Carnival Caper

by Alex Milway

  ‘We have to think of safety,’ said Mrs Toadly.

  ‘We have to think of all my unhappy hotel guests!’ he replied in a bullying tone. ‘Animal Boulevard would be a laughing stock. The carnival is the highlight of the year.’

  Mrs Toadly fell silent. The other animals in the room mumbled with discontent.

  ‘You cannot cancel the carnival,’ repeated Mr Ruffian. ‘It would be a disaster for us all!’

  With a very loud, awkward gulp, Mrs Toadly finally spoke. ‘If everyone’s in agreement, then so am I,’ she said. ‘Everyone?’

  ‘Will it really be dangerous?’ asked Anna.

  ‘WE DON’T GET DANGEROUS STORMS HERE,’ growled Mr Ruffian. ‘What would you know?’

  He marched to the door. ‘The carnival is on,’ he said, stepping outside. ‘And that’s the last I’ll hear of it.’

  •

  ‘Miss Anna!’ said Lemmy as she walked into the hotel. He sounded quite distraught. ‘Look at this!’

  He held a poster for the carnival concert, but the Nocturnal Animals were no longer on the bill. Another band had taken their place.

  ‘Who are the Sugar Bunnies?’ asked Anna.

  ‘They’re rubbish,’ said Lemmy. He hunched sadly over the front desk. ‘I can’t believe it. I was going to be on the guest list!’

  ‘I’m sure it’s all a big mistake,’ said Anna. ‘But I think I should go and tell the band.’

  She knocked on the door to their room, and Suzi Suzi answered.

  ‘Sorry to wake you,’ said Anna.

  ‘You didn’t,’ said Suzi. ‘We stay up late. A chance to chill out after practice.’

  Anna passed her the concert poster. ‘Have you seen this?’ she asked.

  ‘Wow,’ said Suzi in disbelief.

  She walked into her room, beckoning Anna to follow. The room was tidy and well kept, and not at all how Anna thought a rock band would live.

  ‘The dude’s cancelled the gig,’ said Suzi to Anji and Kool.

  ‘And look who’s playing now,’ said Kool. ‘The Sugar Bunnies? They’re the worst.’

  Anji sighed, and her broad shoulders slumped down. For the first time since staying with them Anna was surprised to see her fringe clipped back to reveal her beautiful dark black eyes.

  ‘You’ve heard of them?’ asked Anna.

  Anji nodded.

  Kool slammed his sticks on to a coffee table. ‘They’re Mr Sweet’s other band,’ he said.

  ‘That now makes sense,’ said Anna. ‘So what will you do?’

  ‘I guess we should pack up and leave,’ said Suzi.

  ‘But where will you go?’ asked Anna.

  ‘Home?’ said Kool. ‘I mean, it’s been a while.’

  ‘Stay here for the carnival,’ said Anna. ‘Sleep well, and then see how you feel later.’

  ‘Are you cool with that?’ asked Suzi.

  ‘Of course I am,’ said Anna. ‘I know Lemmy’s loved having you here. As have I.’

  ‘You know,’ said Kool, ‘this hotel rocks.’

  ‘I probably should go and get ready for the carnival now,’ said Anna. ‘Get some rest, and we’ll catch up tonight.’

  ‘Sure,’ said Suzi.

  Anna left and went to find her costume. What had once seemed so exciting now left a bad taste in her mouth. Still, as Ms Fragranti said, the show must go on.

  15

  The Carnival

  Anna kicked her heels as she waited outside the hotel with Ms Fragranti and her students. A constant stream of carnival-goers made their way up Animal Boulevard. There were animals of all shapes and sizes dressed in outrageous costumes, and Anna was desperate to get going.

  ‘It’s taking forever!’ she said impatiently.

  ‘Don’t you just love this feeling?’ declared Ms Fragranti. ‘It is the same thrill as seeing a stage for the first time, or hearing the first cry of encore!’

  With a ‘pish’ and a ‘puff’, and a cheerfully loud ‘SQUAWK!’, a gigantic pink flamingo trundled out from behind the hotel, its long neck and glorious smiling head leading the way.

  ‘And here it is!’ declared Ms Fragranti. ‘It looks just like me!’

  ‘It’s a flamingo on wheels!’ squealed Anna with delight.

  ‘You ain’t seen nothing yet!’ said Stella, her neck craning up over the carnival float’s winged sides. ‘She’s got a fair few surprises locked away in here.’

  ‘It’s amazing!’ said Anna proudly.

  T. Bear followed the float, fully dressed up and with his drum strapped to his chest and drumsticks in his paws. Anna had never seen him so happy.

  ‘This is our best carnival float ever,’ he growled happily.

  ‘Wait for me!’ called Lemmy.

  The lemur bounced through the revolving door, head to toe in brightly coloured feathers. He shook the maracas in both his paws.

  ‘I wouldn’t miss this for the world! he said. ‘Does it breathe fire?’

  ‘On you get!’ said Stella. ‘And, no, it doesn’t breathe fire. It does something much better than that.’

  ‘What could be better than that? asked Lemmy.

  ‘You wait!’

  Anna, Lemmy and the flamingos clambered up on to the float, and T. Bear took his place in front on the road.

  ‘Here we go!’ said Stella. ‘Revvin’ her up!’

  The engine grew louder.

  ‘Everyone ready?’ asked Anna.

  T. Bear banged his drum, and they headed off towards the Opera House and the start of the parade.

  The carnival filled the whole of Animal Boulevard. A sea of animals of all kinds stretched as far as the eye could see. The raucous cheering was deafening. There were floats and groups galore lined up for the procession on the road. The local football team was out in force, so too were a troupe of fire-breathing goats, and a huge dragon costume snaked through the crowd.

  ‘What a sight!’ said Anna as they proudly took their place at the front of the parade.

  ‘And there’s Mr Ruffian’s float,’ said Lemmy, frowning. ‘But where is he?’

  Second in line, behind Hotel Flamingo’s float, was the Glitz’s effort, which was gold and furry and shaped like a leaping lion.

  ‘I bet he’s got something planned, darling,’ said Ms Fragranti. ‘But it will never be as wonderful as our display.’

  Anna feared the worst. ‘He always has something up his sleeve, doesn’t he?’ she said.

  ‘Don’t worry,’ said Stella. ‘You’re going to like this.’

  She switched on their sound system, which was hidden inside the float’s body, and Anna was amazed by how loud it was.

  ‘Brilliant!’ she cried. ‘No one will be louder than us.’

  Mrs Toadly shouted to Anna from the kerbside. ‘Looking mighty fine!’ she said.

  ‘And no sign of the storm! Mr Ruffian was right.’

  ‘Let’s hope so!’ said Anna, though in the distance she could see the building storm clouds edging closer.

  ‘Right then, all the way to the Cat’s Paw Arena!’ said Mrs Toadly. ‘Are we all set?’

  Anna gave Stella the nod and she revved the engines.

  ‘All set!’ cried Anna.

  16

  Mr Ruffian’s Roar

  Mrs Toadly lifted the loudspeaker to her mouth. ‘Three! Two! One!’ she cried.

  With the screech of a klaxon horn, the carnival began. Cheers rang out, sound systems kicked in and a disco beat drove the parade down Animal Boulevard. T. Bear drummed away, leading the procession like a merry piper, smiling at the crowds on the pavement. Nothing could wipe the smile from his face.

  The flamingo float trundled forward as its giant head swept left and right.

  ‘This is amazing!’ said Anna.

  ‘You wait,’ said Stella, pressing a button. ‘Watch this, Lemmy!’

  There was a gurgle and a pop, and suddenly a shower of glistening bubbles floated out from the giant flamingo’s beak and drifted over the crowd.

  ‘Bubbles!’ c
heered Lemmy. Everyone loved a bubble, and they weren’t half as dangerous as fire.

  ‘Flamingo! Flamingo!’ chanted Anna and Ms Fragranti, dancing happily aboard the float. The crowds cheered back.

  But then an ear-piercing ROAR erupted from behind them. It was enough to shock everyone into looking back. Anna watched as the Glitz’s lion-shaped float shook and wobbled, growling and grumbling as a hatch opened on its top. A huge inflatable lion sprang out, growing larger all the while. It floated upwards, and eventually the rope ties keeping it attached to the float tightened and held it in place overhead.

  Mr Ruffian walked out on to the float, gloating over his surprise. The lion’s dazzling, sparkling suit sprinkled the crowds with flecks of light as his disco lights swirled and spun.

  Anna and Hotel Flamingo’s display was well and truly overshadowed. And then Mr Ruffian started throwing out sweets and preaching about how the Glitz was the best hotel in town. It was louder than anything coming from Hotel Flamingo’s float.

  ‘Turn the volume up!’ said Anna.

  ‘It’s already pretty high,’ said Stella.

  ‘Louder!’ said Anna.

  Stella did as she was told, and for a brief second they drowned out Mr Ruffian’s voice. And then the speakers popped and fell silent. Smoke drifted up from the flamingo float’s exhaust.

  ‘I tried to warn you,’ said Stella with a sigh.

  Anna heard Mr Ruffian roar with laughter behind her.

  ‘Talk about embarrassing,’ said Anna.

  ‘Don’t worry, darling!’ exclaimed Ms Fragranti. ‘We will wow everyone with our tropical dance!’

  As they wound down Animal Boulevard the flamingo troupe flew on to the road and formed a triangle around T. Bear. And then with a swish of their wings their performance began. If any creature could draw attention to itself, it was Ms Fragranti.

  Mr Ruffian’s music grew louder still. The flamingos became more animated, pulling unusual shapes and twisting in spirals. But Ms Fragranti started to look worried. Her feathers ruffled.

  ‘Miss Anna!’ she cried. ‘Look!’

  Anna looked past the giant lion floating in the sky and saw the storm coming on fast. A huge black cloud was threatening to wreak havoc. The daylight started to fade. The breeze turned into a gale.

  ‘I told you a storm was on its way!’ Ms Fragranti said as a bruising wind whipped up and coursed along Animal Boulevard.

  And here it comes! thought Anna, feeling the first spots of rain land on her face. ‘Take cover!’

  17

  A Rough Time

  As the heavens opened on Animal Boulevard every animal took cover wherever they could. Mrs Toadly raced through the growing storm to Anna.

  ‘Oh, it’s a mighty fine mess we’re in!’ she said, although being a toad she didn’t mind the rain at all. ‘Why was I not stronger with Mr Ruffian? There’s too many people to get safely out of this weather!’

  Suddenly Anna heard a terrible ripping noise. She turned to see the giant inflatable lion break from one of its ropes and whip backwards. It pulled Mr Ruffian’s float into the crowds, crashing into the buildings that lined the boulevard.

  Animals fled in all directions. It was chaos. People will get hurt, thought Anna. She had to think – and fast!

  ‘T. Bear!’ she shouted. ‘Bang your drum as loud as you can!’

  ‘Yes, miss!’ he replied.

  ‘We’ve got to lead everyone to safety!’ she said. ‘To Hotel Flamingo!’

  Lightning coursed down from the sky, splitting a palm tree in two.

  ‘Everyone?’ said Mrs Toadly.

  ‘Everyone!’ said Anna, jumping from the float. ‘We’ve got plenty of space! This way!’

  The flamingo float cut through the growing storm on its way to the hotel. Led by Anna, T. Bear and the flamingos, the crowds reached the hotel and squeezed through the revolving doors.

  Eva looked utterly shocked as hundreds of drenched animals descended upon them. Hilary worried about the mess they would make of the carpet. Mr and Mrs Kunkworth ran out of the way to hide, and Wilbur jumped to his feet.

  ‘Can I help, miss?’ he asked.

  ‘Get everyone into the ballroom!’ said Anna, directing the animals downstairs. ‘We need to escape this storm!’

  ‘Right you are!’ he said.

  Wilbur had spent lots of time in the ballroom over the previous few nights, listening to the band practise. He knew exactly what to do and where to go.

  ‘Follow me!’ he said, stomping down the beautiful staircase.

  Anna marched straight to Eva. ‘We need drinks, all of them,’ she said.

  ‘You got it,’ said Eva.

  ‘MADAME LE PIG!’ shouted Anna. ‘We need food! All of it!’

  ‘What is this?!’ squealed Madame Le Pig, raging from her kitchen. She quickly spotted the immense herd of animals and skidded to a halt. ‘Oh my word! All the animals in the world are in our hotel!’

  ‘And we need to feed them,’ said Anna.

  ‘I will do what I can,’ said the chef.

  ‘And me!’ exclaimed Ms Fragranti. ‘You know what I shall do? I shall entertain them!’

  Anna smiled. In times of need everyone pulled together.

  Mrs Toadly burst through the revolving door and brushed water off herself.

  ‘That’s it!’ she cried. ‘Everyone’s out of it!’

  ‘Everyone?’ said Anna. ‘Where’s Mr Ruffian? I would have known if he’d come in.’

  ‘I didn’t see him,’ said Mrs Toadly.

  The storm was getting worse, and not even the hotel felt safe. Everything was rattling and shaking, from windowsills to guttering, and Anna watched as tiles smashed on to the ground outside the hotel. They were quickly followed by an uprooted palm tree skidding down the road.

  ‘I know what you’re thinking,’ growled T. Bear. ‘And I don’t like it.’

  ‘But this is a hurricane,’ said Anna. ‘No one should be outside in this, not even him.’

  ‘Quite right,’ said Mrs Toadly.

  Lemmy and Stella appeared from the back of the lobby, having parked the flamingo float.

  ‘Glad we’re out of that!’ said Lemmy.

  ‘I have to go back out,’ said Anna.

  ‘You’re mad,’ said Stella. ‘That wind could lift you off your feet.’

  Suddenly the giant inflatable lion raced past the window and got caught on a lamp post. Trailing in its wake was Mr Ruffian, hanging on for dear life as the wind swirled him back and forth.

  ‘We must hurry. Have we got any rope?’ said Anna.

  ‘You’re kidding, aren’t you?’ said Lemmy.

  ‘This is Hotel Flamingo,’ said Anna with grim determination. ‘Everyone is welcome here. Even him. We have to do all we can to save him.’

  ‘Give me a minute,’ said Stella, running away. ‘I’ll be right back.’

  Anna walked to the revolving door, which was turning on its own in the wind.

  Mr Ruffian roared loudly.

  ‘Here! I’m here!’ he cried, flipping up and down in the wind.

  Stella and T. Bear approached carrying a long line of rope. Anna tied it about herself and knotted it tight.

  T. Bear took hold of the other end. ‘I’ll let you out slowly,’ he said. ‘Once you’re within reach grab hold of him, and we’ll reel you in.’

  Anna nodded. She stepped out into the gale and felt the wind and rain hit her. Each step forward took her two steps sidewards. But she kept going.

  ‘You’ve got it!’ shouted T. Bear in encouragement.

  The lamp post drew closer. Anna was about to reach out and grab the lion, when suddenly the lamp post buckled and Mr Ruffian flew a few metres backwards.

  ‘Hurry, girl!’ he said.

  Anna bit her lip to stop her saying anything rude, and with two more steps forward she was able to grip on to Mr Ruffian’s dazzling jacket.

  ‘Now!’ she said, pulling him down to the ground.

  Mr Ruffian took hold of her ha
nd and dragged himself along the rope that stretched into Hotel Flamingo. T. Bear pulled them in just as the street lamp broke free of the ground and shot up into the sky, taking the giant inflatable lion with it.

  18

  The Show Must Go On

  ‘Dude, that was cool!’ said Suzi Suzi.

  All the band had been woken by the raging storm and come down to the lobby to watch Anna’s amazing feat. Anji Wax gave her a wide, beaming smile. Kool Bananas patted her on the back in amazement.

  Mr Ruffian was exhausted, and his once immaculate hair hung unhappily over his face.

  Eva passed him a hot drink and wrapped a blanket about his shoulders. ‘Enjoy!’ she said cheerfully.

  ‘There is very little to enjoy about this,’ he growled.

  ‘At least you are safe,’ said Anna.

  ‘I suppose you deserve a thank-you,’ he admitted.

  Anna very nearly smiled.

  ‘It was a wonderful thing you did there!’ said Mrs Toadly. She pulled a Golden Palm statue from inside her jacket. ‘I know it’s not much, but I think you deserve it after all this. It’s just a shame the parade was such a washout.’

  ‘You do realise the carnival is still raging downstairs, don’t you?’ said Lemmy, smiling.

  ‘What’s that?’ said Anna.

  They walked down into the ballroom, and a giant conga – led by Ms Fragranti – circled the hall. Mac and Lil Macaw and their parrot friends danced along, cheering and whooping.

  ‘You have the best hotel!’ said Lil with a laugh, as she passed by.

  ‘Those animals know how to party!’ said Kool.

  ‘It’s a shame you didn’t get to perform,’ said Lemmy.

  ‘No one will be performing in this weather,’ said Anna. ‘Those Sugar Bunnies won’t have a single person to watch them.’