Where Triplets Go, Trouble Follows

by Michelle Poploff

  Where

  Triplets

  Go,

  Trouble

  Follows

  by Michelle Poploff

  illustrated by

  Victoria Jamieson

  Holiday House / New York

  Text copyright © 2015 by Michelle Poploff

  Illustrations copyright © 2015 by Victoria Jamieson

  All Rights Reserved

  HOLIDAY HOUSE is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

  www.holidayhouse.com

  ISBN 978-0-8234-3372-8 (ebook)w

  ISBN 978-0-8234-3373-5 (ebook)r

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Poploff, Michelle.

  Where triplets go, trouble follows / by Michelle Poploff ; illustrated by

  Victoria Jamieson. — First edition.

  pages cm

  Summary: Lily, Daisy, and Violet Divine, triplets, have different interests and like to do things on their own, but they pull together when they need to, whether to find out their grandparents’ secret, create a good science fair project, or teach their new dog to stop chewing.

  ISBN 978-0-8234-3289-9 (hardcover)

  [1. Triplets—Fiction. 2. Sisters—Fiction. 3. Family life—Fiction. 4. Science fairs—Fiction. 5. Dogs—Fiction.] I. Jamieson, Victoria, illustrator. II. Title.

  PZ7.P7957Wg 2015

  [Fic]—dc23

  2014017138

  To Mary Cash,

  with heartfelt thanks

  for your inspiration and

  encouragement

  Contents

  Chapter 1 A Divine Disaster

  Chapter 2 It’s Not Fair

  Chapter 3 Strikeout

  Chapter 4 Snoop Sister

  Chapter 5 Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

  Chapter 6 Where Triplets Go . . .

  Chapter 7 Sticky-Out Ears

  Chapter 8 Eggs-cuse Me

  Chapter 9 Puppy Love

  Chapter 1

  A Divine Disaster

  Lily Divine enjoyed writing poems and reading about kids in faraway places. On this rainy Saturday she was snuggled under her pink quilt with a book about an orphan girl in England.

  On the other side of the room, her sister Daisy was tossing her baseball. The ball made a smacking sound each time it landed in her glove. Daisy was wearing her lucky blue baseball shirt. But Daisy wasn’t feeling lucky today. Her baseball game was a washout.

  Their sister, Violet, was lying on her stomach looking for who knows what in the closet. Violet was always losing things. All Lily could see were the bottoms of Violet’s purple socks.

  Violet, Lily, and Daisy Divine were triplets, but they weren’t identical looking. They weren’t identical thinking, either.

  “It’s got to be here somewhere,” Violet moaned, backing out of the closet. She stood up and brushed off her clothes. “If I don’t find that science test, I’ll be in big trouble,” she said.

  “What’s it doing in the closet?” Daisy asked.

  “I failed my test again and tried to forget about it. So I threw it in there,” Violet said, crossing her arms. “This time I have to get it signed.” Violet stuck out her lower lip and looked at Daisy. “But my teacher didn’t say who had to sign it.”

  “Don’t look at me,” Daisy said, checking out the window. Would it ever stop raining?

  Violet turned to Lily.

  “No way,” Lily said, closing her book. She was just getting to a scary part and would have to wait and see what happened later. “But we’ll help you look. Come on, Daisy.”

  “Okay, okay,” Daisy said, setting down her ball and glove.

  The girls began pulling shoes and clothes out of the closet. Violet’s purple bathrobe was lying in a lump. As Lily picked it up, something crackled. She shook out the robe, and a scrunched-up ball of paper fell to the floor. Lily reached for it, but Violet snatched it away.

  “That’s it,” she said, unfolding it and trying to smooth out the wrinkles. It still had the same failing grade written in red. “I’m never going to pass science. I’m just a big old failure.”

  “You’re not old,” said Daisy, tossing their things back into the closet.

  “Har-dee-har-har,” said Violet. “Tell me one thing I’m good at doing.”

  “Uh, you’re good at losing things,” Daisy said, lightly punching Violet’s arm. “Like your toothbrush.”

  “It’ll turn up somewhere,” Violet said, lacing up her sneakers. “Besides, I had a spare.”

  “You’re good at drama,” Lily giggled. “In fact, you’re the Divine drama queen.”

  “I’m serious,” said Violet. “How am I going to pass science?”

  “Extra credit,” Lily said, reaching for her book again.

  Violet stuck out her tongue. “Ugh, more science work?” she said.

  “Never mind,” said Lily, settling under her quilt for the second time.

  Violet paced back and forth, shaking her head. “Our parents love science, and you guys always pass your tests. How come I can’t get the hang of it?”

  “Violet, Lily, Daisy,” their mother called. “Please come down here.”

  “Speaking of our parents,” said Daisy, scooping up her baseball.

  Lily sighed and closed her book again. She patted it gently. “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be back soon.”

  The girls found their mother downstairs in the kitchen. When anyone asked what their parents did, the triplets said they were rock stars. Helen and Herb Divine were geologists who taught at the local college. They studied volcanoes and rocks, and there were many specimens displayed throughout the house.

  Herb Divine walked into the room. “That’s settled, we’re good to go,” he said, putting an arm around his wife’s shoulder.

  “Go?” Violet asked, perching on a counter stool.

  “I was just about to tell the girls,” their mother said.

  “Tell us what?” Daisy asked, tossing her baseball from hand to hand. She looked out the window. The rain had finally stopped. It was too late now.

  “We got a call to examine some rocks and minerals that a geologist brought back from Canada,” their mother said. “The research center is several hours away, so we’ll be staying overnight.”

  “That sounds cool,” said Lily, reaching for an apple from a bowl on the table.

  “Not to me, it doesn’t,” Violet murmured.

  “It’s perfect timing, since Grandma Rose was already coming over,” said their mother. “I called and asked her to bring an overnight bag.”

  Their dad clapped his hand to his head. “I forgot your mother was coming,” he said. “I called my dad, and he’s thrilled to stay over.”

  “Honestly, Herb, we don’t need both our parents sleeping over,” Helen Divine said.

  “Yes we do, yes we do,” the girls chanted.

  “Well, there’s plenty of food,” their mom said. “My mother is bringing dessert.”

  Their dad chuckled. “My father said he’d bring dessert, so it sounds like a plan. I’ll go fix up the couch.”

  “My mother will stay in the guest room as usual,” Helen Divine said.

  Lily nudged Violet. “What about your science test?”

  Violet looked at the wrinkled test paper she was holding. She scrunched it up again and shoved it into her pocket. “I don’t want to be selfish and ruin their day. This can wait until tomorrow.”

  Just then the bell rang. The girls ran to open the door.

  On the step stood Grandma Rose, holding two bulging bags.

  Coming up the path was Grandpa Dash, carrying two large plastic sacks.

  “Hey there, Dash,” said Grandma Rose. “It�
�s nice to see you.”

  “Good afternoon, Rose,” Grandpa Dash replied. “This is a most pleasant surprise.”

  Grandma Rose was the casual type, while Grandpa Dash was a bit formal.

  The girls grabbed the bags and pulled their grandparents inside.

  They quickly explained the mix-up as everyone hugged hello and good-bye.

  “Save us some dessert,” their dad said.

  Soon Grandma Rose and Grandpa Dash were sitting around the table enjoying dinner while the girls filled them in on their latest news.

  “This is a splendid treat, dining with my Divine granddaughters and their lovely grandmother,” said Grandpa Dash. He raised his glass to everyone.

  “That’s very sweet, Dash,” said Grandma Rose. “You always have such a nice way with words.”

  “And may I say that your rose-colored sweater is most becoming with your peaches-and-cream complexion?” he added.

  Grandma Rose blushed. She took a long drink of water. “Well, thank you, Dash. I’ve been admiring your bow tie. It’s quite, um, dashing.”

  Grandma Rose and Grandpa Dash chuckled.

  Violet, Lily, and Daisy looked at their grandparents. The girls’ heads moved from side to side as if they were watching a tennis match.

  “Ahem,” Violet said, clearing her throat. “I can’t wait to see everything you brought for dessert.” She gave Daisy a swift kick under the table.

  “Ouch,” said Daisy. “I mean, I can’t wait, either. I hope you brought pistachio ice cream.”

  “I did,” their grandparents said together. They rocked with laughter.

  Daisy asked, “What are we waiting for? Let’s clear the table and see what else you brought.”

  They quickly cleaned up and began unloading the goodies from the fridge and freezer.

  “I brought plenty of fixings for some good old-fashioned ice cream sundaes,” said Grandma Rose, handing containers to the girls.

  “I had the same splendid idea,” said Grandpa Dash, reaching for the strawberry syrup and whipped cream.

  “Great minds think alike,” their grandmother said.

  Lily cut in. “I’m so glad you brought rainbow sprinkles and chocolate chips,” she said.

  “Indeed I did,” said Grandpa Dash.

  “Mmm, chocolate fudge, cherries, and mini marshmallows,” Violet said, piling up the goodies in her arms.

  “Oh, nuts, I forgot the nuts,” said Grandma Rose, shaking her head.

  “If it’s nuts you want, it’s nuts you’ll get,” their grandfather said, handing her a big bag.

  Grandma Rose patted Grandpa Dash’s arm. “Oh, Dash, you crack me up.”

  Violet rolled her eyes.

  Daisy shook her head.

  What was going on with their grandparents tonight?

  Lily stacked bowls and spoons on the card table they had set up to arrange the toppings. “This looks yummier than an ice cream parlor,” she said, standing back to admire the colorful display.

  “It’s perfect,” Violet agreed. “Let’s try everything.”

  “Ladies first,” said Grandpa Dash. He stepped forward in a sweeping bow. As he did, he bumped into a table leg, which buckled. “Whoops!”

  The toppings slid.

  “Catch them!” Daisy said.

  “Grab hold of the table!” yelled Grandma Rose.

  Hands reached out to grab the dishes and bowls. M&M’s and chocolate chips flipped into the whipped cream. Mini marshmallows and cherries bounced on the fudge sauce. Sprinkles and nuts flew into the strawberry syrup.

  Grandpa Dash tripped and fell, taking Lily with him.

  Violet and Daisy leaned over to help them up.

  “My darling Lily, are you all right?” Grandpa Dash asked, pulling her in for a hug.

  “I’m fine, Grandpa, but how are you?” Lily said, picking sticky nuts off their shirts.

  “Couldn’t be better,” he said. “Luckily I have plenty of padding,” he chuckled, tapping his bottom.

  “Oh, pshaw,” said Grandma Rose. “You’re fine just the way you are.”

  Grandpa Dash’s sticky-out ears turned red. His bow tie was covered in caramel sauce. There were rainbow sprinkles on his mouth and chin. “What a disaster. I’m terribly sorry to have ruined our delightful dessert.”

  “No fuss, no muss,” said Grandma Rose, helping him remove his bow tie. “I’ll take this home and have it cleaned in a jiffy. And these topsy-turvy toppings will taste twice as good as before.”

  “That’s for sure,” said Lily. She plucked out a cherry floating in fudge sauce and popped it in her mouth. “Perfecto,” she said.

  “Let’s get this slippery floor cleaned and then we’ll continue with the festivities,” said Grandma Rose.

  Violet went to get the mop and bucket.

  “Might I ask that we keep this dessert disaster just between us?” asked Grandpa Dash.

  “What dessert disaster?” Lily said. “We have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  Grandpa Dash’s face broke into a rainbow-sprinkled smile.

  Chapter 2

  It’s Not Fair

  On Monday afternoon, Violet gave her teacher the wrinkled science test signed by her father. Her father had said he would help with her studying.

  Just before class ended, Ms. Briggs handed out flyers for the upcoming science fair. “Everyone who enters a project will get extra credit,” she said. “And a gift card from the Kidz Crafts Store will be given for the best project in each grade. Let me see by a show of hands who will participate.”

  Before she could change her mind, Violet’s hand shot up in the air.

  “Wonderful,” said Ms. Briggs. “The sign-up sheet is right down the hall.”

  Then the bell rang. Science was the last class of the day, and Violet was looking forward to going home.

  “Are you really signing up for the science fair, Violet?” asked Frostine Frazier. Frostine sat next to Violet and was a science smarty. She always peeked at Violet’s paper when their tests were returned.

  “Sure, why not?” said Violet.

  “I’ll tell you why not,” said Frostine. “You’re hopeless in science.”

  “For your information, I’m going to enter a great science project and get extra credit,” Violet said, putting her books in her purple backpack.

  “It will have to be the greatest project on earth for you to get extra credit, Vi,” Frostine said, poking Violet’s shoulder.

  If there was one thing Violet couldn’t stand, it was being called Vi. But this wasn’t the time to get into that with Frostine.

  “Just you wait and see, Frosting,” Violet said, poking Frostine back.

  Then Violet heard giggling behind her. It was coming from Frostine’s friends, Haley and Kristen.

  “You shouldn’t bother,” said Haley. “Everyone knows Frostine’s science projects are the best.”

  “You mean, were the best,” said Violet. She was sorry as soon as those words slipped out of her mouth.

  “Quit ganging up on Violet,” said a voice from the back of the room.

  The girls whirled around. There stood Tillie, the quietest kid in class. No one had noticed she was still there.

  “I bet you’ll come up with a cool project,” she said, giving Violet two thumbs up as she left the room.

  The girls were too stunned to speak.

  Frostine was the first to find her voice. “You’ll never do a project on your own.”

  “That’s right,” said Kristen. “Your sisters will help you.”

  “I’m sure you triplets do everything together,” said Haley.

  “No we don’t,” Violet said, thumping her chest. “This is my science project and I’m signing up right now.” She pulled on her backpack and started toward the door.

  “Not before I do,” said Frostine, elbowing Violet out of her way. “I don’t need the extra credit, but I do need that gift card from Kidz Crafts.”

  “Don’t be so sure you’ll get it,” sa
id Violet, catching up with her.

  With their jackets and backpacks on, Violet and Frostine tried squeezing out of the narrow doorway at the same time. They shoved and pushed and ended up getting stuck.

  “Ugh,” Frostine grunted.

  Violet managed to wiggle her arm loose and tapped Frostine’s opposite shoulder.

  Frostine turned around, and Violet slipped out of the room.

  It worked every time. Violet raced down the hall to sign up before Frostine.

  “I’ll get you back,” Frostine called after her.

  Violet grinned, glad she had beat Frostine at something. Now all she had to do was get her sisters on board.

  Easy peasy, cherry squeezy.

  Later that day, while the girls were up in their room doing homework, Violet waited for the right moment to put her plan into action.

  Daisy stretched. “I’m taking a break,” she said.

  This is it, thought Violet, taking the flyer out of her backpack. She quickly folded it into a fan shape and began fanning her face with it. She sighed long and loud.

  Lily looked up from the computer. “Why are you fanning yourself with that paper?”

  “Oh, this old thing,” Violet said. “I was thinking of maybe entering the science fair to get extra credit.”

  “That’s cool, Violet,” said Lily. “Now you won’t fail science.”

  “Yeah, go for it,” Daisy said.

  Violet tapped the fan flyer on her arm. “There’s just one itty-bitty thing,” she said. “I need my two most favorite sisters to help me.” She smiled her best sisterly smile.

  Daisy and Lily looked at each other.

  “We’re your only sisters, Violet,” said Daisy.

  “That’s why you’re my faves,” Violet said.

  “Sorry, Violet,” said Lily. I’m already partners with Brina.”

  “And I’m teaming up with Justin,” said Daisy.

  “I already told that bossy big shot Frostine Frazier that I have a plan,” said Violet, plopping down on her bed. “She always wins at everything.”