The Case of the Circus Murder

VI

"Daughter!" cried Lord Hastings, rushing into the room to greet Daisy - and me, of course. "Daughter's friend! Who are you?" he turned to look at Lavinia (who was stifling giggles) after scooping up Daisy in a hug.

"Lavinia Temple." she said stiffly, sticking out a pale hand. I personally thought that the way she introduced herself was almost Daisy-ish.

"Are you Daughter's other friend?" he asked, confused.

Lavinia was clearly trying not to laugh. "Yes."

"Oh, then Daughter's other friend!" exclaimed Lord Hasting's, not shaking Lavinia's hand but instead putting both hands behind his back and beaming down at her like he does with me.

"Who is it?" asked a familiar voice and I heard footsteps running down the stairs.

"It's Daisy, son." explained Lord Hastings, and I knew that the voice must have belonged to Bertie, Daisy's brother. "As well as her two friends."

Bertie began to run down the stairs and then threw himself at Daisy. He is older than Daisy, but sometimes he acts younger. That is really what I like in him.

"Squashy!" he yelled. Lavinia's expression was really quite comedic.

I thought that Daisy was going to push him off and scold him, but she hugged him back and said, "Squinty."

I couldn't help but smile. Daisy acts like Bertie (or, as she calls him, Squinty) is the most annoying person to ever exist, but she really loves him and I know that she wouldn't know what to do with herself if something ever happened to him.

Lady Hastings then stared at Daisy and Bertie with disapproval, gave Lavinia a slight nod, and gazed at me for a while as if she had never seen me before. Typical behaviour for someone seeing me for the first or second time. Then, she suggested (Daisy is telling me to put in the word 'ordered') that we put on some nice clothes instead of our 'horrible' school uniforms.

We all ran up to our rooms (Daisy in her own room and Lavinia and I sharing the guest room) and got dressed. I took off my pinafore, shirt, and tie with glee, and I saw Lavinia out of the corner of my eye, throwing her uniform lazily onto her bed. At least there is somebody worse than me when it comes to neatness,

We all met in the living room. Daisy was wearing a pale green dress that reached her ankles, with her shining golden hair done in a half-up style. Lavinia was wearing a black jumper with a long lilac skirt, her dark, clumped hair actually brushed. Next to them, I felt quite young in my frilly blue dress that reached just above my knees. My hair was only in its usual plait, but I suppose, if I say so myself, it looked nicer than Lavinia's.

It was just past six when we were all done, and Lady Hastings called us irritably downstairs, saying that we would be late for dinner. Daisy explained that at her house, you had to be seated before dinner, which usually began at half past six.

"How would we be late if it's only about six minutes past six?" asked Lavinia.

Daisy shrugged. "Who knows? Who knows with my mother, especially?"

Lavinia and I exchanged glances, not sure what to say to that. Instead of responding, we walked to the dining room as properly as we could, with Daisy skipping behind us in a most unladylike manner.

Lord Hastings, Bertie, and Uncle Felix were already seated when we arrived. There were little paper name tags by each seat to indicate where everyone would sit. Lavinia looked surprised at how 'fancy' it looked, but Daisy explained that it was normal.

Lord and Lady Hastings were both sat at the heads of the table (one on one side, one on the other). On one side sat Daisy, me, and Lavinia. On the other side sat Bertie (facing Daisy), Uncle Felix (facing me) and then a spare seat at the end that was facing Lavinia. Lavinia seemed pleased that nobody would be staring at her as she ate.

"Dinner is served." announced Lady Hastings, carrying plates of steaming food. She set down her own, Lavinia's, Bertie's, and Daisy's, and then went out of the kitchen to get more (Uncle Felix's, mine, and Lord Hasting's).

The food was golden brown lamb, fresh vegetables, small pieces of warm bacon. All of it was drizzled with brown gravy (Bertie spilt a little bit on his white shirt and was told by Lady Hastings that he could go to bed immediately after dinner as punishment).

I feel very sorry for Bertie, as he missed the most splendid dessert. There was a huge chocolate cake covered in rich sauce, a plate of six beautifully iced buns, and ten raspberry scones. (Daisy gave me these numbers, she says that it is detective training). Nothing like this was ever served at Deepdean, aside from the iced buns at bunbreak, and they really aren't that nice there.

I took a thick slice of chocolate cake, an iced bun, and three raspberry scones. Daisy complained that she wanted to eat all of the scones but Lavinia said that she deserved them all because she brushed her hair. Then, Daisy argued back by saying that she had the nicest outfit and her hair was done better so she deserved them. Sometimes they do argue about the silliest things. Uncle Felix managed to break up their fight by taking five of the scones.

We were sent to bed at nine, Daisy skipping graciously to her room, a detective novel tucked under her arm, and Lavinia and I grudgingly walking to our own rooms. Neither of us really wanted to sleep in the same room. Lavinia does snore so, and she complains that the candle I use at night to read secretly annoys her.

Except that night, I wasn't going to read. I was going to write a letter back to Alexander. Lavinia, however, did not need to know this. I would allow her to think that I was reading.

And now, I think I will stop this part of the case here, because I think it is time to get on the actual trip to the circus.