Read Online Princess at Silver Spires by Ann Bryant - Free Book Online Page A

at the sound of my name, and I was aware of lots of eyes on me.
    â€œWhere are you, Naomi?” Miss Pritchard was trying to see over the heads.
    â€œShe’s here!” said Elise loudly.
    â€œYes, Naomi, you’ve got a very natural poise and elegance. But you look anxious. Just let yourself go, dear, and you can turn that poise into something great.” She turned instantly away from me and spoke to everyone else, while I stood there shaking. “There are quite a few others, too, who need to relax and just go with the flow of the music. But as I said, some of you went the other way, and overdid the swing of the hips. Now I don’t want to curb your enthusiasm, but you need to tone it down a bit. Naomi’s an example of someone who’s used to being in the public eye, which is probably why she looks so poised. Try and find the happy balance, girls.”
    Miss Pritchard stopped talking then, thank goodness, because I hated her praising me and talking about me being in the public eye. What must all these experienced models who’d been in last year’s fashion show be thinking? It only took a few seconds for me to find out because I distinctly heard one of them whisper sarcastically, “Great! Even Miss Pritchard sucks up to her just because she’s a princess.”
    A few moments later, as Miss Pritchard talked in more detail about how your arms and head and hips should be positioned, I took a subtle look about me, and noticed that everyone seemed to be listening quite carefully. That was a big relief. At least no one was aiming evils in my direction. But now I just wanted to get on with the rest of the rehearsal and then flee from this hall to my secret garden.
    Finally, after two more run-throughs, Miss Owen decided that we’d done enough for a first rehearsal, and she read out the names of the girls on her list who needed to stay behind. There were only a few and I wasn’t one of them.
    â€œAre we allowed to go?” I whispered to Lara.
    â€œYes, it’s hot in here, isn’t it? I can’t wait to get out. Well done, by the way. Don’t worry about jealousy. It goes with the territory. Just keep your head down and get on with it, like I do.” She grinned at me and I thanked her with my eyes for being so lovely, then crept towards the door.
    It wasn’t till I actually opened it and was almost out in the corridor that I heard someone say, “Hey, looks like you were right about your little prodigy, Elise!”
    And then Elise’s voice rang out for all to hear. “I know! I am so going to win this competition. I told you, girls, it wasn’t for nothing I found myself a princess! Even Miss P commented on that natural do-it-for-the-cameras thing she’s got going for herself. And wait till you see her in a tiara. Master stroke, eh?”
    â€œI know!” squeaked Tansy. “That’s such a brilliant idea!”
    My hand stayed on the door handle and my head crowded with raging thoughts. First Elise had lied about the competition, then she’d lied about the silver slides, and now I knew for sure about the worst lie of all – she really had chosen me because I’m a princess. I wasn’t leaving this hall now. My blood boiled.
    Abina, you don’t need me to stick myself in the limelight. I’ll still make sure Just Water helps you, but I’m pulling out of this ridiculous fashion show. Right now.

Chapter Six

    I let go of the door handle and turned to face the room, my back against the door, my heart racing with anger. Everyone was buzzing with excitement. No one was paying any attention to me. Miss Owen had a crowd of girls round her, who all seemed to be talking at once. Miss Pritchard had put the music back on at a lower volume and was walking down the catwalk with exaggerated rhythm, a girl on either side of her. All three were counting loudly.
    Still I just stood there like a statue, and the more I took in