Free Lulu Bell and the Pyjama Party by Belinda Murrell Page A

looked up at Lulu. He blinked behind his glasses. Lulu thought he might start crying. She tried to think of something to cheer him up.
    â€˜Do you think Ebony is excited about having a sleepover at her mum’s house?’ asked Lulu.
    Ebony was one of Pickles’s kittens. She had been born in the washing machine. Now she lived with Molly and Sam.
    Sam nodded slowly.
    â€˜Shall we go and look for Pickles then?’ asked Lulu. ‘I think she might be hiding somewhere. Let’s hope she isn’t in the washing machine this time!’
    Mum smiled at Lulu. ‘Great idea, honey bun. But first, Sam, give your mum a kiss goodbye.’
    Sam and Molly kissed Tien goodbye. Tien hugged them both, looking worried. Mum walked Tien towards the front door.
    â€˜Sam will be fine,’ said Mum. ‘We’ll look after him.’
    Lulu took Sam’s hand.
    â€˜Come on, Sam. Let’s find Pickles!’

Chapter 2
The Hunt for Pickles
    Molly opened the carry cage and scooped out Ebony. The velvety black kitten purred and rubbed her face against Molly’s chin.
    â€˜Sam, would you like to carry Ebony?’ asked Molly.
    Sam nodded and took the kitten in his arms. He hugged her close.
    Lulu led the way. The five children hunted for Pickles in all the usual spots.Jessie tagged along, sniffing and searching. They looked in Dad’s shoe cupboard, on the back step and under the lavender bush. On the way, they stopped to say hello to Flopsy the bunny and the ducklings in their run.
    They even checked in the washing machine, just in case. But Pickles wasn’t there.
    Finally Rosie found Pickles, the tortoiseshell cat, curled up under Lulu’s bed.
    Ebony leaped out of Sam’s arms and raced to her mother. Pickles meowed and licked her kitten on the head. Ebony purred with pleasure.
    The children lay on the floor and watched the cat reunion under the bed. Ebony snuggled against her mother and butted her with her head. Pickles put herpaw on Ebony. She held her kitten down and washed her face with her rough tongue. Ebony squirmed and wriggled as she was licked all over.

    â€˜Aren’t they cute?’ asked Lulu. ‘Pickles is giving her a bath.’
    Rosie screwed up her face. ‘I’m glad Mum doesn’t lick me when she gives me a bath,’ she said.
    Lulu laughed.
    â€˜Ebony loves seeing her mother,’ said Molly.
    At the mention of the word mother, Sam pushed his glasses back on his nose and gave a little sniffle.
    â€˜It’s all right, Sam,’ said Molly.
    â€˜When is Mum coming back?’ asked Sam. His voice cracked. ‘I don’t like her going away.’
    â€˜She’ll be here tomorrow afternoon,’ said Molly.
    Sam pushed his bottom lip out, trying not to cry. Lulu thought for a moment. Poor Sam. How can I help him feel better?
    â€˜Sam, your mum doesn’t want to go away,’ said Lulu. ‘But sometimes people have to do things they don’t want to do. Sometimes we have to be a little bit brave.’
    â€˜Bug Boy brave,’ said Gus.
    He pushed his bug boy mask back off his face. His antennae wobbled.
    â€˜Can you be brave, Sam?’ asked Lulu.
    Sam thought about it. ‘I’m brave too,’ he decided.
    â€˜Good,’ said Lulu. ‘Let’s go and eat some breakfast.’
    They all sat around the kitchen table. Dad served the cheesy ham-and-mushroom omelette on toast. It was delicious.

    Everyone chatted and laughed as they ate. Except Sam.He pushed his fork around the plate.
    â€˜Not hungry, Sam?’ asked Mum. ‘Don’t worry. If you can’t finish your breakfast, the dogs will love it.’
    The dogs lay on their bed in the corner. At the mention of breakfast, both of them sat up and thumped their tails. It was easy to tell them apart. Asha’s muzzle was grey, while her daughter Jessie was the smiliest dog in the world.

    After breakfast, the kids cleared the table. Mum and Rosie