Elizabella Breaks a Leg

by Zoe Norton Lodge

  out on the river, catching frogs.

  Come on out, you awesome dogs!”

  She looked to the wings where Huck and Anaya had been waiting for her to leave so they could run on. They shrugged and bounded onto the stage.

  As they did, the swing set Minnie had designed unfurled and dropped from the ceiling. It was made from the few things they’d managed to find at the school – some old rope the school gym was going to throw away and some wooden milk crates Miss Duck had given her from the tuckshop.

  Huck and Anaya ran towards them and jumped aboard the swings as they’d rehearsed.

  “Look how high I can go!” Anaya said.

  “Your legs are longer than mine!” Huck replied.

  And the play kept going, with Elizabella planted on the spot. Mr Gobblefrump stood in the wings trying to figure out what was going on.

  Is she scared? he wondered. Utterly paralysed with fear? Or perhaps she has become consumed with the power of the narrator and won’t vacate the stage to let the other performers shine!

  Daphne came on stage tap-dancing in a long Rapunzel wig and broke out into song.

  “I’m the special bee who sings!

  I fly with hair instead of wings!”

  The only person who had worked out why Elizabella remained on stage was Minnie, and she couldn’t tell anyone because she was stuck up on the walkway changing sets. She dropped down the beehive set made from five buckets assembled like a pyramid.

  “As your queen,” said Ava to Daphne and Kingston, “I am the largest and most important bee in this colony.” Ava fluttered her arms as she spun about the buckets. “I command that you groom me!”

  “Yes, your majesty,” said Kingston and Daphne in unison, as they began to brush Ava’s hair.

  The play went on, and everyone kept doing their lines, even though Elizabella was frozen on the spot. Elizabella realised that the audience was laughing and cheering, even weeping in the sad parts.

  It’s like they don’t know anything has gone wrong! she thought.

  Eventually the play was coming to an end.

  “Goodbye, Coco! I’ll miss you so much!”

  “Don’t worry, Ralph. We’ll meet again one day. And we’ll travel the world together. We’ll go to Copenhagen and Kolkata. Even New York City!”

  It was time for Elizabella’s final monologue as the Talking Bucket.

  “And with that, Coco got on a plane. As it took off in the sky, she thought back to all the memories she’d made with Ralph. The good times and the bad. And the best times too. She didn’t mind remembering the bad times because they made the good times even better. She didn’t know if she’d ever meet another dog like Ralph. But maybe she’d meet another friend who could fill a different place in her heart. Meanwhile Ralph swung on the swing set alone, going as high as he could, just in case Coco could see him in the sky from her plane. Suddenly, his other friend Scrap bounded into the park. She climbed onto the swing next to him and began to swing back and forth as high as she could making Ralph laugh. Things wouldn’t be the same without Coco. But maybe, with good friends like Scrap around, they would be okay. And just then it started to rain and then to hail.”

  This was Minnie’s cue to drop buckets of water and bouncy balls onto the stage. She wasn’t sure about dropping them directly onto Elizabella who was stuck to the floor. I guess the show must go on, she thought.

  Minnie let the water and bouncy balls rain down. It was quite a sight as it all thundered and splashed, truly creating a magnificent special effect. But it was too magnificent for Larry who thought something dreadful must be happening as the balls and water clattered on the bucket he was hiding in. In a blind panic he scurried out of the bucket and perched on top of it croaking: “SOS! SOS!” in Lizish/English.

  Elizabella put her hand to her head, stunned. “Larry?” she replied, and Minnie, who’d got the shock of her life hearing the lizard croaking into the microphone, lost her grip and let all the remaining the water pour down onto the stage, all over Elizabella and Larry.

  Within moments the water had loosened the glue and made it very slippery. Elizabella found herself unstuck and next minute she was gliding all over the stage and tripping on bouncy balls like a very bad ice skater.

  “The End!” she managed to stammer before losing her balance and tumbling hard off the stage. And everything went completely dark.

  Elizabella looked about, blinking. A group of people was gathered around her. Was she still on the stage? She couldn’t tell.

  “There she is,” said Martin, smiling. “You really scared us there, kiddo!”

  “What happened?” she asked.

  “You fell off the stage!” Martin replied.

  “And blacked out!” said Toddberry.

  “Oh no!” said Elizabella, and she peered down the bed to see one leg, and next to it a big white cast where her other leg should have been. “What . . .?”

  “You broke your leg, darling.”

  Elizabella paused for a moment, processing what had happened.

  “I actually broke my leg?” she asked.

  “Yup,” Toddberry replied.

  “But no one even said good luck to me, so I shouldn’t have had bad luck . . .” Then she remembered something. “Oh no. It’s because I said the name of the play you shouldn’t say!”

  Martin looked concerned. “I think she’s still a bit delirious,” he said to Leanne. “They gave her something for the pain.”

  “Where is Larry?” Elizabella asked.

  “He’s safely back home. Now it was very naughty to sneak a lizard into your hair,” Martin said.

  “I didn’t!” Elizabella said. But it did sound a lot like something she would do. Even to her. “At least I don’t remember doing it . . .”

  “It’s okay. We can discuss it another time,” said Martin.

  “So, I guess the play was terrible?” Elizabella asked the room.

  “It was amazing!” said Angeliki, who was standing next to Todd. “You are a brilliant writer – right, Todd?”

  “I suppose I’ve seen worse plays,” Toddberry grinned.

  “Will you admit now that plays are cool?” Elizabella asked.

  “No way,” said Toddberry. “But this one wasn’t . . . uncool.”

  Elizabella smiled. That was pretty close to a compliment from Toddberry.

  “Did you say Macbeth before the play?” Isabeth asked.

  “I did!” said Elizabella. “It just slipped out! I was distracted because I’d just seen Dad propose to Leanne outside!” She pointed at the adults. Leanne grabbed her finger attempting to hide the ring. But of course it was far too late for that.

  “Oh dear,” said Martin. “We wanted to tell you properly. We didn’t realise anyone could see us!”

  Huck let out a big sigh.

  “So we’re all going to be a family now?”

  “Yes!” said Leanne. “Isn’t it wonderful?”

  There was an awkward silence.

  “All right, let’s allow Elizabella to get some rest.” Martin opened the curtain and motioned for everyone to leave the room.

  They all left. A moment later, Martin stuck his head back in the room.

  “Mum would be so proud of you.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  “In fact, falling off the stage and breaking a leg with a lizard in her hair is exactly the kind of thing I can imagine your mum doing!”

  Elizabella laughed. “Me too.”

  “Actually, there’s someone else here to see you,” he said, opening the curtain and revealing Minnie. “I’ll let you two have some time together.”

  “Minnie?” she said. “This is an absolute disaster! The play was ruined. My dad is marrying Huck’s mum. You’re leaving! Everything has gone wrong!”

  “Well,” said Minnie. “I have some news.”

  Elizabella perked up.

  “What? Did your parents change their minds? Did they realise that theatre is better in Bilby Creek than on Broadway a
nd insist that you stay?”

  “No . . .” she said.

  Elizabella was crestfallen.

  “I really thought we’d be able to stop it,” she said.

  “But Mum has a present. One for each of us.” Minnie reached into her bag and pulled out two electronic tablets.

  “Her work was getting rid of them. She said I could give one to you so we can always talk.”

  Elizabella’s eyes widened. She’d never owned anything so expensive.

  “I’m still mad at your mum, but tell her thanks. A lot. I’ll try my very best not to break it.”

  “Me too,” said Minnie.

  “Man . . . Toddberry will be unbelievably jealous.” Elizabella smiled.

  She turned the tablet over in her hands. “Even though this is the worst thing ever, maybe things will be okay.”

  Minnie smiled. “Maybe.”

  The play had several more days to run, and, as the motto goes, it was decided that the show must go on. Just to be sure it was safe, Martin went in with his tool kit and fixed the crack in the stage. Mr Gobblefrump stepped into the role of narrator while Elizabella was in hospital, and when she was discharged, she stepped into the narrator shoes once more. Shoes in this case being a giant moon boot she wore over her broken leg, as she spoke her lines from her wheelchair.

  When the final curtain came down on the last performance, it was officially the end of Year Four. And what a year it had been. In term one she had met Minnie and made a new best friend and she’d accidentally sparked a romance between Mr Gobblefrump and Miss Duck. In term two she and Minnie had worked together to dismiss the evil corporation Nutriicorp from the tuckshop. In term three they’d been to Lizard Lake and solved the mystery of what was haunting the campgrounds and in term four Elizabella had written and put on her very first play.

  The sun was out in the bright blue sky and lorikeets chirped around the trees, as Elizabella wheeled her way into the pool grounds with Minnie on her lap, beaming out of her tablet from New York City. It was the first Saturday after Christmas and, as per Bilby Creek tradition, everyone was there.

  “The pool really is a lot better since Anaya’s dad bought it,” Elizabella said and she held the tablet up, moving it around in a panorama so Minnie could see everything.

  “Wheeeee!” Elizabella heard the unmistakable voice of Huck as he came spluttering out the end of the waterslide.

  “My turn!” said Daphne, diving down after him. Elizabella looked around.

  “Check this out!” she said to Minnie, pointing the tablet to a quiet spot where Mr Gobblefrump and Miss Duck were lying on a picnic rug. Mr Gobblefrump popped a grape into Miss Duck’s mouth.

  “Do you think they’re back together?”

  “I don’t know,” said Minnie. “But unless Miss Duck has forgotten how to feed herself, then it looks that way!”

  Love was certainly in the air at the Bilby Creek Pool. Mr Biffington and Mr Crabb were sharing a picnic too, and over at the kiosk Angeliki was hanging out with Toddberry who was on a shift. Elizabella pointed them all out to Minnie, whipping the tablet around.

  “Gross,” said Minnie.

  “You think that’s gross?” Elizabella asked. “Don’t look at the spa.”

  Minnie laughed. “You’re going to make me, aren’t you?” Elizabella pointed the tablet at the spa where her dad and Leanne were cuddling. “EWWWW!”

  “Elizabella, catch!” Ava was in the pool with Evie. She held a beach ball up in the air.

  “One sec, Minnie!” Elizabella said, and she reached out her arms as Ava sent the ball sailing through the air. She caught it and hurled it back into the pool where Evie snatched it.

  “Nice one!” said Minnie.

  “Just ’cause I’m in a wheelchair, doesn’t mean I’ve lost my skills!”

  “I bet your pranks aren’t as good without me,” Minnie said.

  “Maybe not,” said Elizabella. “But we’re doing one together right now.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “There’s an anatomically correct funnel-web spider in Mr Gobblefrump and Miss Duck’s picnic basket. All we have to do is watch and wait.”

  “Amazing!” said Minnie. “What are we going to do with the other two spiders?”

  “Maybe we could put tiny motors in them and make them scurry around scaring everyone?” Elizabella suggested.

  “I’ve got it!” said Minnie “You could put them in the ring boxes when your dad and Huck’s mum get married!”

  The girls laughed.

  “Now you can actually look forward to their wedding!”

  Just then there was an almighty noise as Mr Gobblefrump jumped up in the air and screamed. Elizabella held up the tablet so Minnie didn’t miss a second.

  “Spider!” he screamed. “Terrible, terrible spider!” Then he ran backwards and fell straight in the pool in all his clothes. Miss Duck was shaking her head which she had hidden in her hands.

  Elizabella and Minnie absolutely cracked up in hysterics. They laughed so hard their sides ached and their faces turned red and they both thought they were going to burst. And even though they were on opposite sides of the world, they were as close as two friends could be.

  Rhyme Crime #62

  By Anna and Audrey

  SISTER #1

  Sister, dear, we’re bored as bats.

  We’ve eaten all the crisps,

  we’ve worn the silly hats.

  SISTER #2

  We’ve played all the board games

  and called each other nasty names.

  There’s nothing left to do or say

  on this dreary humbug winter’s day.

  SISTER #1

  I’m so bored I shall read the news –

  that should make me have a snooze.

  But wait, what’s this here article say?

  The Royal Jewel Collection has come our way!

  SISTER #2

  We could go to the museum –

  then the precious gems we’ll see ’em!

  SISTER #1

  Forget that seeing ’em tomfoolery,

  let’s just go and steal that jewellery!

  SISTER #2

  Great idea you have there, sister!

  Put on this coat and fake chin whisker.

  And I shall wear this wig and glasses

  and no one will know it’s us who passes!

  SISTER #1

  Out the door and down the street,

  our neighbours wave at the strangers they greet.

  Little do they know it’s us

  as we wave back and climb aboard the bus.

  SISTER #2

  Inside the museum – we spot security.

  Sister, you distract the men, I’ll nick the jewellery.

  SISTER #1

  Hello good sir, can you help me?

  I’m a particularly hopeless old lady!

  SISTER #2

  And on my little feet, I creep

  never letting the floor creak.

  Aha! A cabinet full of many a shiny thing . . .

  I quietly open it . . . and yank out this diamond ring!

  SISTER #1

  The sirens start to blare!

  So I’ll hurry down the stair!

  Then near the bin in stinky air!

  I’ll meet my sister there!

  SISTER #2

  Quick! We rip off our disguises

  and we throw them in the bin.

  Then we walk away all casual,

  as though we never did a sin.

  SISTER #1

  Back on the bus all the way home

  cool as cucumbers, casually we roam.

  SISTER #2

  We even stop for coffee,

  buy a scratchie and some toffee.

  SISTER #1

  And nobody knows what we have done!

  We’re safe at home, Sis, we have won!

  SISTER #2

  And I pull it from my pocket.

  Big fat diamond, I shall rock it!


  SISTER #1

  You shall rock it? I think not, sister.

  That ring is mine, you little blister!

  SISTER #2

  Yours? But I’m the one who stole it away!

  You merely distracted the guards! Pfft! Child’s play!

  SISTER #1

  It’s way too hot in here to fight!

  SISTER #2

  Fine, let’s do it in the daylight!

  SISTER #1

  Out the door, back on the street

  that ring is mine, I will repeat!

  SISTER #2

  As if it’s yours – that’s plain old fooey!

  I’m the one who stole the jewellery!

  SISTER #1

  Is that a cop? Who’s the dobber?

  SISTER #2

  It was my sister – she’s the robber!

  SISTER #1

  Great, now we’re both under arrest!

  And no one has a ring! You silly sister pest!

  SISTER #2

  Sigh, that much is true, I guess.

  We’re not the best thieves in the west,

  but if one good thing has come of this

  we’re no longer bored, are we Sis?

  SISTER #2

  And I’ll bet my bottom dollar

  tomorrow we’ll be in the paper.

  Two sisters bungle a robbery

  but they’re still the best friends friends can be.

  ZOË NORTON LODGE is a writer and broadcaster known for her work on ABC TV’s The Checkout, the live storytelling night Story Club and her collection of short stories Almost Sincerely. Elizabella Breaks A Leg is the fourth in her debut children’s series.

  GEORGIA NORTON LODGE is a designer and illustrator. When she isn’t illustrating kids’ books or creating brands she has her hands full with her own business – Georgia Draws A House. She’s also Zoë’s younger sister. This is their fifth book together.

  First published in 2020

  by Walker Books Australia Pty Ltd

  Locked Bag 22, Newtown

  NSW 2042 Australia

  www.walkerbooks.com.au