The Mysterious Museum

The

M sterious

Sapphire Band 16

Museum

The

M sterious

Museum THE MYSTERIOUS MUSEUM

Fatima thinks the stories about the weird and wonderful Mysterious Museum are all nonsense – exhibits don’t come to life! But then her best friend Florence disappears inside the museum and Fatima must follow the riddles to find her, even if it means risking her own life …

An adventure story collins.co.uk/collinsbigcat

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Aisha Bushby Warwick Johnson Cadwell 21/10/2021 13:35

The

M sterious

Museum

Written by Aisha Bushby Illustrated by Warwick Johnson Cadwell

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Chapter 1 “Stand with your partners, please!” Ms Holmes called, as the pupils disembarked from the bus, ready for their school trip. Fatima hurried out from her seat at the back, and shuffled next to her best friend Florence.

They were standing in the car park of a great building that looked like a palace made of brick, with turrets.

It even had an enormous drawbridge that led to the entrance.

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All the students oohed and aahed as they looked at it, feet shuffling, desperate to get inside. Everyone in the older years who’d already been on a trip to the Mysterious Museum talked about it, and all the cool things that happened inside. Some even said the exhibits came to life. But Fatima knew that was just a story.

“Tuck your shirt in, please, Fatima,” Ms Holmes said sternly. “We want to make a good impression.”

“Yes, Ms,” Fatima muttered, feeling embarrassed.

“What’s wrong now, Peter?” Ms Holmes sighed.

“I haven’t got a partner, Ms.” 3

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“Why don’t you join Fatima and Florence?”

Ms Holmes suggested. “And you can show Fatima how to dress properly.”

Florence giggled in response.

“It’s not funny!” Fatima hissed back. Now they had to babysit Peter – the shyest boy in the year. Today was going very badly already.

After Ms Holmes had counted everyone, the group walked, single file, towards the Mysterious Museum.

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The foyer was spectacular. There was an indoor fountain in the shape of a whale (and as big too, Fatima was sure), with water spouting from its blowhole. It seeped into a giant pool crossed by two bridges, either side of the whale. The first bridge led to the main part of the museum, while the second led to a canteen.

“We’ll eat first,” Ms Holmes said, “and then you’ll have the afternoon to wander to your heart’s delight.

But don’t forget to fill in your worksheet! There are questions based on each of the exhibits that you’ll only be able to answer if you’ve read the information about them. We’ll meet back at the whale at 3 o’clock sharp. Any later and you’ll miss the bus home!”

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A few students giggled nervously, not entirely sure whether Ms was joking or not.

“Understood?”

“Yes, Ms,” everyone said at once.

Florence went to the toilet while Peter and Fatima saved her a seat.

“Be nice to him,” she whispered to Fatima as she went.

“I’m always nice!” Fatima retorted.

Nothing ever seemed to annoy Florence.

Fatima and Florence had been best friends ever since the first day of school. Fatima struggled to get along with people. She often spoke her mind which people thought was rude. But Florence knew that she was just being honest, and she liked that about Fatima.

Together, they fitted, like opposite pieces of a puzzle.

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Fatima and Peter each pulled out their packed lunches. Fatima’s was vine leaves stuffed with rice. Peter only had a very dry-looking cheese sandwich.

Fatima watched him pull apart the pieces of bread with a slightly disgusted look on his face. He sighed and took a bite, squeezing his eyes shut like he had been dared to eat it.

“Want to try mine?” asked Fatima, feeling a little bad for him.

“What is it?” asked Peter curiously.

“Vine leaves!” said Fatima.

“I’ve never tried them,” admitted Peter.

“Oh, you have to. They’re my favourite food!”

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Peter took a tentative bite. “They’re delicious!” he said, finishing his portion.

“Told you,” Fatima said smugly, giving him another piece. Maybe hanging out with Peter wouldn’t be so bad.

It was only when they had finished eating that she realised Florence hadn’t returned from the toilet.

“I’ll go and check on her,” said Fatima.

The toilets were out in the foyer, by the whale fountain. When Fatima went in, all the stalls were empty.

That’s when Fatima saw it. Florence’s schoolbag.

It was on the floor just below the paper towels, and poking out of the half-open zip was a note.

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The

M sterious

Sapphire Band 16

Museum

The

M sterious

Museum THE MYSTERIOUS MUSEUM

Fatima thinks the stories about the weird and wonderful Mysterious Museum are all nonsense – exhibits don’t come to life! But then her best friend Florence disappears inside the museum and Fatima must follow the riddles to find her, even if it means risking her own life …

An adventure story collins.co.uk/collinsbigcat

40695_Cover.indd 1

Aisha Bushby Warwick Johnson Cadwell 21/10/2021 13:35