Read Blue Lavender Girl for Free Online Page B

went first because I’m so small. I didn’t want them to think I was a total vandal.
    Once we were all inside there wasn’t much to do except stand there and say obvious things like, ‘Look at that rain!’
    After twenty minutes or so it was still bucketing down and we knew we’d be there for a while at least. Jenny started to show Jackson how to waltz like the manager of the supermarket had showed her, and we both nearly fell over with shock when he just took off waltzing with her. He dances better than most professionals.
    ‘We have to learn it in school,’ he shrugged, suddenly embarrassed. I actually though it was so cool, but I didn’t tell him that. Imagine someone as annoying as him actually being able to do something good.
    He then looked at me as if he felt he had to dance with me too, so I quickly started looking around and commenting on the walls and mirrors and chairs. I don’t know why, but I was suddenly really aware of my clumpy black boots compared to Jenny’s cute, red shoes. I’d have been like a bloody elephant. I can’t do those kind of dances, only the kind where you dance by yourself to rock music, preferably totally alone. I’d love to be able to dance like Jackson, but it’s not likely.
    The rain went on for ages and we cooked up this plan for cleaning and tidying the place so we’d have somewhere to hang out.
    Jackson was so psyched about the idea because he sleeps in a dorm at boarding school (like Jenny), then in the Big House he’s at his grandad’s beck and call, and in his parents’ house his little brother is always coming into his room. There is something so unattractive about a guy getting overly-excited. I much prefer guys who play it cool and act like theydon’t care about anything. Suddenly he was a geek again.
    He walked us back to the Gate Lodge, no doubt hoping for time alone with Jenny, poor girl. I got on my bike so I don’t know how successful he was with the whole Jenny thing.
    ***
    Aunt Maisie showed me some recipes for oatmeal cookies that keep fresh for days in a tin. It took me a while, but I managed to make two batches of them. I made the normal ones first and then got carried away because they actually tasted like cookies and not like something that I’d made. In the next lot I put raisins in and these ones taste even better. I am now totally in love with myself and think I am the best cook in the world! I put them in a cool red tin Aunt Maisie gave me, and we’ll keep them in the tearoom for snacks.
    Aunt Maisie laughed at the way I only let us have one cookie each with our hot chocolate.
    I read more Jane Eyre and realised that no-one is really into cooking in that book, because they leave it all up to the kitchen staff. Maybe Mr Rochester wouldn’t drink so much wine if Jane made him theodd oatmeal and raisin cookie. Actually, she’d be better off just leaving, I don’t think he really wants her around. If a man acts weird it’s not the girl’s job to fix him as if he was a shirt with a rip in it.
    I have been having loads of dreams about flowers and food all in a big messy pile, and people fighting me, trying to take it all away. I bet I have another of those dreams tonight. I bet Kira would know what it means, she has a book about dream interpretation.
    Tomorrow I am going to work really hard all day at getting the tearoom in order and then I will be able to sit in there and look out over the lavender and think about my goal.

DAY 19
    Aunt Maisie still wakes me up with a cup of tea every morning and I really love that. It makes me feel like a lot of stuff from home is getting fixed, like I am getting enough attention for now and for then.
    I got the leftover blue lavender paint and two brushes and put them in a bag along with the tin of oatmeal cookies.
    Jackson and Jenny were already sweeping when I got there, and I got busy so that they get that I am serious about this. I know back home I am really lazy, but that’s just because there is