dick said.

‘And how's Wally settling in?' Mrs Smith asked.

‘The lad's doing all right,' Dick replied.

‘All right!' Millie exclaimed. ‘I think he's doing better than all right. He rode Rockstar down on the track.'

‘Rockstar!' Doreen gasped. ‘But I thought the only one who could ever get near him was Evelyn.'

‘That's what we were going to tell you, Mrs Smith,' Alice-Miranda began. ‘Rockstar has made friends with Bony, so I'm going to leave him here for a few days so that Mr Walt can ride track work and then Rockstar will still have a chance at winning the Queen's Cup.'

‘Of course he's going to win,' Millie nodded.

‘Don't get ahead of yourselves there, girls. It was just one run and who knows how the young upstart will wake up in the morning. I think he's only a very slim chance of running in the cup,' Dick Wigglesworth replied as he filled the kettle and placed it on the stovetop.

‘How are you getting back to school, dear?' Mrs Smith asked Alice-Miranda.

‘Alice-Miranda's going to double with me on Chops,' Millie said.

‘Oh, that doesn't sound very comfortable,' said Mrs Smith. ‘Are you sure you wouldn't rather come back with me? Millie, perhaps you can leave Chops here with Bony and his friends until tomorrow? I can drop you off at school before I go to see Evelyn at the hospital. It's no trouble.'

Millie shrugged. ‘I suppose we could do that – if there's a spare stall in the stables?'

Dick Wigglesworth nodded. ‘I'm sure we can find a spot for him, Millie, but I suggest you both come back in the morning. I think Bony will be right to go home tomorrow.'

Wally Whitstable arrived at the back door with Freddy and another couple of the lads. ‘Hello Mrs Smith,' the young man greeted the older woman.

‘What about you, then? Wait until I tell Charlie about your heroics riding Rockstar,' Mrs Smith exclaimed as she gave Wally a hug.

‘It wasn't planned, Mrs Smith, I can tell you that. I only got on him 'cos of this little one.' He nodded towards Alice-Miranda.

‘You were perfect, Mr Walt,' she said, grinning at him.

‘Surprised myself a bit,' Wally said. ‘Didn't think I'd ever ride anything half as good as him. I didn't even want to think about him being owned by Her Majesty, or what he'll be worth when he's finished on the track.'

‘What do you mean?' Millie asked.

‘Stallions like him are worth a fortune, Miss Millie, because once they stop racing they can father lots of babies who might also turn out to be champions,' Wally explained.

‘Or donkeys,' said Dick Wigglesworth with raised eyebrows. ‘They don't always sire good offspring, but usually you'd expect a few decent runners out of them.'

‘Of course,' Millie replied.

Mrs Smith suggested that Alice-Miranda and Millie head off and put Chops away and she'd meet them outside in a few minutes.

The girls bade farewell to the lads and Mr Wigglesworth and headed off to the stables.

With Chops safely away for the night, Alice-Miranda, Millie and Mrs Smith set off in the cook's positively ancient Mini. At the bottom of the
driveway something in the trees opposite caught Alice-Miranda's attention.

‘There's someone over there,' she said, pointing towards the slope.

‘I can't see anyone, dear,' the cook replied, squinting. ‘But that doesn't count for much these days.'

Alice-Miranda could have sworn it was a child.

Millie spotted a movement too. ‘You're right. Oh,' she groaned. ‘It's that girl from the carnival.'

‘You mean Fern?' Alice-Miranda said. ‘Could you stop the car please, Mrs Smith?'

‘Now, why would I want to do that, young lady?' Doreen Smith kept her foot on the accelerator and the vehicle puttered along the laneway.

‘I just thought I should talk to her,' Alice-Miranda replied, ‘and ask if she's okay.'

‘I think you should leave well enough alone,' Mrs Smith said firmly.

Alice-Miranda leaned around to look back. The girl was now standing on the edge of the road, staring at them.

Millie looked around too. ‘She's a bit odd. Her eyes are like a cat's.'

But Alice-Miranda didn't feel the same way. Something about the carnival girl and her brother
gave her a strange feeling and she was eager to find out why.

As Mrs Smith reached the main road the girls were surprised to see Ambrosia Headlington-Bear's sports car speeding towards them. With the roof down and the wind in her hair, Ambrosia was singing along with the radio and clearly feeling quite pleased with herself.

‘I wonder where Jacinta and Sloane are,' Millie asked as the car roared past. ‘I thought they were staying with her tonight.'

Alice-Miranda grimaced. ‘It doesn't look that way.'

Although Jacinta hadn't exactly said so, Alice-Miranda had guessed that her friend was looking forward to the weekend with her mother very much. The mere fact that she had asked to wear the dress Ambrosia had sent her was indication enough. And now Ambrosia was speeding out of the village without any sign of Jacinta or Sloane. AliceMiranda's tummy knotted. Poor Jacinta.

Millie had a similar thought. ‘If her mother's done something to upset her, Jacinta will be in a right foul mood. I'm glad she's sharing with Sloane.'

‘Millie,' Alice-Miranda scolded her friend. ‘I have a feeling Jacinta might need all of us to cheer her up.'

Doreen Smith glanced at her tiny charge sitting beside her in the passenger seat. ‘Why don't I make Jacinta's favourite dessert tonight?' she said.

‘Oh, Mrs Smith, I think that's a wonderful idea,' Alice-Miranda replied. ‘I think its cherry cheesecake.'

The woman nodded. ‘Consider it done.'