As expected, Harold Lipp exploded like a firecracker when he saw the children and adults appear. ‘Where have you lot been?’

Miss Reedy glowered at him. ‘They have been with us. And any further information is on a need-to-know basis. You don’t need to know.’

‘What?’ Harold huffed.

‘Sorry, Mr Lipp,’ Alice-Miranda apologised. ‘But we’re here now and I think Aunty Gee is on her way.’

The whump of a helicopter rotor had indeed filled the air.

‘Places everyone. Don’t let me down. Thank heavens for Caprice. She’s been my saving grace this afternoon.’ He beamed at the child and wrinkled his lip at the others.

But Caprice was annoyed. It didn’t look as if Alice-Miranda and her friends were in trouble at all.

The rest of the students, residents and guests jammed into the marquee to await Her Majesty’s arrival.

There was a collective gasp and spontaneous round of applause as Queen Georgiana entered the tea marquee flanked by her personal bodyguard, Dalton, and her lady-in-waiting, Mrs Marmalade.

‘Hello everyone,’ the Queen called. ‘How lovely to be here. I trust you’re having a wonderful day.’

‘Hello Aunty Gee.’ Cecelia rushed forward and gave the woman a hug.

Her Majesty studied her god-daughter’s face. ‘Are you all right, darling?’

‘I’ll tell you all about it in a moment. I think the children are going to perform for you first.’

‘Oh, lovely.’ Aunty Gee looked up at the choir and smiled. Alice-Miranda and Millie were standing front and centre. She gave them a wave. ‘Hello darlings.’

Matron Bright approached and nervously directed the Queen to her seat at the ornately decorated table closest to the stage.

Mr Trout glanced at Mr Lipp, who held his hands aloft ready to start. Mr Trout began his extravagant introduction on the keyboard and Caprice’s angelic voice rang out.

‘Oh my goodness, she’s a talent,’ Mr Mobbs said loudly.

‘What? I can’t hear anything,’ yelled Mr Johnson.

‘Turn up your hearing aid, you silly old coot.’ Mr Mobbs made a twisting motion near his ear.

The children joined in with the chorus and finished their first song to a rousing ovation.

After five more tunes they completed their set and Caprice stepped forward to take a bow.

Miss Grimm walked towards the stage and spotted Miss Reedy off to the side.

‘Has it all gone well?’ Miss Grimm whispered pointedly. She was wondering why she hadn’t been able to find Miss Reedy earlier.

‘Let’s just say we had an unexpected adventure,’ the English teacher murmured back. She handed the headmistress a sheet of paper. ‘These are the Queen’s Blue recipients and the winner of the medal.’

‘This is a surprise,’ Miss Grimm remarked as she scanned the page and approached the microphone. The choir was still standing in their position on stage.

Caprice had been listening to the teachers’ conversation, her heart pounding. She was about to receive a medal from the Queen herself.

‘Thank you, Mr Lipp and the Winchester-Fayle Singers. That was a truly delightful performance. Stunning,’ Miss Grimm began, and led another round of applause. ‘Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Ophelia Grimm and I am the headmistress of Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies. On behalf of Professor Winterbottom at Fayle School for Boys and myself, I would like to thank the staff and residents of Bagley Hall and Pelham Park for being part of our camp week. Some of you may not be aware that we have been trialling a new youth-award system for Her Majesty. From all reports it’s been a wonderful experience and one that our students won’t soon forget. So may I invite Queen Georgiana to the stage to announce the names of the students who will receive the newly founded award, the Queen’s Blue, which is the first level of a broader scheme called the Queen’s Colours.’

Queen Georgiana approached the stage.

‘Oh, I told you I liked her,’ Mr Mobbs said. ‘That’s a good-looking woman.’

Mrs Marmalade turned and scowled.

Queen Georgiana thanked a raft of people before she looked down at the awards list. Her forehead creased and she looked up at the teachers. ‘Do you mean to tell me …?’

Miss Reedy nodded.

‘Good heavens! Well, my life has just been made very easy.’ Queen Georgiana grinned. ‘There’s no need to read a long list of names … every single child has achieved their Blue. Well done to all of you.’

A cheer went up from the children. Millie looked at Alice-Miranda. Both girls were stunned. They were sure they’d missed out after all the disasters they’d had.

Caprice was far less impressed. ‘What? But that’s impossible. Alice-Miranda messed up lots of things.’

Miss Reedy glared at the girl from the side of the stage.

Queen Georgiana’s eyes flicked to Caprice for a split second, and then she spoke again. ‘I do, however, have the honour of reading one name. The winner of the Queen’s Medal for outstanding all-round qualities is …’ She paused for effect.

Caprice was listening. She closed her eyes and heard her name. ‘Me!’ she yelled and stepped forward.

‘Not unless your name is Septimus Sykes, dear,’ Queen Georgiana announced.

Caprice looked set to erupt. ‘What? It can’t be him!’

Sep strode over to Her Majesty.

There was a loud cheer from the other students as the boy shook Queen Georgiana’s hand.

‘This is not happening!’ Caprice screamed. ‘That’s my medal. I earned it. You don’t know what I had to make Millie do to stop her from winning it.’ She pointed at Alice-Miranda. ‘Give me that medal!’ Caprice rushed at Sep and snatched the award from the boy’s hand.

‘Excuse me, young lady.’ Queen Georgiana promptly snatched it back, then turned to Miss Reedy and Miss Grimm. ‘Perhaps you might like to rethink the awarding of a complete set of Blues?’

‘Caprice, sit down now,’ the English teacher barked at the child.

‘She might sing like an angel and look like one too, but that’s where the resemblance stops,’ Mr Mobbs called out.

Queen Georgiana arched her eyebrow. ‘I quite agree.’

Caprice stormed off the stage and stomped out of the marquee.

Mr Lipp ran after her. ‘Caprice, come back. We know you didn’t mean it …’

Mr Plumpton and Miss Reedy stared at each other, goggle-eyed. It seemed that Caprice had saved her most impressive performance until the very end.

‘Oh dear, I think I owe Millie an apology,’ Mr Plumpton whispered. ‘And Alice-Miranda.’

Miss Reedy nodded. ‘Yes, me too.’

Alice-Miranda and Millie looked at each other. They hadn’t needed to do a thing about Caprice Radford. She had brought herself well and truly unstuck.

Millie squeezed Alice-Miranda’s hand. ‘Well, that was a surprise.’

‘I think there’s been a few of those today.’ Alice-Miranda grinned and squeezed Millie’s hand right back.