The Little Llama Page 3

  Piper opened her beak and caught it expertly.

  “Cool!” exclaimed Priti, and the other children cheered. Even Mark looked impressed.

  “We definitely need her in the show,” said Elliot.

  Zoe grinned and added “PIPER THE PUFFIN and pals” to her list.

  A little while later, after visiting lots of other animals, the friends headed to the café, where Great-Uncle Horace was waiting for them at a table outside.

  “Welcome!” he cried, gesturing at them to join him. “How did you get on?”

  “Great,” replied Zoe. “We have our list to show you.” She carefully tied Lottie’s lead to a chair leg and sat down.

  Sally, who ran the café, came over holding her notepad and pen. “What can I get you?” she asked with a cheery grin.

  “Hot chocolates and rice crispy cakes all round,” smiled Great-Uncle Horace.

  “Of course,” replied Sally. She jotted the order in her notepad and went hurrying back inside.

  “So,” said Great-Uncle Horace, “who have you chosen to star in your show?”

  Zoe took her list from her bag. “Pip the penguin and friends, Piper the puffin and pals, Holly, Snowy and Ivy the snow leopard cubs if possible, Oscar the snowy owl and his mate Shelley, and, of course, Lottie the llama.”

  “Excellent list!” exclaimed Great-Uncle Horace. “I’m sure Matt the big-cat keeper will be OK for the snow leopard cubs to appear in the show. After all, he and the other zoo keepers will be looking after the animals to make sure they are all happy and behaving themselves.”

  Sally returned with a tray full of steaming hot chocolates, topped with whipped cream and marshmallows.

  Zoe took a sip of her drink. It was delicious. She patted Lottie on the head. She couldn’t help but notice that she looked a little sad. Zoe untied her lead and took her away from the group, so she could find out what was wrong.

  “Are you OK, Lottie?” she whispered.

  The little llama hummed softly in reply.

  “You want to be in the show with your friends?” repeated Zoe. Then she realised that all of the other animals would be on stage with their family or friends … and Lottie would be by herself.

  “Oh! But you’ll be with all of us!” whispered Zoe, stroking Lottie’s soft ears.

  But Lottie still looked very sad.

  Chapter Five

  Planning the Winter Show

  On Monday the class finalised their plans for the winter show. Miss Hawkins had divided the class into five groups, each one named after the five animals chosen for the show: penguin, puffin, snow leopard, llama and snowy owl. Each group had spent the morning researching their animal and the different parts of the world they lived in.

  Miss Hawkins smiled at the class and clapped her hands. “Each group has ten minutes to come up with ideas for a performance all about their animal and where they live in the wild. Off you go!”

  All of the children started chattering excitedly. Everyone had lots of ideas! Zoe was in the llama group and she enjoyed telling her friends all she knew about Lottie and her relatives in the wild. After ten minutes had passed, Miss Hawkins clapped her hands and one person from each group called out their suggestions.

  “We’d like to read out a funny poem about penguins,” called Elliot.

  “Great idea!” nodded Miss Hawkins, writing down “PENGUIN POEM” on the whiteboard.

  “We’d like to make a HUGE map to hold up, showing where snowy owls live in North America and Canada, and use pictures to show where the owls live at different times of the year!” cried Eve, grinning excitedly.

  “Wonderful!” smiled Miss Hawkins, jotting it down. Soon the plan for the performance was finalised! Zoe’s llama group had decided to dress up as llamas, with long furry ears. They would read out some fascinating facts about llamas and where they live and sing a special llama song.

  As each group performed, the animals would be brought on to the stage so everyone in the audience could see them. Then the class would sing a song together. Zoe couldn’t wait!

  After a busy week making props and banners for the show, at last it was Wednesday afternoon. Only two days to go until the show! That night something very exciting was happening… Priti was coming for a sleepover! Priti was in Zoe’s llama group and they were planning to spend the evening making furry llama ears for their group to wear during the show. The very next day the whole class was coming to the zoo for a dress rehearsal of the performance, and the animals would join in too!

  As the girls hurried out of school hand in hand Zoe felt something icy land on the tip of her nose. She looked up and let out a cheer. Snowflakes were fluttering from the sky like white feathers. “It’s snowing! At last!”

  “Yay!” cried Priti.

  All the way back to the zoo the girls chatted excitedly to Lucy about the show.

  “We’re learning so many amazing things about llamas!” exclaimed Zoe. “Can we take Lottie for a little walk around the zoo when we get back?”

  “Of course,” agreed Lucy. “She’ll probably enjoy the snow! And Great-Uncle Horace asked if you would help him prepare the zebras for the night to make sure they stay nice and warm. You could take Lottie along with you.”

  “OK,” said Zoe.

  Priti looked at her and grinned. “This sleepover is going to be so much fun!”

  Meep wasn’t perched on the Rescue Zoo gates this time. Zoe had asked him to stay in the cottage garden to keep Lottie company. As they followed the path round to the cottage Zoe heard Lottie’s loud bray, followed by Meep’s chattering.

  “Sounds like someone’s having fun,” said Lucy.

  While Lucy made the girls something to eat, Zoe took Priti into the back garden. Lottie was bouncing round in circles looking very happy. Meep was standing in the centre of the garden, his tail drooping and his eyes closed. He looked really tired. As soon as he saw Zoe he came scampering over.

  “Hello, Meep.” Zoe picked up the little lemur and cuddled him to her.

  “Oh, Zoe, I’m so tired!” he chattered quietly. “Lottie has been bouncing around all day! She’s been herding me all over the place and telling me where to go. She even tried to groom me and get me to eat some grass … yuck!”

  As Priti went over to pet Lottie, Zoe whispered in Meep’s ear. “Don’t worry, we’re going to take Lottie out now to see the zebras.”

  Meep breathed a sigh of relief. “I really like Lottie,” he chattered, “but it’s hard work being in her herd!”

  Lottie came trotting over and nuzzled Zoe. Some snowflakes had landed in her fluffy woollen coat and they glistened like stars in the light from the cottage.

  “Hello, Lottie,” said Zoe, patting the little llama on the head. “We’re going to take you out now, to see some zebras.”

  Lottie brayed excitedly and ran around in a circle to celebrate.

  Once the girls had got changed out of their school uniforms Zoe put Lottie on her lead and they set off for the zebra enclosure. It was snowing heavily now and the flakes shone gold in the pools of light from the old-fashioned lamps. The zebras lived in a forest area at the far end of the zoo. When they got to the arched wooden doorway leading to the enclosure Zoe placed her paw-print pendant on the panel next to it and it swung open.

  “Wow!” said Priti as they walked inside. “It’s like being in an enchanted forest.”

  Zoe grinned. Priti was right, and the enclosure looked even more magical now the chestnut trees were dusted in snowflakes. She heard the soft thud of hooves on the ground and turned to see one of the zebras, Cleo, trotting towards them.

  “Hello, Cleo,” called Zoe as the zebra whinnied a greeting.

  Cleo looked at Lottie curiously.

  “This is Lottie the llama,” said Zoe.

  Lottie gave Cleo a cheery bray.

  “It’s like they’re saying hello to each other.” Priti giggled.

  Zoe grinned. She wished Priti was able to understand animals too. Then she’d know that they
were saying hello to each other!

  “I wonder where Great-Uncle Horace is,” said Zoe as they started making their way through the trees.

  “He’s right here!” declared Great-Uncle Horace, appearing through the snow. He was wearing his long winter coat and holding a bundle of blankets. “Thank you for coming to help me.”

  The girls and Lottie, Meep and Cleo all followed Great-Uncle Horace through the forest. Finally they got to the stable where the zebras slept at night. At the sound of their voices Theo, the other Rescue Zoo zebra, came trotting out of the stable.

  “OK, girls, let’s get the zebras’ bedroom cosy for the night,” said Great-Uncle Horace.

  Zoe and Priti followed him into the stable. There was a huge pile of hay in the middle of the floor and two heaters stood against the wall.

  “Could you move the hay over to the corner, please?” asked Great-Uncle Horace, handing the girls a large fork each. “And I’ll see to these.” He nodded to the heaters.

  “Do all of the animals need heaters in the cold?” asked Priti.

  Great-Uncle Horace shook his head. “No, only the ones who come from hot climates. Zebras come from Africa originally, so they’re really not built for this kind of weather. The polar bears, on the other hand, are enjoying the cold very much!”

  Zoe grinned as she thought of Snowy and Bella having fun in the snow.

  There was a sudden shrill warbling sound from outside.

  “Uh-oh!” said Meep, putting his paws over his ears.

  “What’s that noise?” asked Priti.

  “It’s Lottie,” said Zoe. “I’d better go and make sure she’s OK.” She hurried outside to see Lottie running in a circle around the zebras.

  Cleo gave a loud whinny and Theo stamped his front foot crossly. They clearly didn’t like Lottie crowding them, even though she was very small and only trying to be friendly.

  “Come here, Lottie,” said Zoe, putting the little llama back on her lead. She was worried the zebras might get cross and kick Lottie. “The zebras need to go to sleep soon.”

  Lottie sighed and looked sad.

  While Priti held Lottie on her lead, Zoe helped Great-Uncle Horace place thick woolly blankets over the zebras’ backs.

  “Now they’ll be nice and snug for the night,” said Great-Uncle Horace.

  They left the stable, carefully shutting the door behind them, and made their way from the enclosure.

  It was now snowing so heavily Zoe could barely see.

  “Will Lottie be OK out in the garden in this?” she asked. “Her shelter isn’t completely enclosed and it’s so cold!”

  Great-Uncle Horace frowned. “No, I think we need to find her another shelter for the night.”

  “But where?” asked Zoe. She was nervous about putting Lottie in with any of the other animals. She was just too eager and bouncy! And Zoe’s cosy cottage didn’t have enough room for a bouncing llama.

  “I know just the place,” said Great-Uncle Horace thoughtfully. “Follow me!”

  Chapter Six

  Llama Sleepover!

  “Where are we going?” asked Zoe as she ran to keep up with Great-Uncle Horace’s long-legged strides.

  “Somewhere dry and warm, where we can toast crumpets on the fire,” replied Great-Uncle Horace mysteriously, with a twinkle in his eye.

  “Do you know where he means?” Priti asked Zoe.

  “Yes, I think so,” replied Zoe with a grin.

  They followed the path until the hill at the back of the zoo came into view. Up on top of the hill was a grand old manor house. Lights blazed from the windows and across the snow.

  “Higgins Hall!” exclaimed Zoe.

  “Yes, indeed,” replied Great-Uncle Horace.

  “It’s where Great-Uncle Horace lives,” Zoe explained to Priti. “And quite a few animals live there too!”

  Higgins Hall had belonged to Great-Uncle Horace’s family for over a hundred years, but ever since Horace had built the Rescue Zoo he used most of the rooms to house different animals. He stayed in the attic at the very top of the house whenever he was back home.

  The girls and Lottie and Meep followed Great-Uncle Horace up the hill to the house. It was painted bright green, with a brass knocker in the shape of a fox’s head in the middle. Great-Uncle Horace took a huge bunch of keys from his coat pocket. The door creaked loudly as he opened it.

  As they stepped inside there was a flutter of blue feathers and Kiki flew down from the chandelier hanging in the centre of the entrance hall to perch on his shoulder.

  “Hello, Kiki. We have a special guest come to stay the night.” Great-Uncle Horace patted Lottie on the head and the little llama hummed happily.

  “I think I’m going to put our special guest in the conservatory,” said Great-Uncle Horace thoughtfully, heading over to one of the many doors leading off the hall.

  They followed him into the living room. It was full of elegant furniture but the carpet was faded and frayed. A bat hung, fast asleep, from the light! Great-Uncle Horace led Lottie into a conservatory at the back of the house. It had a stone floor and tall windows and looked just the right place for a llama to have a sleepover!

  “Make yourselves at home.” He smiled. “I’ll just let your mum know where we are, Zoe, and ask her to join us for tea. Then I’ll fetch some hay and food and water for Lottie.” He went over to an old-fashioned phone on a table by the fireplace and picked up the receiver.

  By the time Lucy arrived, Great-Uncle Horace had lit a fire in the fireplace and Zoe and Priti were toasting crumpets on long forks over the flames. Lottie was dozing in the conservatory and Meep was curled up on the sofa, fast asleep.

  Looking at Meep sleeping peacefully gave Zoe an idea.

  “Could Priti and I stay in Higgins Hall tonight?” She looked at Lucy and Great-Uncle Horace hopefully.

  “I don’t see why not,” replied Lucy. “If it’s OK with Uncle Horace.”

  “The more the merrier!” boomed Great-Uncle Horace. “We could set up a couple of camp beds on the floor.”

  Priti and Zoe hugged each other excitedly.

  “Best. Sleepover. Ever!” exclaimed Priti.

  The next morning, Zoe woke to a weird squeaking sound. She rubbed her eyes sleepily but, no, she wasn’t still asleep and dreaming. Lottie really was trotting up and down in front of the fireplace with Meep riding on her back! The little lemur clapped his front paws and squeaked excitedly.

  “Meep, what are you doing?” giggled Zoe.

  In the camp bed next to her, Priti stretched and yawned. When she saw Lottie and Meep she started laughing too. “It’s so much fun having a sleepover with animals,” she said. “And I think they’re having just as much fun as us!”

  A loud knocking came from the hall.

  “There’s someone at the door,” said Zoe. She got out of bed and went to answer it. Lucy was standing on the doorstep, wrapped up warm in her coat, woolly hat and scarf, holding a big bag. Everything outside was covered in a thick blanket of snow.

  “Morning, Mum. Wow, look at the snow!” exclaimed Zoe as Priti, Lottie and Meep gathered round her at the door.

  “Morning, girls, how did you sleep?” said Lucy, coming inside and stamping the snow from her boots.

  “Great, thanks,” replied Zoe.

  “I wish we didn’t have to go to school,” said Priti with a sigh.

  “Then your wish has come true.” Lucy smiled.

  “What do you mean?” asked Zoe.

  “I just got a message from your school. It snowed heavily in the night and the boiler isn’t working, so they’re not going to be opening today. I’ve spoken to Priti’s mum and it’s fine for her to spend the day here with us.”

  “It’s a snow day!” cried Zoe happily. But then she remembered something. “Oh! But the rest of the class are meant to be coming to the zoo to rehearse with the animals. It’s the school winter show tomorrow, and we really need to practise. So many people are coming to watch us!” Zoe suddenly had butter
flies in her tummy at the thought of everyone coming to see the show without it being ready. It could be a disaster!

  “I’ll speak to Miss Hawkins and try to work something out,” said Lucy. “Leave it with me!”

  After breakfast Zoe and Priti wrapped up warm, put on their boots and set off into the zoo with Lottie, Meep and Great-Uncle Horace. The zoo hadn’t opened yet so the snow was still fresh and untrodden. The girls had great fun making patterns with their footprints, even though they were both still feeling a bit anxious about not being able to practise for the show with their school friends and the animals.

  As they walked past the penguin enclosure, they saw Mr Pinch stomping towards them. As usual, he was wearing his extra-smart zoo manager’s uniform but with a big pair of wellington boots.

  “Good morning, Mr Pinch,” called Zoe.

  “What’s so good about it?” grumbled Mr Pinch. “The zoo has turned into the North Pole overnight.”

  “But it looks so lovely,” said Zoe.

  “Hmm, until it turns to slush,” muttered Mr Pinch. “Anyway, I can’t stand around talking all day. I have paths to clear.”

  “Don’t worry about him,” Zoe whispered to Priti as Mr Pinch stomped off through the snow. “He’s really grumpy on the outside but he can be quite nice … sometimes.”

  Just then Zoe heard the sound of excited voices coming down the path. She couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw her whole class coming towards her, led by Miss Hawkins!

  “The school heating system has broken, so school will be closed for a few days,” said Miss Hawkins.

  “But what about the show tomorrow?” cried Zoe. “If school is closed we won’t be able to use the hall!”

  “Don’t worry, Zoe,” smiled Great-Uncle Horace, coming to join the group with Kiki perched on the shoulder of his thick winter coat. “I’ve told Miss Hawkins she is welcome to put the show on here at the zoo – the marquee will be big enough and we can all work together today to get it spruced up and ready!”