Lulu Bell and the Cubby Fort (5 page)

‘I can solve that problem,' said Auntie Tor.

She whipped off the cloth from the bowl of creamy-white dough and displayed it with a flourish.

‘We were making scones for afternoon tea,' said Auntie Tor. ‘But perhaps we can have them for lunch instead? I'll pop them in the oven and they'll be ready in a few minutes. That will give you all a chance to have a good wash under the hose.'

The kitchen soon filled with the delicious aroma of baking scones. Lulu's mouth began to water. She hadn't realised how hungry she was.

‘Mum, do you think we could take our scones up to the fort?' asked Tom. The other children gathered around the table. They looked up at Auntie Tor with hopeful eyes.

‘Please, please?' begged Meg.

‘What a lovely idea,' replied Auntie Tor. ‘I'll pack you a picnic basket. Do you think you can carry it all that way?'

‘Yes, yes,' chorused the children.

The mums packed a basket with icy cold lemonade, a pot of berry jam and a bowl of whipped cream. Auntie Tor added a pile of hot scones straight from the oven.

The children took turns to carry the
basket across the paddock to the hillside. It was torture. The scones smelled so good. Everyone promised they wouldn't sneak a nibble until they reached the fort.

At the base of the hill, Tom took the basket in one hand. He pulled himself up the track by the rope with his free hand.

At last everyone was safely up the path. The nine children sat on the crates. Lulu poured out cups of lemonade.
Everyone spooned jam and cream onto their scones. It was a feast.

‘Happy eating,' said Meg. She smothered her scone with cream.

Gus had a moustache of jam and cream smeared around his mouth. He clutched a whole scone in each fist. Jessie looked up at him hopefully, just itching to clean his face.

‘Mmmmm,'
said Rosie, licking the jam off her fingertips. ‘These are the best scones I've ever eaten.'

Lulu looked around at her six cousins, her brother and sister all sitting in their own private cubby fort. Then she looked out at the valley far below, bathed in a warm, golden glow. She smiled.

‘This is the best holiday ever,' said Lulu. ‘We rescued the calf that was stuck in the mud. We rode horses, and found
three little chickens roosting under the bed. And on Sunday we have the Great Easter Egg Hunt …

‘Happy Easter, everyone.'

Lulu's best friend, Molly, is preparing for the Moon Festival. But there's so much to do!

There are dragon costumes and paper lanterns to make, and yummy mooncakes to bake, too.

Lulu and her mum offer to help out, and soon everyone gets involved. This will be a Moon Festival to remember!

Out now

Lulu Bell and the Birthday Unicorn

Lulu Bell and the Fairy Penguin

Lulu Bell and the Cubby Fort

Lulu Bell and the Moon Dragon

Lulu Bell and the Circus Pup

January 2014

Lulu Bell and the Sea Turtle

January 2014

Belinda Murrell grew up in a vet hospital and Lulu Bell is based on some of the adventures she shared with her own animals. After studying Literature at Macquarie University, Belinda worked as a travel journalist, editor and technical writer. A few years ago, she began to write stories for her own three children – Nick, Emily and Lachlan. Belinda's books include the Sun Sword fantasy trilogy, timeslip tales
The Locket of Dreams
,
The Ruby Talisman
and
The Ivory Rose
, and Australian historical tales
The Forgotten Pearl
and
The River Charm
.

 

www.belindamurrell.com.au

Serena Geddes spent six years working with a fabulously mad group of talented artists at Walt Disney Studios in Sydney before embarking on the path of picture book illustration in 2009. She works both traditionally and digitally and has illustrated eighteen books, ranging from picture books to board books to junior novels.

 

www.serenageddes.com.au