Read Online Arthur Christmas by Justine Fontes - Free Book Online

realized that every nation on Earth was tracking the flying sleigh. There was even news footage of the floating African animals!
    A Tanzanian reporter concluded unhappily, “The herd is now in Mozambique’s airspace, threatening the fragile peace between the two nations.”
    Steve’s stomach churned. “Two billion items delivered, and we didn’t leave a footprint in the snow. And now …” However would he explain this mess to Santa?!
    All around Steve, elves reported additional disasters. An Internet technology elf named Doug moaned, “Sir, we have 80 percent data loss.”
    Another said, “Sir, there’s a polar bear on level six.”
    A third wondered, “Why is Arthur out there?”
    Ernie, the old elf still trying to raise the sleigh on his Signalator, blurted out, “Santa missed a nipper, number 47785BXK.”
    Word began to spread through the North Pole’s massive elf population that “a nipper” had been missed, and Arthur had gone to make the delivery.
    Just then, Doug exclaimed, “Sir, we’ve got something! Bryony Shelfley’s Hoho!”

    At that moment, Bryony stared at Arthur, who sat aboard the battered sleigh. He grabbed her tape guns and taped himself firmly to Eve’s seat, stating boldly, “We can still get there! We just have to go faster … higher!”
    Bryony admired his determination. “Ooh, you’ve changed your tune.”
    Suddenly another siren shrieked, sending Grandsanta clambering over the back seat. The frightened reindeer trotted out of the alley.
    â€œI’m not going anywhere!” Grandsanta cried hysterically. He pulled the heavy blanket over his head to hide. “I’m not here!”
    â€œGrandsanta come out!” Arthur called. But the old man was busy reliving his worst trauma.
    â€œLeave me alone!” his muffled voice begged from beneath the blanket. “It’s 1962 all over again! I took Evie out for a spin. It was the Cuban Missile Crisis. I nearly started World War III!”
    Arthur regretted taping himself to the seat. “Aaaah! Help! I’m stuck, my hands!” he screamed in frustration.
    â€œHold still,” Bryony said as she whipped out her laser-guided scissors to cut him free, as the driverless sleigh careened down the road, reins flailing, jolting Bryony’s scissors so the beam came within an inch of Arthur’s eye! Another reindeer shook free and galloped away!
    â€œOh no!” Arthur exclaimed. “Fencer! Mincer! Come back!”
    But there was no time to pursue the runaway deer. Police cars were converging on the sleigh, which was right out on the street in plain sight! Bryony pumped magic dust to help the sleigh lift off!
    Still without a driver, Eve wove wildly through the sky. “Aaaaaah! Grandsanta get up here!” Arthur yelled.
    Finally free of the tape, Arthur yanked the old man to the front of the sleigh.
    â€œMy new hip!” Grandsanta complained, though certainly seemed spry enough as he jumped down into the foot well.
    â€œPlease, listen, I’ll read you Gwen’s letter,” Arthur pleaded.
    Grandsanta shook his head. “Stone deaf. I’m 136.”
    But even the old “deaf” man heard something ringing. “What’s that?”
    Bryony stared at her flashing Hoho. “It’s Steve!”
    â€œSteve!” Arthur exclaimed, hoping his big brother could help them get out of this mess!
    â€œTell him I’m not here!” Grandsanta cried.
    Bryony pressed the “answer” button on her Hoho and dutifully reported, “Grandsanta says he’s not here.”
    Steve replied, “Hi! I’m looking for a missing relic.”

DESPITE GRANDSANTA’S ATTEMPT at denial, Steve could clearly see the old man through Bryony’s Hoho screen. Realizing this, Grandsanta changed his approach, trying instead to blame Arthur. “It was him! Frosty the Madman, he