How Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant by Elen Caldecott Read Free Book Online

Dawn’s eye and willed her to help. Please, Dawn, please, Dawn , she whispered silently, over and over again.
    â€˜What camera?’ Dawn asked. Her voice was as cold and hard as the chrome chandeliers that hung from the salon ceiling.
    â€˜Kirsty’s going to be in the paper,’ Angela said.
    â€˜Mum. One last time, what is going on?’
    â€˜Oh dear, you sound so serious. All that’s happening is that I am helping little Kirsty get a bit of publicity, bring her plight to the world, that sort of thing.’
    â€˜What plight?’
    â€˜Well, to keep your grandad’s allotment, of course. We’re starting the campaign right here, right now. Well, in about ten minutes, I should think. Jermaine is usually a little bit late.’
    Kirsty looked at Dawn. Dawn looked back. Kirsty couldn’t tell what she was thinking. Would she help? Or would she just laugh? Kirsty bit her lip; she could taste the greasy lipstick on her teeth.
    Dawn seemed to make up her mind. ‘Kirsty,’ she said. ‘Get that stuff off your face. Ben, get your coat on. Mum, get a grip.’
    Brilliant! Kirsty leaped up from the chair and ran to the sink. She turned on the shower attachment and soaked the front of her jumper, but managed to get most of the make-up off.
    â€˜But what –’ Angela stuttered. ‘Dawnie, what’s the matter?’
    â€˜Mum,’ Dawn said. ‘I’m sure that Kirsty appreciates your help. Oh wait, no, actually, I don’t suppose she does. So stop helping.’
    Kirsty came away from the sink dripping water and slimy gunk. She turned to Angela. ‘Mrs Jenkins, thank you very much for your help, but Dawn’s right. This is something I need to do by myself.’
    Ben came and stood next to her. ‘No,’ he said. ‘Not by yourself. Me and Dawn will help.’
    Kirsty grinned. ‘Brilliant!’

.

    Chapter 12
    Outside the salon, Dawn marched off ahead. Kirsty ran to catch up. Ben struggled behind, trying to force his arms into his coat and walk at the same time.
    â€˜Dawn!’ Kirsty shouted.
    Dawn swung away from the road, heading towards the park. Kirsty moved faster. Why was Dawn running away? Had she changed her mind already? What was going on?
    â€˜What’s going on?’ Kirsty yelled as loudly as she could. Dawn stopped. She turned slowly. Kirsty recognised the look on Dawn’s face; if there had been a jumper handy, or a shoe, or a book, Dawn would be throwing it at her right now. What had happened to the Dawn who charged into the salon like a knight on horseback? Kirsty walked towards her warily.
    â€˜Dawn, are you OK?’ Kirsty whispered.
    â€˜Yes. No.’ Dawn looked angry. ‘I don’t know why you want the allotment anyway. It was Grandad who knew about gardens, not you. You just used to play there. The only thing you’ve ever grown by yourself was cress on cotton wool in playgroup. And that went mouldy.’
    Beside the pavement, there was a low wall, marking the edge of someone’s garden. Dawn sat down heavily on it. Kirsty stood in front of her, trying to read her face. She looked tired and cross, but she also looked sad. Kirsty leaned in closer. Dawn covered her face with her hands. Then Kirsty’s hand did something strange, as if it had taken on a life of its own. It stretched outwards and settled on the back of Dawn’s head, stroking her hair. Kirsty held her breath. What would Dawn do? Move away? Shrug her off? Bite her hand? Dawn didn’t move at all. They stayed like that, close together, Kirsty’s fingers resting on Dawn’s soft hair. Then Ben finally caught up with them.
    â€˜Wow,’ he said. ‘Is this an Oprah moment?’
    â€˜Shove off,’ Dawn muttered into her hands, but Kirsty could tell that she was smiling. She lifted her hand away as Dawn looked up.
    â€˜Are you missing Grandad?’ Kirsty whispered gently. Dawn seemed to stiffen