Read Online Alice-Miranda in Paris 7 by Jacqueline Harvey - Free Book Online Page A

Alice-Miranda, Millie and their canine guide reached the park, most of the children were already engaged in a vigorous game of basketball, which Mr Lipp was umpiring. Only Sloane was sitting out.
    ‘Do you want to come for a walk with us?’ Alice-Miranda called to her.
    Sloane nodded. The girls asked Miss Reedy if they could do some exploring. She said it was fine, as long as they stayed inside the park’s boundaries. It wasn’t a huge space, but it was clearly well loved, with a basketball court, some play equipment, benches to sit on and pretty flowerbeds. Miss Reedy and Mr Plumpton were soon distracted, discussing the hollyhocks and other flowers growing along the edge of the garden path.
    Lulu was doing her best impersonation of a sniffer dog, waddling along with her nose to the ground, until an elderly man leading a stout white bulldog approached. As soon as the little dachshund saw the other dog, she raised her nose into the air and strutted like a model on a catwalk.
    The old man dipped his hat to the girls. ‘
Bonjour
, mademoiselles.
Bonjour
, Lulu.’
    ‘
Bonjour
, monsieur,’ the girls said together.
    ‘What a lovely fellow,’ Alice-Miranda exclaimed, looking at the bulldog.
    He ignored her and barked at Lulu, his tail wagging. Lulu turned her head in the opposite direction.
    ‘Ah,
anglais
? Louis has been in love with Lulu since they were puppies. But she does not love him back. He tries his best but she just ignores him,’ the man explained carefully. ‘Where is Monsieur Crabbe this afternoon?’
    ‘He’s busy at the hotel. He was kind enough to let us take Lulu out for a walk,’ Alice-Miranda said.
    ‘You are lucky girls to be left in charge of that dog. Monsieur Crabbe does not usually trust her with anyone. Not even Madame Crabbe. She is like a baby to him,’ the man said. ‘Enjoy your walk.’
    The girls said goodbye and continued along the path.
    ‘So you’re not a fan of the bulldog,’ said Millie, looking at Lulu. The little dog put her nose even further into the air as if to agree.
    ‘I can see why. He’s not the most handsome creature, is he?’ Sloane added.
    ‘Looks aren’t everything,’ Alice-Miranda said.
    ‘No, but if I was a cute dachshund, I wouldn’t be falling for an ugly old bulldog either,’ said Sloane.
    Lulu barked as if to agree.
    ‘Look.’ Alice-Miranda pointed at an archway in the middle of a long hedge. ‘Do you think there could be more of the park through there?’
    ‘Let’s go and see,’ Millie said. ‘It might be a secret garden.’
    On the other side of the hedge, the park narrowed. It was an L shape and ran behind some townhouses. It was another pretty space but didn’t look to be as well used as the main part of the park. Lulu sniffed her way along the fence. The girls could just catch glimpses of tiny courtyards at the rear of the buildings. Most of the fencing was made of ornate metal and looked quite old, except for one section. It had thick black fabric running along the inside, completely obscuring the view.
    The girls explored all corners of the secret section of the park. Apart from an expanse of lawn and some mature trees, there wasn’t much to it.
    ‘Do you want to sit down for a minute?’ Alice-Miranda asked as she spied a bench ahead.
    ‘Yes,’ Sloane groaned. ‘I’ve still got blisters.’
    ‘Isn’t it wonderful to be in Paris?’ Alice-Miranda looked around before plonking down onto the seat. ‘I just love it here.’
    ‘I can’t believe that we’re opening shows for Fashion Week – it seems a bit ridiculous really,’ said Millie, grinning.
    ‘That’s not ridiculous,’ Sloane said. ‘My mother is soooo jealous.’
    ‘But you said that she hated Paris,’ Millie challenged her.
    ‘She does, but she loves fashion. It’s killing her that I’ll get to see all these amazing shows.’
    ‘Amazing could be one word for them,’ Millie said. ‘From what I’ve seen on the TV, weird is more like it.’
    ‘No one says