Disclaimer: I do not own Enid Blyton's stories.

Another chapter! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, especially Nonnimus and Lady Eleanor Boleyn, and Potato Spud (aka Dolphin-99). Also, thankyou to to lady eleanor Boleyn for suggesting I put in some bits about Felicity. The first formers will star a little more in the next chapter!

The Fifth Form Again at Malory Towers! Chapter fourteen

Now while Darrell had been talking, Gwendoline had been hanging around outside the dormy, listening. She had felt too embarrassed to return after storming out, but was curious to know the full story of the eventful night. So, she had crouched outside the closed door with her ear pressed against the wood, listening.

Just after everyone heard the startling news that Melanie and May were orphans, Gwendoline was interrupted by footsteps coming down the corridor. She hurriedly straightened and adjusted her dressing gown, pretending that she was just about to enter the room so that no mistress would inquire as to what she was doing. She needn't have worried, for it was no mistress who came by, but Melanie herself.

Gwendoline at once started forming a plan in her mind. The others were sure to be annoyed with her at the moment, but perhaps she could settle their irritancy by being extra nice to Melanie. After all, the poor orphan must surely need a good friend! Perhaps even the mistresses would notice her generous display and give her a kinder mark on her sure-to-be-poor end of term report.

Melanie stopped short when Gwendoline stepped in front of her. Behind her bulky glasses her eyes were red rimmed, showing that she had been crying. Gwendoline's lips stretched into a smile. "Good morning Melanie! Can I just say how dreadfully sorry I am that such a thing should happen to your sister! And you must be especially close since you have no parents, oh you poor thing!"

Melanie froze, her face a mirror of horror. "Ho-ho-how d-d-did you know-know-know tha-a-at Gwe-gwe-gwendoline?"

"Know what?" Gwen put on her 'innocent' face, although she was quite sure she knew what Melanie meant. Her cunning mind was already coming up with another scheme.

"A-a-bou-bout m-m-my pa-pa-pare-rents." Melanie looked quite startled. She had obviously tried to keep the fact that she was an orphan a secret from everyone else.

"Oh, Darrell told the whole form this morning," said sneaky Gwen airily. She thought of all the times Darrell had insulted or hurt her, and thought it would be a very good way to get back at her by having Melanie feel sore towards her when Darrell would be sure to be extra-nice. "She found it very amusing. Don't worry. I'm not a blabber mouth. I shan't repeat it to anyone. But I'm not sure what you should say to Darrell. She'll tell everyone what she thinks is a juicy bit of gossip!"

Melanie bit her lip, which had begun to tremble. She looked about to say something else, but stopped and continued into the dormy. Gwen hurried after her.

"Here! Let me help you with your bed," she said. "You're probably feeling very worried at the moment but don't worry, I'll help you around with things until you calm down a bit!"

The whole room had fallen silent, and every single girl was gaping at Gwen's sudden show of kindness, and the way she fussed around Melanie like a mother hen. Alicia soon guessed her intentions. "I think Gwen wants to be seen as a dear little helper. What a sweet thing to do, Gwen!" Everyone sniggered silently to themselves, and continued with their usual morning routines. They had all promised not to tell another single soul about Melanie and May's secret, and although they wanted to be kind to Melanie, none of them wanted to embarrass or offend her by offering a big rush of kindness all at once. Many of them regretted their previous impatience and intolerance towards her, and quite a few of the girls were thinking up ways of how they could make it up to her. Darrell planned on making Leoni agree to secrecy as soon as she saw her at breakfast.

Melanie seemed more flustered and stuttery than ever that morning. Gwendoline continued with her sickly sweet display, but even Melanie began to find her annoying. "I do-do-don't ne-ne-need help wi-with m-m-my ha-hair Gwendoline!" she protested feebly as the girl swept up a hairbrush and began arranging her curls into a complicated bundle.

"Oh, but it's the latest style!" insisted Gwendoline. "And if you don't do it soon, we'll be late for breakfast."

So weak, insignificant Melanie was left to Gwendoline's wrath. A few of the other girls tried to save her, but Gwendoline could be very stubborn and witty when she wanted to, and secretly enjoyed feeling powerful over her lowly charge. Nothing the girls said or did could stop her acting the way she did.

During first class that morning, Matron came bustling up to the door. "Can I speak to Melanie please?" she asked. Everyone watched as Melanie scrambled to her feet and practically ran towards the door. The whole form knew about the incident with May, but only about half of the North Tower girls knew her family secret.

Melanie returned sniffling to herself, and at break Darrell and Sally went to comfort her. She told them that Miss Potts had agreed to take her to the hospital later that morning to visit May, but had been called to an urgent meeting and had had to cancel the outing. No other teacher was available and Melanie would have to wait a whole week to see her sister.

"Couldn't you catch a bus during our free hour?" suggested Darrell. Melanie shook her head. "Not without someone else, the hospital is much further than the usual stores we visit."

Darrell and Sally were just about to offer to take her when Gwendoline butted in. "I'll take you Melanie, don't worry!" She had a maths test that afternoon for which she was far from prepared, and hoped that the visit would stretch into class time and she would miss it.

"We were just about to go with Melanie!" protested Darrell, determined not to let Melanie be bustled off with the sneaky Gwen.

"Oh, it's ok Darrell. I know you and Sally planned on getting in some much needed lacrosse practice." Gwen smiled to herself. "After all, the match is next week. And as I have nothing to do this afternoon I would be more than happy to go with Melanie!"

Mam'zelle Dupont happened to be walking past, and heard Gwen. She misunderstood Gwen's intentions for ones of kindness and offered unknowing aid to the shifty girl.

"Ah Gwen, you are such a kind girl, are you not?" Gwen beamed as Mam'zelle continued, "Of course you shall go with little Melanie to the hospital. You are so generous to give up your time! I shall go now myself at tell Miss Potts that you will catch the afternoon bus. What kind people you English girls are!" And with that, she bustled off. Gwen gave Darrell and Sally a triumphant look before sidling off, telling Melanie to follow. The girl reluctantly followed her back into the buildings.

"What a sneak!" exclaimed Sally. "It's obvious she's just putting on a show for her own benefit. She doesn't care a thing about Melanie! Or feel in the least bit sorry for her!"

At that moment, Felicity came up. "We're going to go ahead with the trick!" she told Darrell. "You know, the one with the remote control frog."

"How exciting!" Darrell's eyes glowed, forgetting Melanie for a moment. "Have you told the entire first form?"

"Oh yes, everyone knows. And we're all ready. May won't be there of course. It's such a pity what happened to her!" Darrell didn't tell her sister that May was an orphan, but listened eagerly to the plans.

"We're going to perform it in prep this evening," continued Felicity. "Mam'zelle Dupont is taking us tonight, and she's set some nasty verb work! But I reckon we won't do a single bit of it!"

"You'll have to catch up later though," advised Sally.

"I know, but we'll have such fun! And remember, it's part of an experiment. We still want to find out who told on us before, and tonight will narrow it down by half. Is it the first form, or is it the fifth form?"

Felicity scampered off, and Darrell and Sally headed back to class as the bell rang. "Honestly, the things these first formers come up with," remarked Darrell. "Anyone would think they were the next Sherlock Holmes, trying to solve the mystery of the class sneak!"

To be continued...

Please review! Sorry the chapter ended a little abruptly, but I usually aim for about 1200 words. Next chapter: the results of the trick!!!!!

And to all kind reviewers: If you have a little bit of spare time, would you be so kind as to take a moment to read my sister's story, the twins at Malory towers? It's her first fic and she really wants some reviews! Only if you're not too busy though. And she won't get angry if you're critical. But please don't feel obliged.

Thanks!

:)