Chapter Three New Surroundings
The next morning dawned bright and fair; Trixie and Honey woke early. They lay in their warm beds chatting easily, not wanting to disturb the boys. “This is terrific isn’t it, Honey?” Trixie waved her hand around airily.
Honey nodded, as she leaned back against the headboard. “And I don’t think Jim and Brian have changed a bit, do you?”
Trixie recalling Jim’s words of the previous day heartily agreed. “Not a bit.” She hesitated before impishly adding, “Well, maybe Brian is looking a little older. He will be eighteen before we go home; that’s old enough to vote, you know.”
“Brian old, that’s crazy,” Honey flared indignantly.
“Well, he’s no Pat Morrow, that’s for sure.” Trixie teased, reminding her friend of her crush on the young groom they had met in Minnesota.
Honey opened her mouth to protest, but seeing Trixie’s face, she reached for the hairbrush she had left lying on the night table and flung it in her friend’s direction. “Very funny,” she added, flushing.
Realizing she had hurt her friend’s feelings, Trixie was immediately contrite. “I was just teasing. I know you and Brian worked all that stuff out, and it’s perfectly obvious that he’s glad to have us here. Especially you, you can tell.”
Honey sighed. “Do you really think so?”
“Well, it wasn’t my cheek he planted a kiss on,” Trixie returned with a grin.
Honey blushed again, but this time she was smiling. “I know everyone says we’re way too young to even think about the future but...” she broke off, her expression both puzzled and wistful, and the two exchanged knowing looks.
“People have been saying that for years now. I think we’re lucky,” Trixie said staunchly. “We’ve got wonderful brothers and wonderful friends and maybe someday...” She shrugged her shoulders. “Anyway, Jim told me himself that nothing had changed as far as he was concerned.” She related her earlier conversation and was pleased to see Honey’s face brighten. “Let’s just enjoy being here and concentrate on having fun.”
Honey nodded. “Good idea. I’m so glad we’re going to be here for Brian’s birthday. I hope he likes his present. Maybe I should buy something instead.”
Trixie snorted. “No way; you made it, you chose the color. He’ll totally love it.” As she spoke, there was a sudden rap on their door.
“Come in,” they chorused. Jim opened the door and stepped back to allow Brian into the room. The latter was bearing a tray that he deposited on the night table between the beds. It contained tall, frothy glasses of orange juice and two slices of buttered toast.
“Just to get you started,” Jim instructed. “A full, sit-down breakfast will be served in…” he said with a pause as he consulted his watch and then looked enquiringly at Brian.
“In about fifteen minutes,” said Brian. “So don’t dawdle.”
The girls quickly downed their drinks and munched their toast before they donned fresh tops and jeans.
The smell that greeted them as they opened the door was delicious and reminiscent of many a Belden breakfast. They took their seats around the table, sniffing the air appreciatively. Jim placed a plate of hot buttered toast in the centre of the table, while Brian, large frying pan in hand, began dolling out generous servings of fluffy scrambled eggs.
“And,” Jim added, with a flourish, “crispy bacon.” He offered the fragrant rashers to each girl in turn.
Having retired early the night before, the girls found they were particularly hungry and tucked in with enthusiasm.
“This is wonderful,” Honey said. “You two are hereby elected Bob-White breakfast chefs.”
The two boys laughed, and Trixie added, waving her fork dangerously, “It’s amazing you still fit into any of your clothes if this is what you’ve been eating every morning.”
“We don’t exactly eat like this every morning,” Jim admitted, green eyes twinkling.
“Really?” Trixie registered mock surprise.
“In fact,” Brian explained, “it’s usually just toast and cereal, but we wanted something special for your first morning here.”
“I think that’s really darling of you both,” Honey said warmly.
“Show-offs,” muttered Trixie, but her blue eyes sparkled and she grabbed another piece of toast.
Honey insisted on doing the dishes, overriding Trixie’s automatic protests.
“We’ve been waited on hand and foot ever since we arrived. We’ll take care of this, and while we do, you can tell us all about the day you have planned.”
Trixie gave in with good grace. “Okay, I’ll wash,” she offered.
Jim and Brian settled more comfortably in their chairs. “Let’s see,” Jim began. “We thought we’d take you out, show you around town, give you a tour of the campus and introduce you to some of our friends.” He paused to take a breath, and Brian continued, “Then we figured we’d have lunch at the college cafeteria, maybe even catch a movie and finish up with dinner at a really nice restaurant.”
Jim grinned at the two girls. “How does that sound?” he asked nonchalantly.
Honey’s hazel eyes were wide. “It sounds really busy,” she breathed.
“It sounds like we won’t have anything else to do for the rest of the week,” Trixie quipped.
Brian laughed. “Does that mean you want to go home already?”
Honey looked horrified, but Trixie just grinned. Brian and Jim were both laughing now and Honey looked from one to the other. “I should be used to you all by now,” she said more to herself than anyone else.
Jim stood up and walked over to ruffle his sister’s golden hair. “You’d better be, Sis, ‘cause you’re never gonna get rid of us.”
Honey smiled and picked up another plate. “One thing I am looking forward to is telling the other Bob-Whites all about the places you go and the people you’re spending time with. They’re just dying to know.”
“According to Dad, you two were doing a little dying of your own,” Jim teased. “Hassling non-stop, which is why you’re here earlier than planned.”
“That’s not true,” Honey protested, while Trixie shook her head.
“I’ve hardly talked to Daddy lately,” Honey continued. “He’s been busy and kind of distracted.”
“Worried even,” Trixie added.
“Mr. Wheeler is a very busy man, so he probably has plenty to be worried or distracted about,” Brian said patiently.
As usual, the calm and sensible opinion of the club’s oldest member had a good effect on the other Bob-Whites.
“Brian’s right,” Jim said firmly. “Let’s get on with this vacation and enjoy ourselves.”
With nods and smiles all round they grabbed their jackets and respective wallets and purses, and hurried out of the apartment.
Just as they were crossing to the jalopy, a car sped down the driveway almost knocking Trixie down. Jim’s reflexes were quick and he reached past his sister to pull Trixie back, just in time. The force caused Trixie to stumble and she landed hard on her knees. She looked up at him and gulped. “Thanks, Jim. That was close”
Brian rushed down the driveway as if he were about to take off after the offending vehicle. He directed his dark gaze penetratingly after the speeding car.
Honey, her hazel eyes wide with fright and her face pale, hurried over to kneel beside her friend and gave Trixie quick hug.
“Come on, Trix, let me have a look at that.” Brian joined them.
Trixie carefully pulled up the leg of her jeans, revealing a nasty scrape on her shin, and Brian bent down to examine his sister’s wound. “I’ve just about had enough of those two,” he observed grimly.
“Who are they?” Honey asked.
“Just moved in a few weeks ago.” Jim offered his arm as a still obviously shocked Trixie got slowly to her feet. “We don’t even know their names. They’re living in the apartment of a guy who is part of an exchange program, and they sure seem to love the speed.”
Honey frowned. “They could really have hurt you, Trix.”
Trixie smiled at her reassuringly. “Not with Jim so close at hand, Honey; they just gave me a scare that’s all.”
Jim shook his head. “Maybe so, but they’re definitely out of line, and next time we run into them, I’m going to set them straight about a few things.”
“Good idea,” Brian seconded. “Pranks are one thing, but if Trixie had panicked or you’d been one second slower she may have gone into the path of the car.” He caught sight of Honey’s worried expression and smiled encouragingly. “Come on, let’s put some salve on this and then get on with our day.”
Sometime later Brian’s jalopy was cruising down main street, and with Jim as self-appointed tour guide, the girls were soon familiar with various things of interest in Carrington: the stately old library, the police station, a coffee shop that was a regular haunt for the college students and a couple of craft and souvenir shops. The girls looked about eagerly, enjoying the opportunity to see something of the boys’ new town. Trixie, who had turned to look back at something Jim had pointed out, suddenly grabbed Honey’s arm and exclaimed, “In that car behind us! Honey did you see? It was the man from the bus.”
“What?” Honey looked startled. “I can’t see anyone,” she said uncertainly.
“Darn, oh double, double darn,” Trixie fumed. “He’s gone now.”
In the front seat, Brian and Jim exchanged looks and Brian coughed. “Are you sure, Trix? I mean it’s pretty difficult to see someone in the car behind you clearly.”
“I’m not blind.” Trixie gritted her teeth. “Why does everyone insist on doubting me?”
There was an uncomfortable silence, and Jim turned to face the two girls. “We don’t necessarily doubt you, Trix but even if it is the same guy, what’s the big deal?”
“I just don’t like the way he keeps popping up,” Trixie said stubbornly.
“This is an old industrial area,” Brian said inclining his head and changing the subject. “A big company used to employ hundreds of people, but they went broke.”
“A lady on the bus mentioned something about a family that lost most of its money,” Honey said.
“The Campbells. Sadly, it happens,” Jim said, his face serious. “And a lot of the time the families don’t cope. Poverty is relative, I guess.”
“What would I be like if we lost all our money?” Honey wondered. “Maybe I wouldn’t cope either.”
“Rubbish,” Brian declared before either Jim or Trixie could speak. “You’re intelligent, hard working, self-sufficient, capable…”
“Talented, beautiful, perfect,” Trixie finished with a laugh, while Honey blushed furiously.
“Cute,” Brian said giving his sister a gentle push. “I just meant that Honey is so much more than her family’s money.”
“Agreed,” Jim said. “How about we head back now?” he suggested. “It’s nearly twelve, and we can grab some lunch at the college cafeteria.”
There was a murmur of agreement, and the group was soon headed back to Graystone College.
The college itself had been established some one hundred years earlier, and its grounds were extensive. Neatly edged brick paths wound through soft green grass, and the more modern buildings had been constructed in a way that allowed them to blend in with the mellow red brick of the original structure. The cafeteria was located in one of the newer buildings. It was a long room with a low ceiling and one complete wall of windows and glass doors that gave onto an attractive courtyard.
“Hey, Jim, Brian,” a voice hailed them from across the room, and Trixie and Honey followed their brothers to where a group of students were gathered around a long table.
“You must be Trixie and Honey; I’m Terry O’Neill.” A freckled-faced young man, who bore a vague resemblance to Mart, stood up and extended his hand across the table. The girls shook it in turn and Terry nodded to Brian and Jim.
“I see what you two were talking about.” He grinned, and Trixie and Honey both looked a little uncomfortable.
Jim stepped forward. “You might as well meet the rest of the gang. Honey, Trix, this is, from left to right, Kyle Waters, Cynthia Webb, Rachel Saunders, Jeff Corelli and Mick Andrews.” Everyone nodded and smiled and Terry and Jeff began to drag extra chairs over to the table.
“We’ll go and grab some sandwiches, okay?” Brian hooked a dark brow at the two girls who nodded their agreement. They hurried off.
“How long are you here for?” Jeff, who was dark haired and stockily built, asked politely.
“Five days,” Trixie replied. “We’ve really been looking forward to spending time with Brian and Jim again.”
“That’s right, you’re staying with them aren’t you?” the one called Mick asked.
“Yes, and we love their apartment,” Honey said. “It’s great and it’s so close to the college.”
Trixie nodded. “We’re glad they were able to make time to spend with us.”
A few minutes later, Brian and Jim returned, each carrying a tray.
“Chicken and mayo, egg and lettuce, ham and mustard or salad,” Brian announced as he placed his burden on the table. The Bob-Whites made their choices and Jim passed drinks to each of them.
Trixie and Honey were content to concentrate on their sandwiches and just watch and listen whilst the friendly banter among the college students went on around them. It certainly seemed as if Jim and Brian had made a place for themselves at college, and both girls felt a sense of pride in their brothers’ success and popularity.
“Nearly finished?” Jim queried as he began gathering up cups and sandwich wrappers. Honey nodded and Trixie took a final slurp of her drink before handing him her drink container.
Brian stood. “Okay, well, you guys finish up here and I’ll run and grab our papers from the English Department, then we can go shopping.”
“Shopping?” Rachel sounded surprised. “You’re not going to the Carson lecture? I just assumed that’s why you’d come in.”
“Carson. Tyrone Carson?” The interest in Brian’s tone was unmistakable.
“Yes, he had a cancellation in his tour and they were able to slot him in.”
Trixie and Honey were both looking puzzled, and Jim explained, “He’s an eminent psychologist whose work we’ve been studying. He’s quite progressive, and highly sought after on the lecture front. I’ll be sorry to miss it, too.”
“You don’t have to miss it,” Honey began but Brian cut her off.
“No. Someone is bound to tape it. We promised you girls our full attention, and you are going to get it.”
Jim signaled his agreement. “We’ll just head over to pick up those papers. It’s just in the next building so we’ll be back soon.”
As they moved away, Trixie turned swiftly to face Rachel. “So this guy, he’s pretty important.”
Rachel nodded. “We’re lucky to have him here, and I imagine with the careers Jim and Brian have planned that they would get a lot out of his lecture.”
Trixie and Honey exchanged an anxious glance, neither one of them wanted to interfere with the boys’ pursuit of their career goals. Not even in a small way.
“Hi, all. How are things?”
The girls turned to see two young women standing behind them. One was tall, taller than Honey, with almost waist-length auburn hair; the other was short with dark, curly hair. Both were very pretty.
“Ally, Jenna, this is Trixie Belden and Honey Wheeler,” Rachel began
“Oh, Brian and Jim’s kid sisters,” Ally, the redhead, drawled. “They told me you were landing on them, taking them out of circulation, so to speak.”
Trixie bristled. “Jim and Brian are free to circulate as much as they want,” she said coolly.
“Oh, you know how responsible they are, they’d never neglect their babysitting chores,” Ally continued with a smile. “You don’t look much like your brother, do you?” she added, “He sure is cute.”
Her friend interposed swiftly. “We all know you think so, Ally, after all, the two of you are virtually inseparable. Jim’s not exactly hard on the eye either. “
“True, but then Brian is so much more than just good looking—he’s smart, he’s passionate,” Ally added, her expression coy.
Trixie was fuming but a quick glance at Honey’s distressed expression, which she was valiantly trying to conceal, made her bite her tongue.
“Shut up, Ally,” this unexpected rescue came from Kyle, who sat opposite the girls. “You’ll have to excuse my sister; her manners could do with a makeover.” His blue eyes, like his sisters, narrowed. “She also has a habit of putting her own wants before everyone else’s.” He scowled at her, his displeasure evident.
Jim and Brian returned at just that moment and sensing the obvious tension, Jim asked quickly. “Is everything all right?”
“Hi, Jim. Hi, Brian.” Ally spun around to face the pair, moving closer to Brian as she did so.
Jim nodded and Brian offered a brief “hi” in response to her greeting.
“Oh, by the way, Brian,” Ally’s tone was warm as she reached out a long slender finger and lightly tapped Brian on the shoulder. “Do you think you’d have time to go over that chemistry paper with me?”
Brian shook his head apologetically. “Probably not, at least not this week.” He frowned for a moment then his face cleared. “Jeff might be able to help you out though.” He raised a brow at that young man inquiringly.
“Sure, no problem at all. Do you want to set up a time?” Jeff offered, his dark blue eyes twinkling.
“No, I’m not really in that much of a hurry. Thanks anyway,” Ally said quickly. “I can wait until Brian is free. By the way.” She laid her hand on Brian’s arm. “I think I may have left my red sweater at your place the other night. Have you seen it?”
“No,” Brian said, with a frown, beginning to sense that something was amiss.
“And I’m sure we’d have noticed a girl’s sweater lying around,” Jim said, eyes narrowing.
“Of course you would.” Jenna smiled warmly at both Jim and Brian. “We’ll catch up with you guys when you’re not all tied up with your little sisters.”
Jim had been watching his sister and Trixie quite closely during this exchange.
“We’ve got a lot of plans actually,” he said. “Speaking of which, we should be on our way.” He placed a hand on Trixie’s shoulder but she shook her head.
“You really should go to that lecture, Jim. It sounds important.”
“We know you don’t want to miss it,” Honey added.
“One of the guys can tape it,” Brian said
“No, we insist. You should both go. It will leave you free to circulate, especially Brian.”
Trixie’s tone was tinged with sarcasm and Ally had the grace to blush.
Brian looked puzzled. “I can what?” he began.
Realizing that more had gone on than they were aware of, Jim met Trixie’s stony and Honey’s entreating gazes evenly.
“The girls are right, Brian,” he said calmly. “They won’t mind going back into town alone. It would be good to catch the lecture.”
Brian looked at each of his friends in turn. Jim’s face was almost expressionless, Trixie’s closed and annoyed and Honey’s… Brian did a double take, almost sure he could see a trace of tears in her hazel eyes.
“I don’t get it,” he started, the pressure Jim suddenly applied to his arm halting him mid-sentence. “Fine,” he finished. “If that’s what you guys want.”
“Can we grab a key in case we get home first?” Trixie asked.
Jim nodded and reaching into his pocket handed her his set. He then reached into his wallet and passed her a ten-dollar note. “Take this too, if you go back through the entrance we came in, you’ll find a bus stop directly opposite. Take the number 22 , which will take you back into town. When you’re ready to go home, take the number 17.”
The girls nodded.
“It was nice to meet you, Trixie, Honey,” Cynthia said warmly, and Rachel nodded and smiled.
“We hope to see you again before you leave.”
“Enjoy the lecture,” Honey said, and ignoring Brian’s outstretched hand, hurried out with Trixie, who turned to wave, as cheerfully as she could.
They maintained a brisk pace until after they’d left the college grounds. A bus arrived almost immediately, and they quickly purchased tickets, making their way to the rear of the bus to collapse in empty seats.
Trixie promptly exploded. “Of all the show-off, nasty, full of herself…”
“Gorgeous,” Honey interjected miserably.
Trixie turned to her friend in consternation “Oh, Honey, don’t tell me you’re going to pay any attention to a phoney like her.”
“You can’t say she isn’t beautiful,” Honey objected.
Trixie scowled. “I didn’t think much of her. She isn’t half as pretty as you.”
Honey gave a laugh that sounded something like a sob “You know, Trixie, I really do love you,” she cried, hugging her friend. “ But I think you might be a little biased where I’m concerned.”
“If I am, it’s a bias shared by all the Beldens,” Trixie stated defiantly.
Honey shook her head. “I’m not sure that’s true, Trix, and it’s not really something I have any right to expect either.”
“How can you even say that after the way he raved about you earlier?”
Honey managed a smile. “I know Brian cares about me, Trix, but maybe not exclusively. He doesn’t have my sweater laying around his apartment.”
“I don’t care how that nasty girl made it sound, I can’t believe Brian would be seriously interested in someone like her.” Trixie was vehement.
“Maybe not.” Honey gave a small shrug. “But you said yourself this morning Brian is nearly eighteen, he’s very mature for his age, a terrific person and incredibly good-looking. It’s only natural that he’d have lots of friends, including beautiful female ones.”
“Her eyes are too close together,” Trixie said suddenly. “And Brian’s not that good-looking.”
Honey’s laugh was wholehearted this time. “Let’s just forget about it. I refuse to let it spoil our holiday.”
Trixie nodded her agreement, and the two were soon strolling down the streets of Carrington, enjoying the fresh air as they explored the quaint college town. They wandered through the town’s stores and carefully selected some souvenirs, including a carved figure of the Graystone mascot for Bobby. As they browsed in a small department store, Honey held up a lipstick of a delicate rose/brown shade. “This should go perfectly with my new outfit. I think I’ll treat myself.”
Trixie smiled and then tentatively picked up a soft pink lipstick “What do you think?” she asked.
“I love it,” Honey asserted and the two left the store, pleased with their small purchases.
They were chatting happily as they waited for the bus, when Trixie grabbed Honey’s arm. “Look over there,” she cried. Honey followed her friend’s gaze, her hazel eyes widening.
“Trixie you’re right. It is the man from the bus.” As she spoke, their bus arrived, blocking their view. They hurried aboard and Honey paid their fares while Trixie craned her neck, trying to see.
“He’s gone,” she groaned in frustration.
“But he was there,” Honey said slowly.
Trixie nodded solemnly “Just like last night and this morning. You believe me now, don’t you?”
Honey met her friend’s eyes levelly. “You think he’s following us, don’t you?”
Trixie’s blue eyes were serious. “Yes, I do,” she said simply.
MBW:MAIN NEXT
Author's notes: Again thanks go to Dana, most generous and wonderful of editors. Anything that has been missed is me.
Not having been lucky enough to visit the east coast of the U.S, I have created a fictional town and college. That way I can't get too many things wrong.
Word count: 3910
Disclaimer: Trixie et al belong to Random House and not to me. No profit is being made from these scribblings.
