Ottoline Goes to School Chapter One Ottoline lived in Apartment 243 of the P. W. Huffledinck Tower, which everybody called the Pepperpot Building because it looked like one. Her parents were Collectors who traveled around the world. They were hardly ever at home, but Ottoline was well looked after and she was never lonely. And besides, she had her best friend, Mr. Munroe, for company. Although Ottolineâ€TMs parents were away a lot, they always kept in touch with postcards. One morning Ottoline and Mr. Munroe were taking a walk in Pettigrew Park and Ornamental Gardens. It was a Tuesday, and on Tuesday mornings they liked to visit the turtles in the turtle pool . . . . . . which is where they met Cecily Forbes-Lawrence III and her Patagonian pony, Mumbles. “I like your pony,†said Ottoline. “Thank you,†said Cecily. “Mumbles is from Patagonia, you know. I like your dog.†“Thatâ€TMs not a dog,†laughed Ottoline. “Thatâ€TMs Mr. Munroe.†Ottoline and Cecily fed the turtles stale crackers that Mr. Munroe had brought especially, and Cecily told Ottoline a fascinating story about a boy with feet so enormous that he could use them as a sunshade. “. . . and then Rupert became the world junior hopscotch champion, but thatâ€TMs another story,†said Cecily. “I must go now. Mumblesâ€TMs mane needs brushing.†“Can I help?†asked Ottoline excitedly. She loved brushing hair. Mr. Munroe didnâ€TMt. “Maybe some other time,†said Cecily, walking off in the direction of the ornamental maze. “By the way, your dogâ€TMs coat needs brushing too.†“She seems nice,†said Ottoline after Cecily had gone. Mr. Munroe didnâ€TMt say anything. The next day Ottoline met Cecily on the ornamental bridge. They played Pooh Sticks with twigs that Mr. Munroe had found especially. Cecily told Ottoline all about her great- uncle Oscar, the misunderstood pirate. “. . . and in the end he had four parrots, two on each shoulder, but they were no help when his trousers caught fire, but thatâ€TMs another story,†said Cecily. “I must go now. Iâ€TMve got to take Mumbles to his show jumping class.†“Can I watch?†asked Ottoline excitedly. Mr. Munroe didnâ€TMt have any classes. He was too shy. “Maybe some other time,†said Cecily, walking off in the direction of the bonsai tree forest. “Your dogâ€TMs dropped your umbrella.†“I like her,†said Ottoline after Cecily had gone. “She tells amazing stories.†Mr. Munroe didnâ€TMt hear her. He was busy fishing the umbrella out of the ornamental stream. He got very wet. The next day Ottoline met Cecily in the park . . . . . . and the next day . . . … and all they found was a skeleton wearing a blue polka-dot bow tie,†said Cecily. “Incredible,†said Ottoline. “I must go now. Mr. Munroe doesnâ€TMt like the rain, and itâ€TMs almost teatime.†“Can I come?†asked Cecily. “Of course you can, Cecily,†said Ottoline excitedly. “Mr. Munroe and I would like that very much, wouldnâ€TMt we, Mr. Munroe?†Mr. Munroe didnâ€TMt say anything. Ottoline didnâ€TMt notice. She was busy catching up with Cecily, who was walking off in the direction of the Pepperpot Building. Ottoline Goes to School . Copyright © by Chris Riddell . Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold. Excerpted from Ottoline Goes to School by Chris Riddell All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
