Daisy Dawson at the Beach by Steve Voake Read Free Book Online Page A

“I was just telling everyone that I’m going to the beach tomorrow.”
    “How lovely,” said Meadowsweet. “I knew a donkey who went there once. He wore a straw hat to keep the sun off his head, and he used to let the children ride around on his back.”
    “That sounds like fun,” said Conker, looking up at Meadowsweet.
    “Don’t get any ideas, young squirrel,” said Meadowsweet. “It’s too hot for that kind of thing.”
    “Is the water there as big as the river?” asked Boom.
    “It’s called the ocean, and it’s bigger than the river,” said Daisy. “Sometimes you can see the whole sky in it.”
    “The whole sky,” whispered Hazel. “Imagine that.”
    Daisy saw that Boom was looking worried and remembered Meadowsweet telling her that he had once fallen into deep water as a puppy.
    “Don’t worry, Boom,” she said. “I’m a really good swimmer.”
    As she knelt down and stroked his ears, he whispered, “The ocean’s a big place, Daisy. Promise me if you ever get lost in it, you’ll swim toward the sun.”

    “The sun?” Daisy frowned. “Why?”
    “Because the sun’s above the field,” said Boom. “And if you swim toward it, you’ll find your way home.”

Daisy was dreaming of blue skies and sandy beaches when she woke to the sound of a bird coughing. When she pulled back the curtains, she saw Flapperton on the windowsill, slapping a small sparrow on the back with his wing.
    “Ooh, that’s it,” said the smaller sparrow. “A little to the left, maybe.”
    “Is everything all right?” asked Daisy, opening the window. Although she had become used to talking animals, this was the first time she had ever been woken up by a coughing sparrow.
    “Oh, hi, Daisy,” said Flapperton. “Thanks for saving me from that cat yesterday, by the way.”
    “That’s OK,” said Daisy. “What’s the matter with your friend?”
    “It’s a toast crust,” Flapperton explained. “Harry here tried to eat the whole thing, but it got stuck in his throat.”
    Harry coughed a bit more. Then he put his wing over his beak, because his mother had taught him that this was the polite thing to do.

    “Hang on,” said Daisy. “Be back in a second.”
    She raced downstairs to the kitchen, where her mom and dad were setting the table for breakfast.
    “You’re up bright and early,” said Dad. “Going to help pack the van?”
    It was then Daisy remembered that they were going on their camping trip today. For a moment she was so excited, she forgot why she had come downstairs.
    “Should I get the surfboard?” she asked. “And the snorkels and masks?”
    “That would be good,” said Dad, looking at her pajamas. “But maybe the first thing you should get is . . . dressed.”
    “Have some breakfast first,” said Mom. “I’ll make some more toast.”
    The thought of toast reminded Daisy what she had come down for. She opened the fridge, took out a bottle of orange soda, and headed back upstairs.

    “Soda for breakfast?” said Mom. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
    “Absolutely not,” said Dad.
    He opened the fridge and peered inside.
    “I don’t suppose there’s any left?”
    “Hold still, Harry,” said Daisy, picking up the little sparrow in her left hand.
    Harry coughed and looked up at her. “Will it hurt?” he asked.
    “Not at all,” replied Daisy, “although it might make your beak tingle for a while. Ready?”
    Harry nodded and shut his eyes as Daisy tipped the first few drops into his beak.
    At first, nothing happened. Then Harry gave a little squawk and began to dance around on Daisy’s hand, flapping his wings and chirruping loudly.
    “Is he all right?” asked Flapperton. “He seems a bit . . . bonkers.”
    “That’s just the fizz,” said Daisy. “He’ll be fine.”
    “Whoo-hoo!” exclaimed Harry, staggering sideways as Daisy set him down on the windowsill. “That got those crumbs!”
    “All clear?” asked Flapperton.
    “You betcha,” said