Sam in the Spotlight Read Free Page A

die!” shouted Monty B, the big joker of the group. He clutched hold of his chest, moaning and groaning as he sank to his knees.
    â€œDo us all a favour and just die already,” said Neesha, and then she dropped dead herself.
    I was allowed three guesses but I got it first time. I could see straight away that Sara was the murderer. It was so obvious. She was grinning from ear to ear, and every time someone died she did a little hop and a skip.
    We played a few more times and then Mandy called us over to sit in a circle.
    â€œSorry to start with such a gruesome game but our new show is all about a mysterious disappearance, a detective, and a lot of suspicious characters – so I thought it would be a good way to get us in the mood.”
    â€œIs that why you sent us that poem?” said Phoebe.
    Mandy nodded. “You see, in the holidays I stayed in this really creepy castle in Scotland and there were all these rumours about it being haunted. I was so inspired, I decided to base our show on one of the rumours. It was about a missing girl called April and a mysterious butler who somehow managed to be in two places at once. I’ve called it The Phantom Face. ”
    â€œI actually saw a real ghost once,” said Monty B. “It was in my nan’s attic and I swear it was staring right at me.”
    â€œOh my God, yeah,” said Neesha. “It probably took one look at you and dropped dead with fright.”
    â€œErm, it was a ghost, Neesha, so I expect it was dead already.”
    Just then Ellie came bursting through the doors. I could see straight away why she was late; she’d obviously spent ages getting ready for Eddie. She was wearing a new top and loads of make-up and she’d done something different with her hair.
    â€œSorry, sorry,” she said, out of breath and flustered. She squashed in next to me and gave me a hug. “Have I missed anything?”
    â€œNot really. Mandy’s just about to tell us about the new show – it’s called The Phantom Face. Monty B saw a ghost but he scared it half to death. And Phoebe’s sister Sara’s joined.”
    â€œHello, Ellie,” said Mandy. “Lovely top!”
    â€œThanks, Mandy. Sorry I’m late. Have you explained about that weird poem yet?”
    â€œThat weird poem, as you put it, is actually the opening number and I was just about to play it for you.” She got up to go across to the piano.
    â€œOh, can’t you talk about the characters a bit first?” I said. “I really, really want a main part this time, Mandy.”
    â€œYou always really really want a main part,” said Monty B.
    I was just about to tell him to take a flying leap but Mandy gave me a look and carried on.
    â€œWell, basically it’s about this big family who are staying in an ancient castle for a wedding. Two of the guests, Laura and her older brother Ben, keep noticing a face at the window and it turns out to be a girl called April who disappeared four years earlier. Laura and Ben decide to try and solve the mystery of the missing girl themselves, but the more questions they ask, the more trouble they find themselves in.”
    â€œIt sounds quite serious,” said Tara, peering at Mandy through her little round glasses.
    â€œI suppose it is in a way, but there are some funny characters as well, like Mr. Biscuit the detective. He doesn’t have a clue about how to do his buttons up straight, let alone how to solve a crime. Anyway, I had great fun writing it, so I hope you’ll have fun performing it.”
    We spent the rest of the session playing games and talking about The Phantom Face. Mandy got us into groups and we had to make freeze-frames of different scenes from the show. First off, we did a group of people arriving at the castle for the wedding, and then a detective arresting someone while everyone else looks on horrified. We also got into pairs to try out the scene where the