Read Online Alice-Miranda at Sea by Jacqueline Harvey - Free Book Online

Millie should have her family on board when Jacinta would have no one. Cecelia had been surprised when she received word (at the very last minute) that the Headlington-Bears would attend and had requested two suites. But at least Jacinta would get to spend some time with them.
    When the children hadn’t found Ambrosia by the pool, Jacinta had decided not to worry about her mother and father. She had no idea what they’d talk about when she did see them. Of course Charlotte and Lawrence were terribly kind inviting her parents, but really it would have suited her just as well if they’d stayed away. She had a sinking feeling that they most likely only agreed to come because of Lawrence and the possibility of meeting some of his movie star friends.
    The late afternoon sun was playing hide and seek with the clouds. The children were keen to test the pool before dark and had decided on their way back from the kitchen to see if they might have a swim before nightfall.
    Lucas asked Charlotte if that was all right.
    â€˜Of course,’ she replied. ‘Just don’t be late for dinner.’
    â€˜Okay, let’s meet at the pool in ten minutes,’ Jacinta instructed as the children headed to their suites to get changed.
    â€˜All right, but I might be a little longer,’ said Alice-Miranda. ‘There’s something I need to do first.’

A lice-Miranda marched off to the bridge to see if Admiral Harding could tell her which suite Jacinta’s parents were staying in. She was keen to find them and see if everything was all right.
    â€˜Hello,’ she called and knocked.
    She could hear voices on the other side of the door.
    â€˜Hello,’ she tried again, and then pushed the door open.
    A control panel of blinking lights sat beneath panoramic windows overlooking the bow of the ship. In the centre of the console an empty chair sat in front of what looked like a joystick. Two men were standing on the opposite side of the room.
    â€˜You don’t want to give me any more reasons to speak with the admiral do you?’ the taller man asked.
    â€˜Of course not, sir,’ the shorter man shook his head.
    â€˜Well then, I’m sure you can follow some very simple instructions, can’t you?’ The other man raised his eyebrows.
    â€˜Excuse me,’ Alice-Miranda said. ‘I’m very sorry to disturb you but I was looking for Admiral Harding.’
    â€˜Go,’ the taller man instructed the shorter one. ‘I will speak to you later.’
    The shorter man sped from the room, ignoring Alice-Miranda completely. She noticed that his face was the colour of beetroot and he kept his head down as he exited. She had a strange feeling that something wasn’t quite right. The poor man looked as though he’d been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
    â€˜May I help you?’ the taller man offered.
    â€˜Oh, I hope so,’ Alice-Miranda replied. ‘My name’s Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones and I’m very pleased to meet you Mr . . .’
    â€˜Prendergast, First Officer, ah . . . Whitley Prendergast,’ the man replied.
    â€˜Well, it’s lovely to meet you First Officer Prendergast and this is such a delicious view.’ She stared out at the sea. ‘I’m sorry to have interrupted your meeting before,’ Alice-Miranda apologised.
    â€˜He just made a mistake,’ Whitley replied, ‘which will be repaid in due course.’
    Alice-Miranda wondered what the other man must have done. Her frown betrayed her thoughts.
    â€˜But nothing for you to worry about, miss.’ Prendergast walked to the other side of the room and took a clipboard from the wall.
    â€˜Oh, of course not,’ Alice-Miranda replied. ‘You must adore working on the Octavia .’
    â€˜Yes,’ Prendergast agreed.
    â€˜It must be so much fun to travel the world instead of being locked away –’
    Prendergast glared.