Lulu Bell and the Tiger Cub Read Online Free

her, the cage door was open and she was gone.’
    â€˜She must be here somewhere,’ said Dr Bradley. ‘Why don’t we all have a really good look for her?’
    First they checked Linh’s cage again. The door was wide open. Inside were her water bowl and her orange ball. Other toys had been thrown out onto the floor.
    â€˜I know I closed the door,’ said Rachael. She looked as though she might cry. ‘I’m always so careful with the cage doors.’
    â€˜I know you are,’ said Dr Bradley. ‘Perhaps Linh is more cunning than we thought. Monkeys are very clever at opening locks and doors. She’s only a baby so we thought she’d be safe.’
    The kids split into teams: Molly and Lauren, Mum and Lulu, Daniel and Max. They searched high on top of the cages and low under benches. They looked in Harry’s enclosure and in the aviary. With pounding hearts they searched the reptile room. Linh was nowhere to be found.
    Rachael was very upset. ‘What if we can’t find her? I’ll never forgive myself.’
    Berani the cub was waking up now. He cried a mini roar when he discoveredthat he had a big bandage on his leg.
    â€˜It’s all right, Berani,’ soothed Lulu as she passed. ‘Right now, we have more important things to worry about.’
    Max gave a shout from the locker room. Lulu and Molly rushed in. There was chaos.
    Someone – or something – had opened all the backpacks. Hats and scarves were strewn all over the floor.Paper had been torn into little pieces and sprinkled like snow. Lunch boxes and drink bottles had been overturned. Lulu’s lunch box was open. There were nibble marks on the grapes. The salad sandwich had been opened and the lunch paper was crumpled into a ball.

    â€˜Oh my goodness,’ said Lulu. ‘I think I know who has been causing trouble here.’
    â€˜Linh, the gentle spirit leaf monkey,’ said Molly. ‘Perhaps that wasn’t such a good name for her after all.’
    Everyone searched the locker room, but Linh was nowhere to be found. Molly and Max set to work to tidy the mess. Mum swept the floor, while Rachael fetched the mop.
    Lulu was thirsty. She decided to get some water from the staff room andsearch in there. The staff room had a long wooden table surrounded by chairs. There was a small kitchen with a sink, fridge, kettle and a microwave. A large window looked out over the zoo gardens.
    On the bench was a plate of smashed chocolate biscuit crumbs. Lulu found a glass and filled it with water from the tap.
    A funny noise sounded. It was a soft chittering up near the ceiling.
    Lulu wrinkled her forehead. What creature would make that noise? She listened carefully as she stood by the sink.
    The sound seemed to be coming from above the kitchen cupboards. Lulu began to investigate. She climbed onto a chair and then the bench. She stood upright on the bench and peered at the top of the cupboards.

    A dark shape was huddled at the far end. It had orange fur on its head and legs. The fur on its back was darker.
    â€˜Linh,’ whispered Lulu. ‘Is that you?’
    The baby monkey turned towards Lulu, staring at her with big black eyes. She looked frightened.
    Lulu walked slowly along the kitchen bench, talking softly.
    â€˜It’s all right, Linh,’ she whispered. ‘Time to come down now.’
    Lulu was halfway along when the leaf monkey charged straight towards her.She leaped for Lulu and landed on top of her head. The monkey gripped tightly. A long tail curled in Lulu’s face. Lulu thought she must look funny, as though she was wearing a furry monkey hat.
    â€˜Hello, Linh,’ murmured Lulu. ‘There’s a good girl.’
    Lulu gently lifted the monkey off her head and cuddled her close to her chest. The monkey buried her head against Lulu, making soft squeaking noises. ‘Good girl,’ crooned Lulu. ‘It’s good to see you safe and sound.