Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball. Laura Ellen Anderson
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on your BEST behaviour.’
‘Imagine.’ Grimaldi grinned. ‘The three of us hanging out with the future king! We’ll be the coolest kids in school.’
‘HEY,’ said Florence. ‘WE ALREADY ARE.’
I wonder what Tangine is like, thought Amelia, before a loud noise caught her attention.
‘You stupid bird! Why can’t you ever land properly?’ came a high-pitched voice.
‘Oh! Wait here, everyone . . .’ said Miss Inspine, scampering out of the crypt.
Seconds later she returned looking flustered.
‘Students! It gives me great pleasure to welcome our special new student to Catacomb Academy . . . Prince Tangine the First!’
CHAPTER 3
TANGINE
A long shadow appeared, stretching across the length of the crypt. Amelia watched as the shadow became smaller, and smaller . . .And smaller . . .
Until Prince Tangine stepped into view.
‘’OW WEENY IS ’E?’ Florence whispered loudly.
Miss Inspine shot her a sharp look.
The prince was tiny. Titchy even. Which was very unusual for a vampire.
Frankie began applauding frantically. ‘Tangine rules! Tangine, you’re amazing!’ she yelled across the room.
‘JOSEPHINE!’ Tangine bellowed, clapping his tiny hands twice.
A grubby Mummy Maid ran in and crouched down at Tangine’s feet so he could use her as a platform.
‘Yes, it is I, your future king!’ said Prince Tangine, revealing his pearly white fangs. ‘I suppose I look forward to learning stuff at your inferior little school.’
Amelia was a bit surprised by Prince
Tangine’s tone. He must be nervous, she thought.
‘Anyway,’ continued Tangine, yawning. ‘I’m bored. I demand brunch . . .’ He clapped his hands again and shouted, ‘FRESCO!’
Maybe the nerves make him hungry, thought Amelia.
Another Mummy Maid rushed into the crypt, holding a tray of Slug-ends.
‘Ooh, isn’t he delightful?’ oozed Frankie as the Mummy Maid crawled back out of the crypt, still carrying Tangine.
‘Well.’ Amelia looked at Florence and Grimaldi. ‘Tangine seems . . . nice?’
After Abominable Assembly, Amelia waited outside Miss Inspine’s room for Prince Tangine. He was already ten minutes late for class. Maybe he’s lost? she thought.
Squashy sniffed around inside Amelia’s backpack, looking for something to chew.
‘No, no, Squashy, that’s my homework!’ Amelia giggled. ‘I knew you’d get hungry, so I took some of Dad’s breakfast for you . . .’
Amelia pulled out a fistful of Honey-roasted Maggots, and Squashy gently nibbled them from her hand.
She was still feeding him and rubbing his pumpkin tummy when a voice echoed down the corridor.
‘Aren’t you going to show me to the classroom then?’
‘Oh!’ said Amelia, clambering to her feet. Tangine was standing proudly on a Mummy Maid at the end of the corridor. ‘Hello, Prince Tangine!’ She smiled.
‘INGRID. Crawl!’ the prince demanded.
‘It’s so good to properly meet you,’ said Amelia. ‘Our fathers used to play Eyebowls
together every week, y’know. Maybe we could ask them to teach us?’
Tangine didn’t answer.
‘And it’s really cool that you’re coming to the Barbaric Ball!’ she went on. ‘I usually hate going on my own. My mum makes me dance with all the posh old toads!’
Silence.
‘At least I’ll have someone to hang out with this year . . .’
‘What’s that?’ Tangine said suddenly, pointing at Squashy.
‘Oh, this is Squashy, my pet pumpkin,’ said Amelia.
Squashy smiled and squeaked three times.
‘Pets are silly,’ said Tangine, rolling his eyes.
Amelia’s cheeks burned. ‘Um,’ she said uncomfortably. ‘Well, shall we go to class then?’
‘Don’t they teach you manners in this school?’ said Tangine. ‘I am royalty, you must open the door for me!’
Amelia felt herself blush again, but at that moment the door suddenly burst open.
‘Oh, thank the grave,’ breathed Miss Inspine. ‘I thought you’d lost the prince, Amelia. Chop chop, you’ve made him late for class!’
‘But, Miss, I—’ Amelia began.
‘Not now, Amelia,’ said the head teacher. ‘Hurry up. There’s a special seat for Tangine next to you.’
CHAPTER 4
ANGEL-KITTENS
Amelia and Tangine took their seats while Squashy nestled under the desk.
‘Did everyone complete their Creature and Critter Studies homework?’ said Miss Inspine. ‘Your Full Moon test is coming up and this year’s subject is “Creatures of the Light”. Can anyone tell me what they’ve learnt so far?’
‘Oooh, me, me, me, pick me!’ Frankie shot her hand up in the air.
‘Very well.’ Miss Inspine sighed.
Frankie stood up and cleared her throat. ‘Well, we all know that the Creatures of the
OF TERROR
Light are terrifying, mean creatures who do awful things . . .’
‘This is a stupid subject,’ muttered Tangine.
‘I read a book called The Wrath of the Angel-Kitten,’ continued Frankie, ‘and they act all cute, nuzzle your neck and then . . . scratch your eyeballs out and eat them WHOLE!’
The class gasped. Tangine was looking down, twiddling his thumbs.
‘Thank