Free Princess at Silver Spires by Ann Bryant Page A

sorry, Naomi, but as you say, you shouldn’t have agreed to it in the first place. I know Elise has acted badly, but two wrongs don’t make a right. I can’t imagine Elise was too pleased with you dropping out at the last minute?”
    â€œEr…well, there are loads of other people who are my size who’d love to be her model…”
    â€œAll the same, if she’s fitted clothes to your exact measurements, she’s sure to have to make alterations. But more to the point, you’ve let her down, Naomi.”
    I wanted to say, “Yes, but she let me down.” Only there was no point. I’d never get Mum to see that being chosen because of being a princess is unbearable for me. So I stayed quiet.
    â€œWell I can’t make you do the show, but I have to say it’s unlikely you’ll be interviewed as an ordinary student who has nothing to do with the fashion show. And that would be a good publicity opportunity for Just Water missed.”
    â€œI’ll try and explain to Miss Owen and Miss Carol about why I pulled out, and…” I trailed off because I couldn’t be sure that the teachers would understand my decision. But I hoped against hope that Miss Carol would. She’s such a fair and understanding person and I really like her.
    â€œHave a good think about it, and try to see things from all points of view, Naomi.”
    â€œOkay. I’d better go now, Mum. It’s supper time. But I’ll…phone you when I’ve talked to Miss Carol.”
    After I’d rung off, I realized I was so cold my teeth were starting to chatter, and I did a big involuntary shudder, partly because of the cold and partly because I was upset. I had tears in my eyes as I got up to go back to school.
    By the time I reached the dining hall, I was looking forward to getting some warm food inside me, but I definitely wasn’t looking forward to telling the others what had happened. And I was positively dreading seeing Elise or any of her friends. In fact, it might have spread all round the Year Tens and Elevens that Naomi Okanta was a selfish little prima donna, and they might all hate me. I shivered and went to join the queue.
    When I finally found the courage to look round, I saw Katy, Georgie and Mia waving excitedly at me. Georgie was mouthing something, because she’d never be heard above the noise of chatter and cutlery on plates even if she shouted. I shrugged and smiled to show I didn’t know what she was saying, though it was obvious really. They all wanted to know how I’d got on at the rehearsal. I swallowed and tried to prepare some words.
    Sitting down next to Katy, I started to feel ridiculously nervous. But I kept telling myself she’s my best friend and is sure to support my decision. I wasn’t so confident about Georgie, but Mia would probably make her understand how I felt.
    â€œSo, tell us all about it,” said Katy immediately.
    I swallowed and blinked. “Well, it was awful, actually…”
    All three of them gasped.
    â€œWhy? What happened?” asked Georgie, stopping eating and staring at me, wide-eyed with curiosity.
    I took a deep breath. “I hated it. I felt so nervous. My legs turned to jelly—”
    â€œBut did you walk the way you showed us at Hazeldean?” Georgie interrupted.
    â€œI did my best…”
    â€œAnd did you manage to fit your steps to the music okay?” asked Mia.
    â€œYes…”
    â€œWell you must have been brilliant!” said Katy. “I bet you’re just being modest.”
    â€œI felt so young…”
    Katy put her arm round me. “I hope no one criticized you or anything just because you’re the youngest.”
    â€œWhat did Elise say?” asked Georgie.
    â€œWhat did the teachers say?” asked Mia. “Weren’t they impressed with you?”
    This conversation wasn’t going at all as I’d hoped. By now I should