Read Online Lulu Bell and the Fairy Penguin by Belinda Murrell - Free Book Online Page B

you remember my angel wings?’
    â€˜Right here, honey bun,’ said Mum. She unhooked the feathery white wings from the back of the pram.
    Rosie slipped the straps over her shoulders and twirled around happily.
    â€˜Come on, Gus,’ called Mum. ‘It’s time to go to the beach for a swim.’
    Gus ignored her and scrambled higher on the climbing frame. He perched on the top rung. A wicked smile spread across his face and he waved to all the children below.
    Lulu tossed a plait over her shoulder.‘Shall I climb up and get him for you, Mum?’ she offered.
    â€˜Thanks, honey bun,’ replied Mum with a smile. ‘It’s too high for me.’
    Lulu swung hand over hand up the rope net.
    â€˜Gussie. Time to come down,’ she said.
    â€˜I not Gus, I Bug Boy,’ insisted Gus. He scowled at his sister.
    â€˜I know,’ coaxed Lulu. ‘But it’s time to go on an adventure at the beach. We can catch some crabs and build a huge sandcastle.’
    Gus’s eyes lit up behind his mask.
    â€˜Do you want to come for a slide on my boogie board?’ offered Lulu. ‘I’ll pull you along.’
    Gus nodded eagerly. Lulu held out her hand.
    â€˜Come on then, Bug Boy.’
    Together they climbed down again to join Mum, Rosie, Molly, Sam and Tien.
    â€˜Thanks, honey bun,’ said Mum. ‘Let’s go to the beach and see if we can find something to inspire your mural design.’

Chapter 4
Beach Fun
    It was a five-minute walk from school to the sheltered cove beach. The sun danced on the blue water of the harbour. It glinted and glittered. Dazzling white sailboats skimmed across the water and a ferry honked its horn. Seagulls swooped and soared, squabbling for scraps. The air smelt of salt and seaweed and hot chips.
    The two mums carried the pram and all the gear onto the yellow sand. Lulupulled off her hot shoes and socks. She squelched the crumbly sand between her toes.
    The mums made a screen of beach towels. The children took turns to duck behind the towels and wriggle into their swimming costumes and rash vests. Mum and Tien slathered them all with sunscreen.
    â€˜Race you in,’ called Lulu. She threw her hat on her bag and set off towards the water.
    Molly and Rosie squealed and chased her. They splashed through the tiny waves on the shore.

    The water was cold and clear and wonderful. It washed away the stickiness of the day. The girls dived and dunked, catching each other by the heel.
    Gus ran into the water, still wearing his Bug Boy costume. He wore his floaties over the top. He jumped into the shallows and shrieked with glee. Sam followed more slowly.
    â€˜Let’s dive down to the bottom like mermaids and find shells,’ suggested Rosie. ‘Maybe we’ll find a magical pearl.’
    â€˜Or a dolphin baby,’ added Lulu.
    The two mums dropped their sundresses onto the sand. They were already wearing their swimming costumes underneath. They swam out into the deep water and back. Then they sat on the beach, watching and chatting.
    For afternoon tea, Mum had cut upan icy cold watermelon and a juicy sweet pineapple, and added some pale green grapes. Everyone sat with their legs in the water as they shared the sticky, crunchy fruit.
    â€˜This pineapple is divine,’ said Mum. ‘It tastes of sunshine and summer.’
    â€˜Mmmm,’ agreed Molly.
    Lulu sucked a wedge of yellow pineapple and let the juice dribble down her throat.
    â€˜Dulishus,’ said Gus, his mouth full of pink watermelon.
    â€˜ You’re delicious, Gus,’ said Mum. She smiled at him fondly.
    â€˜I not dulishus ,’ said Gus seriously. ‘I’m boy.’
    Everyone laughed.
    True to her word, Lulu put Gus on her boogie board. She charged up anddown the beach, skimming Gus along the wet sand.

    â€˜Faster,’ called Gus. ‘Faster.’
    When they tired of that game, the children wandered along the shore. They collected