15 Secrets and Spies - My Sister the Vampire (15 page)

BOOK: 15 Secrets and Spies - My Sister the Vampire

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‘Hmm.’ Charles narrowed his eyes as he looked down at her, amusement and curiosity mingling in his expression. ‘How exactly do you plan to pull that off? Without going for a
joyride in a time machine, that is.’

Olivia looked to Lillian. ‘What do
you
think?’

‘Well, what if . . .’ Lillian’s face lit up with gathering excitement. ‘Oh,
yes!
Charles, what if you converted the South Wing into a
Creative Space
for
local artists? A workshop where talented, young, local people could be creative in a relaxed environment?’

Please, please, please say yes!
Olivia urged her father silently.

For a long moment, Charles was silent, his face furrowed in thought. Then a smile spread across his face. ‘What an absolutely perfect idea. But we would need someone to run it. Who would
be good at
that
? Hmm . . .’

‘Good question,’ Olivia said brightly, using every bit of her dramatic training to keep her expression blank as Lillian gave a visible twitch of frustration. ‘
Who
could possibly run that workshop?’

‘Well . . .’ Charles rubbed his jaw thoughtfully, apparently thinking out loud. ‘Who do we know who’s smart, talented, creative
and
responsible . . . not to
mention good with young people? Now, that’s a real puzzler.’

Oh, come on
. Olivia stared at him. In the corner of her eye, she could see her stepmom’s face turning utterly expressionless. Lillian was clearly having to work hard to hide her
own feelings right now, but she shouldn’t have had to.

Is my bio-dad really
that
dense?
Olivia wondered.

Then Charles’s face broke into a grin, and Olivia realised that he’d been joking the whole time.

‘Oh, come now,’ he said. ‘We all know the answer, don’t we?’ He turned to Lillian. ‘Who could possibly be better than you, darling? And not only that –
the two of us could collaborate on the design for the space!’

Lillian’s face broke into a beaming smile. ‘I’m having so many ideas for what we could do! The films we could make, the screenings we could put on – of course we’d
have to have a Local Film Group, where movie nuts could talk all day about films . . .’

Behind Olivia, Camilla let out an excited yelp at all the movie talk.

The sound made Lillian turn around with a quick smile. ‘Camilla, I assume you’re in? I don’t think I could do this without a helper.’

‘
Yes!
’ Camilla almost knocked Olivia over as she barged past to clutch hands with Lillian. Suddenly, words were spilling out of her, breaking through all the shyness that
had held her silent until then. ‘I have been so desperate for a place where I could be creative
with structure
!’

Lillian nodded firmly. ‘I want to hear
all
of your ideas. Come find a quiet corner with me, and we’ll brainstorm.’

She started to pull Camilla away . . . then paused to pull out the cellphone from her handbag. ‘I just have to call someone first . . .’

She’s calling Harker to turn down his offer
, Olivia realised, with a bittersweet pang. She knew exactly how that kind of phone call went.

Where was Jackson right now? And how long would it be before they were really together again, for more than a scattered week here or there?

Olivia sighed.

She hated that Lillian had to turn down this opportunity . . . but a talented filmmaker like Lillian would always get new opportunities in the future. Olivia was sure of that.

As her bio-dad turned back to receive the congratulations of the crowd, Olivia felt a familiar hand curve around her arm. Ivy stood behind her, holding hands with Brendan and beaming.

‘We heard it all,’ Ivy said. ‘Everyone’s making incredible plans for the future, huh?’

‘Including my dad and Aunt Carla,’ Brendan said, and shook his head in wonder. ‘And we’re not moving to Pine Wood.’

‘I’m so glad!’ Olivia reached out to grab his free hand and Ivy’s at the same time. ‘Well, we all knew this exhibit would be a hit, didn’t we?’

‘Always,’ Ivy said. ‘But I have to say, as much as I admire Dad . . .’ She shook her head, grinning. ‘Even I wasn’t expecting such a fabulous
outcome!’

‘How could you not, when we were
both
involved?’ Beaming, Olivia released Brendan’s hand to wrap him and her sister in a group hug. Together, they’d found a way
to keep everyone they loved exactly where they belonged . . . here in Franklin Grove, with them.

And now that everything was all settled . . .

‘It’s time to solve a new mystery,’ Olivia whispered to her twin. ‘Because I can’t wait another minute to start looking for those vintage fashions hidden
somewhere
in this museum!’

Ivy laughed. Brendan groaned. But there was no question in Olivia’s mind that they would find the hidden fashions together . . . because when she was with her twin sister,
nothing
was impossible.

FROM: [email protected]

TO:
[email protected]

SUBJECT:
Visiting!

Hi Ivy! I’m sure you’ve heard by now that Sophia is going to be on an exchange programme, and will be visiting Tokyo for two weeks. I am the student who will
be swapping places with her! My name is Reiko, and I am so excited! I’ve never been to America before.

I’ve been emailing Sophia ever since our schools told us about the exchange, and she has told me lots about you – you sound like the coolest girl, and I
can’t wait to meet up. I hope we have time to hang out when I’m in Franklin Grove! What sorts of things do you like to do in your spare time?

I like sports – which I’ve always played, ever since I was very small. I started with soccer and I still love it, but it’s hard to play with non-vamps.
Especially boys – they HATE IT when any girl is stronger and faster than them. Although, I must admit, I do like to watch them sulk after I outsprint them – or try not to cry
after I’ve knocked them to the ground! Now I play tennis mostly – as you can imagine, I am the undefeated REIGNING CHAMPION at my school!

But that is why I’m so very excited to visit America – all the sports! You must go to games all the time, right? Basketball, baseball, soccer – so much
choice! You MUST take me to a game with you – I will watch anything! And if there aren’t any games on, maybe we can have one of our own? I’m bringing my tennis racket,
because Sophia tells me the school has a court. It will be great to play against someone who can keep up with me.

I can’t wait to see you. I think you and I are going to have SO much fun!

Reiko!!!