Angela Nicely Read Free Page A

her dress.

    Mrs Nicely leaped up and began dabbing at Angela’s face with a hanky.
    “It wasn’t my fault!” cried Angela. “Tiffany gave it to me!”
    “Really, Angela, don’t try and blame Tiffany,” snapped Mrs Nicely.
    “Yes, ANG-ER-LA!” said Tiffany with a smirk.
    Angela stuck out her tongue, which was a mistake because it was sticky with chocolate.
    Melanie glanced at her watch. “Perhaps you should get Angela cleaned up,” she said. “In the meantime, we’ll see Tiffany.”
    Tiffany stood up, patted her curly hair and gave Angela a look of triumph.

Chapter 3
    By the time Angela joined them in the studio, Tiffany was posing for photos. She sat, beaming at the camera.
    “That’s super,” said the photographer.
    “Perfect,” said Melanie. “So, what do you like doing, Tiffany?”
    “I like ballet!” sang Tiffany.
    “Great, can you show us some steps?”
    Tiffany jumped up and pointed her toes. She sprang in the air, spun round and landed gracefully.
    Mrs Charmers clapped loudly. “Beautiful, darling!”
    Angela had to hand it to her, Tiffany knew how to put on a show.
    Then it was Angela’s turn.
    “Remember, don’t slouch and don’t forget to smile,” whispered her mum.
    Angela nodded. She sat up very straight and smiled her widest smile.

    “Just try to relax,” said the photographer.
    “I am relaxed,” said Angela, showing her teeth.
    “Okay,” said Melanie. “What do you enjoy doing, Angela?”
    “Loads of things,” said Angela. “Watching TV, playing with my friends, standing on my head…”
    “You can stand on your head?”
    “It’s easy!” said Angela, jumping up. She flipped over with her legs in the air. Her dress flopped over her head.

    Mrs Nicely groaned and covered her eyes.

    A few days later, a letter arrived in the post. Mrs Nicely opened it as she came into the kitchen.
    “ARGHHHHHH!” she screamed. “You got it! Poppets want you to model for the catalogue!”
    Angela jumped up and did a dance round the kitchen. To be honest, she was a bit surprised – what with the chocolate stains and everything – but maybe Poppets needed a model that could stand on their head…?

Chapter 4
    At last the day of the photo shoot came and a minibus arrived to collect them. The shoot was taking place at the seaside and Angela could hardly wait. The only bad news was that Tiffany was one of the other models.
    As soon as they arrived, they were shown into a beach hut to change intotheir outfits. Melanie took down a dress from the clothes rail. It was pink with a white lacy collar. Angela stared at it longingly.
    “Let’s see,” said Melanie. “I think this one is for…”
    Angela stood on tiptoe.
    “…Tiffany!” said Melanie.
    Angela threw up her hands. Why was it
always
Tiffany?
    “And these are for you, Angela,” said Melanie. She handed over a pair of stripey dungaree shorts.
    Tiffany put on the dress and twirled around, admiring herself in the mirror.
    “What do you think, Angela?” she cooed.
    Angela shrugged. “It’s okay.”
    She frowned at herself in the mirroras she buttoned up the dungarees. The stripes were bright red and green. She looked like a deckchair.

    Tiffany giggled. “Oh Angela! They suit you!”
    Angela scowled and stomped off to find her mum.
    “Oh. Dungarees,” said Mrs Nicely. “Never mind, models have to wear what they’re given. Now remember,
don’t
get them dirty. No sweets or ice creams, just STAY PUT until you’re called.”
    Angela sighed. Being a model wasn’t half as much fun as she’d thought. What was the point of coming to the seaside if you couldn’t go in the sea? The sun was out, the mums were having coffee and the other models were posing by the beach huts. Only Angela was STAYING PUT.
    She looked round and spotted Tiffany standing on a towel to avoid getting sandy. Suddenly, an idea crept into Angela’s head. What if Tiffany got her precious dress dirty? Or wet?
     
    Then
she’d
be the one in trouble for a