Alice-Miranda In New York 5 Read Online Free Page A

store. Built almost one hundred years ago, the building was hailed as a stunning example of gothic architecture along what was then called Millionaires’ Mile. The glorious apartment, whichhad been part of the original design of the building, boasted six bedrooms and as many bathrooms, a formal sitting room, dining room, chef’s kitchen and a media room complete with home theatre. There was an enormous library and study too. On the rooftop a small garden gave a wonderful view of Central Park.
    Alice-Miranda’s bedroom was decorated with the palest of lemon and pink striped wallpaper. Floral curtains adorned the two double-height windows and a silk Chinese rug covered the bare polished boards. Two single beds jutted out from the long wall opposite the door and a bookcase packed full of Alice-Miranda’s favourite volumes stretched half the length of the room. A cedar armoire and antique chest of drawers contained a lovely set of clothes her mother had chosen especially from Highton’s on Fifth’s new collection. There was an ensuite off the end of the room with a deep roll-top bath and a shower. The apartment had undergone a major renovation only a couple of years before and was headquarters for Cecelia and Charlotte or their mother Valentina whenever they were in town.
    â€˜Ahhh.’ Alice-Miranda yawned and stretched herarms above her head. ‘Good morning, Daddy.’
    Her father sat down on the side of her bed and stroked his daughter’s hair. ‘So, what would you like to do today?’ he asked. ‘What about a tour of the New York City Sanitation Depot?’
    â€˜I don’t remember that being on my list,’ Alice-Miranda frowned. ‘I thought we were going to the park.’
    â€˜Of course we are – I was just teasing,’ her father smiled.
    â€˜Do you have to work?’
    â€˜No, darling. Today Mummy and I are all yours,’ Hugh smiled.
    Alice-Miranda leaned forward and hugged her father.
    â€˜Well, come along. Why don’t you hop out of bed and have a quick shower to help you wake up. Dolly will fix you some breakfast and then we can get moving.’
    After a delicious stack of fluffy pancakes drowned in maple syrup, Alice-Miranda and her parents headed across the road to Central Park. First stop was the Central Park Zoo, a small but perfectly formed animal kingdom in the heart of one of the largest parks in one of the biggest cities in theworld.
    â€˜See here, it says that there are over 1400 animals in the zoo from 130 species. Look, Daddy!’ Alice-Miranda exclaimed. ‘There’s a polar bear.’ Alice-Miranda ran towards the enclosure, scanning for its inhabitant. ‘His name is Gus and it says here that he loves to show off for visitors.’
    Just as Alice-Miranda spoke, the enormous snowy bear sauntered into the pool. The girl giggled with delight. The polar bear swam right to the far end of the pool, turned and locked eyes with Alice-Miranda through the glass.
    â€˜Isn’t he gorgeous?’ Alice-Miranda remarked.
    â€˜Yes, and he’d happily eat you for lunch,’ her father smiled.
    â€˜I don’t think he’d mean to, though.’ Alice-Miranda stretched her hand across the glass. ‘It’s just what bears do, isn’t it?’ The giant white beast swam towards her, then reached up and placed its hairy paw on the other side of the barrier.
    A group of visitors milling around were watching the encounter wide-eyed.
    â€˜Goodness, look at that,’ a portly man said, grinning at the huge bear and the tiny girl. Cameras snapped away, capturing the tender moment.
    â€˜I think that daughter of yours must have a waywith animals,’ said a man standing beside Cecelia Highton-Smith.
    â€˜I think you might be right. She seems to have a way with most everything and everyone else,’ her mother smiled.
    In his best bear-like voice, Hugh Kennington-Jones teased, ‘Hmm, you look