Free Annabel's Perfect Party by Holly Webb Page B

disengaged themselves reluctantly, and Dad sat down again. Becky and Katie, almost unable to let go of him, even for a second, leant themselves up against his chair, and Annabel perched herself on the table.
    Mr Ryan shook his head, looking around at them. “How long is it since I’ve seen you? Three months, is that all? You look so different. . .” he tailed off, and then appealed to his ex-wife. “I’m not imagining it, am I? They’ve grown?”
    Mrs Ryan nodded. “Oh yes. They never stop.”
    â€œAnd you’ve never seen us in our Manor Hill uniform either, Dad – that’s different,” Annabel broke in.
    â€œTrue. You look very smart, Bel. Very sensible and businesslike – we get the full party girl outfit tomorrow, do we?”
    â€œ Oh yes. And I’m going to make up Becky and Katie, and do their hair.”
    â€œDo you have to?” Katie moaned. “You take so long. And I can never tell the difference, anyway.”
    â€œThis is a party, Katie. You are going to look nice, however long it takes. You promised .” Katie had, in a weak moment the evening before. Annabel had refused to fetch her a reviving chocolate biscuit when she’d been flaked out on the sofa after just managing to break her keepy-uppy record – now at 102. Annabel had cruelly waved the packet round the living-room door until Katie had promised.
    â€œDad, what are all those things in the hall?” asked Becky, and the other two stopped their half-hearted bickering and pricked up their ears. “I mean, your clothes and things are at the flat, aren’t they?”
    â€œThose parcels, sweetheart, are yet another thing you’re not allowed to know about.” He exchanged a knowing glance with their mum. The contents of the parcels was secret even to Annabel, who looked very slightly huffy. “Until tomorrow. Oooh, less than twenty-four hours now. Be patient.” He smirked a little.
    â€œYou are so enjoying this,” Katie grumbled. “When do we actually get to find out what’s going on, Mum? I mean, if you’ve got to do stuff to the house we’re going to see, aren’t we?”
    â€œNo hints,” said their mum firmly. “Not a word, so don’t pester, Katie.”
    And with that the triplets had to be satisfied until the next day.

Chapter Ten
    The triplets were up early the next morning. Earlier than Mum, who they woke up mercilessly by calling outside her bedroom door (they still weren’t allowed in). Mum had warned them not to even think of getting up before seven, or they’d be exhausted by the end of the party. She’d also pointed out there was no reason to get up early, as nothing was happening till the afternoon. She knew it wasn’t going to have much effect, though. And she was right – dead on seven o’clock, they were out of their bedroom, bouncing and yelping excitedly to get her up and get the day properly started. They’d spent at least the last half hour awake and chatting curled up on Annabel’s bed, and she was beginning to be really glad the pretence wouldn’t have to go on much longer. Katie had already accused her of not really being excited about the party as she wasn’t saying enough. Annabel had claimed she was just sleepy, and the other two seemed to believe her – after all, she did like to sleep in at the weekends.
    Mrs Ryan appeared in her dressing gown. “What time is it, for heaven’s sake? Two minutes past seven – I might have known. Well, as you’re so energetic you can go and put the kettle on and make me some coffee and toast while I have a shower.”
    The triplets raced downstairs as Mum shuffled into the bathroom, but stopped halfway as she called after them, “Don’t forget! You can’t go in the living room!” Ten minutes later she appeared in jeans and a jumper looking considerably more awake, and once