Alice-Miranda on Vacation by Jacqueline Harvey

tomorrow, and then we can have some proper adventures,” Jacinta said sulkily. “I don’t want to miss anything.”
    Alice-Miranda realized that having some time to herself was exactly what she needed. She planned to talk to Lily, then find Lucas and see if he would apologize to Jasper. The last thing she wanted was for Jasper to be upset.
    The girls reached the kitchen and found Mrs. Oliver writing some notes in her special cookbook.
    “Oh dear me!” she exclaimed as she caught sight of Jacinta and her ruby nose. “You two didn’t get far.”
    Jacinta promptly dropped the backpack on the kitchen floor and answered with another three loud sneezes.
    “Bless you and bless you and bless you again,” Mrs. Oliver replied.
    She strode into the pantry and produced two of her special tonics, which she measured into two medicine glasses. “This one’s for you, Miss Jacinta—it will ease the sniffles and sneezes.” She handed Jacinta a glass of blue potion. “And this, darling girl, is for you—stop a bull in its tracks, it will.”
    Alice-Miranda took a swig of the green goop and shuddered. “That’s disgusting.” She pulled a face.
    Jacinta swallowed, anticipating an equally terrible taste. “That’s lovely,” she cooed. “It’s the best-tasting medicine I’ve ever had.”
    “Why does this one taste so bad?” Alice-Miranda asked as she placed the empty glass down on the table.
    “My apologies.” Mrs. Oliver popped the corks back into the bottles. “I’m still working on an acceptable flavor—just can’t seem to get it right.”
    “This one tastes like honey and chocolate and crisp green apples all rolled into one,” said Jacinta, licking her lips.
    “Well, this one tastes like pond scum.” Alice-Miranda poured herself a large glass of water from the tap and swished it around in her mouth.
    “And how would you know what pond scum tastes like, my girl?” Mrs. Oliver asked, her eyes smiling.
    “It smells like it,” Alice-Miranda replied, “so I imagine that’s what it tastes like too. But I’m sure it has some powerful medicine that will keep me from catching whatever it is that Jacinta has.”
    “It certainly does,” Mrs. Oliver replied. “In fact, I’ve been testing it lately, and every single person who has had it has kept the best of health. Wish I’d finished perfecting it before poor old Granny Bert almost caught her death. Now—Miss Jacinta, I think we should be putting you to bed. Up you go. I will be there shortly with some tea and toast. Alice-Miranda, can you get Jacinta organized with some books and a tray?” Mrs. Oliver requested.
    “Of course,” Alice-Miranda replied as she led Jacinta upstairs.

W ith Jacinta tucked up in bed being fussed over by Mrs. Oliver, Alice-Miranda headed off to the stables. She planned to take Bony out for a ride and find Lily, then Jasper and Lucas too.
    “Hello, Max,” Alice-Miranda called as she entered the cool stone building, which smelled of leather and wax and alfalfa hay. Max was mucking out the stall her father’s hunter, Shergar, usually occupied.
    “Morning, miss, it’s good to have you home,” he replied. “Bonaparte’s in there.” He pointed to the stable at the end.
    “Hello, fat boy,” Alice-Miranda called. At the soundof her voice, Bonaparte whinnied in reply. Alice-Miranda opened the stable door and he immediately nuzzled her arm looking for treats. “How about a ride?” she asked.
    Max appeared beside her with the tack and the two of them began saddling and bridling the pony together.
    “I lunged him this morning, so he’ll likely be a bit quiet,” Max explained. “He’s on a diet at the moment, and I’ve devised a strict exercise routine too. I’ve called it ‘Biggest loser for fat ponies with bad attitude.’ ” Max laughed. Bonaparte turned around and bared his teeth. “I reckon that pony is smarter than he looks.” Max bared his teeth back at Bony and began to struggle with the girth strap. Each time