Three days later, after constant switching between her house and library, Alice was woken up by her mother, who told her to get changed for school. Alice put on her school uniform: A neat, snowy white top, with a black skirt and a white and blue tie. She plaited her neat, straight, jet-black hair into two and picked up her backpack. Alice ate her breakfast as fast as she could. As soon as she finished tying her shoes, the school taxi arrived. The school offered free taxi transport to students who lived too far away from the bus. Alice remembered with a sinking heart, once the taxi had started moving, that her first subject was History. She usually felt a jolt of excitement when it was History time. Today, however, she didn't feel good. Until she heard the welcoming sound of laughter and chatter, the pleasant sounds you hear at school, Alice was dreading what Miss Calisse would do to her. Would she give her another mark? Extra school hours? Send her to the Headmistress? As it happened however, she did none of those things!
History time arrived. Alice slumped onto her chair, thinking whether she would feel better in the dark forest of How He Got Away, by Ben Casterfore, when Miss Calisse arrived. All the students stood up when she did until she asked them to sit. They all sat. Miss Calisse however, remained standing. "I want to say something before the class, and I want your full attention", Miss Calisse began, her merry voice returned. "I had a toothache on Thursday and nobody in this class knew, of course as we don't have a class on that day". She paused. "That night, I hardly slept, and left for the dentist early in the morning". "I am sorry if I lost my temper with the class, especially Alice". She now turned to face the slightly happier Alice. "Alice, dear, please stand up". Alice did. Miss Calisse was now speaking directly to her. "Alice, I'm sorry I lost my temper with you". "Thank you for bearing with me and by the way, you did a wonderful story!" "To thank you, I am giving you this book voucher, which would allow you to get any book you wish!"
"Thank you Miss Calisse!" "I would love to go to the bookshop, but I will buy a set of books, using my money and your voucher", Alice said. "Then, I can keep it in the classroom, so if anyone wants to borrow them, they may!" The class cheered. Miss Calisse thanked and apologised to Alice again. Then, the lesson progressed and everyone agreed it was the best they had ever had!
Alice, who had arrived home an hour ago, and was now sitting on her bed, thought that this was the perfect day. Her mother had sent another message through Jenny, saying that her badminton class had been cancelled as the teacher was ill. Alice, with the happy prospect of reading for the rest of the day, took up the golden chain and after pressing the 'L', disappeared in a mixture of place and colour.
THE END
