Read Alice Next Door for Free Online Page B

and began to look interested . ‘Well, now you mention it, there is actually. I could…’
    He hesitated. ‘No, I couldn’t. How would I get you to the station?’
    Now it was my turn. My voice was even sweeter than Alice’s. ‘My dad has already offered. He has to pick up some things from his office tomorrow evening. It wouldn’t be any trouble. He says it’s fine.’
    Alice’s dad looked closely at me. I opened my eyes wide and tried to look innocent. I’d never be as pretty as Melissa, but luckily I was blessed with the kind of face that adults seemed to trust. I smiled my best smile.
    It worked. He looked at Alice again. ‘And you’re sure you don’t mind?’
    She smiled at him. ‘Quite sure.’
    He thought for a moment. ‘You know, you’re two very considerate girls. I haven’t played golf for weeks. It would be good to get out to hit a few balls. I’ll just run next door, and thank your dad, Megan.’
    He got up and went towards the door.
    I had to think fast. ‘No, don’t. It’s fine. He’s busy. He’s very busy actually. He’s em, em…. He’s changing Rosie’s nappy.’
    Alice added. ‘She’s got terrible diarrhoea. It’s not a pretty sight, I promise. And the smell! Think really really gross, and then double it. It’s like………’
    I gave Alice a funny look. She was getting carried away as usual. She stopped talking and I continued. ‘It just isn’t very nice, believe me.’
    Her dad sat down again. Luckily he didn’t know that Rosie hadn’t worn a nappy for at leasta year. ‘Oh, fine so. I’ll thank him the next time I see him. Alice, get me the phone, won’t you? I must ring up and book a tee-time.’
    Alice got him the phone, and then we ran upstairs. We gave a quiet cheer and a high-five. Success! Step one was done and dusted.
    *  *  *
    Next day, I stood in my front garden and watched Alice hugging her dad, as he was leaving for golf.
    ‘See you Friday, love. Only four days. Isn’t that nice?Tell your mother I’ll be there around seven.’
    She beamed at him. ‘Yeah Dad. I will. Only four days. Great.’
    He gave her one more hug, then he checked his watch, and jumped into the car. He wound down the window, and looked at me. ‘You’re sure it’s OK with your mum and dad? Should I go in and talk to them?’
    Alice put on her exasperated voice. ‘Dad, relax. Take a chill-pill or something. I’mspending the afternoon with Megan. I’ve already brought my stuff into her house, and her dad will drive me to the station at five o’clock. It’s all sorted. Now go and play your golf before it’s too late. Love you.’
    She leaned in and kissed his cheek, and then he drove off.
    It was a lovely afternoon. We spent a lot of time playing basketball shots, and chatting, just like in the old days. It was a nice feeling, knowing that we were going to be together so much for the next few days.
    At five o’clock, we went into the sunroom of our house. Dad was dozing, Rosie was playing with her dolls on the floor, and Mum was reading the paper. ‘Alice has come to say goodbye, Mum. She has to go now.’
    Mum looked up from her paper. ‘Oh dear. The weekend went so quickly, didn’t it? Long weekends are never quite long enough, are they?’ She went to get up. ‘I’ll wave you off.’
    Oh no. How could I get her to stay inside? If she went out she’d see that Alice’s dad’s car wasn’t there, and everything would be ruined. Sudden drastic action was called for. I did a very mean thing. I leaned down and gave Rosie a quick, hard pinch on the shoulder. Her reaction was immediate. She gave a huge howl, and tears began to pour down her puckered-up face. I mentally promised to give her some sweets later to make up for being so mean. Alice took her chance. ‘I’ll go so. Dad’s waiting. Bye everybody.’
    Mum was so busy consoling Rosie that all thoughts of following us were gone.
    We went out the front door. We stayed outside for about ten minutes, then I went back in.