"Nicholas Walker - Ice Princess" - читать интересную книгу автора (Walker Nicholas)

"She'll be employing me in my professional capacity," grunted Toby.
"Why aren't you doing it at home?" asked Alex.
"Oh, I like performing in front of an audience," said Toby.
"So do I," murmured Alex. Toby glanced up at his friend to find him gazing out of the window with a miserable expression on his face.
"How did the skating go last night?" asked Toby.
"OK, I guess," said Alex. "Bit lonely I suppose. I'd got used to being bullied."
"So you're just going to skate with Sue for the time being?"
"Yeah. She wasn't there last night though," said Alex. "She doesn't always go to dance class. She's a free skater really."
"You're not thinking of going back to hockey then?"
"No," said Alex. "Why? Do you want me to?"
"Nothing to do with me. It's just that I hear the hockey team needs a new right wing-your old position."
"Oh, I know. Maxie's already been sniffing around," said Alex. He smiled, "Only a year ago they said they wouldn't have me back at any price."
"They haven't won much since you left. Maxie's been talking about you a lot."
Maxie Pearson was the captain of the ice hockey team and he and Alex had never gotten along.
"Actually, I'm surprised you haven't given him a smack, the things he's been saying," said Toby.
"Oh, who cares about Maxie Pearson!"
"Well, I'm sure I don't. I haven't got a reputation to think of-apart from cooking that is," said Toby. "But you're supposed to be the tough guy in class, aren't you?"
"Not anymore," said Alex bleakly. "I'm a wimp who goes ice skating instead of playing a man's game, like ice hockey."
"Ah, so you have heard what Maxie's been saying about you then?" Alex didn't take Toby's bait, just heaved another sigh and went on staring out the window. Toby gazed at him in exasperation for a moment.
"Look, Alex," he said. "I've got to tell you-you've been a real pain in the butt this last week."
"Eh?"
"Everybody's noticing it! I know you've got a few problems but it's not the end of the world," said Toby. "Cheer yourself up, you miserable sod!"
"I'm open to suggestions," grunted Alex. "I've lost my partner. I'm not even allowed to see her! I'm out of the Juniors and I haven't even got anyone to practice with for my inter-silver. What would you do in my place, Toby?"
"Me? Oh, I'd cook myself a steak and potatoes and probably follow it up with a pineapple dessert. But you're different from me, Alex-more subtle," said Toby. "Tell you what, go and push Maxie's face in-or ask Roberta Isgrove out tonight, that should do it."
Alex grinned in spite of himself.
"Has Sam started her new school yet?" asked Toby.
"How do I know? I'm not allowed any contact with her."
"I'm not stupid, Alex," said Toby. "Of course you know!"
Alex glanced around to make sure he wasn't being overheard. "She was supposed to start a week ago," he said.
"I wonder how she's doing?" mused Toby.
"Oh, you know Samantha," said Alex. "She can handle anything."
In fact Samantha wasn't getting on at all well. At that moment she was hiding in the locker room. Most of the girls in her year were on a crosscountry run and Samantha was using the time to work in her sketch pad.
There was the sound of someone gasping and Samantha immediately slid her book into her bag. Marella, the sports captain, came struggling into the room. When she saw Samantha she immediately straightened up and jogged the last few steps. Samantha waited; she didn't make friends quickly and she knew that Marella was never going to be top of her list when she did.
"Goofing off again?" rapped Marella.
"That's right, Marella," said Samantha.
"You're a bit of a wimp, aren't you?" said Marella. "We don't encourage that sort of thing here, you know."
"I didn't see the point of going for a five-mile run in a muddy field," said Samantha.
"Point?" demanded Marella. "The point is that I'm in training for the county championships and most of the other girls believe in keeping fit."
"Fit?" Samantha couldn't keep the laughter out of her voice.
"Yes, fit!" snapped Marella.
"How would you know what fit was?"
"And I suppose you know all about it, do you?"
"That's right," said Samantha levelly. "I've been a professional athlete for the last ten years."
"Athlete? You were a dancer!"
"Same thing," said Samantha, getting to her feet. She gave a deliberate yawn. Then, just when Marella looked as if she was about to explode, a freshman put her head around the door.
"Samantha Stephens?"
"That's me, unfortunately," said Samantha. "Not Tom Cruise on the phone again?"
"Mrs. Rollinson wants you."
"Oh, good news," said Samantha, picking up her bag.
"Perhaps she wants to make you sports mistress?" suggested Marella.