Drama at Silver Spires by Ann Bryant Page A

lunchtime, as we were waiting to return our trays. “Would they have worn long dresses, or what?”
    I loved explaining about the clothing, especially as I was so into the book by then. “Well the dresses would be gathered in at the waist, then flowing down to the ground with ruff necks and puffed sleeves for the younger sisters and maybe floaty sleeves for the older ones.”
    I was so deep into our conversation that I never noticed Cara right in front of me with her tray until she turned round. For what felt like a minute, but was probably only a second, we just stared at each other coldly. Then she swung back round again.
    â€œWhat’s going on between Cara and you?” Mia asked in an accusing tone, as soon as we were out of the hall. “You’re not still cross with her about the play, surely?”
    â€œYes I told you…she was horrible to me after the auditions so why should I act friendly to her?” I said coolly.
    Mia frowned and the others looked down. At that moment I wished there was no such person as Cara Ravenscroft. She obviously hated my guts for accusing her of being a show-off. And as for what I felt about her…well it wasn’t exactly hate, but every time I saw her all my feelings of shame and regret came rushing back to the surface, putting me in a terrible mood.
    The more I tried to avoid Cara the more she kept popping up everywhere, which was really starting to bug me. We always gave each other the most horrible look and it had grown into a bit of a competition to see who could stare the other one out, which usually finished in her rolling her eyes and looking away with a sneer on her face. But there was another reason I didn’t want to see her. I was starting to panic that she might spill the beans to my friends about what had really happened at the auditions and how I’d refused the smaller part. The only time I could relax was at the weekend, because I could be sure I wouldn’t see Cara. On Saturday afternoons and Sundays there are nearly always different activities for the various year groups, and in between times students usually hang out in their own boarding houses. All our boarding houses are named after trees. Hazeldean is the best, of course, and Cara’s is Beech House, which is right over on the other side of school, thank goodness. As soon as Monday came I would feel myself tensing up again, because I knew I was much more likely to pass her in the dining hall or a corridor or somewhere, but we just carried on giving each other evil stares.
    â€œI don’t get what this big feud between you and Cara is all about,” Mia said, one time. Her eyes had got the same look in them as when she’s feeling homesick. “I can understand that you don’t like her because she’s been so horrible, but why does she have a problem with you ?”
    I put my arm round Mia because I don’t like it when she’s sad. “I’m just ignoring her…so she’s ignoring me back. That’s all.”
    â€œWell, why don’t you be the sensible, mature one and talk to her one day,” suggested Naomi. “Then she’ll realize how stupid she’s being. Or do you want me to have a word with her?” she added.
    â€œNo!” I must have spoken very loudly because everyone seemed to jump about half a mile into the air.
    â€œOkay!” said Naomi, putting her hands up and eyeing me warily, as though I was a bull about to charge at her.
    I went for my calmest tones then. “I’m sure she’ll come round at some point, and I really don’t feel like making friends yet, so promise me you won’t say anything, yeah?”
    Naomi nodded slowly but I could feel her eyes boring into mine, like she was trying to see inside my head and find out what was going on in there. She would have had a shock if she’d been able to read my mind, I can tell you, because it was full to bursting with pictures