Ch 11
The next morning they went to the gatehouse to ask mrs Denby if she had seen Amber, but she hadn't. Alfie was very concerned. But they had to go to school.
"What are we gonna tell her dad?" Patricia asked. "He is judging the business projects."
"The truth, I guess." Fabian said.
"Oh no we can't" Patricia said.
"We have to." Alfie said.
"Speaking of the devil…" Lily said as she saw Ambers dad walking down the hall toward them.
"Okay, here we go." Fabian said.
"Hello guys!" mr Millington greeted. "Where is Amber? I haven't seen her yet."
"Well… there is something you should know. She's gone missing." Alfie said.
"What?"
"Yes. We haven't seen her since yesterday." Patricia continued.
Suddenly mr Sweet came out of his office.
"Amber has gone missing?" mr Millington said and turned to mr Sweet.
"Well, not missing. I know where she is." Mr Sweet said. "She's at the gatehouse with mrs Denby. Everything is fine." He said with his loveliest smile.
"It doesn't seem fine to me!" mr Millington said sharply. "First you tell me she's sick, then she's missing and now you tell me she's at some gatehouse."
"Well I'm going to go there now and solve the problem." Mr Sweet answered.
"I'm coming with you." Mr Millington answered so strictly Mr Sweet couldn't refuse him.
"This is very strange." Fabian said as they had gone.
"Maybe we should follow them" Alfie said.
"No, she'll be fine when her dad's there." Patricia said. "Besides, we can't get caught following them. We just can't."
"I think you're right." Lily said. "But there is something very odd about this."
After half an hour they saw Mr Millington coming back with Mr Sweet and Mrs Denby.
"Where is Amber?" Alfie asked as soon he could see them.
"She's fine, just needs a little rest." Mr Sweet said.
"Yes, from her sleepwalking tour." Mrs Denby said and smiled politely. Lily gave her a poisonous glance.
"I'm very disappointed in her." Mr Millington said. "Now, let's begin the bussinesscompetition."
"What did they do to Amber?" Lily whispered to Fabian a bit concerned.
"He's disappointed in her." Alfie said. "He's not going to let her enter fashion school. I gotta do something." He continued but Jerome called so he had to go help him with the hot dogs.
"Boys, I'm not sure about this. But, the sauce is good." Mr Millington evaluated their hot dog performance. Then he continued to another stand. Alfie asked Willow to help him with Ambers dress.
Meanwhile Mr Milligton was checking out Lily's, Fabian's and Joy's presentation about Egyptian food. He really liked it and was impressed.
Suddenly Alfie stood on the stage and told them they had to see Amber's project as well. The music started playing and in came Willow wearing a dress Amber had designed. Everyone cheered. Alfie talked to Mr Millington and tried to convince him that Amber should go to fashion school.
Lily and her friends wanted to go check on Amber but as soon they tried to go anywhere Mr Sweet stopped them. He needed them to help him. Mr Millington pronounced Fabian, Lily and Joy the winning team.
As soon they had taken a picture with him they could see Amber, Victor, Mr Sweet and Mrs Denby heading to Mr Sweets office. They rushed into the girls' bathroom to spy from the hole in the wall.
"Oh my" Alfie said as he looked into Mr Sweets office from the hole in the bathroomwall.
"What is it?" Patricia asked.
"Amber gave them the parcel. She betrayed us." Alfie said in shock.
"No I can't believe she betrayed us." Lily said when they were sitting in the living room in the evening.
"But I saw her give the parcel."
Victor came in.
"I have an announcement to make." He said very pleased. "Ms Millington has left the school."