Free Isabella's Pink Bicycle by Emma Calin Page A

he said.
    She did what he said and she found herself back in the shed. She jumped off the bike and ran indoors.
    “Where have you been child? You’ve not done the potatoes or the fire,” said her mother.
    “Exploring,” she said.
    “Oh – it doesn’t matter. I’m just glad I found you.”
    Her father came home late and exhausted from the mine. He washed the dirt from his face and gave Isabella a big kiss. She wanted to tell him about Frankie Ferret and the pink bicycle but soon he fell asleep and the chance was gone.

    A video adventure with Frankie on the bike
     
    http://youtu.be/9r7PrMrfYJQ

Chapter 4 - Something Goes Badly Wrong
    The next day was not a normal day. Sirens were sounding at the mine. The teachers at the school looked sad and worried. Usually she walked home alone, but that evening her mother was waiting at the school gate. Isabella saw at once that her eyes were puffy as if she had been crying.
    “We’ve just got to get home now, there’s nothing to worry about,” said her mother.
    Isabella did not believe a word of it. She knew something was very wrong and each time anyone saw her they looked away sadly. Once they got to the house, her mother made herself very busy. Several people came to the door but did not come in. It grew dark and still her father had not come home.

     
    “Why hasn’t Daddy come home?” she asked.
    Her mother sat down on a chair and sobbed.
    “There’s been a collapse at the mine and he is trapped underground,” she said.
    “Why don’t they rescue him?” said Isabella.
    “The tunnels are flooded and there’s no way of reaching him,” her mother replied.

Chapter 5 - Isabella Knows What To Do
    Isabella knew that she should be sad but something in her mind made her speak up. She knew someone who knew about tunnels.
    “Frankie Ferret could find a way,” she said.
    “Don’t be silly Isabella, there’s no such thing.”
    “There is, there is! Frankie Ferret can squeeze in anywhere,” said Isabella.
    “You’re a naughty girl for talking this rubbish. Your father is lost and all you can do is make up some stupid idea. There are no magic animals Isabella!”
    Her mother slumped back in the chair holding her face in her hands and sobbing.
    Isabella knew there was no point trying to convince her mother. She tiptoed away and ran to the shed. Perhaps her daddy would never come home she thought.
    “Dear me,” said Frankie Ferret as he wriggled out of the sawdust.
    “Oh Frankie, my father is trapped in the mine and there’s no way to reach him.”
    “Now now, there’s always a way Isabella. A ferret godfather can squeeze into some tight spots. Come with me; let’s see what we can do.”
    With that Frankie Ferret sprang up into the basket and Isabella jumped onto the bike. She seemed to be riding through a long tunnel which led out into the countryside that was magical in the moonlight

     
     
    “We need to get to the other side of the mountain where there’s old rabbit holes that lead down into the mine,” he said.
    Isabella pedaled as fast as she could and at last they came to the place. Frankie leapt out of the basket and threw a couple of somersaults.
    “I must leave you here but I’ll be back. Whatever you do stay here!” he said.
    Then he bolted into a rabbit hole and was gone.

    A downloadable picture of Frankie Ferret for you to colour.
    http://bit.ly/1GtA2u3

Chapter 6 - A Little Girl Knows She Is Right
    Isabella felt lonely and afraid. The night was filled with strange sounds and sirens. She began to wonder if there was such a thing as a magic ferret or if her pink bicycle was real. The light of dawn was in the sky and still there was no sign of him. She knew her mother would be worried and perhaps it was time to give up and go home. Just as she climbed back on the bike, Frankie Ferret sprang from a rabbit hole. He was covered in black mud.
    “Isabella; your father is alive. There is a huge stone blocking the path but if we have enough men we