The Whispers in the Walls. Sophie Cleverly

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СКАЧАТЬ for history than your sister,” she declared, glaring at Ivy, who squeaked in frustration. But she went along with the swap and took the seat next to my arch-enemy. “There’s a spare desk over there. Here, take a textbook.”

      “Thank you, Madame,” I said politely. I took it from her and headed to the back of the room, as far away from Violet Adams as was physically possible.

      As we sat down and Madame Lovelace started writing names and dates on the blackboard, Ivy turned to face me. “What are you doing?” she mouthed.

      I pointed repeatedly at the back of Violet’s head. Finally Ivy seemed to get the message and turned back round.

      I watched as my twin studiously copied from the blackboard. I wondered if this was how she’d behaved when she’d been pretending to be me. I never did anything studiously.

      At least this time it didn’t really matter if we acted like each other or not – Madame Lovelace was blind as a bat, and not particularly observant even with her spectacles on. So instead of doing my work, I started drawing in my jotter instead. I drew myself, dancing, and then I drew Ivy next to me. Ballet was the only lesson I was looking forward to. At least Miss Finch knew the full truth about what had happened – there was no chance she would pretend that Ivy was new and I’d never been away, like Mrs Knight was.

      I was still doodling when the bell rang for the end of class, and almost jumped out of my skin. Penny noticed and laughed. I pulled a face at her and gathered up my things.

      Ivy frowned at me as I headed to the front of class. “You can’t just do that, Scarlet,” she said, when we’d left the classroom.

      “Do what?”

      “Pretend to be me!” she snapped.

      “I didn’t want to sit next to Violet.”

      “Well, can you give me some warning next time?” And with that, my twin shot ahead of me through the crowds.

      Fine, I thought. If she wants to be alone, she can be alone. I turned round, intent on storming off in the other direction.

      And came face to face with Violet.

      I was rooted to the spot. I couldn’t breathe as it all came flashing back to me. The freezing rooftop. The fight. Miss Fox dangling her over the edge.

      Was she going to hit me? Scream in my face? Promise revenge?

      But no, her eyes were blank as if I were invisible to her. “Excuse me,” she whispered absently.

      And she walked straight past me.

      I tried my best to pull myself together for the rest of the lessons that day, but it was difficult when my twin was clearly still annoyed with me. I didn’t understand why she was so cross. She’d already had plenty of practice at playing my role, so why was it a problem now? I thought she didn’t want to have to pretend to be new.

      We retreated to room thirteen to get changed into our leotards. “I don’t know what’s got into Violet,” I said. “She’s not her usual awful self at all. She’s not really anything. Just blank.”

      Ivy sighed. “I don’t know what’s going on.”

      I thought she’d say something about how Violet had probably been through an ordeal that had affected her, how we should be grateful that she wasn’t trying to murder me. But she just sighed a little more loudly and continued pulling on her tights.

      We ran down to ballet (well, I ran, and Ivy just walked quickly, keen not to break any rules). Miss Finch greeted us as we descended into the chilly basement.

      “Welcome back, Scarlet,” she said to me quietly and with a smile. “I trust you haven’t forgotten your warm-up?”

      I shook my head. “No, Miss.”

      “Good. And be on your best behaviour, please.” She looked pointedly at the piano. I hoped my embarrassment didn’t show.

      Miss Finch smiled at Ivy, too, but didn’t welcome her to the class. Ivy looked grateful for that.

      I took hold of the barre next to my sister and began my exercises, right leg first, then left leg.

      It was something so very simple, but it felt like coming home. When I practised ballet, I wasn’t just Scarlet any more, I was Scarlet, the world-famous prima ballerina of the future. My destiny stretched out in front of me. And with Ivy by my side, no matter how cross she was, everything felt complete.

      My bliss was interrupted by Penny whispering in my ear. “You may be back, but I haven’t forgotten that we’ve got unfinished business, Scarlet Grey. I’m going to find out why Violet won’t talk to me, and if it’s got anything to do with you then there’ll be trouble.”

      I frowned at her. “Why would it be my fault?”

      She elbowed me viciously. “Supposedly she went to some school in France, lording it about while you were locked away in an asylum. Yet she’s gone all weird and silent while you’re just fine and dandy! And the teachers are acting like Ivy is a brand new pupil and you’ve been here all along! Something doesn’t add up.”

      I wasn’t fine, but Penny didn’t know that. “I’m brilliant, thank you. Now leave me alone.” I moved into rond de jambe à terre, moving my leg in a half circle, intent on ignoring her.

      “Listen, scum,” she spat. “I want my friend back. And I will do whatever it takes, do you understand?”

      I said nothing, but I felt my insides turn to ice. I knew just how far Penny would go.

      

      That night I woke up, and Scarlet was gone.

      I’d been fast asleep until a boom of thunder rattled the window and jolted my eyes open. A lightning flash lit up the room a moment later, and I saw that her bed was empty.

      The storm didn’t frighten me, but Scarlet’s absence did. For a moment I thought that she was still dead and I was alone at Rookwood School again.

      But no, I was in the opposite bed, there was no Ariadne and I could see my twin’s leotard and ballet shoes dangling off the chair. I breathed a sigh of relief.

      So where was she?

      It felt like some time that I was lying there, staring at the door. Finally the handle turned, and Scarlet crept back in.

      She jumped when she saw that I was looking at her.

      “Where did you go?” I whispered.

      “Nowhere,” she said. And then, “I just went to the lavatory.”

      “Ah,” I said, relieved.

      She climbed back into her own bed, and I drifted back СКАЧАТЬ