Junonia Read Online Free Page B

loops. Fixing her eyes on a single bird, Alice followed it until it intersected with another bird, and then she followed that one. She did this—from gull to gull—until her eyes smarted from staring up into the bright sky.
    When Alice’s mother and Kate returned from their walk, Alice had forgotten the gulls and was lost in thought about her birthday. She was building up a brilliant party in her mind. In her fantasy, a beautiful bakery cake would be delivered to the cottage on her special day. The cake would be tiered, five layers, similar to a fancy wedding cake. Two people would be needed to carry it—that’s how big it would be. It would be frosted in sea blue and studded all over with shells made of spun sugar. Instead of candles, there would be ten sparklers stuck into the top layer of the cake like a bouquet of white, electric chrysanthemums.
    â€œI need your help,” Kate said to Alice as she plopped down next to her. “I’ve got a plan.”
    The cake vaporized instantly. “What?” said Alice.
    Kate slid her sunglasses up onto the top of her head. She edged closer to Alice, lifted Alice’s chin, and spoke to her in a confidential way. “Let’s get Mallory interested in shells. She needs something to . . . something fun to think about and keep her occupied. And you’re a shell expert. What do you say?”
    â€œYou’ll do it with me?”
    â€œOf course. We’ll be a team.”
    â€œWhat about Ted?” asked Alice.
    â€œLet’s give Ted a break,” said Kate.
    â€œOkay,” said Alice. “Just the two of us.”
    â€œWell,” said Kate, “ three of us. Don’t forget Mallory.”
    â€œOh, yeah,” said Alice, laughing. “Duh.”
    â€œAnother correction,” said Kate, her expression worn and tender. “ Four , not three. I’m sure Munchkey will be joining us.”

 
CHAPTER 7
    When Ted and Mallory came back to the beach, Mallory’s eyes and cheeks were puffy and red. The circles that defined her face were more pronounced than ever. While Kate suggested looking for shells, Mallory hung her head, striking a tragic pose. She seemed to embody pure misery, and yet she took to the idea with a little coaxing.
    â€œReady?” asked Alice.
    Mallory wove her fingers together and sighed.
    â€œIt’ll be fun,” said Alice.
    â€œOkay,” said Mallory, nodding.
    Alice had gotten her shell guide and three plastic bags in which to collect their shells.
    â€œBefore we begin,” said Alice, “I should show you what to look for.” She flipped open her guide and explained which shells were common, which were considered good finds, and which were rare treasures. Alice’s chest inflated with authority as she spoke. “The junonia is the best. Every year I hope I find one and I never do.”
    â€œI bet I will,” said Mallory, perking up. “That’s what I’ll look for—a junonia.” She dragged out the word junonia , pausing for a beat between each syllable as if it were four words.
    â€œIt’s harder than you think,” said Alice, trying to keep her voice from becoming sharp with irritation.
    â€œI’m a good finder,” said Mallory. “Let’s go.”
    Alice started off, Mallory was at her heels, and Kate followed close behind, carrying Munchkey and the guide. They left Ted with Alice’s parents.
    Some shells seemed to be everywhere—clamshells and scallops and sailor’s ears. Alice barely noticed them, but Mallory was scooping them up as though they were quarters and nickels and dimes scattered at their feet. “This is easy,” she said.
    â€œYou should be more picky,” Alice said quietly.
    â€œWhat?” said Mallory.
    â€œOh, nothing.”
    When Alice found a lightning whelk—the first interesting thing she spotted—she held it out for Mallory to see. She told her its