Free Alice-Miranda Takes the Lead by Jacqueline Harvey Page B

live here on your own? Because that would be impossible … to keep on top of things, I mean. I’d so love to know your name.’
    Silence enveloped the house. Alice-Miranda grew aware of the ticking of a clock and glanced around the kitchen, searching for it.
    â€˜Aren’t you afraid of me?’ the woman asked quietly.
    â€˜Of course not.’ Alice-Miranda smiled. ‘Why would I be? In fact, I thought you seemed rather afraid of me – which is very silly indeed.’
    â€˜Because …’ the old woman faltered. ‘I’m the one … I’m the one they call the witch.’
    â€˜Oh really? I had wondered about that. I met lots of cats on the way up here and the girls at school told me a story a few nights ago about a witch in the woods with hundreds of cats, but I don’t believe in witches. Everyone knows they’re only in fairy stories – unless perhaps you really are a witch, in which case it’s apleasure to meet you, being the first real witch I’ve ever met.’ Alice-Miranda paused and sipped her tea. ‘Anyway, I really should tell you how I came to be here. You see, I was out riding with my best friend Millie and another friend Susannah and a new girl called Sloane and well, Sloane was riding Stumps and he’s one of those ponies who you should never mention home to because, well, as soon as she did, he bolted and we all gave chase but my naughty little Bonaparte could smell your old vegetable patch and so they went one way and I went the other and that’s how I ended up here at Caledonia Manor.’ Alice-Miranda finished her one-sided conversation and took another sip of tea.
    â€˜Oh,’ the woman spoke. There was a long pause. ‘My name’s Hephzibah.’
    â€˜What a delicious name.’ Alice-Miranda clapped her hands together. ‘I’m so glad we’ve met properly. Now we can truly be friends.’
    â€˜Friends?’ Hephzibah’s voice quivered.
    â€˜Are you all right?’ Alice-Miranda asked. ‘Why don’t you take your hat off and then I can see you properly?’
    â€˜I can’t,’ Hephzibah wheezed. ‘I can’t.’
    â€˜Of course you can,’ Alice-Miranda insisted. ‘I know it’s important to wear sun protectionoutside but we’re inside and I’d so love to see your face.’
    Hephzibah hesitated, fearing this would be a terrible mistake. But something about this child made her feel different. There was something comforting about her – something she hadn’t felt since …
    Hephzibah slowly lifted her veil before taking her hat off and placing it on the table beside her cup. She looked up at Alice-Miranda, her mouth drawn tightly into a thin line. With the fingers of her left hand, she gently traced the outline of her scarred face. A tear formed in her right eye and slid silently down her cheek, dropping onto her lap.
    â€˜Oh, you have such pretty eyes.’ Alice-Miranda smiled.
    All at once, Hephzibah broke down into shuddering sobs. Alice-Miranda slipped from her seat, pulled the chair around beside her new friend, and immediately climbed up and placed her arm around the elderly woman’s shoulder.

Armed with a hand-drawn map tucked safely into her breast pocket, Alice-Miranda returned safely to school with Bonaparte that afternoon, to the great relief of all. Mr Charles and Susannah had gone out in the Land Rover to look for her while Millie and Wally had taken the horses and retraced the girls’ journey from Gertrude’s Grove. Sloane said that there was no way she was going out looking for anyone – she had lines to learn (and a very sore bottom).
    Alice-Miranda and Bony had met Millie and Wallyat the fork in the road. She explained Bonaparte’s wilful behaviour, saying that he had sniffed out an old vegetable patch and simply couldn’t be held. Thankfully, she added, there weren’t any cabbages, but