the phone. It was for her. Fiona was on the line.
Fiona had called to let Madison know that she couldn’t work on the website project that day, because the family computer at the Waterses’ house had crashed. She also informed Madison that Aimee couldn’t do much work, either. Her fever spiked, and she was throwing up—a lot. Madison winced. She hoped she wouldn’t contract those symptoms.
“Maybe Lindsay can do some work on the page?” Fiona suggested.
Of course, Madison knew that Lindsay might have a conflict of interest. She had another important project she was working on: Operation Junior High Spy. Since Madison couldn’t get information firsthand, She had asked if Lindsay wouldn’t mind reporting back on gossip at school. The only trick was that Lindsay had to gather all of the information secretly. No one could know why she was asking questions—especially questions about a mysterious ninth grader named Josh.
And so the BFFs’ optical illusions page would have to wait.
After getting off the telephone with Fiona, Madison sent Aimee an e-card with little basset hound puppies on it; that was the same breed of dog as Aimee’s dog, Blossom. Blossom had recently had puppies of her own. As Madison was sending it, a message from Lindsay popped up on-screen. It was marked TOP SECRET, with a little red exclamation point.
From: LuvNStuff
To: MadFinn
Subject: TOP SECRET
Date: Thurs 25 Sept 11:02 AM
Okay. The mystery guy’s name is Josh Turner (BTW: it’s not Joshua either, just Josh, if that matters to you at all). He is in ninth grade. He plays hockey and he plays the accordion AND tuba (isn’t that bizarre? Who plays the accordion except polka bands? ) But this guy Josh isn’t in marching band or anything. I only know about the music because I overheard him talking to someone in the caf. Maybe he was actually just making a joke. Hmmmm. I followed him twice in school today when I saw him by the lockers and he was wearing a ripped cord jacket with patches on it. I think he looks a little like a TV actor, but I don’t know which one. He was alone both times I saw him (i.e. no girlfriend!) What else do you want to know?
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Lindsay
p.s.: I know Aim is feeling really lousy so we haven’t started on the project but that’s ok b/c I heard in school today that they’re planning to make a big extension to the whole class on this project.
Yeah! Fiona sent me e-mail and said she’s feeling ok. How about u???
Madison coughed when she read the last part, as if testing herself to see how she was feeling. Unfortunately, the one dry cough turned into a whole coughing fit.
Gramma appeared at the bedroom door, looking worried. “We should head out to Dr. Pinkerton’s office,” she suggested.
“But my appointment isn’t until later,” Madison said.
“Let’s get you out of the house—and over to your doctor, now,” Gramma said. “The fresh air will do you some good.”
They said their good-byes to Mom again and left Phin in the kitchen with a half-filled bowl of kibble, a full water dish, and an actual dried pig’s ear, a disgusting snack that Mom had picked up for Phin at the supermarket.
Dr. Pinkerton’s office was packed. Although outside it was a beautiful day, it seemed as though all of Far Hills had contracted the flu.
Madison and Gramma sat in the waiting room for more than an hour before a nurse took them in to an examining room, where they waited for another half hour. The room smelled like antiseptic. Madison flipped through an issue of Good Housekeeping magazine. She found a funny article about celebrities and their dogs. Two different stars in the article had pugs—just as she did—but their pugs weren’t nearly as cute as Phinnie.
When they finally got in to see Dr. Pinkerton, he said that Madison’s bronchitis was still bad but that it would slowly disappear over the next few weeks. He told her that cough medicine alone wouldn’t do much good, which surprised
Fiona had called to let Madison know that she couldn’t work on the website project that day, because the family computer at the Waterses’ house had crashed. She also informed Madison that Aimee couldn’t do much work, either. Her fever spiked, and she was throwing up—a lot. Madison winced. She hoped she wouldn’t contract those symptoms.
“Maybe Lindsay can do some work on the page?” Fiona suggested.
Of course, Madison knew that Lindsay might have a conflict of interest. She had another important project she was working on: Operation Junior High Spy. Since Madison couldn’t get information firsthand, She had asked if Lindsay wouldn’t mind reporting back on gossip at school. The only trick was that Lindsay had to gather all of the information secretly. No one could know why she was asking questions—especially questions about a mysterious ninth grader named Josh.
And so the BFFs’ optical illusions page would have to wait.
After getting off the telephone with Fiona, Madison sent Aimee an e-card with little basset hound puppies on it; that was the same breed of dog as Aimee’s dog, Blossom. Blossom had recently had puppies of her own. As Madison was sending it, a message from Lindsay popped up on-screen. It was marked TOP SECRET, with a little red exclamation point.
From: LuvNStuff
To: MadFinn
Subject: TOP SECRET
Date: Thurs 25 Sept 11:02 AM
Okay. The mystery guy’s name is Josh Turner (BTW: it’s not Joshua either, just Josh, if that matters to you at all). He is in ninth grade. He plays hockey and he plays the accordion AND tuba (isn’t that bizarre? Who plays the accordion except polka bands? ) But this guy Josh isn’t in marching band or anything. I only know about the music because I overheard him talking to someone in the caf. Maybe he was actually just making a joke. Hmmmm. I followed him twice in school today when I saw him by the lockers and he was wearing a ripped cord jacket with patches on it. I think he looks a little like a TV actor, but I don’t know which one. He was alone both times I saw him (i.e. no girlfriend!) What else do you want to know?
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Lindsay
p.s.: I know Aim is feeling really lousy so we haven’t started on the project but that’s ok b/c I heard in school today that they’re planning to make a big extension to the whole class on this project.
Yeah! Fiona sent me e-mail and said she’s feeling ok. How about u???
Madison coughed when she read the last part, as if testing herself to see how she was feeling. Unfortunately, the one dry cough turned into a whole coughing fit.
Gramma appeared at the bedroom door, looking worried. “We should head out to Dr. Pinkerton’s office,” she suggested.
“But my appointment isn’t until later,” Madison said.
“Let’s get you out of the house—and over to your doctor, now,” Gramma said. “The fresh air will do you some good.”
They said their good-byes to Mom again and left Phin in the kitchen with a half-filled bowl of kibble, a full water dish, and an actual dried pig’s ear, a disgusting snack that Mom had picked up for Phin at the supermarket.
Dr. Pinkerton’s office was packed. Although outside it was a beautiful day, it seemed as though all of Far Hills had contracted the flu.
Madison and Gramma sat in the waiting room for more than an hour before a nurse took them in to an examining room, where they waited for another half hour. The room smelled like antiseptic. Madison flipped through an issue of Good Housekeeping magazine. She found a funny article about celebrities and their dogs. Two different stars in the article had pugs—just as she did—but their pugs weren’t nearly as cute as Phinnie.
When they finally got in to see Dr. Pinkerton, he said that Madison’s bronchitis was still bad but that it would slowly disappear over the next few weeks. He told her that cough medicine alone wouldn’t do much good, which surprised
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