Free Rascal the Star by Holly Webb Page B

would be great, wouldn’t it? Oh, shush a minute. I think Miss Louisa’s giving us a look.”
    At the end of the class, the woman who’d been watching got up and came to talk to Miss Louisa. She was nodding, and Miss Louisa looked pleased.
    “Remember I mentioned a surprise? This is Carla from Eclipse Productions, girls,” Miss Louisa announced. “They’re about to film a TV commercial close by, and Carla wants to ask some of you to audition for them.”
    A thrilled whisper ran through the class, and Ellie beamed triumphantly at Christy and Lucy’s mum. She’d been right. She crossed all her fingers, hoping that they would pick Lucy for the audition.
    Carla had a quick conversation with Miss Louisa, pointing to different girls, and then Miss Louisa called Lucy and two others to stay behind. Everyone else trailed out to get changed, looking rather disappointed.

    Carla had a chat with Lucy and the other two girls, and gave them some paperwork. Then Lucy came running over to Ellie and Christy and her mum, looking really happy. “Did you hear, Mum? An audition! It’s next Saturday, can I go?”
    Her mum was reading the letter on the top of the sheaf of papers. “I suppose so, Lucy. It says the filming would only take one day, oh, and it’s in half-term, so you wouldn’t miss school.” She laughed. “Why not? But remember, Lucy, there might be lots of people auditioning. Don’t get too excited yet, will you?”
    Lucy shook her head, but Ellie could see that her eyes were sparkling. Of course she was excited! Ellie was excited too, and shewas only a friend of the person going to an audition.
    “Come on then.” Lucy’s mum led them out of the studio. “Let’s go to the DVD shop and choose a film to watch. And we’ll have a proper read of all this at home.”
    The girls were so desperate to get back and read all about Lucy’s audition that they chose a DVD in about two minutes, without any arguing.
    “I wonder what the ad is for?” Christy asked, as they walked back to Lucy’s house.
    “I’m sure it’ll say somewhere in all that stuff.” Lucy’s mum glanced at the papers sticking out of her handbag. “I hope it’s not for something you hate, Lucy. Like eggs!”
    Lucy made a face. “I don’t think I couldeat an egg, even if I was going to be on TV,” she agreed. “But I’d definitely try!” she added. “I can’t believe I’m going to an audition.”
    When they got home, Lucy’s mum spread out the papers over the kitchen table, and everyone squished up next to her to look.
    “So the audition’s at the production company’s office. Oh, and we need to apply for a licence, if you get the part,” Lucy’s mum murmured. “I hadn’t realized it was all so complicated.”
    Lucy was scanning the different bits of paper, trying to find out what she might have to do. “It must say somewhere,” she muttered. “Ooh, if it’s for a clothes shop I might get to keep some!”
    Ellie laughed, as she held up the piece of paper she’d been reading. “I’m not sure you’ll want to keep anything from this advert, Lucy. You could pass it on to me or Christy though.”
    “What is it? Tell me!” Lucy asked excitedly.
    “Dog food!”

Chapter Three
The Horrible Howler
    “Barkers dog food… Ohh.” Lucy read the description of the ad. “Do you think there’ll be a dog in it? I’ll have to act with a dog?”
    “I don’t think there’s a dog at the audition, not from what it says here,” her mum put in. “But I imagine there’ll be a dog in the actual ad. Are you sure you want to do this, Lucy?”
    Lucy nibbled her bottom lip, looking worried. Then at last she nodded. “I might never get another chance. And it isn’t as ifI’ll get the part anyway! I just want to see what it’s like going to an audition.”
    Her mum frowned, looking concerned. “You never know. They picked you and Tasha and Sam out of the class, they obviously thought you were good.”
    “That lady – Carla – she