Read The Case of the Stolen Film for Free Online Page B

playground.’ Ignoring her, Holly and Archie found a climbable tree in the garden, and went up.
    Next door looked more like a fairytale castle than a house. It had cherub-like gargoyles and turrets and it was painted bright pink. The patio door was open and a girl’s voice cut through the air.
    â€˜I don’t care what anyone else says,’ said the girl. ‘My mum’s exec-producing this film and she agrees with me. We need to reshoot the birth scene withme playing myself …’
    â€˜Who do you think it is?’ whispered Archie.
    Holly knew exactly who it was. The patio door opened and Petal Moses stepped out. She was sporting a pink tracksuit and holding a phone to her ear.
    â€˜â€¦ Yes, I realise I would have been a baby, but I’m not having some other actor, baby or not, stealing my first scene … I’ll be playing myself … Of course I know I don’t look like a baby …’ she yelled. ‘That’s why they call it acting, darling. Besides, Mum says there’s new technology where they can make me look like a baby if necessary … Chase says it’s fine … Chase Lampton, the director, sweetie … Look, just drop the baby and let me know when I’m needed for the scene. OK?’
    She switched off the phone and shook her head in frustration. ‘Casting directors,’ she exclaimed. ‘What a nightmare.’
    â€˜Morning, Petal,’ called Holly cheerfully.
    Petal turned to see Holly halfway up the tree.
    â€˜You!’ she said. ‘What are you doing here, spying on me? I could have you arrested for invading my privacy.’
    â€˜We’re neighbours. This is Archie.’
    â€˜Hello,’ said Archie, waving.
    â€˜What are
you
doing in LA?’ asked Petal sharply.
    â€˜My dad’s working here,’ said Holly.
    â€˜I see. Well, I’m making a film,’ said Petal, smiling smugly. ‘It’s based on my book but we’ve made a few changes – you know, brought it up to date. It’s still all about me, of course.’
    â€˜Is it a comedy?’ asked Archie.
    â€˜No,’ replied Petal. ‘It’s a heart-warming tale of one very special girl’s struggle to grow up under the harsh media spotlight.’
    â€˜Sounds like a horror,’ said Holly.
    â€˜You don’t know anything about movies. Chase says I’ve really got something.’
    â€˜As long as you don’t give it to us,’ said Holly.
    Before Petal could think of a retort a woman’s voice called, ‘Petal Moses, come and have some breakfast before piano practice. And I don’t want to hear any more excuses about learning lines. I promised your mother I would make you musical, which is proving to be more difficult than trying to teach algebra to an orang-utan.’
    â€˜Miss Gilfeather?’ said Holly in amazement.
    The severe-looking music teacher from William Scrivener’s School stepped out on to the patio holding a bowl of fruit and a glass of juice. Her auburn hairwas hidden under a green beret. In spite of the strict tone she had taken with Petal she seemed more relaxed than when Holly had known her at school. Following Petal’s gaze, she looked up at the tree and saw Holly and Archie.
    â€˜Holly Bigsby, third trumpet,’ she said. ‘I hope you’re still practising every day.’
    â€˜Yes, Miss Gilfeather,’ lied Holly, who hadn’t picked up her trumpet for weeks.
    â€˜Such a shame you had to leave us,’ said Miss Gilfeather warmly. ‘You did show a little potential, unlike some students.’ She looked at Petal.
    â€˜How dare you!’ exclaimed Petal. ‘Employing you was the biggest mistake my mother ever made. As soon as she gets out of the studio, I’ll make sure she fires you.’
    â€˜Your mother employed me because she disagrees with me regarding your utter inability in the realms of music. She wants you to have