Read Online Frognapped by Angie Sage - Free Book Online Page B

each,” said Mabel/Vera.
    â€œSo that there’s no fighting,” giggled Vera/Mabel.
    â€œI will give your order to our resident knitter,” I told them. “It will be ready in two weeks.”
    â€œAraminta, really…” Aunt Tabby said very faintly. But she didn’t say anything else.
    Suddenly Nosy Nora’s squeaky voice cameover the loudspeakers. “Ladies and gentlemen, please make your way to the Water Wonderland tent where the world-famous Fish Frolics Show is about to begin!” The loudspeaker did a horrible high-pitched squeak and everyone winced. Then we all heard Nora say, “What was that, Dad? I can’t hear what you’re saying. What? Are you sure ?” There was a silence, then the loudspeaker came on again. “Um. Would Wanda Wizzard and Araminta Spookie please make their way to the big tent as soon as possible. Dad—are you sure ?” Then there was a crackle and the loudspeaker went dead.
    â€œWe’ve got to go,” I told Aunt Tabby. “They can’t start without us. Come on, Wanda.”
    â€œYou are not going anywhere without your hats,” said Aunt Tabby. “At least then I can keep an eye on you. Put them on.”
    There was no time to waste arguing over hats. I stuffed my squid hat on and Wanda crammed on her fish hat and we zoomed off into the crowd.
    Nosy Nora was not pleased to see us. “You keep getting me into trouble,” she said. “Did you know there are two old ladies wearing hats just like yours? I chased them all the way to Squid Café and nearly got trapped by your creepy aunt.”
    â€œReally?” I said. “What a coincidence.”
    Nosy Nora looked at me like I was one of those horrible suckerfish stuck on the side of that tank. “Anyway,” she said, “I don’t know why Dad wants you to help,” she said grumpily. “He’s not thinking straight. He sounds like he’s got a cold or something.”
    â€œI expect he thinks you can’t do it allon your own,” I said.
    â€œThere’s not exactly a lot to do anyway,” said Nora sulkily. “It’s only the stupid frogs and then Dad does the shark thing and splashes everyone and then they all go home.”
    â€œI’ll do the frogs,” Wanda piped up.
    â€œOh all right,” said Nora. “They’re nasty, slimy things anyway.” She picked up the red frog bucket and handed it to Wanda. Wanda grabbed the bucket. “I’ve got the fro-ogs, I’ve got the fro-ogs!” she sang and did a weird Wanda-dance around in circles.
    That was a mistake. She blew our cover. One thing a detective should never do is blow her cover. It leads to trouble.
    Nosy Nora looked suspicious—very suspicious. “What’s going on?’ she asked.
    â€œDon’t ask me,” said the shark, peering outfrom behind the big striped curtain at the back of the tank.
    â€œ Shh ,” I told Sir Horace—but it was too late.
    Nora stared at me. “I don’t believe it is Dad under there,” she said. “I’ve heard all about you, Araminta Spookie, and I think you are fibbing.”

    â€œBut—” I said. I was going to tell her that I had never said it was Old Morris in the shark suit, but Nosy Nora wasn’t listening.
    â€œI think it’s your creepy aunt in there. It’sjust the kind of weird thing she’d do. I’m going to look!”
    â€œNo, its not Aunt—”
    But it was too late. Nora unzipped the shark suit and went pale. “There’s no one there!” she yelled. “It’s haunted!”
    â€œThat’s right,” I told her since, whatever anyone may think, I do not tell fibs.
    â€œWhere’s my dad?” she yelled. “What have you done with him?”
    We didn’t say anything.
    â€œI’ll find him! I’ll find him and then you’ll be sorry!” Nosy Nora raced over to