Lulu Bell and the Christmas Elf Read online

  * * *

  Dear Santa

  I hope you are well. You must be very busy at this time of year.

  Santa, I have a very big favour to ask. Instead of bringing us presents, do you think you could please find my friends’ cat Bonnie? She is a lovely cat and we are all very worried about her.

  If you brought Bonnie back, that would make us all so happy.

  Thank you so much. Merry Christmas.

  Love

  Lulu Bell

  P.S. I hope the reindeer like the carrots. We made you some choc-chunk shortbread, plus some extra to take home to Mrs Claus.

  * * *

  * * *

  Dear Santa

  My name is Rosie Bell. all I want for Christmas is Miss Martin. She is my teacher at Shelly Beach School. She is so nice. I don’t want a new teacher next year.

  Thank you

  Rosie

  P.S. You don’t need to bring Miss Martin down the chimney.

  * * *

  * * *

  Dear Santa

  This letter is from my little brother Gus. He has mostly been good, although sometimes he can be naughty. But he’s only three.

  Gus says he would really like a piglet for Christmas. He loves pigs.

  I don’t think Mum would like a piglet in the back garden. So if that’s too hard, maybe Gus would love a wooden sword.

  Thanks so much.

  Lulu (writing for Gus)

  P.S. Gus would like it if you brought

  Bonnie back too.

  * * *

  Chapter 4

  Where Are The Twins?

  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 turn
ing cartwheels.’

  The twins nodded and jumped to their feet.

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

  Chapter 5

  The Christmas Spectacular

  All the other children were in the playground. They were sitting cross-legged in their class groups. The first act had already begun.

  Miss Baxter smiled when she saw Lulu, Molly, Olivia and Jo hurrying across the playground. They sat down with the class.

  ‘Thanks, girls,’ she whispered. ‘I was worried that we had lost our star performers.’

  ‘We were just working on a little surprise,’ Lulu whispered back.

  Every class at Shelly Beach School performed in the concert. The children sang songs, danced and played music. There were Christmas carols, poetry recitals and a nativity play. Sam’s kindy class danced. All the kids were dressed as reindeer. Sam wore a bright red plastic nose.

  Rosie’s year one class sang a Christmas carol. They were all dressed in the angel costumes that Mum and Tien had made.

  Lulu felt jumpy with nerves. It was time for her class to line up at the back of the stage. Roy grinned at the girls as he slipped past them. He was on his way to get changed. He would be making a special guest appearance in the concert.

  The next act finished.

  ‘Come on, everyone,’ said Miss Baxter. ‘It’s our turn.’

  Lulu grinned at Molly, then at Olivia and Jo.

  On the stage, a roll of canvas dropped down as a back-drop. Mum and Roy had painted a huge white horse and an old-fashioned sleigh onto it.

  ‘I would like to introduce the 3B elves performing “Jingle Bells”,’ announced Miss Baxter.

  The music began. The whole class ran onto the stage. Lulu could see her family sitting in the audience. Gus stood up on his chair and waved. Mum had the camera aimed and ready. Nanna and Gumpa blew kisses.

  The elves began their dance – spinning and turning, jumping and swooping.

  Then Roy strode out on stage, wearing a long white beard. His blue eyes twinkled. He was dressed as Santa Claus, with a big pillow stuffed down his front.

  All the kids cheered. Santa Claus danced around, surrounded by elves.

  The elves danced and sang their hearts out. Lulu and Molly turned cartwheels. At last it was finished.

  Everyone bowed, then ran off the stage.

  The parents and grandparents clapped and cheered. Gus danced up and down on his chair. Roy sat back in the audience, right in the front.

  Miss Baxter took the microphone again. ‘We are nearly at the end of our Christmas concert,’ she said. ‘I would now like to introduce some very talented performers. Here are the twins Olivia and Jo from year three.’

  The twins ran onto the stage. They had quickly changed from their elf outfits. Now they wore long tutus made of tulle. Olivia’s was turquoise with a white ribbon around her waist, while Jo’s was white with a turquoise ribbon.

  Lulu gave the twins a thumbs-up sign. The girls smiled.

  Jo took a seat at the piano. A hush fell over the audience. Jo started playing.

  Olivia stood at the microphone. She began to sing ‘O Holy Night’. Her voice was strong and clear.

  Lulu and Molly ran onto the stage behind the twins. They danced and swayed. Then Lulu realised there was another dancer on the stage. Gus had run up to join them. He pranced and spun in his little elf suit. Gus waved to the crowd.

  ‘A thrill of hope,’ sang Olivia. She pointed towards all the mums and dads, grandmothers and grandfathers in the audience. ‘The weary world rejoices. For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.’

  As Olivia sang the final chorus, Molly and Lulu flipped into their cartwheels. They spun and turned across the front of the stage.

  The audience clapped and clapped. Parents mopped their eyes. Miss Baxter beamed. Fathers cheered. But the loudest cheers of all came from Dad and Roy standing up in the front row.

  Olivia and Jo stood up and bowed. Then Olivia grabbed Lulu by the hand, and Jo grabbed Molly and Gus by the hands. They dragged them forward to the front of the stage. All four girls and Gus bowed together and waved.

  ‘Thanks, Lulu,’ whispered Olivia. ‘I don’t think we could have performed if you and Molly hadn’t cheered us up.’

  ‘You were both wonderful,’ said Lulu. ‘The concert wouldn’t have been the same without your song.’

  Lulu squeezed Olivia’s hand. ‘Don’t be sad about Bonnie. I’m sure someone will find her soon.’

  Miss Baxter came on stage and beckoned to all the students. They came running.

  For the very last act all the children in the whole school gathered in front of the stage. They sang one final song at the tops of their voices.

  ‘We wish you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.’

  Chapter 6

  The Phone Call

  The Bell family had just arrived home from the Christmas concert. Everyone was happy and tired. Rosie was singing Christmas carols and spinning around the kitchen. Gus was sleepy. He climbed into Mum’s lap and snuggled up.

  Dad opened the back door to let the dogs inside. It was still warm and sunny outside – a beautiful summer evening. Pepper the ginger cat came running in from the lounge room. Lulu scooped her up and stroked her long, silky fur.

  Lulu purred at Pepper. Pepper responded with a deep, throaty rumble.

  ‘I’m glad Pepper and Pickles haven’t gone missing,’ said Lulu. She started to make the cats’ dinner.

  ‘Pepper loves her dinner too much to go wandering off,’ said Mum. She looked down at the boy on her lap. ‘Just like you, Gus.’

  Suddenly a phone rang in the kitchen. It was the phone that rang after the vet hospital had closed for the day.

  Dad answered it. ‘Shelly Beach Vet Hospital. Dr Bell speaking. Can I help you?’

  Dad listened as the caller explained.

  ‘I’ll come right away,’ he said. ‘What’s your address?’ Dad scrawled the details down on a piece of paper. ‘Thanks. I’ll be there as soon as I can.’

  Dad turned to the family. ‘A lady just rang to say that she heard a cat meowing under her house. She said it won’t come out and it seems to be in distress.’

  Lulu’s face lit up. ‘Do you think it could be Bonnie?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ said Dad. ‘She lives quite a few streets away from Olivia and Jo’s house. But there’s only one way to find out. Would you like to come with me?’

  ‘Yes, please,’ replied Lulu.

  Dad and Lulu drove to the far side of Shelly Beach. Dad parked the station wagon and collected a carry cage from the back. He and Lulu walked to the front door and rang the bell.

  An older woman answered. She had a kind, crinkly face. ‘Hello, Dr Bell,’ she said. ‘Thanks for coming.’

  ‘Hello, Mrs Russell,’ said Dad. ‘This is my daughter Lulu.’

  Mrs Russell smiled at Lulu.

  ‘Let’s see if you have more luck coaxing the poor cat out from under my house,’ Mrs Russell said. ‘I’ve called and called but it won’t come.’

  She led the way around the back. It was a timber house that was raised slightly above the ground. The gap was too small for a person to crawl into. But it was just big enough for a small animal like a cat.

  ‘I heard it meowing on and off over the weekend,’ explained Mrs Russell. ‘I’ve coaxed and cajoled, and left out food and milk. I’ve tried everything.

  Then I saw a poster up at the shops about a missing cat, so I rang you.’

  ‘Thank you, Mrs Russell,’ said Dad. ‘Let’s see if we can persuade this cat to come out.’

  Lulu and her dad listened carefully. They couldn’t hear anything but the sound of cars on the road and the breeze rustling the leaves on the trees.

  ‘Here, pussa, pussa,’ called Dad. ‘Here, pussa.’

  They listened again. Lulu thought she heard a faint whimper.

  ‘I heard something,’ whispered Lulu.

  ‘Here, pussa. Here, Bonnie.’ Dad called again a
nd again. There was no sign of a cat.

  Lulu lay on her tummy on the lawn. She peered into the shadows under the house. It was too hard to see anything. Lulu wondered if it really was Bonnie hiding under the house. She imagined her frightened and possibly hurt.

  Lulu had been to visit Olivia and Jo’s house many times. She had often cuddled and stroked Bonnie. She used to talk to Bonnie just like she talked to her own cats. Lulu had an idea.

  ‘Meow,’ called Lulu softly. ‘Meow, Bonnie.’

  There was no reply. Lulu tried again. ‘Meow.’

  ‘Mew,’ came a faint reply.

  Lulu wriggled closer to the gap under the house. ‘Meow.’

  Lulu meowed and meowed patiently. Dad and Mrs Russell sat on some outdoor chairs and waited.

  Another whimper came from under the house but this time it sounded closer. Lulu put her hand in the gap under the house. She called again.

  Gradually Lulu’s eyes adjusted to the dimness under the house. At last she saw something move.

  Could it be a cat? Could it be Bonnie?

  Slowly, the shadow crawled forward. At last Lulu could reach it with her fingertips. She grasped the animal and hauled it out.

  It was a filthy, bedraggled and very skinny cat. Its coat was black and white and orange. The fur was matted with dried grass and dust. The cat blinked at Lulu with huge green eyes. The pupils were wide and black.

  ‘Bonnie!’ cried Lulu.

  The cat panted, struggling for breath.

  Dad dashed over. ‘Great work, Lulu.’

  ‘Is she all right?’ asked Mrs Russell.

  Dad frowned as he examined the limp cat. ‘Her hind legs aren’t working,’ he said. ‘She’s very weak. I think she has tick poisoning.’