Lulu Bell and the Christmas Elf Read Free Page B

didn’t get to see you perform.’
    The twins hesitated.
    â€˜Perhaps Molly and I could just help you,’ suggested Lulu. ‘We could play the air guitar – or we could stick to turning cartwheels.’
    The twins nodded and jumped to their feet.
    â€˜Let’s go,’ said Olivia and Jo together.

Chapter 5
The Christmas Spectacular
    All the other children were in the playground. They were sitting cross-legged in their class groups. The first act had already begun.
    Miss Baxter smiled when she saw Lulu, Molly, Olivia and Jo hurrying across the playground. They sat down with the class.
    â€˜Thanks, girls,’ she whispered. ‘I was worried that we had lost our star performers.’
    â€˜We were just working on a little surprise,’ Lulu whispered back.
    Every class at Shelly Beach School performed in the concert. The children sang songs, danced and played music. There were Christmas carols, poetry recitals and a nativity play. Sam’s kindy class danced. All the kids were dressed as reindeer. Sam wore a bright red plastic nose.

    Rosie’s year one class sang a Christmas carol. They were all dressed in the angel costumes that Mum and Tien had made.
    Lulu felt jumpy with nerves. It was time for her class to line up at the back of the stage. Roy grinned at the girls as he slipped past them. He was on his way to get changed. He would be making a special guest appearance in the concert.
    The next act finished.
    â€˜Come on, everyone,’ said Miss Baxter. ‘It’s our turn.’
    Lulu grinned at Molly, then at Olivia and Jo.
    On the stage, a roll of canvas dropped down as a back-drop. Mum and Roy had painted a huge white horse and an old-fashioned sleigh onto it.
    â€˜I would like to introduce the 3B elves performing “Jingle Bells”,’ announced Miss Baxter.
    The music began. The whole class ran onto the stage. Lulu could see her family sitting in the audience. Gus stood up on his chair and waved. Mum had the camera aimed and ready. Nanna and Gumpa blew kisses.
    The elves began their dance – spinning and turning, jumping and swooping.
    Then Roy strode out on stage, wearing a long white beard. His blue eyes twinkled. He was dressed as Santa Claus, with a big pillow stuffed down his front.
    All the kids cheered. Santa Claus danced around, surrounded by elves.
    The elves danced and sang their hearts out. Lulu and Molly turned cartwheels. At last it was finished.

    Everyone bowed, then ran off the stage.
    The parents and grandparents clapped and cheered. Gus danced up and down on his chair. Roy sat back in the audience, right in the front.
    Miss Baxter took the microphone again. ‘We are nearly at the end of our Christmas concert,’ she said. ‘I would now like to introduce some very talented performers. Here are the twins Olivia and Jo from year three.’
    The twins ran onto the stage. They had quickly changed from their elf outfits. Now they wore long tutus made of tulle. Olivia’s was turquoise with a white ribbon around her waist, while Jo’s was white with a turquoise ribbon.
    Lulu gave the twins a thumbs-up sign. The girls smiled.
    Jo took a seat at the piano. A hush fell over the audience. Jo started playing.
    Olivia stood at the microphone. She began to sing ‘O Holy Night’. Her voice was strong and clear.
    Lulu and Molly ran onto the stage behind the twins. They danced and swayed. Then Lulu realised there was another dancer on the stage. Gus had run up to join them. He pranced and spun in his little elf suit. Gus waved to the crowd.
    â€˜A thrill of hope,’ sang Olivia. She pointed towards all the mums and dads, grandmothers and grandfathers in the audience. ‘The weary world rejoices. For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.’
    As Olivia sang the final chorus, Molly and Lulu flipped into their cartwheels. They spun and turned across the front of the stage.

    The audience clapped and clapped. Parents