Lulu Bell and the Pirate Fun Read Online Free Page B

hand. Lulu smiled back.

    â€˜She’ll be fine,’ said Dad. ‘She only has a few cuts and bruises. We just need to get her dry and warm again.’
    Soon Mum and Uncle Nick arrived in the four-wheel drive. Dad wrapped Jessie and Asha in the towels that Mum had brought along. They lifted the two dogs into the back of the car. Lulu and Dad hopped into the back with the dogs and used two more of the towels to dry off their hair and clothes.
    Back at the house, Dad tended to Jessie in front of the warm fire. She was soon running around the house, licking everyone in sight.
    Lulu had a steaming-hot shower to wash away the mud. After Dad had showered too, everyone gathered in the kitchen. Mum filled the kettle with water.
    Â 
    â€˜After all that excitement, I could do with a hot cup of tea,’ said Mum. ‘Anyone else like one?’
    Gus frowned up at Mum. ‘But what about my birsday ?’ he asked. ‘What about my pirate party?’

Chapter 10
The Treasure Map
    Mum put down the kettle.
    â€˜Oh, I’d nearly forgotten,’ she said.
    Gus looked worried.
    Mum gave Gus a cheeky grin. ‘I’m only joking, honey bun! But we can’t possibly have a pirate party with you dressed like that ,’ said Mum. ‘Luckily I have something that might help.’
    Mum fetched a huge parcel wrapped in red-and-white striped paper. It was tied with a big black bow.
    â€˜Happy birthday, Gus!’ cried Mum.
    Gus ripped open the wrapping paper. Inside was a pirate suit. It had a gold vest and a scarlet jacket. There were black trousers and a puffy white shirt, all exactly Gus-sized. Best of all, there was a black pirate hat with a long, crimson feather. Rosie handed Gus the sword that Gumpa had made for him.

    â€˜Yay!’ cried Gus. He flung his arms around Mum’s neck. ‘Thanks, Mumma. You’re the best mum in the world.’
    Gus jammed the hat on his head, grabbed his sword and challenged Lachie to a duel.
    â€˜She is the best mum in the world,’ said Dad. ‘And you make a mighty fine pirate captain, Gus.’
    â€˜ Arrr , Captain Sharkbait,’ said Tom.
    Mum smiled and straightened Gus’s hat.
    â€˜Why don’t you kids get dressed, ready for the party?’ suggested Mum. ‘The grown-ups have a few last-minute things to set up.’
    Mum had brought a bag full of dress-ups and swords from the costume box at home. Auntie Tor had added some clothes from their family collection, as well.
    Â 
    The cousins rummaged through the costumes, planning their outfits.
    Striped kerchiefs and red bandannas were paired with silky sashes and silver swords. Felt eye patches and buckled belts tangled with black tricorne hats and coloured feathers. Lulu spied a purplevelvet jacket and a sky-blue sash, which she grabbed with glee.
    Once everyone was dressed, Meg used a black eye pencil to draw moustaches and beards on everyone’s faces. Soon the six cousins and four dogs were transformed into a swashbuckling band of buccaneers.

    Lulu shook the lace ruffles at her wrists. A blue felt tricorne was perched upon her head and her sword was tucked into her sash. She felt very grand.
    The pirate cousins stomped into the kitchen. There was no sign of the adults. There was just a scroll on the table, tied with a black ribbon.

    â€˜Look, Captain Gus. It’s addressed to you,’ said Lulu.
    Gus untied the scroll and unrolled the thick parchment paper. It was stained with tea and the edges were partly burned to make it look old.
    The map was marked with mysterious places such as Pirate Haven, Sea of Sighs (with an arrow that said, ‘Beware seamonster’) and Troll Bridge. A dotted trail led from Pirate Haven to a rectangle marked with a cross. Beside this was curly writing that said, ‘Your heart’s desire.’

    The six cousins glanced at each other in excitement. Gus looked up at Lulu, his eyes as round as Spanish