Party at Silver Spires by Ann Bryant Page A

my problems. I would pretend to be ill. Of course!
    â€œI’ve got a headache and I just feel…kind of weak…”
    â€œOh, Nicole! You poor thing!” said Izzy, putting her arm round me. “Shall I pour you some water?”
    â€œShall we tell Matron?” asked Sasha quietly.
    â€œI can’t eat any more,” I said in a thin voice.
    â€œDo you want me and Izzy to take you back to Forest Ash,” said Sasha, her big eyes full of concern.
    â€œI think I need to go and lie down, but don’t worry, I can manage to walk back on my own. I’ll just go slowly.”
    â€œAre you sure?” asked Izzy.
    â€œYes, I’ll be fine,” I said.
    â€œYou can ask Matron for some paracetamol,” said Bryony.
    â€œAnd then you can have a nice sleep and wake up on top of the world and ready for a fab party!” said Emily.
    â€œYes, you don’t want to miss the party!” said Izzy, looking suddenly shocked. “Are you sure you’ll be okay?” she checked one last time.
    I nodded and got up slowly. “Can someone take my plate?”
    â€œI will,” came a chorus of voices.
    I walked back to Forest Ash feeling a whole mixture of emotions. I was relieved that I was probably going to be able to get out of the party if I kept up my act, but I was upset about the lie. I was touched at the way my friends had been so kind and caring just now, but I was still angry with Antonia for being so rude last night.
    When I went into Forest Ash, the first person I saw was Mrs. Pridham.
    â€œOh, that was a quick lunch, Nicole! You can’t have been very hungry.”
    My heart raced. “I…I’m not feeling well.”
    Her eyes filled with concern as she put a hand on my shoulder and looked at me carefully. “Oh dear, what is it?”
    â€œMy head… And my legs feel weak.”
    â€œOh no! What bad timing!” She smiled at me and squeezed my shoulder. “Matron’s actually off duty at the moment, but she’ll be back in about an hour and I’ll send her along to you. Would you like to have a lie down till then? I think that’d be best.”
    I nodded.
    â€œCome along then.” She steered me towards the stairs, but I didn’t want her coming with me. I couldn’t keep up the pretence of being ill, and anyway, it made me feel too guilty.
    â€œI’ll be okay,” I said.
    â€œWell, if you’re sure… I should take your shoes off and get right under the duvet – then you’ll probably fall asleep, and who knows, you’ll hopefully wake up refreshed and ready to party!” She gave me an encouraging smile and I tried to smile back, but I don’t think it worked, and I could feel her eyes on me as I started to climb the stairs.
    By the time I was outside our dorm I was exhausted with the effort of pretending to be ill just in case Mrs. Pridham was still watching, and I thought how nice it would be to get under the duvet and curl up and see if I could get to sleep. Then I wouldn’t have to talk to anyone and I’d even miss out on the party preparations. I didn’t really want Matron taking my temperature or anything though, because I knew it would be normal, and then all the house staff would try to chivvy me along and I bet they’d tell me the party would do me good and it would cheer me up and things like that, when they had no idea how wrong they’d be.
    I pushed open the dorm door and immediately had a massive shock. Antonia was lying perfectly still on her bed, staring up at the ceiling.

Chapter Eight

    A small “ Oh ” sound came out of my mouth.
    She didn’t even glance in my direction.
    I had no idea what to do or say, especially as I knew that whatever I said she would probably ignore. I wondered if she knew it was me just from my little oh. I felt stupid standing completely still, but it would be a bit embarrassing getting under my bedclothes when