Contents
Cover
About the Book
Title Page
Dedication
Lauren
Jas
Mia
Becky
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Read on for an Extract from The Case of the Haunted Hotel
Also by Alex Carter
Copyright
About the Book
Two gorgeous models
Four best Friends
One big mystery to solve …
When a glamorous supermodel arrives in town for London Fashion Week, Lauren and her friends think she’s just another one of Mayfair Park’s stylish, wealthy guests.
But there’s more to this model than meets the eye and when she’s arrested for things she swears she didn’t do, the girls just have to investigate. Is there a case of identity theft to be solved?
With special thanks
to Narinder Dhami
Also available
series:
Eye colour: blue
Hair: auburn – like the rest of the family – cut into a bob
Style: jeans, T-shirts and Converse
Siblings: Charlie, an annoying little brother
Likes: anything sporty, especially swimming in the lush hotel pool
Dislikes: tidying her room
Prize possession: mobile phone, for keeping the other girls up to date with all the action at the Mayfair Park
Dreams of: running her own chain of luxury hotels, one in LA, New York, Paris, Dubai … a home on every continent!
Eye colour: brown
Hair: shoulder length, Afro-Caribbean curls
Style: glam and wild! Favourite items include super-sparkly shoes and anything with animal print
Likes: spending time with her BFFs
Dislikes: sitting still, Maths lessons, sitting still in Maths lessons …
Secret talent: impressive acting skills – useful in getting the girls out of several sticky situations with The Snoop
Dreams of: becoming the next Beyoncé or Naomi Campbell – Jas is definitely the diva of the group!
Eye colour: brown
Hair: very long, very dark, shiny and straight
Style: eclectic – Mia mostly wears bright colours, layered with one of her mum’s vintage Spanish scarves
Siblings: two geeky older brothers
Likes: all animals, especially those in need of some TLC
Prize possession: a top-of-the-range laptop – Google can help solve almost any mystery!
Dreams of: working for the United Nations, or becoming a vet
Eye colour: grey
Hair: blonde, shoulder-length curls
Style: pretty and girly … floaty skirts, floral tops and high heels
Likes: organising things for everyone, especially her forgetful dad … and chocolate!
Dislikes: untidiness – the total opposite of super-messy Lauren!
Prize possession: her collection of celeb memorabilia. Mayfair Park is the perfect place for celeb-spying …
Dreams of: being a high-flying celebrity agent – Becky was born super-glam and super-organized!
‘I’M JUST BOOKING that for you now, Mrs Shaw,’ Lauren Bond said in her most professional telephone voice. Quickly she tapped away at the computer on the reception desk. ‘A double room from the sixteenth for three nights. We look forward to seeing you and your husband at the Mayfair Park Hotel then, Mrs Shaw. Goodbye.’
Lauren put the phone down and then quickly double-checked the computer to make sure that she’d added the booking correctly. She didn’t want anything to go wrong because it had taken her a while to persuade her mum and dad, who ran the hotel, to let her take over the reception desk, even for just half an hour. They were short-staffed at the moment, and Lauren was just covering for one of the real receptionists, Emma, who was on her break.
Once the hotel had had a temporary receptionist who’d managed to wipe a whole week’s bookings off the computer, Lauren remembered with a grin. She could just imagine her parents’ faces if she went and told them she’d done that! Although Lauren was pretty sure that if she did make such a hair-raising mistake, one of her best friends, Mia, who was a computer geek, would be able to sort it out …
Remember to look busy, but calm and unflustered, Lauren reminded herself. That was what her dad, who managed the hotel, always told the receptionists. Smoothing down her auburn bob, Lauren began to tidy the desk, shuffling papers together and putting tops back on pens. As she did so, though, she kept a close eye on what was going on in the lobby in front of her.
The Mayfair Park Hotel was a grand old building, but it had been decorated in a luxurious, up-to-the-minute style. Lauren adored the cream and blue interior, the large squashy leather sofas, the tall plants in shiny ceramic pots and the extravagant but tasteful displays of fresh flowers.
It was early evening now, and most guests had already checked in for the night. The smart, glassed-in café-bar on the other side of the lobby was full of people enjoying a drink before having dinner in the restaurant.
Lauren couldn’t believe how lucky she was living in a hotel like the Mayfair Park. Most of the staff lived off the premises, but Lauren, her younger brother Charlie and their parents had a flat in a wing of the hotel. It was such a great place to hang out, Lauren thought happily, and her best mates Jas, Mia and Becky agreed. They’d just broken up today for the half-term holiday, and Lauren was looking forward to spending lots of time chilling at the hotel with her friends. There was always so much going on, and so many different people to meet …
Suddenly the doors at the front of the hotel swung open, and a tall young woman walked in. She paused just inside the door, took off her huge black shades and glanced around.
Lauren caught her breath. This girl was beautiful. She had long, very wavy blonde hair, some of which was caught up with an amazing diamanté butterfly clip on top of her head, while the rest rippled free down her back. She was only wearing a T-shirt, jeans and flat shoes – the kind of clothes Lauren, who didn’t like fuss and high heels, would choose to wear herself. But even Lauren could see that this woman’s clothes weren’t ordinary at all. Her faded skinny jeans showed off her long legs and her cropped silk T-shirt had an intricate printed pattern of pink and purple swirls that drew the eye. Her flat ballerina shoes were the exact same shade of purple, and around her slim hips was a wide brown leather belt with a huge silver buckle. Lauren felt completely dazzled and couldn’t stop staring!
The young woman turned her head towards the reception desk, her star-shaped silver earrings twinkling in the light. She spotted Lauren and, smiling, made her way towards her.
It was then that Lauren realized, with a shock, that she’d seen her before. But where? Lauren racked her brains for the answer, but she simply couldn’t remember.
‘Hi there.’ The girl stopped in front of the desk. She was still smiling at Lauren but she was looking rather surprised, too. ‘I’m Sara MacDonald. I have a reservation here for the next week.’
‘Sara MacDonald,’ Lauren repeated, turning to the computer. Sara was even more beautiful close-up, Lauren thought, with her deep green eyes, clear complexion and even, white teeth. ‘Let me just check that.’
Sara raised her eyebrows. ‘Sorry to mention it, but you do seem a bit young to be a receptionist!’ she remarked with a wide grin.
‘Oh, I’m not really a receptionist – as you’ve probably guessed!’ Lauren laughed. ‘My mum and dad run the hotel and we’re short-staffed this evening. So I’m just standing in while the receptionist has her break.’
At that moment the hotel doors swung open again and a cab driver staggered in. He was carrying two designer suitcases, one in each hand, and Lauren could see that the cases looked incredibly heavy.
‘I’ll just get the rest of your luggage,’ the driver called to Sara.
‘Thank you,’ Sara called back.
Quickly Lauren found Sara’s booking on the computer. ‘So you’re staying for six nights, Miss MacDonald,’ Lauren checked. ‘We’ve allocated you Room two-o-one. I’m sure you’ll find it really comfortable. Breakfast is served from seven-thirty a.m. until ten a.m. in the café-bar just behind you. And now, I’ll just sort out your key-card.’
‘Well, you might be a bit young to be a receptionist, but you’re doing brilliantly!’ Sara remarked, looking impressed as Lauren activated the key-card. ‘And do please call me Sara.’ She peered at Lauren’s name badge. ‘Hi, Lauren. It’s lovely to meet you. I’ve got a sister called Mel who’s about the same age as you.’
Lauren grinned at Sara as the cab driver tottered through the doors once more. He was panting quite heavily and was carrying another suitcase, a large vanity case and an outsize leather tote bag.
‘I’ll just get the last few things,’ the driver wheezed.
Sara laughed as she saw the amazed look on Lauren’s face. ‘I know – isn’t it awful?’ she giggled. ‘Everything but the kitchen sink! But I have got an excuse. I’m a model, and I’ve got a busy week of work – and parties! – ahead, so I need lots of different outfits.’
‘Oh, are you here for London Fashion Week?’ Lauren asked. The prestigious fashion event had started that very day and ran until the following Wednesday, and Lauren knew that several other models and designers, as well as people attending the catwalk shows, had checked into the hotel over the last few days.
Sara nodded. ‘Yes, I’m modelling for a couple of the designers next week,’ she explained. ‘But I’ve got some other jobs on too, while I’m here in London. Tomorrow morning, really early, I’ve got a fashion shoot in Covent Garden for a women’s magazine. But I’m going to be really busy because I’ve got several shoots lined up for the cosmetics company, Princess Pink.’
‘So that’s where I’ve see you before!’ Lauren exclaimed. Princess Pink were a very high-profile and successful make-up brand, and they advertised in all the glossy magazines, as well as on TV. The centrepiece of all their ads was a gorgeous blonde girl with big green eyes – whom Lauren now realized was Sara Macdonald herself! ‘I knew I recognized you.’
‘I get that a lot,’ Sara said with a laugh. ‘People stare at me in the streets all the time, but they just can’t think how they know me! That’s because I’m not really a proper celebrity like an actor or a singer.’
‘Well, I think you are,’ Lauren replied. ‘My best friends, Jas, Mia and Becky, are going to be so excited when I tell them I’ve met you!’
The cab driver had now brought in two smaller suitcases, and he piled them up with the other bags in the middle of the lobby.
‘Thank you so much,’ Sara said, handing him a huge tip.
‘One of the porters will take your luggage up to your room,’ Lauren told her.
Just then Emma, the receptionist, came back from her break and slipped behind the desk.
‘Any problems, Lauren?’ she asked with a smile.
‘I don’t think so,’ Lauren replied. ‘I took two phone bookings and I’ve entered the details into the computer, and I’ve just booked in Sara, our new guest.’
‘She was wonderful!’ Sara broke in, stowing her purse away in her leather tote. ‘Thank you, Lauren.’
‘Well done,’ Emma murmured to Lauren. ‘You’re a natural!’
Blushing a little, Lauren popped out from behind the desk, leaving Emma to deal with a guest who’d just arrived to report the loss of his key-card.
‘Maybe I could show you to your room, Sara?’ Lauren said a little hesitantly. She really wanted to carry on chatting with Sara, but she didn’t want to be a nuisance. Lauren was relieved when Sara’s face lit up.
‘Oh, that would be fabulous, thank you!’ she exclaimed. ‘I don’t usually like staying in hotels that much, but I can see that the Mayfair Park is going to be very different, if everyone’s as warm and friendly as you.’ Sara smiled. ‘You do remind me of my sister, Mel.’
The tinkling ring tone of a mobile phone interrupted them. Sara stopped dead and pulled her phone out of the pocket of her jeans.
‘Sorry, Lauren,’ she mouthed, ‘I just want to take this call. Shan’t be a minute.’
Politely Lauren moved away to give Sara some privacy. But as she did so, she spotted two eyes peering at her through the leaves of one of the tall potted plants. Lauren heaved an exasperated sigh.
‘Charlie!’ she whispered. ‘Come out from there – now!’
‘But I’m on a mission!’ Lauren’s brother whispered back, still skulking behind the plant. ‘I’ve spotted something very suspicious.’
Honestly, Charlie was the absolute limit sometimes, Lauren thought. Her younger brother was obsessed with spies and secret agents, and he was always looking for mysteries to solve with the help of his best friend and equally spy-obsessed sidekick, Joe. Lauren had to admit, though, that she’d become a lot more interested in solving mysteries herself since she, Jas, Mia and Becky had become involved in a couple of strange goings-on at the hotel. The four girls had turned detective and so far they had investigated ‘The Case of the Ruby Necklace’ and ‘The Case of the Poisoned Pie’. Solving mysteries was addictive, Lauren thought, but the big difference was that she and the girls weren’t annoying pests like Charlie and Joe!
‘What’s so suspicious, then?’ Lauren asked.
‘She is!’ Charlie said, nodding at Sara who was talking animatedly on her phone.
‘Sara?’ Lauren’s eyes opened wide. ‘Why?’
‘Well, look at how much luggage she’s got!’ Charlie pointed at the designer bags the taxi driver had brought in. A porter had arrived with a trolley and was loading the bags onto it. ‘That’s too much luggage for just one person. So what’s she up to?’
Lauren tried not to laugh. Even though Charlie could be incredibly annoying, he was quite cute with his curly auburn hair, the same shade as hers, and his big blue eyes.
‘Maybe she’s a spy and those cases are full of all her techie gadgets!’ Charlie went on eagerly.
‘Charlie, Sara’s a model,’ Lauren explained. ‘Those suitcases are full of clothes, shoes and make-up.’
‘A model?’ Charlie’s face wrinkled in deep disgust. The look on his face was so comical that Lauren had to laugh as her brother walked off.
‘Sorry about that, Lauren.’ Sara re-joined her. ‘That was my best friend Chloe on the phone. She’s working in London next week, too, so we’re going to meet up. She’s staying at the Courtland Hotel just a few blocks away. I’m so excited!’
‘What does Chloe do?’ Lauren asked as they took the lift up to the second floor.
‘Oh, she’s a model too,’ Sara replied. ‘So, do you want to be a hotel receptionist when you grow up, Lauren?’
Lauren shrugged. ‘I’m not sure,’ she said. ‘I haven’t really decided. But I like meeting new people and chatting away to them, so it’s good experience.’
‘Oh, I love meeting people too,’ Sara agreed enthusiastically, ‘although I think I talk too much sometimes! I got the first Princess Pink TV ad after I met the casting director, Janet Murray, at a party. We got on really well, but for ages I didn’t even realize who she was! Then she offered me the Princess Pink job, and I’ve been working for them ever since. It’s a really big contract, and I get loads of work and loads of free make-up, so I’ve been very lucky.’
‘Yes, very lucky,’ Lauren replied. But secretly she thought that luck didn’t have much to do with it. Sara was so beautiful and sweet and friendly, Lauren couldn’t imagine anyone not liking her.
‘Here’s your room, Sara.’ Lauren stopped outside the door of 201. ‘I’ll leave you to settle in.’
‘Thanks.’ Sara beamed at her, then yawned. ‘I’m so tired! I think I’ll have a shower and order a snack from room service. I’m sure we’ll meet again, Lauren. Goodnight.’
‘Goodnight,’ Lauren replied.
Charlie was way off target this time, she thought with a grin as she headed off to the Bonds’ flat. There was nothing at all suspicious about Sara MacDonald. In fact, the model was one of the coolest people Lauren had ever met at the hotel.
And she couldn’t wait to tell Jas, Mia and Becky all about it!
‘HAVE YOU SEEN Sara MacDonald again since she checked in, Lauren?’ Jas asked eagerly. ‘I’m dying to meet her.’
Regretfully Lauren shook her head. ‘No, I haven’t. She said she had a really early fashion shoot this morning, and I don’t know if she’s back yet.’
‘I’d like to meet Sara too,’ Becky said. ‘I bet she’s got some really gorgeous clothes!’
It was Saturday, the day after Sara MacDonald had checked into the hotel, and Lauren was hanging out with Jas and Becky in the spa tub next to the hotel pool. It was bliss sitting in the warm, bubbly water after a hard week at school, Lauren thought, wiggling her bare toes. Especially as they were now on holiday! Her mum and dad didn’t mind Lauren and her mates using the hotel facilities as long as they didn’t annoy the guests or get in their way. But at the moment the huge blue-and-white tiled pool was empty except for Charlie and his friend Joe who were splashing around happily.
‘Ooh, yes!’ Jas agreed, stretching out her long legs. Her dark hair was knotted up casually on top of her head, a style that really suited her, Lauren thought. ‘And lovely shoes and loads of make-up …’
Suddenly Becky burst out laughing.
‘What’s so funny?’ Lauren asked.
‘Well, here we are talking about models and clothes and all things glamorous,’ Becky said with a grin, ‘while at this very minute, Mia is probably up to her elbows in hay and horse poo – and loving it!’