Free Becky's Terrible Term by Holly Webb Page A

started doing her homework in there, generally with Vanilla curled up in her lap trying to chew her exercise books.
    â€œBecause, dimwit, one, we aren’t talking to Becky, and no way is she talking to us, especially after today, and two, how would you like it if Becky and I told you we’d found a perfect friend for you and all you had to do was go and say hello? You’d kill us. No. We’ve got to be sneaky,”mused Annabel, searching for ideas.
    â€œS’pose so,” said Katie, doubtfully.
    â€œWhat kind of dog did Fran say she’d got?”
    â€œA big Golden Retriever, why?”
    â€œLook at that!” crowed Annabel triumphantly, pointing at Becky’s chest of drawers.
    â€œOhhh!” Katie went over and picked up the slim photo album lying on the top. She looked at the first picture. “ Is that a Golden Retriever?” she asked hopefully.
    â€œCourse it is, silly!” Annabel stretched out a hand for the album. “They almost all are. Becky cuts them out of her dog magazine. You know she’s desperate for a dog, and a retriever’s what she’d really like. That’s her dream dog.”
    â€œAnd Fran’s got one. There’s got to be something we can do with this!”
    â€œMmm. Your turn, I’ve had today’s brainwave. Make us up a plan, Katie.” Annabel flopped back on to her bed, as though spotting the photo album had taken a lot out of her.
    â€œWell,” said Katie, slowly, thinking it out. “We’ve got to get them both talking, haven’t we? Without Becky running off in the middle like an idiot. I reckon if Fran sees this, she’ll ask Becky about it, won’t she? And maybe, maybe ,if Becky’s not expecting it, she’ll be too surprised to be shy? What do you think?”
    â€œIt’s OK, as far as it goes,” said Annabel critically. “But it’s not fantastic, is it? How do we get these photos in front of Fran, without Becky knowing?”
    â€œIf it was in class” – Katie paced the room as she thought out loud – “Becky couldn’t run off! I think we’ve got to make it happen during the history lesson. Look, Becky’s got a folder for all the stuff Miss Fraser’s been giving us, hasn’t she? And she’s bound to get it out for something. We put that book in there, and there we go!”
    Annabel looked at her sister. “Honestly. Is that the best you can come up with? I find you a brilliant opportunity, and that’s your plan?”
    Katie raised an eyebrow at her sister. She knew this game – Annabel loved being contrary whenever she could.
    â€œOh, all right then,” Bel conceded. “Have we got history tomorrow?”
    â€œThink so. It’s a double after lunch, isn’t it? We’ll have to sneak the album into Becky’s bag after she’s got up, somehow. She’ll notice if we do it now.”
    â€œGood,” said Annabel in a satisfied way. “It makes me feel very nice ,doing all this for Becky, when she’s basically being a complete pain.”
    Katie’s eyebrow went up again, and Annabel grinned shamefacedly. They both knew quite well that she was missing Becky loads, she just wasn’t going to say so – not without turning it into a heartbreaking dramatic scene, anyway.
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    Annabel and Katie spent the next morning feeling like daring conspirators, jumping every time Becky even looked their way. By the time it got to the history lesson just after lunch, they were nervous wrecks.
    â€œDid you put it on top of her folder?” hissed Annabel to Katie, as she passed her, on the way to sharpen a pencil that was already sharp enough to stab Max with.
    â€œNo, just underneath the photos of the school Miss Fraser gave us. Oh, I hope she takes it out soon – why am I so nervous?”
    Over on her table, Becky’s group were trying to work out what their project was actually