Mystery at Silver Spires (13 page)

Authors: Ann Bryant

“Six of them!” said Ms. Carmichael. “What a job!” Then she reached towards the black one that was lying down quietly and very gently stroked the top of his head. “You're a calm little chap, aren't you?” she said. “Or chap-ess!” she added with a chuckle.

“He's called Lucky,” said Emily.

“Lucky, eh?” Ms. Carmichael looked at us and asked which one we liked best.

It felt so odd having this conversation with the Head of school. I couldn't relax. My insides were completely knotted and my body was stiff and tense, still waiting for my telling-off. “That oneâ¦” I said carefully, pointing to Ash, who was curled up by Silver's tail.

“Ah! And what have you called it?”

“Ash,” I answered quietly.

Ms. Carmichael reached out for him and very gently put him in my hands. “There you are. I think that's a very appropriate name!”

Emily did the smallest of gasps and I quickly looked at her. “I thought Silver might object,” she explained, “but actually, she seems okay about it.”

Ash was making little mewing sounds and wriggling like mad, but once he'd got used to the feel of my hands he was completely still so I snuggled him into my neck and felt his wet nose on my skin, just as I had with Silver. Then, all of a sudden, I felt like bursting into tears, because I wasn't going to see him or Silver again after we broke up for the holidays.

“Don't you think that's appropriate, Mrs. Pridham?” Ms. Carmichael was saying.

“I certainly do,” said Mrs. Pridham.

There was something in their voices that made me look from one to the other of them. Something jokey that was connecting them both. Emily must have noticed it too, because she was eyeing them almost suspiciously.

Ms. Carmichael stood up briskly and brushed herself down. “Right, that's settled then. Forest Ash naturally gets first choice and they have chosen Ash.”

It was as though I was dreaming. Or maybe I'd gone mad. I didn't seem to be able to understand what Ms. Carmichael meant.

“You meanâ¦” Emily began, turning to me with shining eyes.

“You meanâ¦” I echoed faintly, not daring to believe my ears. Not yet.

Mrs. Pridham broke into a chuckle. “We thought you'd be pleased. I explained to Ms. Carmichael that you'd broken a lot of rules, but it was for the right reasonsâ¦”

“Yes, she was trying to protect Silver,” said Emily, standing closer to me.

“Exactly,” said Ms. Carmichael. “And I didn't think we could have our students going to such lengths without making sure there was a happy outcome!”

“So each house will have a kitten. Like a kind of mascot,” Mrs. Pridham finished off.

Except that it wasn't finished. No one had mentioned poor Silver.

“What aboutâ¦”

“I thought I'd like to have this clever mum myself at home,” said Ms. Carmichael, bending down again to give Silver a stroke. “I lost my old cat last year and I've missed having a companion about the place. I'll have to take all the kittens as well once we've broken up, because of course they can't be separated from their mum just yet.”

My heart seemed suddenly too big for my body and my eyes were filling up with tears. “Thank you very much,” I managed to say in a shaky voice as one or two tears spilled out and rolled down my cheeks.

Then more and more followed until I was properly crying. And Mrs. Pridham folded me into her and said, “There we are, there we are,” and Emily held tight to my hand just like Dad had done when we were burying Lana. And that was when the clearest picture of Mum's face came into my mind and I realized I was crying for Mum and also for Lana, shedding all the tears that the five-year-old me hadn't shed, and the more I cried, the more I felt myself letting go of the past and coming back to the present, where the tears were not of sadness, but of happiness, because of what Ms. Carmichael had said.

Emily gave my hand one last squeeze, then let go of it and went to hug an amazed Ms. Carmichael, as only my best friend would dare to. “Thank you soooooooooo much!” she said dramatically. “For ever and ever, amen!” she added.

So then everything seemed to fall into place and I couldn't wait to text Hannah the good news. Now she could come to Silver Spires next term without worrying about the unknown, because Silver would be there and so would all her kittens.

“You know how the shamrock is the emblem of Ireland,” Emily suddenly said, staring out of the window. “Well, Silver will be the emblem of Silver Spires, won't she?”

I nodded, because those words had slotted perfectly into my thoughts, like the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle.

“And all the new Year Sevens will feel a kind of special connection because they'll have their own cat in their boarding house,” I added.

Ms. Carmichael nodded. “Exactly,” she said.

Then Emily and I whizzed downstairs, along the landing and into Emerald, where the other four were waiting for us, their faces getting ready to hear the worst. So it was absolutely the best feeling ever telling them the best.

“Silver's better and Ms. Carmichael is going to take her, and each boarding house is going to have one of the kittens to keep for ever!” I gabbled, watching their faces break into massive smiles.

“Yay!” said Izzy, grabbing hold of Sasha's hands and spinning round with her.

“That's so brilliant!” said Nicole.

“
Fantastico!
” said Antonia. “
Meraviglioso!
”

“Good old Ms. Carmichael!” breathed Nicole.

“Good old Silver Spires,” I added.

Emily hugged me tight, then pulled away suddenly and held up my hand like I'd just won a boxing match. “And good old Bryony Price!” she said in a big announcer's voice. “For sticking to her guns and solving the mystery of the Forest Ash ghost â and, more importantly, for turning it into a lovely future for Silver Spires.” She dropped my hand suddenly and also dropped her voice back to normal. “Come on, let's go and spread the word round the whole school!”

“Yes! Come on!”

My friends plunged out of Emerald and spilled onto the landing, with me at the back. I was going slowly so I could reply to Hannah's text at the same time.

Silver and all kittens def staying at SS! Xx

I knew she'd be over the moon. And so was I.

I raced to catch up with the others and, when we were just outside the main building, looking up at the spires glinting in the sun, Emily suddenly stopped in her tracks. “I think it'll be easier if I just make one big announcement,” she said. Then she flung out her arms and yelled out, “Silver's here for ever!”

And suddenly a window opened on the top floor of the main building and Katy popped her head out of it. I could see she had a few of her Year Eight friends with her, all peering out curiously.

“Silver Spires for ever!” called back one of them, who I think is called Georgie.

“She didn't say that!” we all heard Katy correcting Georgie and laughing. “She said âSilver's here for ever!'”

“But that'll do fine!” I yelled up to them.

“Okay,” said Georgie, grinning. “Threeâ¦ twoâ¦one!”

Then the Year Eights from Hazeldean and us six Year Sevens from Forest Ash all called out together, “Silver Spires for ever!”

Bryony's Pet Quiz

It's so amazing having gorgeous Ash as our Forest Ash house pet! I always find it really comforting having a cat around. But what sort of pet suits you?

Q1. How would you describe yourself?

a) Reliable and friendly

b) Independent and sophisticated

c) Calm and observant

d) Sensitive and shy

e) Affectionate and playful

Q2. What do you like to do in your spare time?

a) Go for long walks or bike rides

b) Go shopping or pamper yourself

c) Chill out with a book

d) Go swimming

e) Snuggle up on the sofa to watch a film

Q3. If someone starts an argument with you, how are you most likely to react?

a) Try to make friends again as quickly as possible

b) Fight back

c) Refuse to get involved

d) Feel anxious and unsure what to do

e) Run away!

Q4. What would be your ideal holiday?

a) An activity break full of fun and excitement

b) A week or two lazing on the beach

c) An intrepid jungle exploration

d) Snorkelling over reefs in blue seas

e) Escaping to the countryside with friends

Answers:

Mostly As = a dog â so active and so much fun!

Mostly Bs = a cat â just like Silver!

Mostly Cs = a lizard â unusual but rewarding.

Mostly Ds = a fish â so relaxing to watch.

Mostly Es = a rabbit â great for cuddles!

Don't forget, there are lots of important things to consider when adopting a pet â it's a big commitment, so your whole family has to agree. But if they do, caring for a furry (or feathery or scaly) friend can be fantastic!!

About the Author

Ann Bryant's School Days

Who
was your favourite teacher?

At primary it was Mr. Perks â we called him Perksy. I was in his class in Year Six, and most days he let me work on a play I was writing! At secondary, my fave teacher was Mrs. Rowe, simply because I loved her subject (French) and she was so young and pretty and slim and chic and it was great seeing what new clothes she'd be wearing.

What were your best and worst lessons?

My brain doesn't process history, geography or science and I hated cookery, so those were my least favourite subjects. But I was good at English, music, French and PE, so I loved those. I also enjoyed art, although I was completely rubbish at it!

What was your school uniform like?

We had to wear a white shirt with a navy blue tie and sweater, and a navy skirt, but there was actually a wide variety of styles allowed â I was a very small person and liked pencil-thin skirts. We all rolled them over and over at the waist!

Did you take part in after-school activities?

Well I loved just hanging out with my friends, but most of all I loved ballet and went to extra classes in Manchester after school.

Did you have any pets while you were at school?

My parents weren't animal lovers so we were only allowed a goldfish! But since I had my two daughters, we've had loads â two cats, two guinea pigs, two rabbits, two hamsters and two goldfish.

What was your most embarrassing moment?

When I was in Year Seven I had to play piano for assembly. It was April Fool's Day and the piano wouldn't work (it turned out that someone had put a book in the back). I couldn't bring myself to stand up and investigate because that would draw attention to me, so I sat there with my hands on the keys wishing to die, until the Deputy Head came and rescued me!

To find about more about Ann Bryant, visit her website:
www.annbryant.co.uk

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www.silverspiresschool.co.uk

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