Alice-Miranda Shows the Way (22 page)

‘Well done, boys.' Alice-Miranda gave them each a whacking great kiss on the nose. ‘Well done indeed.'

A
lf was taken into police custody where he was charged with all manner of offences, including theft and psychological abuse of children. He had enlisted several of the carnival kids to assist him with his sticky-fingered ways, on the threat that harm would come to their parents if they didn't. He'd never hurt Gina but the other kids didn't know that. Alf was a bully and a liar and when the rest of the carnival adults learned what he'd been up to they were horrified and glad to see the back of him. It seemed he
would spend some time in prison, at Her Majesty's pleasure.

Billy Boots returned home to his family and his rightful place as the carnival boss. It turns out that the money Alf accused him of stealing was located under Alf's mattress in the caravan with hardly any missing at all. Billy also reclaimed his real name: Liam Sharlan. The first thing he did was find a new teacher and make sure that his sister and brother and all the other carnival kids kept up their education. Alice-Miranda and Millie tried to convince Fern that she could stay at school with them if she wanted to. They even arranged it with Miss Grimm but Fern decided that, for now, her brothers needed her too much. But she promised that they'd be back again next year and she was looking forward to seeing her friends then.

Dick Wigglesworth confessed to Evelyn Pepper that he had hidden Bonaparte at Caledonia Manor. Evelyn was shocked. She didn't understand at all until he explained that he couldn't bear the thought of her leaving and he knew she was planning to once the Queen's Cup was safely in the trophy cabinet. She was even more surprised when he got down on bended knee and asked her to marry him. Evelyn had
hesitated for a moment, wondering if he deserved her after what he'd done, but then to the great delight of everyone in the village and especially Aunty Gee, she said yes. Dick begged Alice-Miranda to forgive him, which of course she did. She reasoned that if he hadn't taken Bony to the stables, Alf might have got away with the robberies – and as Aunty Gee said, people do very strange things when they're in love.

Rockstar's racing career ended. He was now considered one of the most successful horses in history and certainly the best racehorse Aunty Gee had ever had – although she happily admitted that he was the rudest too. Alice-Miranda rode Bonaparte over to visit his friend as often as she could. They were always glad to see each other, and like a couple of old men they whinnied and neighed and nickered for hours.

Ambrosia Headlington-Bear settled into life in the village much more quickly than anyone expected. She even realised that she quite enjoyed gardening. Once she finished her own place she was planning to tackle the weeds across the road – she couldn't bear having to look at Mrs Parker's jungle a moment longer, and perhaps the woman could do with a hand. After all, they were both minus a husband
in one way or another. Jacinta visited her mother as often as her training schedule would allow and was fortunate to be at the cottage when the editor from
Gloss and Goss
telephoned to ask if they could do a photographic spread of Ambrosia and her new country life. Her mother was in the garden at the time and, Jacinta had thought, probably wouldn't want to be disturbed. She happened to forget to mention the call.

Newton returned home from his adventure at the Caledonia Manor stables and took his place on the mantelpiece. Myrtle Parker vowed that his travelling days were over but sometimes when she collected the mail, a little part of her missed his postcards.

Alice-Miranda fulfilled her promise to Mrs Parker to read to her husband. She'd decided their first book should be
Matilda
by Roald Dahl. There were plenty of interesting characters in the story and she loved reading it aloud. On her second visit, the tiny child could have sworn the man giggled at one particularly funny scene with Miss Trunchbull, but surely that must have been just her imagination.

Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale School for Proper Young Ladies staff

Miss Ophelia Grimm – Headmistress

Aldous Grump – Miss Grimm's husband

Mrs Louella Derby – Personal secretary to the headmistress

Miss Livinia Reedy – English teacher

Mr Josiah Plumpton – Science teacher

Howie (Mrs Howard) – Housemistress

Mr Cornelius Trout – Music teacher

Miss Benitha Wall – PE teacher

Cook (Mrs Doreen Smith) – Cook

Charlie Weatherly (Mr Charles) – Gardener

Wally Whitstable – Stablehand

Billy Boots – Stablehand

Students

Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones

Millicent Jane McLoughlin-McTavish-McNoughton-McGill – Alice-Miranda's best friend and room mate

Jacinta Headlington-Bear – Friend

Sloane Sykes – Friend

Madeline Bloom, Susannah – Friends

Dare, Ashima Divall,

Ivory Hicks

Danika Rigby – Head prefect

Fayle School for Boys students and staff

Professor Wallace Winterbottom – Headmaster

Deidre Winterbottom – Headmaster's wife

Lucas Nixon – Student

Septimus Sykes – Student

Chesterfield Downs staff

Aunty Gee – Owner of the property

Evelyn Pepper – Racehorse trainer and manager

Dick Wigglesworth – Stable foreman

Wally Whitstable – Stablehand

Freddy – Stablehand

Villagers

Herman Munz – Owner of the local shop

Marta Munz – Herman's wife

Otto Munz – Herman's son

Myrtle Parker – Show Society President and village busybody

Reginald Parker – Myrtle's husband

Newton – Garden gnome

Hephzibah Fayle – Friend of Alice-Miranda's and owner of Caledonia Manor

Henrietta Fayle – Sister of Hephzibah and step-granny of Sloane Sykes

Ambrosia Headlington-Bear – Jacinta's mother

Carnival folk

Alf Carnival – boss

Fern Alf's – stepdaughter

Tarquin – Alf's stepson

Ivy, Little Jimmy, Pete, Robbie, Lola, Rory, Stephen, Indigo, Nick, Ellie – Carnival children

Mr and Mrs Kessler – Carnival workers

Jim Joyce – Carnival worker, Ivy and Little Jimmy's father

J
acqueline Harvey has spent her working life teaching in girls' boarding schools. She has never owned a sightseeing garden gnome but she has come across quite a few girls who remind her a little of Alice-Miranda.

Jacqueline has published many novels for young readers. Her first picture book,
The Sound of the Sea
, was awarded Honour Book in the 2006 CBC Awards. She is currently working on Alice-Miranda's next adventure and a new series about a little girl called Clementine Rose and her teacup pig, Lavender.

For more about Jacqueline and Alice-Miranda, go to:

www.jacquelineharvey.com.au

Praise for the Alice-Miranda series

Alice-Miranda at School
was shortlisted for the 2011 Australian Peace Literature Award.

‘Alice-Miranda has a beguiling ability to enchant those around her and an enthusiasm for helping people in need. This new series, with its sprightly, resilient heroine, who is sweet without being cloying, offers readers a lively blend of humour and intrigue.'
Kirkus Reviews

‘Alice-Miranda's optimism and determination is infectious. An immediately lovable character that young girls are going to want to be or be with.' Deborah Abela, bestselling author of
Max Remy
and
Ghost Club

‘What's the worst thing about reviewing kids' books? When you find a book so enchanting that you want to ignore your own child to keep reading it! A modern story with a touch of the classics about it.' Megan Blandford, Kids' Book Review blog

‘Full of humour and with very likeable characters, this book sets a benchmark for a fantastic new series.' Donella Reed, Read Plus blog

‘Alice-Miranda is a powerhouse of positive thinking, a problem solver and a friend to all – she's quite simply unstoppable.'
Maitland Mercury

‘It is a welcome change to read about a small child who changes adults' lives . . . even though she never changes, everyone around her does, for the better.'
Sydney's Child

‘Her generosity of spirit, enthusiasm and ultra well-heeled practicality endear her to the reader.' Katharine England,
Adelaide Advertiser

‘A great book for ages 6 and up.'

Kate O'Donnell,
Magpies Magazine

‘Ever since reading the first Alice-Miranda book, I've been dying to read the second book. Finally, here it is, and I love it . . . Now I want the third book.' Matilda Murrihy (11 years),
Herald Sun

‘Alice-Miranda's energy and love of life permeate every page and draw the reader into a lively, escapist narrative that celebrates friendship and believing the best of people . . . Harvey is a writer confident in her voice, her characters and her story.'

NSW Association for Gifted and Talented Children website

Also by Jacqueline Harvey

Alice-Miranda at School

Alice-Miranda on Holiday

Alice-Miranda Takes the Lead

Alice-Miranda at Sea

Alice-Miranda in New York