Free Alice-Miranda Shows the Way by Jacqueline Harvey Page B

‘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.’
    â€˜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.
    â€˜I didn’t mean it exactly like that. It’s complicated,’ Sloane snapped back.
    â€˜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.
    â€˜Hello,’ Ambrosia smiled.
    â€˜Hello, may I help you vith somethink?’ Herman asked.
    â€˜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.’
    â€˜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.
    â€˜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.
    â€˜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 threwa copy of the latest Gloss and Goss down in front of him.
    Herman stared at the page, then back at Ambrosia and shrugged.
    â€˜Can’t you see?’ she asked.
    Herman shook his head. ‘I don’t know vot I am supposed to be seeing.’
    â€˜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.
    â€˜Who is farters?’ Herman asked blankly.
    â€˜Are you joking?’ Ambrosia stared at the man in disbelief. ‘Everyone knows about the FFATAS.’
    â€˜Not me.’ Herman’s blue eyes stared vacantly at the picture. ‘But is nice frock. You look good.’
    â€˜For your information, Mr . . .’ Ambrosia sniffed. Jacinta and Sloane had joined her at the counter and placed their ice-creams on the bench.
    â€˜It’s Mr Munz, Mummy,’ Jacinta said. So much for her mother introducing herself, she thought.
    â€˜For your information, Mr Munz, the FFATAS are the Foreign Film and Television Awards.’
    â€˜Are you actress?’ he asked. ‘Because I don’t know you.’
    Ambrosia shook her head.
    â€˜Are you director?’
    Ambrosia shook her head again.
    â€˜Writer? Camera operator, sound person?’ Herman Munz was drawing a blank.
    â€˜Of course not.’ Ambrosia’s mouth turned down slightly in a frown, although the rest of her face didn’t move.
    â€˜Then you are married to one?’
    â€˜No,’ Ambrosia scowled.
    â€˜Then why you go to FFATAS and get photograph in magazine?’ Herman