Kelsey and the Quest of the Porcelain Doll by Rosanne Hawke Read Free Book Online Page A

about the building and who would carry on her father’s work when they went back to Australia.
    Kelsey told Shakila she was well enough to visit again tomorrow and Shakila squeezed her hand and grinned. ‘I’ve missed you,’ she said.
    After they left Kelsey picked up the present. It wasn’t heavy. She shook it. It didn’t sound like lollies.
    Her parents sat on the lounge and watched her.
    â€˜What do you think it is, Kels?’ her dad asked.
    â€˜I don’t know.’ She wondered if it would be biscuits. Shakila and Raza were fond of anything sweet. ‘I can’t wait to find out!’
    She pulled off the string and ripped the paper. ‘Oh,’ she gasped.
    â€˜What is it?’ Her mum leaned forward.
    Kelsey couldn’t believe what she was seeing. It just wasn’t possible.



‘I t’s a doll,’ Kelsey whispered. She picked it up. ‘A porcelain doll.’
    â€˜I didn’t think they were made here,’ Dad said.
    â€˜She’s got golden hair. And a burgundy silk shalwar qameez —’ Kelsey paused, then said in a rush, ‘She looks just like Amy Jo. How can that be?’
    Mum looked at her sharply. ‘You mean, Amy Jo from the story Nanna’s been telling?’
    â€˜Yes, Nanna’s story about the doll with golden hair who is sent to Pakistan but gets lost and has adventures on her quest to find someone to love.’
    She touched Amy Jo’s face. ‘See, she’s been scratched, just like in the story. There’s a tooth mark on her forehead.’ She turned Amy Jo over and lifted her qameez .
    â€˜Look!’ she squealed. ‘There are stitches on her body as if she’d had rips. Nanna said in the story a dog bit her.’
    â€˜How odd,’ Mum said. ‘Let me see. What a beautiful doll she must have been.’
    â€˜She still is,’ Kelsey said. ‘And look, one boot is different from the other. In the story an old man makes this shalwar qameez and a new boot. And see, the other has embroidery thread for a lace. Zebi crocheted that.’
    She traced her finger over Amy Jo’s hair. ‘And here is Rubi’s clip!’
    Kelsey looked up to find her parents staring at her strangely.
    She opened a little paper bag that was lying under Amy Jo. ‘Mum, it’s her original dress.’ She took it out. ‘The one Nanna Rose said she wore in the shop. It’s got pink-and-white stripes and lace. And it’s watermarked and ripped.’
    Kelsey stood up, close to tears. ‘I have to talk to Nanna Rose.’
    Mum looked at her watch. ‘She’ll be cooking dinner, she mightn’t hear the call.’
    â€˜Can we try, please?’
    All three of them sat in front of the laptop to wait for Nanna Rose. It was taking ages.
    â€˜Maybe we should try later,’ Mum said.
    Kelsey shook her head. ‘Please can we keep calling?’
    Finally Nanna Rose was there saying hello and asking how Kelsey was.
    â€˜I’m much better, thank you, Nanna, but look!’ Kelsey held up Amy Jo.
    Nanna Rose gave a huge smile. ‘Ah, so the doll has arrived at last. I was despairing that the postal service wasn’t working because of the flood and she was lost. Did they deliver her to your house?’
    â€˜Nanna, what are you talking about?’
    â€˜She’s your birthday present of course. That’s why I told you the story, so you’d know her when she arrived. I chose her because she looks like you.’ Nanna Rose sighed happily. ‘I’m so glad she came in time for your birthday.’
    Nanna Rose squinted at Amy Jo. ‘I see you’ve made a new outfit for her already. That’s clever.’
    â€˜But she can’t be my birthday present.’ Kelsey could think of only one question. ‘Nanna, how did the story come true?’
    Nanna Rose was startled. Her eyes grew wide and she said, ‘Whatever do you mean,