Free Molly Moon & the Monster Music by Georgia Byng

Gerry’s side at breakfast, determined to protect him from Molly’s coin. She sat sentry-like outside the bathroom while he was taking a shower. But it was soon obvious that Molly was far too distracted to think of playing her harmonica.
    Mr. Proila had agreed that Molly could do a short slot as a guest performer at Zagger’s concert that night at the Tokyo Dome. A costume had to be made for her. And so a team of three had arrived—a designer and two seamstresses—bearing bags filled with materials and accessories.
    Molly was desperate for the evening to come. The fun of choosing her costume eased the waiting and she picked out some high leather boots to complete her look. The design team hurried off, promising to have Molly’s outfit back by six.
    â€œOh, by the way,” Molly announced when they were all eating lunch, “a boy called Rocky will be turning up later today. Not sure what time.” She didn’t ask whether her hosts minded, as she knew they were already under her power. She must getRocky under her influence at the first opportunity, too. He would be trouble otherwise. She would leave hypnotizing Gerry until then, as otherwise Gerry’s adoration of Molly might make Rocky suspicious.
    â€œRocky!” Gerry cried. “Wow! Cool! Is it OK if he stays here, Toka? He’s really nice.”
    Petula, who was perched on a chair a little distance away, studied Molly’s every move, checking that she didn’t reach for her harmonica again. She could sense the coin’s presence in Molly’s pocket eating away at the good part of her.
    Petula knew for sure that, more than tarnishing Molly’s manners, the coin was poisoning her spirit. Petula had seen the coin work its evil effect before—in the hands of the foul Miss Hunroe. Miss Hunroe’s greed had showed no bounds. She had obliterated any obstacle that stood in her way. Her idea of a perfect world had been one where most people had been wiped out. Petula wondered whether Miss Hunroe had been good to start with, before she owned the coin. Until recently Molly had used her amazing powers in the right way. But might she now become a heartless monster? With all her basic talents corrupted by the gold coin, Molly could be really dangerous.
    Molly took the coin from her pocket and flippedit through her fingers. It was then that Petula made a decision. She would steal the coin this afternoon. Molly slept with the coin under her pillow. The more attached to it she became, the less chance there was of her leaving it unattended. But she would, and when she did, Petula would be ready. Until then she would do everything she could to stop Molly playing her harmonica. In fact, if she possibly could, she would steal that from Molly, too.
    Petula’s chance came when Molly’s costume was brought back. The pug sat on the mezzanine balcony outside the boys’ bedroom. Molly was so excited to see her outfit that she came rushing out of the spare room below. As soon as Molly appeared, the old grandmother wheeled herself backward into her dark, shadowy corner. Petula looked down and noticed that Molly wasn’t wearing her black jacket, which probably meant that the coin and the harmonica were in the bedroom still, in the jacket’s pockets.
    Petula quietly picked her way down the stairs. As Molly was removing her shoes and whooping with delight as she pulled on the new shiny boots, Petula slipped into her room.
    The room was dark. The curtains were shut. It took a few moments for Petula’s eyes to adjust. A glow emanated from the TV screen. Molly had beenwatching a movie and had paused it. A picture of a vampire sucking blood from a young boy’s neck was frozen there. It reminded Petula how much Molly had changed—the old Molly hadn’t liked scary films at all. The picture on the screen accompanied by the bitter smell of the coin gave Petula the creeps.
    She trotted over to the curtains.