Clarke Libby and the Manhattan Mystery

1. Auflage 2024
ISBN: 978-1-915444-40-0
Verlag: Firefly Press Ltd
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: 6 - ePub Watermark

E-Book, Englisch, Band 3, 208 Seiten

Reihe: The Travelling Mysteries Series

The travelling school arrives in New York, and Libby and her friends find themselves organising a charity auction alongside Hollywood star Eloise Fitzwilliam. But something isn't right. Why is Eloise's friend Count Alvarez acting so strangely and can a face from the past really have followed the school all the way to New York?

Jo Clarke is an award-winning book blogger and primary school librarian. Her blog, BookloverJo, enables her to indulge her love of reading children's books. She is actively involved in the children's book community and has been a judge for both the British Book Awards and Alligator's Mouth Book Awards. Growing up she liked nothing better than reading mystery and boarding school stories by torchlight, when she should have been fast asleep. She lives in Hampshire with her husband, two daughters and three cats.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Clarke, Jo

Weitere Mitwirkende

Moor, Becka

Leseproben

Chapter 7

Diners and Surprises

‘I’ve just had a message from Eloise,’ whispered Connie. ‘It’s Count Alvarez. Something terrible has happened.’

Libby looked up to check Miss Khatun wasn’t watching them, but she seemed completely distracted by something on her phone. They were meant to be reading quietly; if she caught them chatting, they’d be in big trouble.

‘I always knew there was something very suspicious about him,’ said Anastasia, leaning over their desk.

‘It’s rude to eavesdrop.’ Libby glared at Anastasia. ‘Why are you jumping to conclusions? Connie hasn’t said anything yet.’

‘If you would both stop arguing then maybe I’d be able to tell you,’ Connie snapped. ‘Someone has broken into the Count’s office. All the money he’s fundraised has been stolen.’

‘That’s awful,’ said Libby. ‘Who would do such a thing?’

Anastasia rolled her eyes. ‘You should be asking who would leave loads of cash lying around. Why isn’t he using a bank like normal people?’

Libby thought Anastasia had a good point but there was no way she was admitting it.

‘How many times have I told you about chatting?’ said Miss Khatun, who had suddenly appeared beside their desks. ‘You can all stay in after class for half an hour.’

Libby couldn’t believe their bad luck. They were meant to be going out for dinner with Eloise. She’d arranged a surprise as it was Connie’s birthday tomorrow.

Anastasia looked sheepish. ‘It was all my fault. Just keep me behind. It’s not fair to punish them too.’

‘Fine,’ said Miss Khatun. ‘I admire your honesty. Now, back to what you’re meant to be doing: reading not talking.’

Libby smiled in relief. Perhaps Anastasia wasn’t as bad as she thought.

***

‘I can’t believe it,’ Libby gasped. ‘A real-life American diner. This is so cool!’

She stared at the neon sign and the bright lights. The sound of music was drifting outside, where there was a long queue of people waiting for a table. It would be ages till they got in and she was already starving.

Connie grinned. ‘Isn’t Eloise the best? Look, there she is. I can see her inside.’ She pointed to a lady with dark hair wearing glasses who sat in one of the booths. The lady waved when she saw Connie.

‘That can’t be Eloise,’ Libby shook her head. ‘It looks nothing like her.’

‘She’s in disguise as she doesn’t want people recognising her when she’s out.’ Connie’s phone buzzed. ‘She said we can go straight in.’

‘Fair enough.’ Libby couldn’t imagine what it was like being famous, never being able to go anywhere without people wanting to take her photo. She grabbed Connie’s hand. ‘Come on, I’m starving.’  

Libby slid into the booth with the red padded seats, while Connie hugged Eloise. She picked up the menu and her tummy rumbled. Everything looked so delicious; she didn’t know how she would ever choose.

‘Girls, have whatever you want,’ Eloise insisted. ‘It’s nearly your birthday after all, Connie. I can’t believe you’re going to be twelve tomorrow!’

‘Finally the same age as me,’ laughed Libby. ‘I won’t be able to boss you around anymore.’

‘Ha!’ laughed Connie. ‘That’s not likely.’

Libby was excited to give Connie her birthday present. She’d spent ages making it and she hoped she’d love it.

‘Let’s order,’ said Connie. ‘I’m so hungry and it feels like ages since lunch.’

It went silent apart from the music coming from the juke box. It wasn’t a song that Libby recognised.

A few minutes later their waitress appeared at the table. Her hair was tied back in a high ponytail, and she was wearing a voluminous skirt with a poodle embroidered at the bottom. She looked like she’d stepped back in time.

‘Are you all ready to order?’ she asked, taking out her notepad.

Eloise smiled. ‘We’re just waiting for someone.’ She looked up and waved. ‘There he is now.’

Libby turned to see where she was pointing: Count Alvarez was at the door to the diner.

‘I hope you don’t mind me inviting him,’ Eloise whispered. ‘I felt so awful after what happened, and I hoped this would cheer him up.’

‘Of course not,’ Connie replied. ‘I’m sure this will help.’  

Libby was more concerned about her order than the arrival of their guest. Now they’d have to wait even longer to eat.

When the Count had chosen, Eloise signalled for the waitress.

‘Can I have a Yankee Doodle Burger?’ Libby asked. ‘And a chocolate milk, please.’

The waitress wrote down the rest of their order and disappeared towards the kitchen. Eloise was asking the Count about the break-in, but Libby couldn’t really hear properly as Connie was chatting excitedly about her birthday.

‘I can’t believe I get to spend my birthday in New York,’ Connie said. ‘Do you think Miss Mousedale will have something exciting planned?’

Libby didn’t think her aunt would allow them to be distracted from their studies just because it was Connie’s birthday.

‘Maybe, or we might do something at the weekend,’ Libby suggested. ‘Especially as we’re out tonight: it took some convincing for us to be allowed out on a school night.’

‘True,’ said Connie, taking a large slurp from her milk, which had just arrived.

‘I nearly forgot,’ said Libby. ‘Here’s your present… It’s just a small thing. I made it myself.’

Connie tore open the tissue paper and a smile spread across her face. She lifted a friendship bracelet out of a small box.

‘I love it. All my favourite colours!’ She threw her arms around Libby. ‘How did you manage to make it without me noticing?’

‘I can’t reveal all my secrets,’ laughed Libby. She was relieved Connie liked it; she didn’t have a lot of pocket money this term. Her mum must have forgotten to send any to her aunt.

Before Connie could reply, Libby got distracted by what the Count was saying.

‘I can’t believe it’s all gone,’ he said. ‘They took everything – even my credit cards.’

Eloise put her hand on Count Alvarez’s arm. ‘Don’t worry. I’m sure there’s something we can do.’

Libby thought about what Anastasia had said earlier. ‘Why was the money not in the bank? Surely that would be the safest place for it to be.’

‘Libby!’ Connie glared at her. ‘I don’t think this is the right time. Do you?’

‘No, it’s fine,’ Count Alvarez said. ‘Libby has made a good point. I was due to deposit the money into the bank the next day. It was tricky as my bank is back in … err … Portugal. Now I have to wait weeks for everything to be sorted.’

Maybe that was the reason he had to check out of the hotel so suddenly, thought Libby. It was all beginning to make sense. She felt bad that she’d ever doubted him.

‘If I can help in any way, please ask,’ said Eloise.

Count Alvarez smiled. ‘I couldn’t impose on your kindness. But perhaps if you had time, you could visit the centre. Then you can see for yourself what good work they do providing a safe space for struggling families.’

‘What a wonderful idea,’ Eloise declared. ‘We must all go.’

Just then their waitress arrived and placed a cake in front of Connie.

‘I didn’t order cake,’ Connie said in surprise. ‘This must be someone else’s.’

The music stopped and a familiar tune blared out of the jukebox. They watched as the waiters and waitresses leapt on to the tables and started to sing. Soon the whole diner was singing ‘Happy Birthday’.

Connie flushed. ‘Thanks, Eloise. This is … err … very nice.’

Libby knew that Connie hated being the centre of attention, but Eloise was determined to spoil her goddaughter. Just then a giant burger topped with mac ‘n’ cheese arrived.

‘You can hide behind this if you like,’ Libby winked at her best friend....