Page 108 - My Home on the Earth

Peeping out from behind a billboard, Sophie wanted to know why they had to hide. ‘Because my mum doesn’t know we’re here. Grandma might accidentally mention seeing us together,’ whispered Cara.
‘Why would she do that?’ smiled Sophie, stepping to one side. ‘Mrs Henderson! Hiya!’
‘Hello, girls,’ Alice called, waving to them. ‘Where are you off to?’
‘I’m Sophie, Olivia’s sister. We’re going to the Buffet Bar. Do you want to come with us?’
Cara gave her grandma a pleading look. Alice frowned and had sussed out the situation. ‘You haven’t told your mum where you were going this morning, have you?’ With a wide grin and a twinkle in her eye, she added with a laugh: ‘No probs – neither will I.’
With smiles and giggles all round they made their way to the Buffet Bar and Alice insisted on paying. She was keen to see what they’d bought, and just as Olivia put her leggings back in her bag, Cara let out a surprised yelp: ‘Oh, gosh! There he is, standing outside the shoe shop.’ In the bar, heads turned and convers ations ceas ed as the customers stared at the boy in the green coat below. Alice quickly took command and announced:
‘It’s all right folks – he’s an old boyfriend.’
The hum of voices rose again and Alice suggested they whisper. ‘There’s our mystery boy. He’s lost weight and he’s taller. In a way, I’m pleased that Elise saw him. Our secret is out in the open and her knowledge could work in our favour, because she can lip-read her dad’s telephone conversations.’
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