Lulu Bell and the Moon Dragon (5 page)

Asha and Jessie were tied up and waiting in Molly's front garden. The two dogs barked with excitement as Lulu and the group emerged from the building.

The dogs were very confused by the crimson creature that capered and cavorted in front of them. Then they had a good sniff and realised that it was just Lulu and Molly in disguise.

Rosie had dressed the dogs up too.
Both dogs wore pink tutus and fairy wings. They didn't mind. They were used to Rosie's games.

Parked next to the dogs was the big double pram. Mum stacked it high with containers of food.

‘Let's go and see if Dad has finished work yet,' suggested Mum. ‘He won't want to miss this for the world!'

Next door was the Shelly Beach Veterinary Hospital. The dragon pushed open the door with one clawed paw. The creature shook its head and roared. It was followed by two moon-faced imps carrying instruments. They crashed and clanged. Last of all came a Vietnamese fairy in a red gown.

Kylie, the vet nurse, was sitting behind the counter in the waiting room.

‘Oh, hello,' said Kylie. ‘Is that you in
there, Lulu? Hi, Rosie. Hi, Gus.'

‘I not Gus,' shouted one of the imps. ‘I Moonface.'

‘Hello, Moonface.'

Lulu popped her head out from under the dragon costume. Her face was pink and her honey-blonde plaits were damp from dancing in the heavy costume. ‘Hi, Kylie. Is Dad finished?'

‘Your dad is just washing his hands,' Kylie assured her. ‘He'll be right out. I'm going to lock up tonight.'

Dr Bell appeared at that moment. He was wearing his usual work clothes of a stripy blue-and-white shirt, fawn trousers and riding boots.

‘Hello, monsters,' called Dr Bell. ‘I'm ready to go. Thanks so much for locking up, Kylie.'

He swooped Rosie, then Gus, then Lulu up in the air one by one.

‘Hi, Dad,' they chorused.

The group romped outside.

‘You can't go like that,' said Mum. She had a cheeky glint in her eye. Dad held up his hand. He wore a look of mock horror on his face.

‘Oh, no you don't, Chrissie,' he cried.

‘I just happen to have a set of very
fine robes for you, right here,' said Mum. She patted a parcel on top of the pram.

With a great flourish, Mum pulled out a long blue robe and a conical hat made of cardboard.

‘Oh, no,' groaned Dad. ‘Not again!'

‘Yes, Dad,' insisted Lulu and Rosie together. Mum flung the robe around Dad's shoulders and popped the hat on his head.

‘At least there isn't a beard this time,' said Dad. He was referring to Rosie's mermaid birthday party. Mum had dressed him up as King Neptune.

‘I nearly forgot!' said Mum. She pulled out a long, wispy beard made of
cotton wool. Dad laughed.

The two families set off down the road towards the beach. Cars tooted as they past. Pedestrians waved.

At the shops, a group of children were wearing cloaks and robes. They all carried lanterns. Some had drums or cymbals or clapping sticks. Some even carried saucepans, which they banged with wooden spoons.

‘Hi, Lulu. Hi, Molly. Hello, Rosie. Hey, Sam,' called various voices.

‘We've come to join the Moon Festival parade,' explained one tall boy.

Mum handed out some more round pink masks.

‘It's lovely to see you,' said Tien. ‘Please come and join us.'

Molly and Lulu capered and roared with delight. Sam banged his drum. Gus clanged his cymbals. The noisy parade continued towards the beach.

Another group of children waited for them at the traffic lights. Their parents stood back to watch. They smiled at the sight of the children in their colourful costumes.

Tien looked around. Her eyes filled with tears.

‘Oh, my goodness,' she said. ‘All these children have come to celebrate with us!'

The children in the parade sang and danced and played their musical instruments. At last they reached the park at the beach. There was a huge crowd of children, parents and teachers waiting there. Miss Baxter and Miss Stevens waved.

The sun was setting in the west. The sky was streaked with rose-pink, apricot and violet. As the sun set, the children
switched on the electric candles in their lanterns. Crimson, yellow, pink, orange and white lanterns bobbed among the crowd.

Molly lifted the dragon mask from
her shoulders. ‘Your turn to be the head,' she said to Lulu.

‘Are you sure?' asked Lulu.

‘My arms are getting tired,' explained Molly. ‘The dragon head gets a bit heavy after a while.'

So Lulu and Molly swapped. Lulu had fun peering through the eyes of the dragon mask. The dragon swooped and soared among the lanterns. Parents laughed and took photographs. Lulu felt as if she was really flying.

‘I
love
being a moon dragon,' cried Lulu.

‘Come and eat, honey buns,' called Mum.

Lulu tucked the dragon head under her arm.

Tien gestured to the feast laid out on the picnic rug.

‘In Vietnam, the dancers and performers are always rewarded with delicious food to eat,' said Tien. ‘Here's your reward.'

Tien had made platters of spring rolls and pork dumplings and grilled chicken
skewers. Mum had made containers of sliced tropical fruit – pineapple, watermelon, mango, lychees and dragon fruit. Then there were mounds of golden mooncakes.

Other parents had brought food to share as well.

Gus was munching on a huge slice of watermelon. His pink mask was pushed back on top of his head.

‘Dulishus,'
said Gus. ‘
Waterlemon.
Moonface love
waterlemon
.'

‘It's watermelon, Gussie,' Lulu corrected him.

‘Mmmmm, waterlemon,'
agreed Gus.

‘He's
so
adorable,' cooed Mum.

‘I not
'dorable
,' insisted Gus. His mouth was full of pink fruit. ‘I imp.'

Lulu bit into one of the mooncakes. It was crumbly and sweet.

‘Look, Molly,' cried Lulu. She pointed out to sea. A huge golden moon was rising slowly in the east. It was the biggest moon Lulu had ever seen.

‘The full harvest moon,' replied Molly.

As the moon rose, it cast a glittering reflection across the ocean. It looked like a golden bridge across the sea.

Sam came running up. He was surrounded by a group of kindy boys. Several of them wore round pink Ong Dia masks. All of them carried a musical instrument of some sort. They pounded and shook them with glee.

‘Where are the mooncakes?' called Sam. He tapped out a rhythm on his drum.

‘Here they are, Sam,' offered Lulu. She picked up a bowl and handed it to him.

‘You have to try these,' said Sam to the other boys. ‘Mooncakes are the best.'

‘Thanks, Sam,' cried several of the boys.

They pushed back their masks and each took a cake. They munched happily.

‘These are great, Sam,' said a blond-haired boy. Lulu suddenly realised that it was Oliver. He was the boy who had called Sam names.

‘Thanks, Oliver,' said Sam.

‘Do you want to play handball with us tomorrow before school?' asked Oliver.

Sam blinked at Oliver through his
glasses. He gave an extra-big grin. ‘That would be cool,' he said.

‘Good,' said Oliver. ‘Now, let's go and frighten away some more spirits.'

The boys ran off, pounding and banging and shaking their instruments.

Lulu smiled at Molly. ‘It looks like Sam has made some friends,' said Lulu.

‘Finally!' replied Molly.

Lulu gazed out to sea. The golden moon had risen higher.

A black shape crossed the moon's reflection in the water.

‘Look who has come along to help celebrate the Moon Festival,' cried Lulu.

‘Who?' asked Molly.

Lulu pointed out to the ocean. Under the round golden moon, two black whales were breaching and splashing.

‘The whales,' cried Lulu.

Molly flung her arm around her best friend's shoulder. ‘Perfect. This has been the
best
festival ever.'