Angela Favorleigh knew she probably shouldn't brag so much about her wealth, but she couldn't help it. Was it her fault that she had the finest clothes and grandest cars? The others were probably just jealous when they called her a snob. Angela could admit she was, but she thought she had every right to be. She enjoyed the way Alison stared at her in admiration as she spoke of her wealthy family.
"Oh, Angela, you are wonderful," Alison said in the admiring way she always did. "I only wish I could come over to see your people."
"Perhaps you can," Angela suggested. "I just know my mother would adore you."
Just then, Eileen came by. She rolled her eyes as she listened to Angela boasting about her grand riches and famous parents.
"Don't you two care about anything other than riches and fancies?" Eileen demanded. "You are a feather-head, Alison. And you're too greedy for words, Angela. I bet your parents are the same."
Alison went red, but Angela scowled at Eileen. She was used to being called a snob, but she was surprised to be called greedy. She didn't appreciate Eileen insulting her parents, either. "I'm not greedy," she insisted. "I can't help being wealthy and having so many things, can I? If I took them, on the other hand…"
"You are greedy," Eileen accused. "It's all you can talk about, how you have the best of everything. Why, if I had all of the things you did, I would be thrilled enough without having to rub it in everyone's faces."
"Oh, I understand," Angela said, nodding. "You're just jealous, aren't you? It seems everyone is. You must be even more jealous, since you don't have any money or friends."
"Angela, that's not very kind," Alison spoke up.
"I'd rather have no friends than buy them," Eileen shot back. "Your dear Alison wouldn't give you the time of day if you weren't wealthy. You're lucky she's such a shallow little feather-head!" Alison flushed. "And I'll have you know that my mother is earning money. She has a very important job here."
"Yes, and that's the only reason she came to this school," Angela reminded. "I must say, none of us can stand her, as much as we can you. And it's no wonder. Always sneaking to your mother, like a coward!"
"Watch it," Eileen threatened. "I could always do the same to you."
"You wouldn't dare, or I'd tell everyone about the letter your dear brother wrote to you," Angela retorted. "I really can't blame you for the way you are, Eileen. What with that domineering Matron for a mother and awful, messy boy for an older brother. It's no wonder you're jealous. My mother is so grand and beautiful, and yours is nothing but a stern, miserable old…"
"Angela," Alison interrupted, staring uneasily at Eileen.
Angela trailed off as well as she noticed the look on Eileen's face. Her eyes were narrowed, and her mouth was twisted in anger. She stared at Angela with such hatred and anger that she was taken aback.
When Eileen spoke, her voice was soft and calm, to their surprise. But her words made Angela jump. "I don't like my mother much, either. Sometimes I even wish I had a different mother, one that wasn't as stern and cold. But I know she does her best. I still appreciate her, and Edgar. He's done so much for me…" Her voice broke slightly, before rising in volume. "You don't know how well you have it, Angela. To have all of those riches and parents who'll give you everything you want. You deserve to have it all taken away from you. Then you'd understand! I have half a mind to take some of your things just to teach you a lesson."
"You wouldn't dare!" Angela protested, unable to think of anything else to say. She couldn't help feeling slightly afraid of the controlled anger in Eileen's voice.
For a moment, Angela was surprised that Eileen was going to attack her. But instead, she left.
"Well, it's just like I said," Angela said with satisfaction, more than slightly relieved that Eileen was gone. "I was right. She is jealous."
"I don't think you should've said all that, Angela," Alison said uncomfortably. "You know how Eileen can get."
"She promised not to tell tales about me, remember?" Angela reminded. "It's no wonder she doesn't have any friends. Who would want to be friends with a nasty little sneak?"
"Still, it must be hard to say no to her mother," Alison pointed out. She was far too tender-hearted, which Angela found irritating. "I do feel sorry for her and Edgar. To be raised by that awful woman…"
"Well, I'm glad we agree on that," Angela quipped.
But Angela couldn't help feeling uneasy. She remembered the sheer anger on Eileen's face and the deadly calm tone of her voice. She never thought the quiet, plain Eileen could look so vicious. She almost regretted the words she had said, but she told herself Eileen deserved it. Who did she think she was to call Angela greedy? It wasn't greed if she had everything she wanted, Angela told herself.
When it was revealed that there was a thief among the fourth formers, they were quick to accuse the new girls. Angela was relieved that they never suspected her, as much as many of them disliked her. They must've known she had everything she wanted to even consider stealing.
"Oh, Claudine, did your aunt really sell the cushion-cover to my mother?" Alison asked eagerly. "It would look so lovely on my bed."
"Maybe she did, and maybe she didn't," Claudine replied in her usual lazy manner.
"My aunt was near your aunt when she was showing it off. I think she wished you'd sell it to her," Kathleen added. "She loves things like that."
"Yes, you would like that, wouldn't you, Kath?" Janet added maliciously. She could never control her sharp tongue. "You'd probably love to take the money from your aunt or the cushion cover from Claudine's."
"What? What do you mean, Janet?" Bobby asked in confusion.
Kathleen went red. "Janet, how can you say that? You know I don't steal anymore! I haven't stolen a single thing since the first form."
"Yes, how can you, Janet?" Isabel scolded. "We know Kathleen is perfectly decent now. Even when she was a thief, she only did it to give us anything she bought. And she only stole from us, never Matron or any of the teachers."
This was a surprise for the new girls, and even some of the older ones, who had almost forgotten about Kathleen's previous actions. Angela was about to say something about not being able to believe there was a former thief among them when she noticed the look on Eileen's face. She seemed both relieved and guilty at the same time.
"Can't you ever think before speaking, Janet?" Hilary scolded. "How would you like it if somebody brought up all of your faults from years ago?"
"Alright, alright. I'm sorry, Kath," Janet apologized. "I shouldn't have brought that up. I don't know what I was thinking. It's just that all this business with the thief is setting me on edge. I think it's worrying all of us to think that one among us could be the thief."
"Please, don't accuse others," Claudine added. "You thought I was the thief as well, remember? And I told all of you that you were wrong. You all looked like idiots."
"Yes, Claudine is quite right," Hilary agreed. "We shouldn't go around pointing fingers."
"Well, I still wouldn't be surprised if it was Claudine," Angela added. "After the way she splashed my mother…"
"Oh, do shut up, Angela!" Pat groaned. "I'm jolly glad she did that. If she didn't, I would've, after listening to her pick apart the school like that. Now I can see why you're such a little snob."
Angela was about to blow up at Pat when Bobby interrupted. "It's a good thing we didn't discuss the thief being Claudine in front of Eileen. She would've gone running to her mother, like she always does."
"I would not!" Eileen protested. There was an almost panicked tone in her voice. "My mother already suspected Claudine. And I can't say I blame her, after she locked her in the cupboard…"
"Well, you and Angela are the only ones who seem to think so," Isabel remarked. "Just because you're protective over your awful mothers…"
Angela glanced at Eileen, worried she'd blow up like she did before. But instead, she lowered her head, looking almost ashamed. Angela began to wonder for the first time whether it was possible she was the thief. She remembered what Eileen had said about wanting to take some of Angela's things to teach her a lesson, but then again, it was only Matron's money that had been stolen. Angela wasn't sure if Eileen would be low enough to steal from her own mother, but she remembered what she had said about her. The new Matron was so unpopular that nobody seemed to like her much, even Eileen. Maybe it was her bitterness coming out. Even Angela would never dream of stealing from her mother, but that was only because she gave her everything she wanted.
Usually, Angela would've accused Eileen to see the others suspect her as well. It would serve her right, after what she had said about her. But something stopped her. Angela had said it mockingly before, but she couldn't help feeling slightly sorry for Eileen. It was hard enough for Angela when she had to put up with Matron's lectures or ran into Edgar outside the school. She couldn't imagine how humiliating it would be to be related to them. Besides, it did serve Matron right to be stolen from.
So Angela didn't tell anyone her suspicions, not even Alison. She figured it didn't matter if none of them were being stolen from. But she got a shock when she caught Eileen trying to steal from her. Angela walked into the dormitory just as Eileen was picking up an old, gaudy brooch of hers. Angela didn't like it much, and only kept it since it was a present from her mother. But it was still a shock to see Eileen trying to take it.
"Eileen!" Angela exclaimed in shock. Eileen jumped out of her skin and immediately dropped the hefty brooch, turning to stare in shock at Angela. She quickly backed away, lowering her head in shame. "What on earth are you doing?"
"Angela…" Eileen trailed off, too ashamed to answer. At least she had the decency for that.
"No, don't make excuses. I know exactly what you were doing!" Angela hissed. "You're the thief, aren't you? You were just stealing money from your mother at first, but now you're taking anything from anyone." The ashamed look on Eileen's face told Angela everything. "I always suspected it, but I was kind enough not to tell anyone. And this is how you repay me! By stealing from me!"
"You… you did?" Eileen gaped in shock. "I didn't think anyone thought it was me. You really didn't tell anyone?"
"Well, I wasn't sure," Angela admitted. "I don't think even you would be low enough to steal from your own mother. I suppose that's why they didn't suspect you. And as if that wasn't bad enough, now you're taking from others."
"I… I wasn't going to," Eileen began. "But your brooch was just lying here, and I thought, since you already had so many things, it wouldn't matter as much, since Mother had so little and needed it more…" She trailed off.
"What a hypocrite you are, Eileen!" Angela exclaimed. "You call me greedy, and then you turn out to be the thief!"
"It… it isn't for myself," Eileen insisted. "I don't keep any of the money. I wasn't even going to keep this. I was going to give it away."
"Oh, really?" Angela asked. She had to admit that she hadn't seen Eileen spend anything, or possess anything expensive lately. "To whom?"
Eileen hesitated. "Oh, I shouldn't tell you. You'll only laugh at me more."
"Who could you possibly give it to?" Angela demanded. She remembered how Kathleen had done something similar, only she was sure Eileen didn't give anyone at school anything. "You don't have any friends here. And if you did, your mother would probably figure out quickly that it was you. Not that you would care, do you? You told me you didn't like her. You only seem to care about…" Angela froze. "Edgar! That's who you're giving it to, isn't it?"
Eileen winced. Angela knew she was right. "I suppose there's no point in denying it," Eileen admitted. "You're going to tell everyone anyway. He wasn't going to keep it, either. I thought he could sell it for money."
"Well, I'm not surprised," Angela quipped. "I could tell that awful brother of yours needs money. He looks too cheap for words. He could really use new clothes, couldn't he?"
"Don't you dare talk about him like that!" Eileen scolded. "He's the most wonderful big brother in the world. That's why he's working so hard to find a new job. I know Mother wouldn't help him. She'd be disappointed in him for losing his old job, and say it serves him right. But he's done so much for me, so I knew I should help him."
"By stealing from your mother?" Angela asked. She was less scornful and more curious.
"I didn't think it was really stealing," Eileen admitted. "I mean, I only stole to give the money to Eddie, and he's Mother's son. If anything, she should be happy to give us the money, but I know she won't. She never gives us anything."
Angela was surprised to hear this. Her mother always gave her anything she wanted. If anything, she sometimes gave her too much. "I suppose you aren't greedy after all," she admitted. Eileen stared at her in surprise. "But you are still a thief, and a sneak."
"Well, I'm sorry, Angela," Eileen apologized. "I shouldn't have tried stealing from you. I felt guilty for stealing from Mother all the time, even though I tried to tell myself I had a right to. It was hard enough for her to find a job here and earn money. I knew I was making things harder for her, even if I was making them easier for Eddie. I thought about how expensive the brooch must be, and I thought it wouldn't matter if I stole from you."
"I suppose it wouldn't," Angela agreed. "I don't even like this brooch much. I think it's tacky and heavy, and I've never worn it. I only kept it since I didn't want to hurt my mother's feelings. It did cost a fair amount, though not as much as all the others I have."
"Good for you," Eileen snapped. "It must be nice to be so rich that you scorn wonderful things like that. I suppose it isn't as grand as all of your jewellery and clothes."
Angela picked up the brooch, turning it over in her hand. "I've been wanting to get rid of this for a while. I tried to leave it at home before I came here, but Mother must've slipped it into my trunk at the last minute."
"You really are greedy, Angela," Eileen accused, to Angela's surprise. "I would be thrilled if I had anything half as nice as that, and you're trying to get rid of it."
Angela hesitated, but she couldn't help considering Eileen's words. It was surprising to think she was so desperate for money that she stole from her own mother. It was hard for her to get out the next words. "Well, if your brother really needs it that much, maybe you should take it," she suggested, holding the brooch out to Eileen. "I never liked this thing, anyway."
Eileen stared at her in shock. "Do you really mean that, Angela?"
"I'd be happy to get rid of it," Angela insisted. "I'm sure my mother won't be that upset. After all, I have plenty of others that are more expensive and much nicer."
Eileen reluctantly took the brooch, staring at it as the large object with awe. "How much is this worth? It's nicer than anything Eddie or I have."
"Not too much," Angela shrugged. "Only a few dozen pounds, at most. Probably less than that, since it's already been used."
"Are you serious?" Eileen demanded. "That's even more than what I managed to take from Mother. It should support Eddie for a long time, if he can manage to sell it."
"It should be easy, if Mam'zelle could sell that cheap cushion cover to Alison's mother," Angela remarked. "That was far less nice than this brooch. I don't know why she thinks Claudine's work is so wonderful."
"But you're going to tell everyone what I've been doing, aren't you?" Eileen accused. "That's why you said I could take your brooch, I suppose, since it won't matter much once everyone finds out. The same way you gave me the letter Eddie wrote to me as long as I did something in exchange." Before Angela could reply, Eileen went on. "I suppose you're right to. They should know I'm a thief."
"Well… you haven't told tales about me to Matron, have you?" Angela asked. "You sneak on everyone else, but not me. It was such a relief not to have to do piles of mending, or be fed disgusting medicine. And that was for the smallest of things. It must be even worse for you, if she discovers you've been stealing from her. So I suppose I shan't say anything."
Eileen looked relieved. "Oh, thank you, Angela."
"Don't get too excited," Angela warned. "Your mother will probably find out eventually, anyway. I think you're awfully foolish for keeping it from her."
"You're probably right," Eileen admitted. "I just hope Eddie can find a new job before she does. Maybe she won't be as angry then." She pressed her fingers against the faded jewels in the brooch. "I know it's cowardly of me, but you don't know how she can get. It was hard enough not sneaking on you. She wants to know everything, and it can be so hard to say no to her."
Angela was surprised to hear this. She thought Eileen was lucky to have her mother here. But remembering how appallingly her own mother had behaved at half-term, and how embarrassed Claudine had been by her aunt, she began to think it wasn't such a good thing after all.
Eileen smiled at Angela. "Thanks, Angela. I always thought you were a snob, but it really was decent of you. I'm sure Eddie will be able to make good money with this."
"Only to get rid of that awful thing," Angela insisted. "Go on, give it to that awful brother of yours. I'm not sure it will make any money, with how tacky it is. And be quick about it. If somebody sees you with my brooch, they'll know you're the thief. And I won't say anything to defend you."
Angela expected Eileen to flare up at her snobbish tone, but she didn't. "I'm sorry about what I said," she apologized. "You aren't greedy. If I had so many things like this, I suppose I would be the same way as you."
Angela watched as she left. She was still surprised by her own actions. It was partly for her own benefit, but not entirely. It was the same reason she hadn't told anyone her suspicions about Eileen. Things seemed hard enough for her, and she and her brother definitely had it worse than Angela. Then again, everyone at school did, Angela thought with some smugness. She realized Eileen was right. She was greedy with her possessions, as much as a common thief, in a way. But she couldn't be that greedy, with what she had just done.
After Eileen confessed, everyone was shocked aside from Angela. She almost liked having a secret bit of information that she didn't tell anyone about, not even Alison. She had been tempted to tell them after they suspected Pauline, but she had a feeling Eileen would confess by herself after hearing about how another girl was blamed. And she was right.
"I really can't blame her, with what a horrid woman her mother is, and what an awful boy her brother is," Angela said. "I suppose I would act as horribly, if I had to put up with them."
Janet rolled her eyes. "As much of a snob as ever, I see, Angela."
Alison was confused by the last line in Eileen's letter. "And please give my thanks to Angela," she read. "What does that mean? I can't imagine why Eileen would thank Angela. Why, she was about to blow up at her just…"
Angela nudged Alison, and her heart pounded. Thankfully, Bobby interrupted.
"I imagine she was being sarcastic," Bobby added. "We know how much dear Angela looks down on anyone less wealthy. I suppose Eileen couldn't resist getting a dig in at her."
"Uh, yeah. That's right," Angela agreed.
"I can't believe Eileen," Janet grumbled. "It's one thing to be a sneak, but another to be a thief. I'm glad to see the back of her!"
"Now, don't be like that," Angela insisted, to everyone's surprise. "If only she had a more decent mother, she wouldn't have. I suppose I would act the same way, if I had to put up with what she did. But I do agree it's a good thing for her to leave the school. She's probably doing much better now."
The others stared at Angela in shock. "Angela, are you actually speaking kindly of someone other than yourself?" Hilary asked in surprise. "You really are changing!"
Angela flushed, lowering her head. "I think Angela is right," Kathleen agreed. "It was decent of Eileen to own up when she knew Pauline was going to be blamed."
"Well, at least she isn't a total coward," Bobby agreed. "How is Pauline, anyway? Is she doing any better?"
"She's a little better," Pat added. "It takes a while for broken legs to heal, though. Do any of you remember how Margery broke her leg in the first form when she saved Erica?"
"Oh, I remember," Hilary added. "It took a while to heal, but she was much worse off. She fell all the way from the sick bay, and there was a fire as well.
"And we also unfairly accused her when it was Erica," added Janet. "What a dreadful little beast Erica was! It's a good thing you didn't know her, Carlotta and Bobby. The good news is that they've both left the school by now."
"I was the only one who visited Erica, aside from Lucy," Kathleen said. "I do feel sorry, thinking about how we accused Pauline as well. I shall visit her as well and see how she's doing."
"Good on you, Kath," Pat said. "I'm not sure I can bring myself to, though. We'll just be extra nice to her once she returns. Tell her how sorry we are."
"I'll come with you," Angela suggested, remembering how she had boasted about her riches in the same way as Pauline had.
"Angela, you are changing!" Janet exclaimed. "A few weeks ago, you wouldn't willingly help anyone…"
"Do shut up, Janet," said Hilary. "It's wonderful that you want to, Angela. I'm sure Pauline will be glad for any company."
"Yes, and you'll have lots to talk about," Janet agreed. "You are similar in some ways, aren't you?" She trailed off as Hilary nudged her.
Pauline was surprised to see her visitors. She didn't have any real friends, the same way Eileen didn't. She stared up at Kathleen and Angela.
"Hallo, Pauline," Kathleen smiled. "How are you feeling? Is your leg any better?"
"Oh, it's much better now, thank you," Pauline replied. She kept staring at Angela, shocked to see her there. "I… I'm surprised any of you bothered to visit me."
"We all feel dreadful about wrongly accusing you," Kathleen assured. "We thought you were the thief, you know."
"Yes, Miss Theobald told me," Pauline admitted. "I had no idea you thought that."
"It's a good thing Eileen came clean," Kathleen added. "She wasn't about to let you take the blame."
"I suppose I can't blame you for what you thought," Pauline admitted. "I suppose if you thought I wasn't above lying, I wouldn't be above stealing either. I can't believe it, the way I always bragged about my wealth."
"I did the same," Angela reminded. "Do you remember when we argued about who had more bathrooms?"
"At least you were telling the truth," Pauline retorted. "You really did have everything you said. I suppose I can't blame you for being proud of it. You never lied, like I did."
"Why did you lie?" Kathleen asked. "Were you too proud to admit you didn't have money?"
"Yes, that's it," Pauline admitted. "I was ashamed of being poor, and I was ashamed of my mother. But now, I'm only ashamed of myself. I had too much pride, and now, I have none."
"I felt the same way," Kathleen admitted. "You won't know this, Pauline, but in the first form, I used to be a thief." Pauline stared at Kathleen in surprise. "I stole money and bought things to give to others. I thought they'd like me if I got things for them."
"I heard Janet mention that," Pauline said. "But I thought she was simply being spiteful. Anyway, you never bragged about your riches the way I did, remember?"
"Well, not really," Kathleen admitted. "But what I did was just as bad. You never stole anything. I took money because I was too proud to admit I didn't have any. I suppose that's why we all suspected you. We thought you'd do the same thing."
"At least you aren't greedy," Angela added. "I thought about it, and I realized that, in a way, I'm just as greedy as you and Eileen. Actually, probably even more. You only stole out of pride. I kept everything I had for myself." Pauline and Kathleen stared at her in shock, never having heard her talk that way before.
"At least you were honest," Kathleen retorted. "Pauline is right. It's much better to be honest about your wealth, even if you go overboard with bragging."
As they kept talking, Pauline began to look much better. Angela swore not to be so greedy or boastful in the future. Perhaps she wasn't, after what she had done for Eileen. And perhaps Pauline and Kathleen weren't too prideful either, now that they were being honest.
No femslash in this one. Kathleen is only mentioned once in Claudine. She gradually disappears, much like Daphne from Malory Towers (who's also a thief). It's strange, since you'd think she'd be brought up once there was another thief plot. I found it funny that all of the new girls' names aside from Angela rhyme. Next is Gluttony (no points for guessing who that is).
