The Killer Fire Read online

  Chapter

  2

  Life as an orphan

  Miss Cherry visited Stacey frequently, curious to know how well she was settling into the orphanage. When she was informed about the history lesson she was flabbergasted. Stacey’s cheeks blushed to bright pink when she noticed Miss Cherry’s reaction- her eyes had nearly popped right out of her head.

  “I hope you are not too disappointed in me, I only asked a question.” Stacey whispered- her head drooping low.

  “Disappointed in you? Oh, no! Why would I be disappointed in you? No sweetie, I am vexed by the behaviour of Miss Battle-axe! You were only a curious child and there is no harm in that. It was your first day! Poor you dear,” Miss Cherry exclaimed, as she bounced around the room in fury.

  These sorts of conversations were only ever held when all of the other girls were doing their chores or were outside. As luck had it; Stacey had not yet been assigned any tasks or chores yet because she was still very new to the orphanage. Miss Cherry had a day to rest when the other children did their chores but she had to pay their allowance- fifty pence per month. Stacey expected that Miss Cherry was very popular in the orphanage.

  Stacey was still unsure of whom she would be sharing her room with, but she hoped for a loyal, loving and considerate friend.

  Abruptly, chatter emerged from the end of the corridor whilst a gigantic wave of girls ambled up the stairs towards their bedroom to go to bed. The chatter appeared to be friendly therefore she sat on the end of her bed- hands clasped, wide eyes. Miss Cherry gave her a quick cuddle and then galloped off to her supper- carrot and coriander soup.

  While waiting to meet her room friend, Stacey caught a glimpse of lengthy black, shiny hair. The hair appeared almost exactly the same as the hair the girl she had sat next to in her history lesson. Strangely, the hair stopped with a swish and turned into Stacey’s room to see Stacey. She did not look pleased.

  Was the girl attached to the black hair Stacey’s room friend?

  “Why are you in my room? Why are you here? Why are there two beds here?” Claudia (Who turned out to be the devilish girl in the history lesson) squealed.

  “I-I-I-“Stacey stammered in shock.

  “SPEAK TO ME!” Claudia demanded while she impatiently stormed up and down the room- she was grinding her sparkling white teeth together by this point.

  “I-I Miss Cherry told me this is where I am due to sleep, she told me you were very nice and- and-“Her voice trailed of; she was very, very, very scared!

  “And what?” Claudia asked.

  “It is just far too hard! I lost both my mum and my dad just earlier on today and I feel so, so very guilty- like I didn’t look after them well enough, there was a fire!” Stacey exclaimed- water falling dramatically from her flaming red, puffy eyes that were greener than the greenest grass, from the greenest meadow, from the greenest town.

  Stacey sprinted immediately to Miss Cherri’s office, wanting to tell her about her upsetting problem. Tears flooded from her eyes and guilt became her enemy. In an unanticipated manner, Claudia’s voice sounded from what felt like not a long distance away for Stacey.

  “Stacey!” The near voice called; “I am so, so, so, so, so, sorry! I did not mean to hurt you at all, no in he slightest way! I just assumed that your parents had gone of holiday or the like, not that, well, you know. My parents died a year ago a today; I am not using it as an excuse it is just that I am more upset that usual today about their death therefore I have a lower toleration level. I am so, so, so, so, so, so sorry.” The voice lowered when a girl with hair as black as ebony revealed herself. Both the girl (Claudia) and Stacey burst into tears. The melancholy injured them both; therefore they hugged each other comfortingly and cried onto each other’s shoulders.

  “I hope I can’t hear crying!” A friendly, but stern voice shouted- it came from Miss Cherry’s office and afterwards Miss Cherry burst out of her office door. “Are you okay? It is the middle of the night! Please, come in, come in, and take a seat. Stacey, Claudia, what are you doing? I shall go and fetch some tea and scones, I will not be long, no messing around and please do not let anyone know that you’re in here. Right, I’ll be back in a minute! I won’t be too long!” Miss Cherry said in a hurried fashion. Stacey and Claudia immediately giggled when Miss Cherry had left the room due to her sudden panic attack!

  Within several minutes, Miss Cherry had returned with tea in one hand, scones in the other. She and the girls sipped their teas calmly as Miss Cherry chattered about how well Stacey and Claudia bonded! Luckily, after the girls had settled their differences, they realised how well they could get along with some extra effort. “You girls! My, my, my I am so pleased that you get along! I as certainly hoping you might!” Miss Cherry remarked on their friendship.

  Stacey and Claudia both adored Miss Cherry’s sweet, humble office. It’s a small room, holding only one table, three chairs and an oak shelf. On the shelf, arranged in the left corner of the homely room, are three books written by Jacqueline Wilson. The three books were named: Tracey Beaker, Hetty Feather and Vicki Angel. The pale brown shelf leaned on the cream, tattered walls that must have happiness hidden in every corner.

  Safe in the homely office, the girls (Claudia and Stacey) were heart-warmed and pleased. Contentedly, they beamed from ear to ear at the plump lady chattering to them. Curious, they listened to each and every Miss Cherry chimed while she moon shone- finally.

  Birds tweeted merrily, and their songs appeared happier than ever, as if they’ll continue Forever, and a day. Miss Cherry chattered intensely whilst her ruby- red curly hair skimmed her flowery gown coating her shoulders.

  A waft of brisk fresh air wafted around the atmosphere as Stacey inhaled the crisp, fresh smell. The pleasant scent of lavenders hinted in the room like white with a tad of purple- pastel purple. Claudia sniffed the lavender feeling calm and relaxed.

  “Ooops! Sorry girls! I got so carried away! You’ll be exhausted; hurry then, come on, let me take you to your bedrooms,” Miss Cherry said, bouncing around her office. When Miss Cherry wasn’t looking, Stacey and Claudia exchanged a glance and a snigger. Miss Cherry swiftly hurried Stacey and Claudia to their room- to sleep, at last!

  Their room was ever so simple and plain. A small metal bed underneath white bedding sat in each corner of the room. At the rear end of the bed lay a small bag the all the girls that attended the orphanage were given to carry their belongings in.

  Zzzzzzzz. Zzzzzzzzz. Zzzzzzzzz. ZZzzzzzzz. Within moments, Stacey and Claudia were sound asleep.