Lulu Bell and the Birthday Unicorn Read Online Free

Mum. She placed the unicorn under the tree on top of the cake. ‘And it’s finished!’

    Everyone crowded around.
    â€˜It’s fantastic,’ said Molly. ‘Take some more photos.’
    â€˜Is ’dorable ,’ declared Gus, his face smeared blue and green.
    â€˜I love it,’ sighed Rosie. Her face was shining with relief. ‘You’re so clever, Mum – and you too, Lulu. It was a really good idea.’
    Lulu felt a warm glow spread through her body. She looked up at her mum. Mum looked tired. She had a new stripe of green icing across her cheek and speckles on her shirt. Lulu picked up a damp tea towel and climbed up on the stool. She gently wiped the icing from her mother’s cheek.
    â€˜Now it’s time for you to get ready, Mum,’ urged Lulu. ‘You’re the only one not dressed up.’

    Mum kissed Lulu on the forehead.
    â€˜Thanks, honey bun,’ said Mum. ‘You’ve been a great help.’
    Lulu smiled with happiness.
    â€˜Come on, Molly,’ said Lulu. ‘We’ve still got to set up the games in the garden. Rosie, you stay in here with Gus. The games have to be a surprise.’

Chapter 8
A Mob of Mermaids
    The front doorbell rang and Rosie’s friends began to arrive. The girls were all dressed as mermaids. They wore long fishy tails and jewels in their hair. They carried mysterious coloured packages under their arms.
    The girls giggled as they ducked under the seaweed curtain. They oohed and aahed when they saw that the hall was swimming with silvery fish.
    Mum waved her wand in greeting. She was dressed as a regal fairy princess. She wore a long velvet cloak over her sparkly dress and a tiara on her head.
    â€˜Welcome to the underwater kingdom of Princess Rosie the Mermaid,’ cried Mum. ‘Please place your kind offerings on the kitchen table for the princess to peruse at her pleasure.’

    Rosie giggled with excitement as she greeted her friends.
    â€˜Hi, Mia. Hi, Gracie. Hello, Ruby … come in … come in.’
    â€˜Happy birthday, Rosie,’ called Ruby. ‘You look so pretty.’
    The girls crowded into the kitchen.They admired each other’s outfits and compared the size and shapes of the presents on the table. Pickles took one look at all the guests and stalked away to find a quiet place to sleep.
    Jessie bounded over to welcome all the mermaids. She smiled broadly and wagged her tail wildly. Rosie had dressed the dog in a pink tutu and wings. The wings had slipped off to one side.
    Gus crawled out from under the table. He was still dressed in his Bug Boy suit but Lulu had wiped his face clean.
    One of the mothers smiled at Gus. ‘Hello, who’s this little mermaid?’ she asked.
    â€˜I not mermaid,’ declared Gus in disgust. ‘I Bug Boy!’
    â€˜Yes, you are Bug Boy, honey bun,’ replied Mum. She kissed the top of hismasked head. ‘And you’re adorable.’
    â€˜I not …’ began Gus.
    Lulu grabbed him by the hand and dragged him towards the door.
    â€˜Come on, Gussie,’ she said. ‘Let’s show Rosie her birthday surprise.’

Chapter 9
The Underwater Kingdom
    Lulu threw open the door and everyone crowded around. The garden had been transformed into an underwater pleasure ground. Balloons and coloured lanterns and seaweed streamers were strung in the trees.
    Silken cushions were scattered on a blue tarpaulin ‘sea’ and soft music played.A mermaid piñata hung from a broad branch and the shallow paddle pool was filled with fragrant bubbles.
    And best of all, in the very centre was a unicorn. His white coat had been brushed until it shone. His mane and tail rippled like silk in the sunlight. In the centre of his forehead was a golden horn tied with purple ribbon.
    â€˜A unicorn,’ shrieked Rosie. ‘You’ve turned the pony into a unicorn!’
    Lulu winked at her sister. Molly laughed in