Lulu Bell and the Christmas Elf (2 page)

Lulu led the girls into her bedroom. They all sat on the rug.

Lulu pushed one honey-coloured plait behind her ear and started to speak. ‘First, we need to let people know that Bonnie is missing. That way, if anyone finds her they will know who to call.'

‘We could put an ad in the newspaper,' said Olivia.

‘Yes,' said Jo. ‘And we could make an announcement in assembly at school.'

‘Fantastic,' said Lulu. She jumped up and fetched the art box from the corner. ‘We should make some posters too. We can stick them up in the vet hospital and on the power poles near your house.'

‘That's a great idea,' said Jo. ‘We could put some up at the bus stop too.'

‘And the noticeboards at the shops,' said Molly.

Olivia smiled. Her dimples were back. ‘Let's get to work,' she said.

Jo took a piece of paper from the box. She sketched out a rough poster. ‘What do you think?'

The girls read the wording. ‘Add in that she's friendly,' suggested Olivia.

‘Don't forget to say when she disappeared,' said Molly.

‘And that if someone finds her they can bring her to Shelly Beach Vet Hospital,' added Lulu.

Jo made the changes. When they were happy with the wording, the girls started making copies of the poster.

When the girls had made a big pile of posters, Lulu led the way next door. The girls pushed through the green door into the vet hospital.

Kylie the vet nurse sat at the reception desk. She was talking to a client with a cockatiel perched on his shoulder. The bird shrieked at them. He raised his crest of feathers high.

‘Hello, girls,' said Kylie, smiling at them. ‘I like your elf costume, Lulu. It's very Christmassy.'

‘Thanks, Kylie,' said Lulu. ‘It's for our school concert.'

‘Oh, I'm looking forward to it,' said Kylie. She turned to Olivia and Jo. ‘I hear you two are giving a special performance?'

The girls nodded. ‘We're the very last act,' said Jo.

Kylie noticed the pile of posters that Olivia carried. ‘What are you girls up to?' she asked.

‘We made some posters to put up,' said Lulu. ‘Bonnie is missing.'

Kylie frowned. ‘That's terrible news,' she said. ‘I'm so sorry. But putting up posters is a great idea. I'm sure she'll be found really soon.'

Kylie handed Lulu some sticky tape.

Olivia and Jo stuck a poster in the window. Molly and Lulu put one on the front of the reception desk.

‘Now we need to put posters around the neighbourhood,' said Lulu.

‘Let's ask Dad if he can take us,' said Olivia. ‘Would you and Molly like to come too?'

‘Sure,' said Molly and Lulu together.

The girls went back to the house. The parents were still working hard. Mum was pinning material. Tien was sewing a tunic. Roy was covering empty cardboard boxes in silver paper. These would be props to decorate the stage.

‘Dad,' called Olivia. ‘We made some posters to let people know that Bonnie is missing.'

‘What a great idea,
meisje
,' said Roy. Roy often called the girls
meisje
. It was a Dutch word that meant ‘little girl'.

‘We want to stick them up on power poles and on noticeboards,' added Jo. ‘Could you take us?'

‘Of course,' said Roy. ‘Let me finish wrapping this box. It's the last one.'

Roy and the four girls walked around the streets. They stuck posters on power poles, noticeboards and bus shelters. Every time they met someone, they asked if they had seen a lost tri-colour cat. But no-one had.

Olivia and Jo stuck the last poster up on the noticeboard outside the bakery.

‘I hope this works,' said Jo. ‘I hope someone rings today.'

‘I don't know what we'll do if we can't find Bonnie,' said Olivia. ‘It would be the saddest Christmas ever.'

Roy walked the girls back to Lulu's house. Lulu gave both twins a big hug to give them courage. Inside, Mum and Tien had just finished the last elf costume.

Rosie jumped up, waving a sheet of paper. ‘Come
on
, Lulu. I've been waiting for you for ages. We need to write our letters to Santa. I know
exactly
what to ask for.'

Lulu smiled at Rosie. ‘A new tutu?'

‘No,' said Rosie. ‘I've thought of something much better than that.'

Molly, Sam and Tien went home. Lulu, Rosie and Gus sat down at the kitchen bench to write their letters to Santa. All three of them had something very special to ask for.

Monday was a busy and exciting day. It was the last day of school before the holidays. It was also the day of the Christmas concert.

Dad and Roy had set up a Christmas tree in the playground next to the stage. The kids decorated it with hand-made ornaments. Lulu and Rosie hung up their star bunting. The stage was decorated with piles of the giant fake presents that Roy had wrapped.

Mon Underneath the tree were lots of real presents that the students had donated. The presents would be given to children who weren't quite as lucky as the kids at Shelly Beach School. Lulu and Rosie had chosen a pile of books to give away.

During the day, all the classes rehearsed their acts one last time. The kids helped set up chairs for the parents and grandparents in the playground.

At last it was time for the concert. It was a beautiful summer afternoon. The sun shone brightly. The sky was a deep blue with wisps of white cloud. A breeze from the ocean kept the playground cool.

In the afternoon, all the kids dressed in their costumes. Lulu and Molly peered out of their classroom window.

‘Look,' said Lulu. ‘Everyone is arriving.'

‘There's your mum and dad,' said Molly. ‘And Gus.'

Mum had her big camera slung around her neck. Gus was dressed in a Christmas elf costume just like Lulu's.

‘And Nanna and Gumpa,' added Lulu. She pointed at her grandparents as they sat down in the front row.

Tien and Kylie walked through the gate together. Then came Olivia and Jo's mum and dad, their grandparents Ninny and Pa, and their great-grandmother Peorie.

All the families were super-excited. They chatted and laughed as they found their seats.

Inside the classroom, Miss Baxter was handing out the elf hats. She turned to Lulu and Molly with a frown.

‘Have you girls seen Olivia and Jo?' asked Miss Baxter. ‘They should be here by now.'

Lulu looked around the room. All of the other students were there. They were giggling and joking as they tried on their hats.

‘I saw them a while ago,' replied Lulu. ‘They were already dressed.'

Miss Baxter looked worried. ‘Could you look for them for me, please, girls? I know they're sad today because Bonnie is missing. I hope everything is all right.'

Lulu nodded. The bell on her elf hat jingled.

‘Of course, Miss Baxter,' said Molly.

‘We'll be as fast as we can,' added Lulu.

Molly and Lulu raced out of the classroom. ‘Where do you think they could be?' asked Molly.

‘Let's start by checking all the classrooms on this level,' suggested Lulu. ‘Maybe they are visiting the other year three class.'

Every classroom was filled with excited children in different costumes. There were reindeer, Christmas trees, fairies, nutcracker soldiers and animals. But there was no sign of the twins.

Molly and Lulu kept searching in the bathrooms, the library and the computer lab.

At last they checked in the art room. As Molly pushed open the door, Lulu could hear a funny noise coming from inside. It sounded like crying.

Olivia and Jo sat huddled together under the window.

‘What's wrong?' asked Molly. She ran over to the girls.

Jo looked up, her eyes red from crying. Olivia wiped her face with a tissue.

Lulu thought it was awful to see the girls so upset. They were usually so happy and cheerful.

‘There's still no sign of Bonnie,' said Olivia. ‘We put up all those posters and no-one has called.'

‘Something terrible must have happened to her,' said Jo.

Lulu gave each of the girls a hug.

‘I know you're worried,' said Lulu. ‘But Miss Baxter sent us to find you. The concert is starting any minute. You need to come and join the class.'

Olivia and Jo shook their heads.

‘I couldn't possibly sing when I feel so bad,' said Olivia.

‘Or play the piano,' added Jo.

‘We'd spoil the concert,' said Olivia.

Molly looked worried. ‘But your performance is beautiful,' she said. ‘I saw you rehearse it last week.'

Olivia gave Molly a watery smile.

‘Everyone is looking forward to it,' said Lulu. ‘You are the stars of the show.'

Jo shook her head. She sniffled and blew her nose. Molly sat down next to Jo and put her arm around her shoulder.

Lulu thought quickly. How could she help the girls feel better? She smiled at the twins.

‘How long has Bonnie been missing?' she asked.

Jo rubbed her eyes. ‘Four days. Since Friday.'

Lulu nodded. ‘That's not so bad. We've had cats brought into the vet hospital that have been missing for weeks. We always find their owners.'

Olivia and Jo looked at each other hopefully.

Lulu picked up a water bottle that was sitting on a desk. She gave a cheeky smile.

‘Anyway,' said Lulu, ‘it doesn't matter. If you can't perform, Molly and I will do it for you.'

Olivia and Jo stared at Lulu in surprise.

‘What do you mean?' asked Jo.

Lulu struck a pose. She held the water bottle as though it were a microphone.

‘O, holy night!'
sang Lulu. She wiggled her hips and shook her head from side to side. She pointed at the two girls.
‘The stars are brightly shining.'

Molly laughed. Olivia and Jo giggled at Lulu's antics. Lulu had a nice voice but it wasn't deep and strong like Olivia's.

‘Your mum and dad are here,' said Lulu. ‘And your ninny and pa, and even your great-grandmother. But I'm sure they wouldn't mind if Molly and I sang instead.'

‘I can't play the piano,' said Molly. ‘But I could play the air guitar.'

She jumped around and strummed an imaginary guitar like a rock star. Lulu banged on the desk like a drum. The noise was terrible.

Everyone laughed. Olivia's dimples came back.

Jo shook her head. ‘Ninny is so looking forward to it,' she said.

‘And Pa,' added Olivia.

‘And your dad helped make all the sets,' Lulu reminded them. ‘He would be so sad if he didn't get to see you perform.'

The twins hesitated.

‘Perhaps Molly and I could just
help
you,' suggested Lulu. ‘We could play the air guitar – or we could stick to turning cartwheels.'

The twins nodded and jumped to their feet.

‘Let's go,' said Olivia and Jo together.