Hello everyone!

You don't know how thrilled I was to receive another positive comment from a reader. Thank you, because you've really motivated me. I plan on doing a sequel about June and Josh, of course, but first I want to finish this. Read on to find out what mischief is brewing at our favorite school!

Enjoy!

-Estelle


"Really?" Edith asked, quite unable to believe her ears. The rest of the sixth form had similar expressions on their faces, as they stared up at Lizzie Mannering.

"Really." Lizzie laughed, "I know it's hard to imagine June getting married, but once you think about it, it becomes more believable. I'm so pleased for her."

"As are we." Faith said, looking both stunned and delighted, "Yet another thing to congratulate her for. Where are the rest of them, by the way?"

"They're coming here." Daffy pointed at a group approaching them "I say, what good timing."

Katie laughed, "Malory Towers girls always have a habit of appearing just when it's necessary. Or when there is trouble."

"Mostly when there is trouble." Lizzie said, looking fondly at the once-troublemakers, who still had the familiar air of mischief, "But this wasn't a coincidence, girls. I simply gestured for them to come here and join us."

"Oh. Well, that takes the mystery out of it." Daffy said.

"There was no mystery to begin with, Daffy. Must you always exaggerate things?" Violet said, looking bored.

"Hallo, girls!" Julie called, before Daffy could open her mouth to retort, "How are you? We've only seen Edith, Daffy and Katie so far."

As the sixth formers greeted the old girls, and, of course, congratulated June, Daffy checked her watch, "I have lacrosse practice with the second and third form in five minutes. Would all of you like to stay and watch? And maybe, June, you could help me and Katie? I'm sure your knowledge of lacrosse will be of great use."

"Of course." June agreed, and the rest of the girls also decided that watching the practice would be a good idea.

Ten minutes later, both the forms were gathered at the lacrosse, arranged in a neat line, and staring unashamedly at June.

"Hello, girls." June said pleasantly, "I'm June. I've come for a reunion with my form, and I am very pleased that Daffy has allowed me to stay and help her and Katie with your practice."

"You're June Johns." A second former said, looking excited, "I can't believe it."

Another second former let out a small gasp and pointed at Delia, "Delia Norris! From Mavis Allyson's concert!"

"And that's Lizzie Mannering! She's Edith Mannering's sister, isn't she?"

"Isn't that Nora Woods, from the dance troupe?"

The murmurs rose to excited chatter as one by one, the youngsters recognized the old girls as some of their biggest inspirations.

"Girls." Daffy said, "I know you're excited, and you will get a lot of time to speak to them, but for now we must focus on lacrosse."

"But, Daffy, this is ever so thrilling." a third former said eagerly.

"Now, girls, we must focus on the task at hand." Pam said firmly.

"Sorry, Miss Boardman." A girl said, and the noise level reduced considerably.

Felicity smiled with pride as she heard her friend being called 'Miss Boardman.'

She was even more pleased to hear the youngsters regard her and the form with such respect. She was glad they had all done so well in life, and hoped that it would continue, as they were still quite young.

"Do we have to practice lacrosse?" A third former asked, "I don't like this sport."

"Well, Elsie, you are not fond of any sport." Katie said sharply, "But games are very good for you, and I am afraid you do not have much of a choice."

This youngster, Elsie, spoke with an interesting accent. One that the old girls had recognized immediately. She sounded like Lucy's cousin, Esme, had sounded when she had arrived at school from America.

"Is she from America?" Susan asked Pam in a quiet voice, remembering that Pam taught her English.

"Yes, she is new here. This is her first term." Pam frowned lightly, and the other girls also leaned in to listen, "She doesn't seem to get on with the other girls, but they are unwaveringly kind to her. I suppose it shall take time. Esme settled in well, didn't she?"

Lucy nodded, but Maggie said, "She doesn't like games, or academics. She doesn't seem to like anything. She's very...how do I put this?...jumpy?"

"Jumpy?" Gillian echoed in confusion.

"On edge." Ivy explained, "She keeps a bored expression all the time, and is very arrogant. She acts as if there is something constantly on her mind. America, maybe. She's always comparing things to America, talking about how this school is nothing compared to the schools there. I can't say anything about it, for I've never been to America."

"I've heard it's lovely. I don't like how she always puts Malory Towers down, but I can understand the feeling of home-sickness." Jenny said.

Bonnie stared intently at the little third former, "I've seen her somewhere before. She looks terrible familiar."

"I've been thinking the same." Pam agreed, "But she's from America, and as I said, she's new, so I might be mistaken."

"I don't see anything familiar about her." Violet said bluntly.

"Nor do I." Gillian and Delia chorused.

Alice and Lizzie stared for a moment more, before they too shook their heads in agreement with Gillian and Delia.

"Perhaps she has visited your store recently." Faith suggested to Bonnie,"After all, people from America often like the more exquisite style, and your clothes are of high quality."

"Yes, there's a possibility." Amy nodded, eyeing Elsie's white-blond and narrow blue eyes.

Everyone turned back to the lacrosse field, where Elsie was still putting up an argument.

"But I don't like sports." Elsie protested.

"It's not about doing what you like, Elsie." Daffy said tiredly, "It's about doing what you must."

"But no one can tell me what I gotta do." Elsie looked irritated, "In America, we could do what we wanted."

"The recipe for a spoiled child." June said under her breath, and Katie nodded in agreement.

"Very well. I'm letting you go simply because you are wasting mine and everyone else's time. I shall call you to my study to talk to you later. And then you can have a small discussion with Faith about the importance of games and discipline." Daffy said tiredly, her face showing clear annoyance, "Now, off the field. Hurry, don't waste more time."

Elsie pulled a face, and stalked off the court, making her way back to school.

June shook her head wearily, "I've seen that case one too many times." she looked at Daffy, "Does she look familiar to you?"

"No." Daffy said, "She's a new girl, only joined this term. Thank heavens I haven't encountered such an unpleasant character before. She has a lot to learn."

Then Daffy clapped her hands and the rest of the practice went smoothly.

The girls all played well, June was very helpful indeed, and those watching had a marvelous time.

As the sixth formers and old girls trooped back inside for dinner, tired but happy, June asked, "Why did Elsie move here if she's so fond of America?"

"She lived there with her parents, and her aunt." Pam said, "Now her family has moved here because her mother is English. Her aunt is still in America. I suppose she is attached to her home."

"If her mother is English, her aunt must be English as well." Freddie pointed out.

"It could be her father's sister, though." Ivy said reasonably.

"I don't suppose it concerns us." Daffy shrugged, "Do come on. I'm starving."

The girls nodded and continued to the dining hall, where the old girls were ambushed by Mam'zelle Dupont.

"Ah, you girls, how you have grown!" she exclaimed, as the girls sat at the fourth form table, "You are no longer les petites filles! Non, you are big girls now, and the bad June, she is getting married!"

"Oh, Mam'zelle." Alice said fondly, as June assured the French mistress that she would indeed be invited to the ceremony, and that her fiance was 'un homme d'honneur'

As Mam'zelle fussed over Bonnie and Nora and Felicity, Edith made her way to their table.

"Bill and Clarissa are coming to make a delivery to Miss Grayling. A couple of stable horses." she said, "They would surely love to see you all. How about we gather in the fourth form common room after dinner, and we can all have a small chat with Bill and Clarissa as well? It will be good to properly catch up with them, too."

"Brilliant!" Susan exclaimed, "That does sound fun. Yes, do come to the common room after dinner, girls."

"June!" a third former named Harriet ran up to their table, "May I have an autograph? And you as well, Delia, I love your singing."

As Delia and June signed the girl's pad of paper, Elsie stared ahead, eyes wide and unblinking.

She was sitting alone, though the other third formers tried to pull her into the conversation.

Bonnie sent a friendly smile in her direction, but Elsie continued staring, as if she had never seen the smile.

Throughout dinner, her eyes were trained on the old girls, breaking contact only to look at her food.

"Is she alright?" June nodded in Elsie's general direction, "She seems odd. Lonely. Or...rather fidgety, if that's the word."

Amy nodded, "She really must be homesick. Poor girl. It shall take a while to settle down. America is awfully different from Malory Towers."

Bonnie and June nodded in agreement, taking one more glance at the younger girl before continuing their dinner.

Eslie stared on.