Lulu Bell and the Circus Pup (4 page)

When Lulu arrived home she was full of stories about her afternoon at the circus.

‘Stella and her mum have asked me to come back again tomorrow,' said Lulu. ‘I can go, can't I, Mum? And I'm going to teach Asha and Jessie how to walk on their hind legs. And Stella said I can come back on Friday before opening night.'

Mum laughed. ‘You certainly have had an adventure, haven't you, Lulu?
I think you can visit again tomorrow.'

Lulu threw herself at Mum and hugged her tight. ‘Thanks! You're the best mum in the world.'

Later that night, Lulu changed into her pyjamas. She came out to kiss Mum and Dad goodnight. Before she could, the vet hospital phone rang. At night, the phone rang through to the house for emergencies.

Dad answered. ‘Dr Bell speaking.' He listened while the other person spoke. ‘Okay. I'm on my way.'

Dad turned to Mum and Lulu. ‘That was the circus. Apparently they have a camel who needs some help. I said I'd go straight away.'

Lulu looked up at her Dad. ‘Can I come too?
Pleeease
, Dad.'

‘It's a school night,' Mum reminded her.

Dad grinned. ‘We won't be long. And it's not often we get a house call to a circus to treat a camel!'

Mum smiled. ‘Okay, but don't be late.'

Lulu pulled a hoodie over her pyjamas. Dad grabbed his black medical bag. In a few minutes they were back at the circus.

A small throng of people stood beside the camel enclosure. There was Rory the acrobat, Percy the juggler, Stella, Jenna and Paul. They were all holding torches. Rory looked worried.

One of the camels was lying down in the straw. Lulu thought she looked very uncomfortable with her big round stomach. The camel was breathing heavily. She let out an indignant roar.

‘It's Goldie,' said Rory. ‘She's having a baby. But she seems to be in trouble.'

Dad knelt down in the straw. He poked and prodded the camel's bulging belly. He smiled. ‘Goldie will be fine. She just needs a little help. But I don't think she's having a baby … I think she's having twins!'

Rory grinned with relief. Lulu gave Stella a hug. Twin baby camels!

‘We need to give her a little peace and space,' suggested Dad. ‘Rory, could you please hold the torch for me? Everyone else, just step back a little.'

Dad set to work. Soon there were not one but two newborn camels lying in the straw. Dad wiped their noses free of gunk to help them breathe. The firstborn baby struggled to its feet. It was wonky and wobbly on long skinny legs. Its mother licked its nose.

‘Two perfect baby girls,' announced Dad. ‘Mother and babies in excellent health.'

Paul came up and shook Dad's hand. ‘That's the second time in two nights that Lulu's family has helped us. The Starlight Circus would like to thank you very much …'

He pulled a sheaf of paper from his pocket. ‘… with front row VIP tickets to Friday's opening night.'

‘Hurray!' said Lulu. ‘Thank you so much.'

Stella winked at Lulu. Lulu winked right back.

Dad took the tickets. ‘We would love to come. Thank you. Now, I promised Chrissie we wouldn't be long. Before we go, have you thought of names for your two new circus performers?'

Rory glanced lovingly at the newborn babies. He scrunched up his face and rubbed his chin. ‘Such cute girls deserve two special names. I will call them … Stella and Lulu.'

Lulu and Stella exchanged delighted glances.

‘Come and see the baby camels again tomorrow?' asked Stella.

‘Absolutely!' Lulu gave a super-big grin. What a thrilling night. She couldn't wait to tell her best friend Molly all about it at school.

At last it was Friday night. The opening night of Starlight Circus. Lagoon Park was festooned with twinkling lights. The reflections shimmered and glimmered on the water of the lagoon.

Crowds of people stood around laughing and chatting. Molly was there with her mum Tien and little brother Sam. Jessica was there with her twin brothers Jack and Toby and their parents.
Kylie the vet nurse was there with friends. Everyone waved and called hello.

Dad bought a big box of buttery popcorn. Lulu was so excited she couldn't eat a thing. Gus was very happy to eat her share. Rosie and Lulu had dressed up. Rosie wore a pale-blue tutu, angel wings and a tiara in her hair. Lulu wore a big coat. She had brushed and brushed her hair until it shone.

Lulu jiggled up and down. Finally it was time to take their seats. They had five seats right in the middle of the front row. Lulu wriggled back in her seat.

‘Do you want me to take your coat, honey bun?' Mum asked Lulu.

‘No thanks, Mum,' said Lulu. ‘It's a bit cold.' Mum looked puzzled but didn't argue.

A drum roll sounded. The spotlight shone. Everyone stopped talking.

Into the middle of the ring strode Stella's dad Paul. He was no longer dressed in grubby jeans and a stained T-shirt. He wore snow-white jodhpurs with long black boots. He had a scarlet riding jacket and a black top hat. He looked magnificent.

Paul cracked his whip. ‘I am Paulo Steffiano, the ringmaster. Welcome to the world-famous Starlight Circus. Tonight we will dazzle and delight you. Intrigue and amaze you. Be prepared for the best night of your lives …'

The music began. A horde of acrobats leaped into the ring. Somersaulting, spinning, tumbling and turning. Rory waved to Lulu as he hurtled past.

Clowns with big red noses played silly games. They fought and made rude noises. They chased each other and fell
over their super-long shoes. The crowd roared with laughter.

Aerialists swung on giant swings high above the ring. They leaped and plummeted and soared through the air. Lulu held her breath until they were all safely landed in the bouncy safety net.

Paul returned to the ring. He tipped his glossy black hat and gave a flourishing bow. Six dogs proudly trotted in. They wore ruffs and tutus. They performed perfectly – walking on their hind legs, balancing on a ball, pedalling the tricycle and walking the tightrope.

The dogs bowed and trotted out. Lulu clapped until her palms were aching.

But where was Spangles?

The clowns returned, pushing and shoving. One had a curly blue wig. He juggled flaming torches. The fire spun up and over in the air.

Another clown was jealous. He ran off and came back wearing a very tall top hat and a huge red coat. He carried a chair and a long whip. He cracked the whip and flourished the chair. He was pretending to be Paulo the ringmaster.

Then came a surprise. A golden lion cub rushed into the ring. The cub growled. It darted back and forth.

The fake ringmaster tried to tame the lion. He cracked his whip. He thrust his chair. He even tried a flaming torch. But the cub was not to be tamed.

Lulu looked closely. She laughed. It wasn't a lion cub at all. It was Spangles dressed up in a furry golden lion suit.

Spangles leaped at the lion tamer clown. The clown threw his chair away and ran. Spangles chased the clown around and around the ring. With a big jump, Spangles lunged for the clown's bottom. The back flap of the clown's trousers fell down. Underneath were pink polka dot undies. The clown fell on his back. Spangles leaped on his chest. She licked him all over his face. The crowd laughed even harder.

Spangles rose up on her back legs. She danced pirouettes around the fallen clown. Then she swept a deep bow and raced out of the ring.

The clowns shambled out, shaking their heads and rubbing their bottoms. The applause was deafening.

Spangles was a hit. Whatever could come next?

A trumpet tooted. The spotlight shone. Paul strode into the centre of the ring. The crowd went as quiet as the night.

‘And now for our next act,' boomed Paul, ‘we need a volunteer from the audience. Would anyone like to help us?'

Dozens of hands shot into the air. Lulu stretched her hand as high as she could reach. The ringmaster looked around.

‘You. The young lady in the front row.' He pointed straight at Lulu. ‘Come on into the ring.'

‘Oh, honey bun,' said Mum. ‘He means you.'

‘Go on, sweetheart,' said Dad.

Lulu took off her coat. She scrambled over the low wall and into the ring. She was wearing black leggings, ballet slippers and a black leotard.

‘Are you ready, Lulu?' Paul whispered to her. She nodded. Her mouth felt dry. Paul turned to the audience. ‘May I present Miss Lulu Bell of Shelly Beach Vet Hospital.'

The crowd clapped. Dad and Gus stood up and cheered. Lulu waved.

Jenna and Stella came out into the ring. They were both dressed as Spanish flamenco dancers. They wore tight-fitting black dresses. Red and gold ruffles frothed at the shoulders and hem. Spangles followed them.

Jenna carried a matching flamenco skirt. She fastened it around Lulu's waist.

Stella clipped a set of ruffles to her leotard to form sleeves. Now Lulu was dressed as a flamenco dancer too. Both girls put on helmets disguised as Spanish hats.

Jenna whistled. Suddenly six snow-white horses appeared. They cantered in a circle, round and round. All wore scarlet bridles. One of the horses wore a special
saddle on his back. After two laps, they spun around and cantered the opposite way. Jenna gestured.

The saddled horse stopped. It was Blanco. He walked into the centre, arching his neck. His mane and tail flowed like foaming white water. Blanco lay down on the ground. Lulu climbed onto his back.

Blanco stood and pawed the ground. Lulu waved to the crowd. Then Blanco rejoined the circle of cantering white horses.

Stella ran and vaulted onto the back of another horse. The two girls cantered around. Jenna raised her arms. All the horses reared. Lulu clung on tight. The horses spun around and cantered the other way.

Jenna signalled with her whip. Four of the horses trotted out of the ring. Now there were just two horses, with the girls on their backs. The horses moved slowly and rhythmically in perfect time.

A drum roll sounded. Stella leaped to her feet. She stood on horseback and waved to the crowd.

The crowd roared. Lulu glanced at Jenna. Jenna smiled encouragingly then she signalled with her dressage whip to Blanco.

Lulu grabbed the special strap attached to Blanco's saddle. She held tight and pulled herself to a crouch. Then she stood up. Lulu stood tall and proud as Blanco circled the ring.

The crowd went wild. Lulu gave a super-huge grin. She felt like she was flying! As she rode past she could see
her family and friends. Dad leaped to his feet. Gus was standing on his chair. Rosie was waving. Molly clapped and cheered. Mum had her hand to her mouth. She looked terrified.

Jenna waved her arms. The girls sat down again. The horses trotted to the centre and stopped side by side.

The horses stretched their front legs out and bowed. Their noses dipped to the sawdust. Their tails swished.

The ringmaster called out, ‘A huge round of applause for our very own Stella. And for Lulu Bell in her first ever circus performance!'

The crowd applauded. It sounded like thunder. Lulu the circus girl waved and waved. This was a night she would never ever forget. What a magnificent circus adventure.