A midnight surprise

Monday, March 23

11 pm

Dear Diary,

It's Claire again. I just can't seem to sleep these days, or should I say, nights. Matron Wembley says this is called “insomnia”. That word sounds completely ridiculous, and I’m ashamed to say I laughed in her face. If it was Matron Philips, I would probably have to wash the toilets for a week at least, but luckily Matron Wembley just let me off with a light scolding. She’s quite alright, Matron Wembley. She is rather fat, and her stomach wobbles when she walks. My friend Tessa makes fun of her a lot, stuffing her pillow under her dress, which makes everyone laugh. But Matron Wembley slips us little treats once in a while, when she gets her wages. My other friend Sophie once complained that the porridge was too bland, and Matron Philips beat her hand with a metal ruler, which was horrible to watch, and even worse to hear, but Matron Wembley sprinkles sugar onto Sophie’s porridge now, and Sophie thinks the beating was worth it for good porridge. Matron Wembley’s much better than Matron Philips, anyway. Matron Philips wears this black veil over her face, but you can see her long warty nose and her pinched mouth through it. She once failed me on a test simply because I’d spelt one word wrong, which isn’t fair at all.

I do hate it here at the orphanage sometimes. Tanya and Cassandra have been so mean to me! They threw my journal into the fireplace, can you believe? I sobbed for days when I realized, but obviously I didn’t cry in front of their faces. I don’t want them to think I’m a softie. I wanted to hide Tanya’s watch, the one she loves so much and hardly ever wears, for revenge, but Sophie and Tessa told me it wasn’t worth it. Oh well, there wasn’t anything really important in my journal anyways. Nothing important ever happens to me.

On the bright side, Sophie and Tessa are really nice. Tessa stole some cookies off Cook’s cooling tray for us yesterday. They were chocolate chip, my favorite! Matron Wembley was in such a bad temper afterwards, so I bet the cookies were meant for her! Thank goodness she didn’t suspect Tessa. Sophie was sent to buy groceries a few days ago, and she secretly kept the change. It was enough to buy us three whole lollipops! We had to eat them under the covers at night so that the matrons wouldn’t catch us. Tessa gobbled hers up in 5 minutes, but Sophie said she still has a quarter left. I’ve been tentatively licking it bit by bit, so I have the most left out of all of us. I’m contemplating sharing it with the others, since they’ve been so nice, but I haven’t had a lollipop in ages, and I don’t want to share. I know it’s awfully selfish, but I can’t help it.

Actually, come to think of it, I haven’t seen Sophie or Tessa anywhere today. I didn’t have anyone to play with during break, and I had to eat lunch in the toilets so that Tanya and Cassandra won’t throw food at me like they did last week. They get away with absolutely everything because Cassandra’s father owns the orphanage. It’s so unfair, and it’s terrible in the toilets because there are spiders crawling up the damp walls and muck everywhere.

Oh dear, I think I hear footsteps. Matron Philips is on duty tonight. If she catches me, I don’t know what I’ll do. I suppose I’ll just slip this diary under my pillow if the door opens, but what if she lifts it and reads what I’ve written about her? I really don’t want to wash the toilets. They reek of human waste.

The footsteps don’t exactly sound like Matron Philip’s boots, though. They’re much heavier. Like…like Matron Wembley’s shoes. What’s she doing up in the middle of the night? Does she have insomnia too?

Hey, what if I just peek around the door and see what she’s up to? Matron Wembley wouldn’t punish me for being awake, because she knows I can’t sleep. Perhaps she might even treat me to a cup of tea.

Yes, that’s a good idea. I’ll have to stop writing for a moment so I can get out of bed quietly. Mine creaks ever so easily.

Right, I’ve just lifted the covers slowly and slipped out of bed. It did creak, just a little bit, but I think no one heard it. I’m just going to put on my slippers and get to the door. It’s going to be a little tricky, because Tanya and Cassandra’s beds are nearest to the door. I’m past Mona’s bed. Tessa’s now. Sophie’s. They’re both empty. I wonder why. Perhaps they’re both sick and had to go to the nurse. Oh no, Cassandra seems to be stirring, so I’m crouching behind Sophie’s bed. She’s stopped, but I’ll wait an extra ten seconds for good measure. Okay, I’m past Cassandra’s bed…past Tanya’s… The door is slightly open already. The matrons do that so that they’ll here our chatter if we start talking. I hate this most of the time, but it’s convenient now.

Yes, that’s Matron Wembley alright. Matron Philips is nowhere in sight, but that’s just a well. Matron Wembley’s munching on a cupcake. I can smell the sweetness from here, and I really, really want one. I suppose I shall go along with my plan and go ask her whether she has another. Here goes nothing…oh, she’s turned left into another corridor. Should I follow her? There’s nothing to lose anyway.

I’ve just slid out the door and closed it behind me. Tanya mumbled something just before I closed the door, making me jump, but as long as Matron Philips isn’t around, I’ll be fine. Oh, the corridor Matron Wembley went down leads to the stairs to the kitchen. I should have known.

I’ve just gone down the stairs, and the kitchen door is closed. I could risk opening the door. Cook is a jolly good sport, and Tessa has said that she’s spent countless lunches down here with Cook before Sophie and I came along, so it’s safe if I go in. What if Matron Philips is inside? Will Matron Wembley protect me from her nastiness, or will I be sent to clean the toilets? Worse still, I might have to polish Cassandra’s shoes!

Oh, it’s starting to get chilly now. I’m only in my nightgown. I suppose I could risk it. Alright…I’m opening the door…

 ....

Tuesday, March 24

9 am

Dear Diary,

You’ll never guess what happened! I opened the door to the kitchen ever so quietly, and what I saw made me gasp so loudly that all my efforts in being quiet were ruined. There was a large white table in the middle of the kitchen with a gigantic cream cake with chocolate icing. Next to the cake were chocolate chip cookies and Yorkshire pudding! There was a banner stuck to the ceiling, drawn with felt tips that said “Happy birthday, Claire!” in large letters, too. A heavenly smell filled my nostrils, and I think my mouth knew what was going on before my brain registered it, because I absolutely beamed with joy.

Hearing my gasp, everyone else in the kitchen froze and turned around. I saw Cook, Matron Wembley, Tessa and Sophie! They were so shocked to see me that their eyes went wide and it was so comical that I burst out laughing.

Tessa came rushing over, all upset.

“We were making a surprise birthday party for you, Claire, but now it’s ruined!” She wailed in despair.

“How ever did you know, child?” Matron Wembley asked, still slightly in shock.

“I saw you in the corridor and I followed you,” I said sheepishly.

“Oh goodness,” She replied, shaking her head. “I ought to be angry at you for being up at this ungodly hour, but Tessa and Sophie here have been up all night perfecting your party, so I can’t talk.”

I’ve forgotten the rest of the details, but Matron Wembley decided that we could celebrate my birthday at midnight, so we gobbled up all the cake and cookies and pudding and it was the best party ever! Matron Philips didn’t know a thing.

Well, I’m writing this in class right now, and I’d better start paying attention, even though all I want to do is to fall asleep. I suppose the party cured my insomnia.