Stella and the Surprise Delivery

Janna (0:00)

Hello, this is Janna, and I'm back with our third story about Stella and her magic mirror. Stella and the Surprise Delivery.

Mr. Fry's art class had been making pottery in and out building the school grounds, known as the shed. The pupils started clearing away the clay, the tools and the bowls of muddy water. Stella had made a small cat, which was waiting to be fired in the kiln. Suddenly, a loud banging shook the door. It sounded as if somebody was trying to break it down. Mr. Fry rushed to open the door before it collapsed. A young man in a peak tat stood outside, holding two enormous cardboard boxes. Behind him, a battered old car was parked on the grass. Thirty-one burger meals for Mr. Fry, he announced. But thirty-one? Repeated Mr. Fry in surprise. The man handed him the boxes. Hold on, mate, there's more. I'll fetch the milkshakes. Take them back, called out Mr. Fry. I can assure you this is some kind of a mistake. I've not ordered any of this. Well, someone's paid for them, called back the man.

Mr. Fry consulted his phone. His mouth gaped. It was true. He had paid for them. Was he dreaming? As the driver hurried back and forth with the milkshakes, voices rose around the room. Oh, thanks, Mr. Fry.

Can we eat them now? They'll go cold, sir, and we're starving. The bell goes in 10 minutes. Mr. Fry sighed. He had unknowingly paid 325 pounds and 50 pence. He hated wasting money, and it seemed crazy to throw away so much food. He opened the boxes and started to hand around the meals. As the pupils tucked in, Stella thought, What happened here today is a genuine mystery. No teacher is that generous. I'm sure my mirror can solve it.

By home time, the whole school was talking about Mr. Fry's burger feast. Photographs of the kids stuffing their faces during art class were circulating around the school.

One photo showed a kid with two chips up her nose, and there was ketchup everywhere. A rumour was going around that Mr. Fry was being suspended from lessons while the school investigated. The head teacher was furious that he had broken the school's healthy eating policy. That evening, Stella sat in front of her mirror.

Why didn't you tell me about the burger delivery? She asked. You know I like to know news before it happens. The mirror did not reply. All it showed was Stella wagging her finger. Okay, I forgive you, said Stella. You can make up for it by showing me who really ordered the burgers. Was it Dinesh? He's always playing pranks. The mirror shimmered and the reflection began to change. But it didn't show the face of a pupil. Instead, it showed the face of a chemistry teacher, Miss Vale. Oh, said Stella.

You're telling me that Miss Vale had something to do with this? Am I right? A ripple passed across the mirror, and it returned to show Stella's face. She had a little smile on her lips, because this news was very interesting indeed. But the next day at school, the head teacher announced that somebody had used a teacher's phone to order a large amount of fast food.

That somebody had been suspended from school while further inquiries continued. As everyone left the assembly, Stella whispered to her best friend Celeste, Something's not right. It wasn't a kid who ordered the food. It was a teacher. How do you know that? whispered back Celeste. Trust me, I just do, replied Stella. By break time, everyone had worked out that a year eight boy called Roddy had been sent home. Roddy was not popular. He had acne and a stammer, and however unfair it was, some of the crueler kids made fun of him. As Stella and Celeste strolled around the school grounds, Stella said, I just don't believe it was Roddy. He's not the sort of person who would do something like this. I know it does feel off, said Celeste, but I heard the administrator talking. They have CCTV footage of Mr. Fry. He left his phone under a chair after assembly, and Roddy picked it up, and he was seen posting it through the homework slot outside the staff room.

Well, do they have footage of him ordering the food? No, but all the evidence points to Roddy. I never thought he had it in him to do a thing like that.

Everyone is innocent until proven guilty, said Stella defensively. I still think a teacher did it. I'm going to keep digging. But honey boo, how do you know it was a teacher? Questioned Celeste, puzzled by her friend's certainty.

Stella was stuck. Now she couldn't admit that her magic mirror had pointed her towards Miss Vale. The mirror was her deepest secret. She had to think of something quick. But I just know, I have a strong feeling and my feelings are never wrong. And feelings are not evidence. Just you wait, said Stella. The truth will come out. Meanwhile, the Roddy haters were having a field day. Artie and Theresa were saying things like, We always said that boy was no good. We just didn't know he was a phone hacker. And, no wonder he has spots with a diet like that. Stella fired back. I don't think he used Mr. Fry's phone. How would he have known the pin number? Artie and Theresa immediately turned on her. Well, you're only saying that because you miss your boyfriend. Now he's been kicked out of school. Celeste was furious on her friend's behalf. How dare you spread rumours! And Stella added, It will turn out to be a teacher that did it. Wait and see. You're the one causing trouble, remarked Theresa. You're spreading rumours about a teacher, and I'm going to tell the head. You'll be kicked out too, ha! Then you'll spend all day with your spotty boyfriend. Stella was still fuming when she consulted her mirror after school. I need to know the truth, she pleaded. Tell me what really happened.