Tour Troubles Read Free Page A

sensational Stunt Bunny, you’ll have to buy a ticket for tomorrow night’s show!’
    Grumbling, the paparazzi turned their cameras expectantly towards the bus, waiting for the next passenger to emerge from the narrow doorway. When Doodle and Miranda appeared, there was an excited burst of flashing lights. But, after the incident on the bus, neither of them was exactly looking their best. Doodle’s fur was flat and her eyes were dull. Miranda looked even worse and she held up one hand in front of her face.

    Gloria hurried towards them and looked them up and down, before leaning closer. ‘I wonder if you’d be better off using the entrance at the back of the hotel?’ she murmured. ‘We don’t want any unflattering pictures of Doodle in the newspapers, now, do we?’
    With a sulky scowl, Miranda led Doodle away. Seconds later, the paparazzi were snapping away at Cherry and Lulu. I almost felt bad for Doodle. Then I remembered how she and Miranda had tried to stop me from getting to the Superpets Search for a Superstar semi-final and, suddenly, I didn’t feel so sorry for her anymore.
    Once we were all off the bus Gloria gathered us all together beside the grand staircase in the centre of the hotel lobby.
    ‘Welcome to the Landmark Hotel , your home for the next two nights,’ she said, as her assistant checked a clipboard and handed out room keys. ‘In the morning, we’ll explain exactly what will happen on the tour. But tonight, feel free to enjoy everything this five star hotel has to offer.’
    Sam’s eyes were as big as Frisbees as he stared at the staircase. ‘Imagine sliding down that.’

    It looked like fun, but my attention was fixed on Gloria as she described the deluxe Jacuzzi and the rooftop terrace bar, where the rich and famous came to party. I pictured me and Susie making friends with pop pin-ups and movie stars. This was it, I realised, once Gloria had finished talking and a bell-boy was showing us to our room. This was what they called the Big Time!

 

    I don’t know what happened when we got to our room. One minute I was backflipping from one bouncy double bed to another and accidentally knocking over EE’s signed photo of Gloria. The next, I was fast asleep and dreaming about meeting up with Mickey and Minnie Mouse in the hotel bar and before I knew it, the sun was peeping through the curtains and Susie was shaking me awake.
    ‘Time to rise and shine, Harriet,’ she said, smiling down at me as she clipped me into my harness and attached the lead. ‘You’ve got a big day ahead of you.’
    EE frowned. ‘Are you sure she can’t escape from that? It doesn’t look very tight.’
    ‘She’ll be fine, Dad. Harriet’s a good girl these days, aren’t you, Harriet?’
    EE didn’t look convinced, but then he caught sight of his watch. ‘We’d better get a move on or we’ll miss breakfast.’ He rubbed his hands together and licked his lips. ‘I’m really looking forward to it.’

    When the waitress arrived at our table with the food, I understood exactly why EE had been so eager to get down to the dining room. His plate was piled high with bacon, egg, sausages and beans and there was a glistening slice of fried bread on the side.

    Susie shook her head, eyeing the bulge of his tummy under his shirt.
    ‘You’re supposed to be on a diet, Dad. Mum will be cross when she finds out you haven’t stuck to it.’
    EE tucked his napkin into his shirt and licked his lips. ‘There’s something you need to learn, Susie.’ He paused to wave his fork at her. ‘What happens on tour, stays on tour.’
    ‘What does that mean?’ Susie asked, with a puzzled look on her face, but I had a sneaky feeling I knew what he was getting at. Basically, he meant no telling tales about the tour once we were back at home.
    EE pushed a forkful of food into his mouth. ‘It means that diets are off the menu,’ he said, his voice muffled by bacon and beans. Then he swallowed and tapped the side of his nose in