Lulu Bell and the Fairy Penguin Read Online Free Page A

if I walked to school with you today,’ said Molly. ‘She has an early appointment at work.’
    â€˜Of course you can walk with us, Molly,’ said Mum.
    â€˜Look, Molly,’ squealed Lulu. ‘Pickles has had kittens. They are just adorable.’
    â€˜Doruble pussas,’ agreed Gus. He stood on tiptoe and tried to see into the top of the washing machine.
    â€˜Before we can leave for school, we have to move Pickles to a safer place,’ said Mum.
    Mum carefully picked up Pickles.She wrapped her in a towel and placed her tenderly in the crate. Mum rubbed her softly to dry her. Pickles meowed. She wanted to be near her kittens.
    â€˜It’s okay, Pickles,’ said Lulu soothingly.
    â€˜Here’s a towel for you, honey bun, and one for Molly,’ said Mum. ‘We’re going to dry the kittens very, very gently. Then we’ll put them in the box with Pickles. Be super careful not to drop them.’
    The kittens had their eyes closed fast and their coats were sticky. Their little paws scrabbled at the towels. They mewled for their mother.
    One by one, the kittens were stroked dry. Then they were placed in the crate with Pickles.
    Molly held the tiniest kitten up toher face and nuzzled its velvety black fur.
    â€˜It is so sweet ,’ she sighed. ‘I wish we had a cat who could have kittens in our washing machine. I wish Mum would let me have any pet at all!’
    â€˜You could,’ cried Lulu. ‘Oh, Mum, couldn’t Molly have one of the kittens? Couldn’t you ask Molly’s mum if she can have one?’
    Molly gazed between Lulu and Mum. Her face glowed with hope and wonder.
    Mum laughed. ‘I can’t promise that your mum will say yes, Molly. But I promise I will ask her what she thinks.’

    â€˜Yes!’ screamed Lulu and Molly together.
    â€˜Thanks, Mum,’ cried Lulu.
    â€˜Thanks, Chrissie,’ said Molly. ‘Oh, how exciting! What will I call her? Perhaps Sooty or Blackie. No, that’s too boring. How about Petal or Petunia?’
    â€˜How about Cassie? Or Miffy?’ suggested Rosie.
    â€˜Bug Boy!’ cried Gus, with a cheeky grin.
    â€˜No way!’ cried Lulu, Molly and Rosie together.

Chapter 10
The Design Contest
    Molly and Lulu were a few minutes late to class. Miss Baxter had already marked the roll.
    â€˜Sorry we’re late, Miss Baxter,’ said Lulu. ‘But my cat Pickles went missing. When I found her, she’d had kittens in the washing machine. They nearly drowned when I started the wash. Luckily we saved them. We moved them into a box in my bedroom.’
    Miss Baxter smiled. ‘That’s all right, girls,’ she said. ‘I’m glad your cat is safe and sound. Now, take a seat. Today we are going to vote on our mural design.’
    Lulu sat down. She felt a flutter of excitement in her stomach.
    â€˜The builders have just erected a timber fence around their building site on the main street,’ explained Miss Baxter. ‘This is where we will paint our mural. Hands up – does anyone have any ideas?’
    A dozen hands shot up around the room.
    â€˜Yes, Ethan?’ asked Miss Baxter.
    â€˜We could paint a giant pirate scene! It could have pirate ships and treasure chests, cutlasses and cannons, parrots and swashbuckling pirates.’
    â€˜Very good, Ethan. I like that idea.And what do you think, Jade?’ asked Miss Baxter.
    â€˜We could paint a long scene of Shelly Beach with surfers and swimmers.
    We could do lifesavers and sandcastles, sailboats with white sails, seagulls and dolphins frolicking in the waves.’
    Lulu stretched her hand as high as she could reach towards the ceiling. Her bottom lifted right out of the chair.

    â€˜That would be lovely, Jade,’ said Miss Baxter. ‘I can imagine it as a colourful painting of our local area. And what is your idea, Lulu?’
    Lulu sat up tall. She flicked one honey-coloured plait over her