Free Lulu Bell and the Christmas Elf by Belinda Murrell

Chapter 1
The Tree
    It was Saturday morning, a few days before Christmas. The Bell family was putting up the Christmas tree in the lounge room. Lulu Bell felt her tummy fizz with excitement. Today was going to be a very big day. There was so much to do!
    Mum huffed as she and Dad hauled the tall pine tree upright. Mum stood back to check if it was straight. The top branch curled against the ceiling. The air was filled with the scent of pine resin from the tree and mangoes in the bowl on the table. It was the smell of Christmas.

    â€˜A little to the left,’ said Mum, waving her hand.
    Dad corrected the angle.
    â€˜Perfect,’ Mum said.
    Lulu and her little sister Rosie opened a cardboard box that was sitting on the floor. It was like a treasure chest filled with sparkling baubles. There were glass balls, silver stars, wooden animals, home-made paper chains and coloured lights.
    â€˜Who wants to put the first decoration on the tree?’ asked Dad.
    â€˜Me, me, me,’ shrieked Lulu, Rosie and their little brother Gus.
    Mum smiled and covered her ears. ‘Why don’t we each choose one? Then we can all hang a decoration at the same time.’
    Lulu peered into the box. Gus chose a tiny baby Jesus asleep in a nutshell. Rosie selected a gold heart. Lulu hesitated. Which ornament should she choose? Perched on top of the pile was a silver rocking horse.
    Lulu held it up. ‘Ready?’ she asked. Together they each hung a decoration on the tree. Then another and another. Soon the tree glowed and twinkled with a rainbow of colours and lights.
    Pepper, the ginger cat, was fascinated. She sat back on her hind legs. With her front paw she batted a sparkly gold ball hanging from one of the lower branches. The ball flew through the air and rolled across the floor.

    â€˜Oh, no you don’t, Pepper,’ scolded Lulu. She scooped Pepper up and carried her from the room. ‘I know you. You’ll be up to all sorts of mischief if I let you stay in there.’
    Pepper purred and rubbed her head against Lulu’s chin. Lulu purred back and cuddled her. She put Pepper down on the kitchen floor and closed the door.
    Rosie was crawling under the couch to rescue the ball.
    â€˜I think we should put the best ornaments up high,’ suggested Mum. ‘I don’t want the cats smashing any of them.’
    Dad hung the gold ball safely near the top.
    At last there was just one special ornament left in the bottom of the box. It was a white-and-gold angel on a scarlet ribbon. The three children gathered around expectantly.
    â€˜This year I think it’s Rosie’s turn,’ said Mum. ‘Come on, honey bun.’

    Rosie picked the angel out of the box with gentle hands. Her face shone with excitement. Dad lifted her high, high into the air. Rosie looked like she was flying. She stretched up and popped the angel on top of the tree. Dad helped Rosie to loop the ribbon securely to a branch.
    â€˜There,’ said Mum. ‘It’s finished.’
    Lulu examined the tree. She smiled with satisfaction.
    â€˜The tree looks amazing,’ said Lulu. ‘I can’t wait for Christmas.’
    â€˜Do you think Santa will bring us lots of presents?’ asked Rosie.
    â€˜Want presents now,’ said Gus. He looked up at his big sisters hopefully. ‘Want Santa come now.’
    Lulu put her hand on her hip. ‘Santa doesn’t come for another week, Gus. First we have the Christmas concert and we finish school. Then there’s the Christmas Eve party and then Santa comes.’
    â€˜We haven’t even written our letters to Santa yet,’ said Rosie. ‘I can’t make up my mind what to ask for. A ballerina doll? Or maybe a tutu?’
    â€˜A piggy,’ said Gus.
    Mum threw her arms up in the air. She kissed Gus on top of his head.
    â€˜Definitely no pigs,’ said Mum. ‘Let’s get a wriggle on. We have lots to do today. First we’ll bake