Alice Parker's Metamorphosis (Book 1 of the new adventure series for children) (9 page)

‘
I heard that on the news,’ said Alice. ‘That’s Lucinda’s dad,’ she said, pointing at the self-satisfied man in the photograph.

‘
Correct. Brian is bound to be at the bottom of this.’

Thomas smirked. ‘Witty.’

Alice was lost now.

‘
I still don’t...I mean, what are Sinwips?’ she asked.

‘
I’m ashamed to say that they’re Finwips but with an evil streak,’ replied Grandad. ‘They’re not a different breed, they just have no morals. Hence the name they’ve acquired from us. They’re all tainted, that’s why we have separate communities. We just don’t get on. You see, Alice, in true Finwip society it’s forbidden to use our gift for personal gain, that is, in a deceitful way. If you can earn a living above ground from photography or painting or, for example, if you became a teacher, that’s fine. But we mustn’t exploit it for the wrong reasons.’

‘
So you’re saying Lucinda’s dad, Brian Rowbottom, is a Sinwip?’

‘
Their leader, I’m afraid.’

‘
He’s kidnapped Theo to make money out of him?’

‘
Exactly. So far he’s predicted three sets of winning lottery numbers. And did you hear about the bank robbery at the weekend? The thieves knew the combination of the safe.’

‘
That was Brian as well?’ gasped Alice.

‘
The name ‘Brian’ doesn’t quite have the ring of a supervillain, does it?’ joked Thomas.

‘
He’s been called worse, I can assure you,’ said Grandad, though he wasn’t laughing. He reached for one of the scrapbooks. ‘I’m not usually wrong on these things,’ he maintained. ‘Look at these. I took them last week outside his house.’

The first photograph he pointed to showed Brian Rowbottom driving a brand new black Bentley, waiting for his electric gates to open. The second photograph, taken with a zoom lens, was of a new Porsche with a personal number plate for his wife. It was parked in one of their five garages.

‘
Himmelswillen! John, you’ll be arrested for spying one of these days!’ declared Grandma, horrified at what she saw.

‘
I’m always careful,’ he replied indignantly. ‘How do you think the Rowbottoms can suddenly afford all this? Only a few months ago their property business was on the verge of collapse.’

Alice rested her elbows on the table and dragged her fingers through her hair in frustration. ‘Will someone please tell me what all this has got to do with me?’ she wailed.

Grandma put her arm around Alice’s shoulders. ‘I think you’re their way in, my love,’ she said softly.

‘
What?’ said Alice, none the wiser for her grandma’s insight.

‘
Fate has thrown us a lifeline called Alice Parker!’ explained Grandad.

‘
You said the person who could help Theo didn’t exist!’ said Alice defiantly.

‘
I should have added
yet
. Not only do you know Rowbottom’s daughter, but no one in his community knows that you’re one of us yet. There’s a twelve month maturing process following the metamorphosis before you can be sniffed out by another Finwip. Even then, those without wings remain difficult to detect.’

‘
I don’t follow,’ admitted Alice.

‘
Before your metamorphosis, we could guess what you were from your symptoms – sugar cravings, back ache, the onset of your ability. Mature Finwips can recognise each other just by...well...being in close proximity. We don’t know how, exactly. You won’t be sniffed out for a year.’

‘
Sniffed out? Well that’s just marvellous,’ snapped Alice. ‘As if it’s not enough to turn into a fairy after school on Tuesday, it now sounds like I’m going to be sent on a mission to rescue some weird old bloke!’

‘
WE’RE NOT FAIRIES!’ shouted Thomas and his grandad defiantly.

‘
So you say.’

‘
They are,’ mouthed Grandma silently to Alice, as she walked out to the kitchen.

‘
And Theo isn’t weird,’ muttered Grandad.

Alice could feel her eyes starting to well up with tears but she fought them back. ‘Why me? There must be someone else who can do it. This is a mistake.’

Grandad shook his head. ‘It has to be someone who can get an invitation to the Rowbottom’s Christmas ball at the castle – we think that’s where Theo is being held. It’s heavily guarded by day and night, with dogs patrolling after dark. According to our insider, Daniel, the only time it won’t be guarded is the night of the ball. He’s a Finwip without wings, who for some reason can’t be detected at all, but as a daytime employee, he can’t be at the party. Plus, he’s terrified of losing his job. ’

‘
So why can’t one of you adults sneak in?’ demanded Alice.

‘
The risk is too great,’ replied Grandad. ‘If Brian identifies a Finwip on his property, they’re in trouble. Unless they’re paying to visit the castle during the day – we’ve tested that already. He doesn’t refuse our money.’

Alice didn’t like the sound of this at all.

‘
Don’t upset yourself, it’s all a bit overwhelming, I understand that,’ said Grandad calmly. ‘But you haven’t just got us to support you, you’ve got a whole community of Finwips. The difference is that you’re very young. And fortunately, perfectly placed to help us out.’

‘
But I just want to be normal,’ she whined, with her head in her hands.

‘
You are normal. A perfectly normal Finwip.’

*

In the car on the way home, Alice sat with her arms folded and a scowl on her face. Thomas could sense how bad it was, even in the dark.

‘
Oh, Alice, cheer up will you? It’s great being a Finwip and I thought you liked the village?’

‘
I do. But I don’t need any more hassle. I get enough of that at school.’

‘
School should be a breeze now, with your ability.’

‘
Bah! Easy for you to say! You don’t get teased for being brainy in Oxford, do you? You’re all brainy, that’s why you’re there.’

‘
They’re only jealous, Alice. They may be popular now, trying to be cool by not making an effort, but they’ll regret it later. You’ll have a rewarding job while they’re cleaning toilets, or sweeping the floor at a hairdresser’s.’

‘
I can’t see Lucinda cleaning a toilet!’

‘
Well, next time she and her mates are giving you grief, just imagine her doing that and smile sweetly. You’ve got to pretend to be nice, anyway.’

‘
I don’t do nice.’

‘
Really? And there I was thinking what exquisite company you’ve been this evening.’

‘
Just shut up and drive,’ snapped Alice, unable to hide the smile emerging from her annoyance.

‘
Touché.’

Chapter 7

A Close Shave

Friday morning brought more top marks at school. Alice knew today would be difficult, having to face Lucinda after what she had discovered last night – she could have done without an A+ for her science project. She had forgotten all about it, having handed it in a fortnight ago. The results weren’t read out, but Lawrence turned round from the bench in front and saw the grade on Alice’s folder. Within seconds, everyone knew her result. The usual noises of discontent could be heard. Katy Smackwell excelled herself, flopping down on the workbench and pretending to put her mouth over a gas tap. The coven was in hysterics. Alice wished she had the power to turn on that gas tap with her mind. Telekinesis would have been a much better gift than intelligence, she thought.

As Lucinda turned around to pull a predictable face, Alice remembered what Thomas had said about her cleaning toilets. She fabricated the biggest smile she could manage. In fact, the more she thought about Lucinda using a toilet brush, the more she wanted to laugh out loud. The expression of concentration on her face, as she struggled to maintain that smile without splitting her sides, made Alice look both insane and menacing. Clearly alarmed by this, Lucinda turned back to face the front.

Sarah was snorting with mirth. She actually thought Alice had mastered that expression purposely to confuse Lucinda. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, but Alice wasn’t going to let on. Hey, it had worked and she hadn’t even opened her mouth.

Sadly, Alice’s self-satisfaction was to be short-lived. At break-time, she and Sarah went to the school hall for the charity cake sale. Sarah had brought in a Victoria sponge this morning. In light of recent events, Alice had forgotten to bring anything. Still, at least she could buy plenty, as each class had its own stall. Sebastian was organising theirs with Lydia, one of the quieter girls in their class.

The coven was already at the Year 8 stall choosing their cakes. ‘Fairy cake, Alice?’ asked Lucinda. Alice started to go red. Did she know something? Or was she just trying to be nice?

‘
More like a goblin cake, judging by that daft face earlier,’ said Katy. The coven giggled.

‘
At least that face wasn’t permanent,’ replied Alice, looking at Katy in pity.

Lydia chortled.

‘
What’s funny?’ demanded Lucinda, irritated by Alice’s wit. ‘Have you only just seen your new haircut in the mirror?’

Lydia’s face fell. Alice and Sarah were mortified – no one was nasty to Lydia, she was too nice.

Alice looked down at the floor and spotted Lucinda’s new shoes. They were hideous, shiny black dolly shoes with a bow on the front.

‘
It seems money can’t buy taste,’ she remarked, nudging Sarah. Everyone laughed except the coven, though Olivia couldn’t help smiling briefly. Alice regretted it as soon as she had said it. Imogen wouldn’t be pleased at all.

Lucinda was furious and couldn’t think of a comeback. Red-faced, she turned to look at the cakes on the table. ‘Which one did you make?’ she asked Sarah.

‘
That one,’ she replied proudly, pointing at the impressive sponge, oozing with jam and cream.

Lucinda looked at it closely. ‘There’s something missing,’ she said, and spat out her chewing gum on top of it. Sarah shrieked. Sebastian pushed Lucinda away in disgust.

‘
You’re sick,’ he concluded, shaking his head. ‘Just like...’

He was interrupted by what sounded like a war cry from Alice. Full of rage, she lunged towards Lucinda but Sarah just managed to pull her back by her blazer.

‘
Don’t,’ she pleaded. ‘It’s not worth getting into trouble.’

But it was too late for that. Alice felt a familiar burning sensation across her upper back. Horrified, she broke free from Sarah and raced out of the hall and down the corridor towards the toilets, pulling her rucksack off her back as she went.

She darted into a cubicle, slammed the door and took off her blazer. She knew what was coming and pressed her clammy hands and forehead against the cool door. Sure enough, as she stood hunched over and sweating, those formidable wings tore though her shirt once again. She heard rapid footsteps – Sarah had followed her.

‘
Alice, are you alright?’ she called anxiously. She banged on the door of the cubicle. ‘That is you isn’t it? There’s no one else in here.’

‘
Don’t let anyone in!’ ordered Alice. ‘Especially not Lucinda!’ Sarah could hear the panic in her voice.

‘
Why, are you ill?’

‘
Not exactly,’ she whispered. ‘Look up.’

Sarah saw the tips of two glorious wings quivering above the cubicle.

‘
Oh, no,’ she sighed in dismay, darting to the door. She looked out into the corridor to make sure no one was coming. Sebastian was right outside and made her jump.

‘
Is everything OK in there?’ he asked. ‘Lydia sent me to find out.’

‘
Er, no. Stand outside this door and don’t let anyone in. Alice isn’t well.’

Sebastian nodded, looking worried.

Sarah dashed back in. ‘What can I do Alice?’ she asked. Alice kicked her rucksack under the door.

‘
There’s a blue glass bottle in the front pocket – could you pass it to me please? I’ve no room to move around.’

She found it straight away.

‘
Can you pass it over the top? I can’t even bend down I’m so cramped in here.’

Sarah was rather short and couldn’t reach over the door, so she went into the next cubicle and stood on the toilet. She looked down at her friend over the partition wall. ‘Oh, dear,’ she said calmly. At least she was prepared this time.

‘
Can you do me a favour and spray my back at the base of the wings please,’ asked Alice.

Sarah knew the spray wasn’t close enough to reach, so she climbed up onto the cistern and leaned over. One foot slipped, pushing off the ceramic cover, which fell to the ground with an almighty crash. Sarah was fine, perched on the partition, but the door to the corridor flew open.

Sebastian stuck his head round.

‘
What was that? Is everything alright?’

He looked up and saw a guilty-looking Sarah sitting on the partition wall. A bemused expression came over his face and he scurried out, closing the door behind him.

Alice had tried to crouch down to hide the top of her wings.

‘
It’s OK, he’s gone,’ Sarah confirmed. She sprayed her friend’s back where her shirt had ripped open and was amazed as she watched the huge, damp, but strangely beautiful butterfly wings fold themselves neatly back under Alice’s skin.