Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball. Laura Ellen Anderson

Чтение книги онлайн.

      speak to anyone any more.’

      ‘Such a shame,’ said Countess Frivoleeta. ‘Ever since he cancelled your weekly Eyebowls game, you’ve been completely obsessed with those silly word-crosses . . .’

      ‘Crosswords, dear,’ said Count Drake.

      ‘If the king DID accept our invitation to the ball, do you think he would bring his son?’ asked Amelia. Her eyes lit up for a moment. ‘Or is Prince Tangine not allowed to come either, because he’s not OLD?’

      ‘Prince Tangine is the future king, for serpent’s sake! He is ALWAYS invited,’ sang the countess.

      ‘But remember, Amelia,’ Count Drake remarked, ‘the prince’s mother DID get eaten by a fairy. I’d be surprised if the king ever lets him outside the palace walls.’

      ‘Grieving gobblepots, I’d go mad if I couldn’t go and see my friends,’ said Amelia.

      ‘Enough chitter-chatter. Now, Amelia, eat up before your falafels get cold, then off to bed,’ said Countess Frivoleeta, prodding at Amelia’s cheeks. ‘We must keep your skin looking pale and death-like!’

      ‘But Muuum, it’s the final of The Great Gothic Gravestone Carve Off tonight! Can’t I stay up for just a bit longer?’ said Amelia.

      Suddenly a huge

      BOOOOOOOOOONG!

      echoed through the house.

      ‘Drake, my little sweat gland, are we expecting visitors?’ said Countess Frivoleeta. ‘Wooo!’ she called, without waiting for her husband’s reply. ‘Please answer that immediately.’

      Moments later, Wooo appeared holding a gold envelope.

      ‘You have a letter, Countess. It appears to be from the king.’

      CHAPTER 2

      FLORENCE

      AND GRIMALDI

      ‘THE KING’S COMING TO THE BALL?’ yelled Florence, Amelia’s best friend. This was normal speaking volume for Florence, who was six-feet tall, huge and hairy from head to toe. Everything about her was BIG. Even her voice was big. But so was her heart. Which was also very hairy.

      Amelia, Squashy and Florence Spudwick were sitting under the Petrified-Tree-That-Looked-Like-a-Unicorn, where they met every night before school.

      ‘THAT’S WELL EXCITING!’ bellowed Florence, gobbling down a bowl of Unlucky Arms cereal.

      ‘And he’s bringing the prince!’ Amelia said excitedly. ‘I’ll finally have someone my OWN age to hang out with at the ball! Although I still wish you and Grimaldi could come.’

      ‘S’ALL RIGHT,’ said Florence, putting a hairy arm around Amelia’s shoulders. ‘I’D SHOW EVERYONE UP WIV MY STUNNING LOOKS!’ She grinned, revealing a mouthful of spiky teeth pointing in every direction.

      The two friends burst out laughing.

      Squashy bounced up and down, blowing raspberries with his tongue, before nuzzling into Amelia’s tummy for a belly rub.

      ‘Hi, guuuuys!’ came a high voice from across the graveyard. It was Grimaldi Reaperton, Amelia’s other best friend.

      Grimaldi was small and cute, and Death

      was his middle

       name. No, really, it

       was. He dealt with

       the deaths of small

       creatures, like squished

       toads, but when he was

       older he would take over

       from his grimpapa and

       deal with bigger, messier

       beings.

      ‘Grimaldi!’ said Amelia excitedly. ‘I have BIG news!’

      ‘Is it about The Great Gothic Gravestone Carve Off?’ said Grimaldi. ‘Because I really thought that William W—’

      ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa! Don’t tell me. I haven’t seen the final episode yet . . .’ said Amelia, covering her ears.

      ‘So what’s the news?’

       said Grimaldi.

      ‘THE KING’S COMING TO THE BALL . . .’ Florence blurted out.

      ‘Wow! Nobody’s seen him in years,’ said Grimaldi. ‘I was worried he’d died . . . Grimpapa keeps checking his diePhone in case he missed him. Happens sometimes.’

      Suddenly, the Catacomb Academy welcome bones rattled, announcing the beginning of school.

      ‘But that’s not all,’ said Amelia quickly. ‘Prince Tangine is coming too!’

      ‘Maybe you’ll actually have FUN this СКАЧАТЬ