Davina Dupree's Bizarre Birthday Balloon Ride Read Free Page A

fluted glasses of fizzy grape juice, and Giles went red and beamed round.
    â€˜I’m glad you all enjoyed it,’ he grinned, standing up to collect the plates. ‘I only hope you enjoy the dessert just as much!’
    â€˜Ooh goodie, pudding,’ Arabella said, her eyes gleaming. Her eyes followed Giles to the kitchenette and she squealed as he turned back towards our table, holding a giant bowl full of meringues covered in cream, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and blueberries. Honestly, that girl has such a sweet tooth, although I have to say my mouth watered as Giles brought the bowl closer and I saw the brown sugar topping everything. YUMSTERS.
    It was even more delicious than it looked, and there was enough for us all to have seconds. Then we all said goodnight to each other, and Arabella and I went back to our tiny room with very full tummies and gazed out of our window. It was pitch black outside now but when we looked down we saw that the ground below was peppered with golden lights from people’s houses.
    â€˜I never realised towns could look so beautiful,’ Arabella breathed. ‘Like hundreds of pieces of glowing jewellery scattered over black fabric.’ I nodded, then jumped on to my bed to write in you, Diary.
    Our beds are actually very clever, because they are squashy and comfy with rectangular, sturdy bases, that are held in place by four ropes that go from all four corners up to the ceiling. This is very handy, because if the balloon shudders at all, or tilts slightly, our beds just go with the flow.
    Yawn.com . I’m going to have to go to sleep now, Diary, I don’t think I can keep my eyes open for one second longer. Can’t wait to see what adventures tomorrow brings! Night night.
Early Morning, Friday, 19 th March
    You’ll never guess what, Diary...
    I’ve just had breakfast on the balcony in the red light of dawn, looking down on to the stunning view of a harbour!
    I’m not sure where we are but we’ve clearly reached the sea because there are such a variety of boats below us. Giles brought the balloon down a bit so we could get a better view, and there are giant oil tankers next to passenger ferries, with all sorts of yachts and rowing boats crammed in between.
    Everyone seemed to wake up early this morning, partly the excitement of being on board the balloon and partly the fact that we could smell the freshly baked croissants Giles had made. I wonder when he manages to sleep – he seems to be either flying the balloon or cooking – but he looked cheerful enough so I suppose he must have napped for a few hours.
    â€˜What time is it?’ I said, yawning, as I took a big bite of my warm, crumbly croissant.
    â€˜Half past five,’ Amy muttered, staring at her phone. She’d managed to stop looking at it long enough to sort Hugo and Hattie out with some croissants and fresh orange juice. ‘Too early, if you ask me.’
    â€˜Nonsense,’ old Mr Duffy croaked from the next table. He was sharing his croissant with Crackers, who was sitting up on a chair next to his owner. ‘Wouldn’t want to miss a second of this glorious trip would you, young lady?’
    â€˜I’d rather be going to Woodlands Festival,’ Amy muttered.
    â€˜Eh? What’s that you said?’ Mr Duffy leaned closer. ‘You’ll have to speak up, my dear. I’m afraid my hearings not what it used to be.’
    â€˜I said,’ Amy said loudly, snapping her phone shut and placing it on the table. ‘I’d rather be going to Woodlands Festival.’
    â€˜Oh I see,’ Mr Duffy scratched his chin with one hand, and popped the last piece of flaky pastry into Cracker’s mouth with the other. ‘What’s that all about then?’
    â€˜It’s a music festival,’ Amy sighed. ‘My cousin’s band’s playing there and I
really
wanted to go. But my mum said I should be kind and go on this