Alice-Miranda Takes the Lead (21 page)

‘After all that Henrietta had sacrificed, she deserved to be happy, but I told her that if she married Percy, I didn't want to see her again. You see, my scars had made me selfish and hard. But that's not how the story will end. Today, with the help of Alice-Miranda's father and uncle, I have visited my sister. She is recovering from a stroke. We sat and we held hands and we cried tears of joy. I would also like to say, that while my great-great-grandfather Frederick Fayle was obviously a clever and visionary man, he wrote a very silly charter and therefore I hereby repeal clause thirty from this day forth.

‘So, I am sorry to disappoint all of the children in this village who know me as the witch. I have no magical powers and no broomstick, no cauldron or book of spells. But I do have rather a lot of cats.'

There was not a dry eye in the house. One by one, the audience rose to their feet, clapping and cheering. Alice-Miranda looked up at her friend. She hugged Miss Fayle, who hugged her right back.

September Sykes eventually located her daughter who was sobbing madly in the rose garden. After a rather wild argument, they dashed straight over to Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale and packed Sloane's things. Within a week, the Sykeses' brand-new house had a large ‘For Sale' sign in the front garden. September phoned Smedley in a terrible huff, but was soothed a little when he explained that his off shore developing business wasn't faltering after all. September told him that Sloane was being bullied
mercilessly at school, so she'd decided to sell the house and the two of them were coming over to be with him. She neglected to tell him about anything else that had happened.

Septimus steadfastly refused to leave school. He loved Fayle and Fayle loved him. Granny Henrietta heard all about what had happened. She'd always thought Septimus was just like his grandfather. She vowed to take care of him financially while ever he was at school or university and, in return, Septimus vowed to visit Granny Henrietta every week.

Caledonia Manor was transformed. Mr Greening, Charlie, Wally and Hedges, with an army of students led by Alice-Miranda, had the garden looking shipshape in no time. Hugh Kennington-Jones finally got to send the builders.

Henrietta moved back to Caledonia Manor to live with her sister. They had a nurse to take care of them, and a cook and housekeeper. Over time, they gained a lot more company. It was far too big a house for the two of them to rattle around in so, in honour of their great-great-grandfather Frederick Erasmus Fayle, Caledonia Manor became a training college for teachers. Alice-Miranda and her friends
visited Granny Henrietta and Hephzibah at least once a week.

Miss Grimm and Professor Winterbottom declared the play a resounding success. Miss Reedy and Mr Lipp were already arguing over what they would put on next year.

Alice-Miranda thought long and hard about what had happened with the test papers and the Fayle School Charter. She decided that Sloane shouldn't be held accountable for the actions of her mother. So after much consideration and a long chat with Sep, Alice-Miranda decided to write to Sloane and see if she might like to be penpals. After all, everyone deserves a second chance – don't they?

The Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones household

Friends of the Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones family

Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies Staff

Students

Fayle School for Boys Staff

Students

Others

Jacqueline Harvey has spent her working life teaching in girls' boarding schools. She's never met a witch in the woods but she has come across quite a few girls who remind her a little of Alice-Miranda.

Jacqueline has published six novels for young readers. Her first picture book,
The Sound of the Sea
, was awarded Honour Book in the 2006 CBC Awards. She is currently working on Alice-Miranda's next adventure.

For more about Jacqueline and Alice-Miranda, go to:

 

www.alice-miranda.com

and

www.jacquelineharvey.com.au