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

‘What do you mean, “locked away”?’
    â€˜In an office,’ Alice-Miranda explained. ‘Working in the same place every day.’
    â€˜Oh, indeed.’ Prendergast roared laughing.
    â€˜Do you get to steer the ship?’ Alice-Miranda asked.
    â€˜Yes, miss.’
    â€˜But who’s doing that now?’ Alice-Miranda walked around the empty seat in front of the middle of the control panel. ‘I thought you would have loads of help up here – it’s amazing to have a huge vessel like the Octavia and only one person in control. You must be very good at your job.’
    â€˜Autopilot. But I’m sure you didn’t come just to admire the view and talk about my work,’ he prompted.
    â€˜Oh no, of course not. I wondered if you could help me locate some of our guests. My friend Jacinta Headlington-Bear’s parents are on board but she hasn’t seen them yet and I just want to make sure that they’re all right.’
    Whitley Prendergast walked to the other side of the room and thumbed through a thick folder.
    â€˜Here they are.’ He tapped his finger on the page.
    â€˜Headlington-Bear – Victoria and Albert on the Gallery Deck,’ Prendergast informed her.
    â€˜Thank you, Mr Prendergast,’ Alice-Miranda said. ‘I’m sure I’ll find them.’
    She turned to leave.
    The child glanced back at Prendergast and waved. ‘Enjoy your evening.’
    But the First Officer did not reply. He was humming loudly and seemed rather focused on cutting up some paper.
    People who work on ships are very busy, Alice-Miranda thought to herself.
    She made her way down five flights of stairs to the Gallery Deck, so named for the millions of dollars’ worth of artworks that lined the long corridors; Picassos and Rembrandts hung alongside works by Matisse and Monet. It was a truly splendid hallway, despite being ‘below deck’. She walked along the corridor, checking the polished brass nameplates that were located in the centre of each door.
    â€˜Ah, here it is, Victoria Suite,’ Alice-Miranda said out loud. ‘That’s funny – I thought it was Victoria and Albert.’ Alice-Miranda wondered if she was in the right place. It was definitely the Gallery Deck – it said so at the end of the hall. She tapped on the door lightly. There was no reply so she waited a moment then tapped again more firmly.
    Ambrosia Headlington-Bear, having made no decision about her outfit for the ship’s departure, had retreated to the bath where she lay under a froth of bubbles. With some soothing jazz in her ears, she wondered how on earth she was going to choose what to wear for dinner.
    â€˜Well,’ said Alice-Miranda with a shrug, ‘perhaps they’ve gone upstairs.’
    Inside the Albert suite opposite, Neville Nordstrom’s stomach grumbled. No one else had come to claim the room, so he’d decided that he might as well stay put for now – except that he really needed something to eat. He’d drifted off to sleep again after being awoken by the blasting of the ship’s horn when the vessel was casting off. And now he’d been here for what seemed a couple of hours. Considering he’d lain awake most of the night before, worrying about the journey ahead, it was no surprise that Neville was tired.
    Neville decided to go in search of some food – surely there had to be a vending machine or cafeteria somewhere close by. He picked up his trumpet case and opened the door. A small girl with cascading chocolate curls was standing outside in the hallway. Neville stepped backwards and closed the door. He hoped she would go away.
    Alice-Miranda spun around to see who was there. But the door had clicked shut. And then she saw the nameplate – Albert Suite.
    â€˜Oh, so that’s it! The Headlington-Bears must have two suites,’ Alice-Miranda decided.
    Knowing there was someone inside, she