Secret Lives by Gabriella Poole Page A

a cobra and snatched it away, his dark cheekbones flushed. ‘It isn’t finished!’
    She chewed the corner of her mouth, not quite able to look at him. ‘Can I see it when it is?’
    ‘If I ever finish it,’ he said curtly as he got to his feet. ‘We’d better get back.’
    He didn’t say another word to her, even though she walked at his side all the way to the Orangerie. They were the last to arrive and Cassie felt several pairs of eyes on them as they arrived. Keiko’s glare was ferocious: no doubt it wouldn’t be long before Katerina heard how Cassie and Ranjit had emerged from the shrubbery together. Richard’s smile was a little less assured than usual; Jake didn’t look at anyone or anything.
    At least Signor Poldino was delighted to see them. He clapped his chubby hands. ‘Wonderful. Now we must return to school, but Cassie, Ranjit! I am looking forward to seeing your finished work.’
    I hope Ranjit does finish his, Cassie thought wistfully. And she really hoped he’d let her see it. He’d drawn two simple figures who were watching one another with open delight and amusement: a small girl in a yellow raincoat holding a balloon, and a laughing teenager cross-legged on a low wall, sketching her. The older girl looked so carefree, it would have been easy not to recognise herself.
    She did, though.
    *
    ‘Ooh, pretty woman,’ sang an American voice.
    Cassie snapped her head up, expecting to see Jake’s familiar features.
    But it was Richard. He dumped his books on Jake’s desk, pulled out his chair and slumped down, linking his hands behind his head in a fair imitation of the American’s cocky attitude.
    Cassie scrutinised him. ‘You’re good at that.’
    ‘What?’
    ‘Mimicking. You sounded just like him.’
    ‘Why, thank you.’ He batted his long lashes at her.
    ‘Pretty good actor all round, really.’
    ‘Hm?’ His body tensed, very slightly.
    It put her in mind of a snake, somehow. Like the way a snake’s whole length tightened like a spring, just before it struck out. Be careful , Jake had said in the restaurant. Falling out with Richard could be really, really stupid, for more than one reason.
    Not that she was taking Jake’s advice. But she wouldn’t find out the Academy’s secrets by having a strop with anyone who hacked her off. So don’t get mad, she told herself: get even.
    Besides, Richard wasn’t the only decent actor around here. Cassie gave him a grin that put the big, easy smile back on his face. ‘Where’s Jake?’
    ‘He’s not coming to classes today.’ Richard’s shoulders lifted slightly. ‘He isn’t too well, I heard. Suffers from insomnia, you know. Perhaps he had a particularly bad night.’
    ‘Shame,’ said Cassie lightly. ‘So. You been avoiding me or something?’
    ‘Darling!’ He sat a little straighter. ‘I thought you’d been avoiding me !’
    ‘Course not. I’ve been busy, that’s all.’
    ‘And a bit sleepless yourself. I nearly fell off my chair when I saw you at the common-room door the other night.’ He was all concern, leaning forward. ‘Listen, if you want to see the place that much, I can try and arrange something.’
    She gave him a sheepish grin. ‘Actually, I’d really like that. I got a bit lost, that’s all. I like walking round at night when I can’t sleep. I always did. Better than just lying there, staring at the ceiling.’
    ‘Thinking of England,’ drawled Richard. ‘I do like the image you conjure up.’
    Cassie laughed. ‘I’ll say it again. You’re the limit , you.’
    From the front of the classroom there was a cough. ‘Victor Hugo, ladies and gentlemen. Would you please turn to page fourteen …’
    Madame Lefèvre wasn’t exactly the hardest disciplinarian in the school, and she was short-sighted into the bargain. Cassie could sense Richard fidgeting and flicking ahead through the pages. At last he leaned across.
    ‘You’re interested in the Few, aren’t you?’ he whispered.
    Cassie tapped her open