Lulu Bell and the Cubby Fort Read Free

was a pile of bows and arrows. They were made from sticks and string. Tim picked up a curved bow and twanged the tight string.
    â€˜It’s wonderful,’ said Lulu. She glanced around with shining eyes. ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we could bring up some furniture?’
    â€˜I don’t think Mum would let us have furniture,’ said Meg. ‘She’s always worried about us putting muddy boots on the sofas.’
    â€˜Not real furniture,’ said Lulu. ‘We could make furniture out of old crates or boxes.’
    â€˜There are some wooden crates in the shed,’ said Tom.
    â€˜And some cushions,’ added Lachie.
    â€˜Let’s see what we can borrow,’ Lulu said. ‘This will be the best cubby fort ever.’

Chapter 5
Cuzzie Fun
    The cousins raced back to the farmhouse to find Auntie Tor. She told them they could borrow any bits and pieces they found lying around.
    Gus wandered off to round up Chook and Griffin. The rest of the kids set off on a treasure hunt. They found wooden crates and old cushions to use as seats. Tim found a packet of biscuits, a bottle of water and some plastic cupsfor emergency snacks. They carried everything back to the cubby fort. Gus stayed behind.
    â€˜Wow, that was hard work,’ huffed Lulu.
    She and Rosie set the crates in a circle and dropped the cushions on top.
    â€˜That’s better,’ said Rosie.
    â€˜Yes,’ agreed Lulu. ‘It looks fantastic.’
    Then the cousins began to play a complicated game of cowboys and raiders. Different teams patrolled through the bushes and scrub, and then came sneaking back.
    Jessie was the best guard dog. She whined madly and wagged her tail every time any of the raiders came close to invading the fort. Then she licked them all over the face.
    It was great fun.

    Finally, the sun began to slip below the horizon in the west, streaking the sky with vivid colour. A loud bell sounded from the farmhouse.
    â€˜That’s Mum calling us for dinner,’ explained Lachie. ‘We’d better head back.’
    â€˜Yes,’ agreed Tom. He winked at Tim and Lachie. ‘Before it gets dark and the ghost comes out.’
    â€˜Ooooooh,’ wailed Tim in a spooky voice.
    Rosie glanced around fearfully at the darkening shadows. The boys grinned.
    â€˜I’ll go first, Rosie,’ offered Lulu. ‘Then you follow me.’
    One by one the children clambered down the hill and headed back to the farmhouse.
    The mums were in the kitchen, slicing onions and tomatoes. The dads had chopped a big pile of firewood. The kids gathered twigs and dry branches to use as kindling in the camp fire.
    Uncle Nick had built a fireplace with a circle of rocks. Round logs were placed around it to be used as benches.
    Dad lit the fire. He carefully added larger branches as the flames flared up.
    It was now dark. The sky glowed with thousands of stars. They shone far more brightly than at home in the city. Everyone sat around the fire, chatting and laughing.

    Uncle Greg and Lulu’s dad barbecued sausages on a grill over the coals. Lulu’s mouth watered at the delicious smells. Everyone grabbed a bread roll each, and piled on a crispy sausage, cooked onions and tomatoes, and lettuce leaves from the garden.
    These were followed by gooey pink marshmallows toasted on sticks over the flames.
    Finally, one by one, the children began to yawn.

Chapter 6
The Ghost
    â€˜Time for bed, honey buns,’ said Mum.
    Lulu quickly stifled her yawn and sat up straighter. ‘We’re not tired, Mum,’ she promised. ‘It’s holidays – we can sleep in.’
    â€˜We have a big, busy day tomorrow,’ said Mum. ‘It’s definitely time for bed.’
    â€˜That’s right. We’re going to swim and ride the horses and check the calves,’ promised Uncle Nick.
    Lulu’s face glowed with excitement. ‘Can we have a really long ride?’ she