Lulu Bell and the Circus Pup

by Belinda Murrell

  The dry leaves rustled. The shadowy dog was thumping its tail. Lulu stroked the dog’s side. It was damp and sticky.

  ‘It’s all right, Spangles,’ said Lulu in a soothing voice. ‘We’ll get you home soon.’

  Spangles whimpered again.

  ‘Mum, Mum,’ called Lulu. Her voice squeaked with excitement. ‘We found Spangles.’

  Mum, Rosie, Gus and Jessie arrived just a moment later. Gus scrambled out of the pram. They crowded around the bush, straining to see.

  Mum ran her hand over the dog gently. Spangles wagged her tail again. Asha licked the smaller dog on the face.

  ‘Is she all right?’ asked Lulu.

  ‘I think so, but we’ll take her home to make sure,’ said Mum. ‘Well done, Lulu. It’s so lucky you found her.’

  Lulu gave a big grin. She patted Asha on the head.

  ‘It was Asha, really,’ said Lulu. ‘We heard a whimper. Then Asha followed her scent.’

  Mum carefully lifted Spangles out of the leafy hollow. Spangles winced.

  ‘Doggy sore?’ asked Gus. He pushed his cowboy hat back on his head.

  ‘Can she walk?’ asked Rosie.

  ‘I think we might give her a lift in the pram,’ suggested Mum. ‘You hop in, Gus. Then you can cuddle Spangles on your lap.’

  Gus climbed into the pram. ‘Gussie cuddle doggy!’ he demanded.

  Mum wrapped Spangles in Gus’s blanket. She then placed the dog carefully on Gus’s lap.

  Lulu put her hand on her hip. ‘Be gentle with Spangles,’ she warned.

  Gus grinned at Lulu. ‘Gussie like doggy.’

  Lulu smiled back. ‘I can’t wait to see Stella’s face when we take Spangles back to her. She will be so excited!’

  Chapter 6

  Surprise!

  A few minutes later, they arrived home at Shelly Beach Veterinary Hospital. Lulu pushed open the door. The whole family poured into the waiting room. Kylie, the vet nurse, was tidying up the reception desk.

  ‘Hi Kylie,’ said Lulu. ‘Is Dad here? We have a patient we need him to check.’

  Kylie smiled in welcome. She glanced at the small dog huddled on Gus’s lap. ‘He’s in his consulting room,’ Kylie said. ‘His last appointment just left.’

  Mum lifted Spangles out of the pram, still wrapped in the blanket. She put her in Lulu’s arms.

  ‘You take Spangles to see Dad, honey bun,’ suggested Mum. ‘I’ll head in and cook dinner. If Spangles is all right, you and Dad can take her back to Stella. She’ll be so worried about her.’

  The rest of the Bell family headed through a thick green door. This door separated their home from the vet hospital in front.

  Lulu carried Spangles into the consulting room. Lulu’s dad was working on his computer.

  ‘Hello, sweetheart,’ said Dad. ‘Who do you have there?’

  Lulu explained all about the circus and Spangles getting lost and found.

  Dad carefully lifted Spangles onto the examination table. Spangles shivered. In the strong light of the consulting room, she looked sad and sorry.

  Her grey ears drooped. Her creamy fur was damp and tangled with leaves. Her pink neckerchief was muddy.

  ‘Poor little Spangles,’ said Dad.

  Dad checked her all over thoroughly. He cleaned the sticky spot on her side and dabbed on some ointment.

  ‘Is she all right?’ Lulu asked anxiously.

  ‘She has a couple of scratches,’ said Dad. ‘But I think she’s more frightened than hurt.’

  Lulu smiled with relief. ‘Can we take her back to Stella now?’

  ‘Let’s go,’ said Dad. ‘I must admit I’m keen to meet these circus friends of yours.’

  Dad wrapped Spangles in a clean towel. He popped her in a cardboard box. They drove back to Lagoon Park and walked along the path.

  Lulu carried Spangles in the box. The circus camp glowed in the darkness. The big tent was hung with fairy lights. The windows of the caravans gleamed. Delicious cooking smells wafted by.

  ‘Stella lives in the blue caravan at the end,’ explained Lulu.

  Dad knocked on the caravan door.

  Stella opened it. She had a puzzled look on her face. ‘Lulu?’

  ‘Surprise!’ cried Lulu. She held out the box. ‘We have a present for you.’

  The present woofed.

  ‘Spangles?’ shrieked Stella. ‘You found her?’

  Stella tore up the lid of the box. Spangles leaped straight into Stella’s arms. Stella buried her face in Spangles’ fur and rubbed her nose on Spangles’ face.

  Spangles licked the tears away from Stella’s cheeks.

  Stella looked up at Lulu. ‘Thank you. Thank you so much!’

  Lulu grinned back. ‘It was a pleasure.’

  Stella’s parents crowded around. Lulu explained how Spangles had been found. Dr Bell assured them that she was perfectly fine.

  ‘Come in and take a seat.’ Stella’s mum Jenna waved her hand towards the neat little table and benches in the middle of the caravan. ‘Can I offer you a cup of tea?’

  Dr Bell shook his head. ‘Thank you. But we had better get home for dinner.’

  Lulu gazed longingly into the caravan. She so wanted to go in and have a good look around.

  Jenna smiled at her. ‘Would you like to come back tomorrow morning, Lulu? Stella would love to show you around. She can introduce you to all the animals.’

  Lulu shook her head. She felt so disappointed. ‘I have school tomorrow.’

  Stella grinned at her. ‘Come straight after school.’

  Lulu was thrilled. She hopped from one foot to the other. ‘Can I, Dad? Pleeeease?’

  ‘I don’t see why not,’ replied Dad. He stroked Lulu’s hair away from her forehead. ‘My wife Chrissie can drop her over just after three o’clock.’

  Lulu hugged Dad tight. ‘Thanks, Dad. Thanks, Jenna.’

  Everyone said their goodbyes, then Lulu and her dad went home.

  That night, Lulu thought she would never get to sleep. How could she ever wait until tomorrow afternoon? How could she ever wait to visit Stella and the circus camp?

  Chapter 7

  After School

  Of course, tomorrow afternoon finally came. Mum and Gus picked the girls up from school. They drove to Lagoon Park.

  At the circus camp, Lulu recognised Rory the acrobat. He was feeding hay to the camels. Lulu thought one of the camels looked as if she had been eating far too much hay already. She had a big round stomach.

  Rory scratched the camel between the eyes. ‘Good girl, Goldie.’

  The camel stuck her nose in the air.

  ‘Excuse me,’ said Lulu. ‘Do you know where we can find Stella?’

  The acrobat looked over. His eyes twinkled. ‘Ah, you must be the girl who found our missing star. Stella’s over there.’

  Stella was mucking out the horse yard. She had a shovel and was piling horse poo in a wheelbarrow. Spangles was chasing the shovel, darting back and forth.

  Stella walked over, wiping her hand across her forehead. ‘You see it’s not all glamour working in the circus.’

  ‘I thought we’d be doing circus tricks,’ joked Lulu.

  Stella sprang into a series of cartwheels. Then she swung upside down and walked on her hands. Spangles joined in. She leaped up on her hind legs and walked like a human.

  Gus tried to copy Stella. He put both hands on the ground and kicked his legs in the air. He wibbled and wobbled.

  His hat fell off. He collapsed on the ground in a tangle. He jumped to his feet and tried again.

  Lulu laughed at the sight. Stella swung the right way up. Then she picked up her shovel.

  ‘Can I help you?’ asked Lulu. ‘I help our vet nurse clean out the animal pens all the time.’

  ‘That would be great. Thanks!’ Stella pushed the wheelbarrow over to the fence.

  Stella’s mum Jenna came over and introduced herself to Lulu’s family. Jenna and Mum chatted for a while. Lulu helped Stella unload the wheelbarrow o
nto the compost pile. Rosie and Gus played with Spangles.

  ‘Well, we’d better get home,’ said Mum, at last. ‘Shall I come back to get Lulu at about five o’clock?’

  ‘Could Lulu stay until about seven?’ suggested Jenna. ‘I thought she might like to have dinner with us in the caravan. Do you like spaghetti bolognaise?’

  Lulu beamed. ‘I love spaghetti bolognaise. Please, Mum, can I stay?’

  Mum looked unsure. She glanced at Lulu then at Jenna.

  ‘I promise we’ll look after her,’ Jenna said. ‘It will be so nice for Stella to have a friend over to play. There aren’t many other children living in our circus.’

  Mum smiled at Jenna. ‘Lulu would love to stay for dinner. Okay, we’ll see you at seven o’clock.’

  Lulu hugged Mum goodbye. Stella swung upside down again. She walked off on her hands, her legs waving in the air.

  ‘Come on,’ cried Stella. ‘I’ve so much to show you.’

  Chapter 8

  Circus Fun!

  Stella’s dad Paul was in the red-and-white striped tent. ‘We call it the big top,’ explained Stella. The tent was filled with rows of seats. In the middle was a big ring filled with sawdust. Stella and Lulu took a seat in the front row. Spangles plopped down beside them.

  In the centre of the ring was Paul. He was training the six dogs. He used arm gestures and voice commands to direct the dogs through their act.

  ‘Hup, Queenie. Hup, Mousse.’ Two of the dogs jumped up on their hind legs. They strolled around in a circle. One had a handbag hooked over its front paw. She looked like a lady out shopping.

  ‘Down, girls,’ commanded Paul. ‘Good job.’ He fed them each a titbit from his pocket. Their tails wagged madly.

  Spangles jumped over the low wall into the ring. She dashed over to Paul. Spangles sat back and begged. Then she jumped up on her hind legs and pranced around in circles.

  ‘She looks like she’s dancing,’ said Lulu.

  ‘Spangles is only young but she’s very clever,’ agreed Stella. ‘She loves to perform.’

  Paul laughed and gave Spangles a snack.

  The little dog joined in the performance. Mousse, the chocolate Labrador, trotted into the ring. He was pushing a large silver ball with his nose. The poodle jumped on the ball and ran on top of it.

  Another terrier pedalled into the ring on a tricycle. He looked very pleased with himself.

  Lulu laughed. ‘How did you teach him to do that?’

  ‘Patience and practice,’ said Stella. ‘Not to mention a pocket full of meaty treats.’

  One by one the dogs jumped through a hoop held high by Paul. They ran across a cable, just like tightrope-walkers.

  Lastly, the seven dogs lined up in a row. Paul gave a downward signal. The dogs stretched out their front legs. They bobbed their heads to the ground.

  ‘They’re bowing,’ cried Lulu. She clapped her hands.

  Paul turned and swept the girls a graceful bow. The dogs trotted out of the ring, followed by their master.

  As soon as the dogs disappeared, six white horses galloped in. The horses had scarlet bridles but no saddles. Jenna ran into the ring after them. She was still dressed in her shabby work clothes. She had a long dressage whip in her hand. She used this to signal to the horses.

  ‘They are liberty horses,’ explained Stella. ‘They’re running free with no leads to guide them. My mother tells them what to do.’

  Jenna clicked to the horses with her tongue. They began to canter in an even circle around the ring.

  ‘That one’s mine,’ whispered Stella. She pointed to one of the horses. ‘His name is Blanco.’

  ‘He’s beautiful,’ sighed Lulu.

  After three circles, Jenna lifted her arms. The horses reared up on their hind legs. They spun around on their back hooves. Then they began to canter in the opposite direction around the ring.

  ‘Are you coming, Stella?’ called Jenna.

  Stella vaulted over the low wall and into the ring. She dodged between the cantering horses. The horses didn’t miss a beat. Stella stood in the centre of the ring watching. Then she began to run straight towards one of the horses. This horse was wearing a thick pad on his broad back.

  Lulu gasped. What was Stella doing?

  Stella ran beside Blanco then swung up onto his back. She cantered along for a few moments. Then she leaped to her feet with her right foot forward. She stood up tall with her back straight and her head high. The horse continued its steady even gait. Stella waved to Lulu and grinned.

  ‘That’s amazing,’ called Lulu. ‘Aren’t you scared you’ll fall?’

  Stella didn’t answer. Instead she raised one leg behind her and pointed her toe. Lulu forgot Stella’s shabby clothes and bare feet. She looked like a graceful ballerina. A ballerina dancing on top of a cantering horse! Stella jumped and landed safely again on the horse’s back. She turned around and faced backwards.

  ‘Woohoo,’ called Stella. She waved to Lulu.

  Stella leaped to the ground again. She ran to Lulu and curtseyed.

  Lulu clapped her hands together. ‘That was wonderful,’ she cried. ‘I wish I could do that.’

  ‘It’s nothing special,’ Stella said modestly. ‘I learned to do that years ago.’

  ‘Don’t you slip off?’ asked Lulu.

  ‘The pad on Blanco’s back is rubbed with rosin to make it sticky,’ explained Stella. ‘I bet I could teach you how to do some circus tricks.’

  Lulu swallowed. ‘Really?’

  Stella swung over to walk on her hands. She waggled her feet at Lulu. ‘It takes hard work and lots of practice. But really it’s all about good balance.’

  Lulu flicked one of her honey-coloured plaits over her shoulder. ‘Could you show me?’

  Stella grinned. ‘I’d love to.’

  ‘What would you like to learn?’ asked Stella. ‘I can teach you to juggle, walk on your hands, do cartwheels or some horseback tricks.’

  ‘I learned to do cartwheels and handstands at gymnastics,’ replied Lulu. She showed Stella a quick series of spinning cartwheels. ‘But I’d love to learn how to walk on my hands. And some horseback tricks! Do you think you could teach me to stand up on a horse’s back?’

  ‘Can you ride?’ asked Stella.

  ‘I love riding. I’ve had lessons and I often ride at my uncle’s farm,’ replied Lulu.

  Stella nodded. ‘Let’s get to work,’ she said.

  Lulu and Stella worked together for the rest of the afternoon. It didn’t take Lulu long to learn to walk a little way on her hands. Spangles trotted along beside her on her hind legs.

  Then Stella’s mum Jenna offered to teach Lulu some horseriding tricks. She put a saddle with special straps on Blanco. Lulu put on a helmet.

  She rode Blanco slowly around the ring. Blanco was so well trained that he was very easy to ride. Jenna soon had Lulu trotting, then cantering in big circles around the ring.

  ‘Now, let’s try something a bit harder,’ suggested Jenna.

  Lulu’s heart beat fast with excitement. ‘Yes, please.’

  Chapter 9

  Goldie in Trouble

  When Lulu arrived home she was full of stories about her afternoon at the circus.

  ‘Stella and her mum have asked me to come back again tomorrow,’ said Lulu. ‘I can go, can’t I, Mum? And I’m going to teach Asha and Jessie how to walk on their hind legs. And Stella said I can come back on Friday before opening night.’

  Mum laughed. ‘You certainly have had an adventure, haven’t you, Lulu? I think you can visit again tomorrow.’

  Lulu threw herself at Mum and hugged her tight. ‘Thanks! You’re the best mum in the world.’

  Later that night, Lulu changed into her pyjamas. She came out to kiss Mum and Dad goodnight. Before she could, the vet hospital phone rang. At night, the phone rang through to the house for emergencies.

  Dad answered. ‘Dr Bell speaking.’ He listened while the other person spoke. ‘Okay. I’m on my way.’
/>   Dad turned to Mum and Lulu. ‘That was the circus. Apparently they have a camel who needs some help. I said I’d go straight away.’

  Lulu looked up at her Dad. ‘Can I come too? Pleeease, Dad.’

  ‘It’s a school night,’ Mum reminded her.

  Dad grinned. ‘We won’t be long. And it’s not often we get a house call to a circus to treat a camel!’

  Mum smiled. ‘Okay, but don’t be late.’

  Lulu pulled a hoodie over her pyjamas. Dad grabbed his black medical bag. In a few minutes they were back at the circus.

  A small throng of people stood beside the camel enclosure. There was Rory the acrobat, Percy the juggler, Stella, Jenna and Paul. They were all holding torches. Rory looked worried.

  One of the camels was lying down in the straw. Lulu thought she looked very uncomfortable with her big round stomach. The camel was breathing heavily. She let out an indignant roar.

  ‘It’s Goldie,’ said Rory. ‘She’s having a baby. But she seems to be in trouble.’

  Dad knelt down in the straw. He poked and prodded the camel’s bulging belly. He smiled. ‘Goldie will be fine. She just needs a little help. But I don’t think she’s having a baby … I think she’s having twins!’

  Rory grinned with relief. Lulu gave Stella a hug. Twin baby camels!

  ‘We need to give her a little peace and space,’ suggested Dad. ‘Rory, could you please hold the torch for me? Everyone else, just step back a little.’

  Dad set to work. Soon there were not one but two newborn camels lying in the straw. Dad wiped their noses free of gunk to help them breathe. The firstborn baby struggled to its feet. It was wonky and wobbly on long skinny legs. Its mother licked its nose.

  ‘Two perfect baby girls,’ announced Dad. ‘Mother and babies in excellent health.’