The rest of the week passed by in a blur. Classes were busy, and most of the girls spent any spare time learning lines in preparation for the upcoming auditions. Alice-Miranda, Jacinta and Millie were each trying out for several different parts, but Sloane informed them that there was only one decent role in the whole thing and there was no doubt it would be hers.

Sloane didn’t seem especially keen to make friends with anyone, in spite of her mother’s insistence that she and Jacinta would become BFFs. Her attempts at conversation usually involved questions about what the girls’ parents did and where they lived and if they had a vacation house or a yacht. Alice-Miranda said that Sloane was probably just nervous and not good at making chitchat, but Millie thought she was a bit on the nosy side.

Jacinta and Sloane had come to an uneasy truce. With no further evidence of Sloane meddling with her things, Jacinta decided she would give her a chance. But it wasn’t always easy, especially when she overheard Sloane talking to her mother on the telephone and the whole topic of conversation seemed to be her own mother and what she was reportedly up to that week.

At Friday’s afternoon tea, which consisted of the most delicious apple pie, Millie asked around to see who would like to go out on a riding party on Saturday.

“Count me in.” Alice-Miranda nodded.

“Me too,” Susannah agreed.

“Urgh, me not.” Jacinta pulled a face. “I’ve got training, and you know how I feel about horses—I’d rather file my nails.”

The other girls laughed.

“What about you, Sloane? Would you like to come riding?” Alice-Miranda asked.

“Um, yes, of course, but my new horse, Harry, hasn’t arrived yet. He should have been here, but Mummy messed up the transport,” she said sulkily.

“That’s all right. I think there are a couple of spare ponies that Mr. Charles is looking after for someone in the village. I’ll ask him if you can ride one of those,” Alice-Miranda offered.

Sloane hesitated. “Oh, okay.”

“They’re pussycats, believe me,” said Alice-Miranda. “I rode a gorgeous fellow called Stumps last term because Bonaparte was still at home. He’s the sweetest little man.”

“A little pony? I don’t think he’ll be good enough for me.” Sloane seemed to have regained her confidence.

“Oh, he might be small, but he’s fast, especially going uphill.” Alice-Miranda smiled.

Sloane gulped. “Well, it’s just that I’m used to having a really big proper horse, not some dinky pony. I’m just not sure.…”

“Oh, come on, Sloane—if you can handle proper horses, I’m sure you’ll have no problems with old Stumps.” Millie grinned.

And so it was all arranged. Alice-Miranda and Millie marched off to find Mr. Charles and tell him of their plans. A quick visit to Mrs. Smith ensured there would be a picnic feast fit for a king. She insisted that they should have egg sandwiches and tea and scones with jam and cream. The group would ride as far as Gertrude’s Grove, where Wally would deliver their spread in time for lunch.