"Nicholas Walker - Ice Princess" - читать интересную книгу автора (Walker Nicholas)

"Well, as I've said, we are sorry to be losing you," said the Principal. Samantha didn't answer, just went on staring at the toes of her sneakers.
"Samantha," said her mother. "Your Principal is speaking to you."
"Yes," said Samantha. She stood up, "Can I go and get my things now?" Without waiting for permission she went through the door and shut it after her.
"I'm sorry about that," said Mr. Stephens.
"I suppose it's understandable," said the Principal.
"I'll go with her," said Mrs. Stephens, opening the door. She caught up with Samantha at the end of the main corridor.
"Hold on a minute, darling," she called.
"You needn't follow me," said Samantha. "I promise I'm not going to run away."
"Oh, come on, Samantha, there's no need for that," said Mrs. Stephens. "We're doing this for your own good."
"Where have I heard that before?" demanded Samantha. "Wasn't it when you took me out of dance school?"
"Yes, when you nearly died from rheumatic fever," said Mrs. Stephens, losing her patience.
"And this time it was a cold-just a darn cold!" Mrs. Stephens was so agitated, for once she didn't pick up Samantha's language.
"That cold put you in hospital," she said quietly.
"Rather a hospital than this prison you're sending me to."
"The Stoke Dameral School for Girls is one of the best private schools in the country."
"I've seen it. It's got a great big wall all the way around it!"
Mrs. Stephens went and put her hands on her daughter's shoulders. Samantha's face remained hard and unforgiving.
"You're sending me away .again," she said. "You took dancing away from me and now you're trying to do the same with skating."
"You're not up to it, Samantha. You haven't the constitution to be a major sportswoman and you're incapable of doing anything half-heartedly."
"There is no point in doing anything half-heartedly!"
"There you are, you see," said Mrs. Stephens. "Look, darling, if you give me your word of honor not to see Alex anymore, and not to go off skating in secret then I'll speak to your father. We can see about sending you to another day school."
"What's wrong with Alex? I thought you liked him."
"I do, we both do. But he's a bad influence on you, and he's not giving up skating, is he?" said Mrs. Stephens. "Go on, darling, just give me your word-I know you'll keep it."
Samantha shook her head, "No," she said. "You stopped me dancing but you'll never stop me skating. I'm fifteen now and the most you can do is make me wait a couple of years." She turned away, her mother made as if to follow her. "Relax," said Samantha. "Like I said, I'm not running away." She looked back over her shoulder at her mother. "I don't have to, do I? You're sending me away!"
She walked off up the corridor, leaving her mother leaning against the wall with a crushed look on her face.
Mr. Higgins was teaching geography when Samantha knocked on the door and went inside. The class fell silent, nobody very sure what to say.
"Oh, er, Samantha," said Mr. Higgins. "Are you feeling better?"
"I'm fine, thank you, Mr. Higgins," said Samantha. "I've just come to fetch my things."
"Yes. I'm sorry we're losing you," said Mr. Higgins.
"Everybody keeps saying that," said Samantha. "Funny, a year ago no one even used to speak to me." She had to walk to her desk by Roberta Isgrove and to do so she had to pass Alex. The whole class could feel the almost tangible frisson between them, even though Alex was looking downwards, idly doodling in his exercise book. Samantha took a deep breath and made it to her desk without faltering. She started unloading her exercise books and other possessions onto the chair. Mr. Higgins stood watching, an embarrassed look on his face. The rest of the class was still silent, enjoying the piece of high drama.
"Um-Alex, would you like to help carry Samantha's books for her?" said Mr. Higgins.
"I'm not allowed to have any contact with Samantha," said Alex. Maxie Pearson made a rude noise that ended in a laugh, and Alex looked up for the first time and regarded him levelly.
"I'll help you, Samantha," said Toby getting to his feet.
"Thanks, Toby," said Samantha, loading him up with books. Suddenly everyone started speaking, wishing Samantha well. It was true, in the short
time she'd been there her relationship with the class had changed from one of being totally ignored to one of universal liking. Samantha gave Roberta, who was obviously upset, a reassuring smile.
"Let us know how you make out," Roberta said quietly.
"Of course I will." Samantha went to the front of the class. "That's it, Mr. Higgins. Thanks alot."
"Well, the best of luck, Samantha," said Mr. Higgins, gravely shaking her hand.
"Yeah-bye everybody." Samantha opened the door and stood for a moment looking back over her old class. There was a lump in her throat. "You keep my desk free," she said clearly. "I'll be coming back to it."
4.
Liking Each Other.
Liz Pope, the junior dance coach, carried her big cassette player down onto the ice. A few people were skating around, bringing their training time to an end, for the dance club had the ice for the next hour and a half. She stared across the rink, then put a finger in either corner of her mouth and unleashed a most unladylike whistle. Alex, in the middle of the ice, looked up and came gliding over.
"Hi," he said.
"Hello, Alex," said Liz, "You've not been to dance club lately?"
He shrugged. "I didn't want to give Diane a chance to gloat." Diane had been Alex's first partner until they had fallen out.
"She's hardly in a position to gloat. She hasn't found another regular partner since Nigel went to America."
"You're not suggesting I partner up with her again?"
"I'm not suggesting anything, but I'm not sure what you're going to do," said Liz. "You thinking of going back to ice hockey?"
"No."
"So it is another partner we're looking for?"