Lulu Bell and the Koala Joey (4 page)

The koalas were put away in an observation pen. Monica promised that she would ring Dad after a few days to let him know how they were. Dad drove Lulu and Zac back to Tarni Beach.

As they pulled into the driveway of their beach house, Lulu could hear a familiar sound. The bulldozer was back at work. Even more of the trees had been knocked down.

Lulu jumped out of the car and ran to take a look. Mr O'Connor was watching from the road.

‘Stop,' called Lulu. ‘Please stop.'

Mr O'Connor crossed his arms and snorted with annoyance.

‘We can't stop,' he said. ‘We're on a tight schedule. The builders are coming to mark out the new houses.'

‘But what about the koalas?' asked Lulu.

‘The koalas have gone,' said Mr O'Connor. ‘The council sent someone out to check. They said it is okay to keep going.'

Lulu felt tears well up in her eyes. It just wasn't fair. The koalas would lose their home. Lulu sniffled but she didn't want Mr O'Connor to see her cry. Lulu ran back inside.

Dad came to look for her.

‘There you are, sweetie,' said Dad. ‘Everyone else has gone down to the beach. Time to go surfing.'

‘I don't really feel like surfing,' whispered Lulu.

‘Some fresh air and sunshine will make you feel better,' said Dad. ‘Come on.'

Lulu changed into her wetsuit. Lulu, Zac and Dad walked down to the beach, carrying their surfboards. At the north end, Rosie, Mia and Gus had built a huge sandcastle. Mum was sitting in her chair reading a book.

Everyone was keen to know what had happened to the koalas, but Lulu didn't want to talk about it. Zac and Lulu paddled beyond the breakers. Zac caught a wave straight away and zoomed off.

When the next wave came, Lulu paddled for it. She tried to jump to her feet, but all she could think of was the injured koala and her joey. She slipped and fell. The wave tumbled her over and over. Lulu tried again. Her legs felt heavy and slow. She slipped and sank.

‘Let me push you onto some waves,' said Dad. ‘That should make it easier for you.'

Dad pushed and heaved. The board bumped over the frothy whitewash. Zac raced past standing tall and proud. Lulu flipped into the water.

‘It's no good, Dad,' said Lulu. ‘I'll never get the hang of this.'

Dad laughed. ‘Of course you will, sweetie. All it takes is practice and patience.'

Lulu rode her board flat on her tummy all the way into the sand. She stood up and carried her surfboard onto the shore. Mum walked down to meet her. She gave Lulu a hug.

‘Are you all right, honey bun?' asked Mum. ‘You look upset.'

‘I was so excited about coming to Tarni Beach,' said Lulu. ‘I was looking forward to learning to surf. And seeing koalas. But everything is going wrong.'

Mum kissed Lulu on the forehead and held her close.

‘Why don't we go for a little walk,' said Mum. ‘You can tell me all about it.'

Lulu told Mum everything. She told her about the koalas losing their home. She talked about the bulldozer and about Mr O'Connor, who had said he wasn't going to stop the clearing.

‘I just wish there was something we could do,' wailed Lulu. ‘If only Mr O'Connor could see that the koalas might die out and disappear forever.'

Mum looked at Lulu.

‘There must be a way,' said Mum. ‘All we need to do is help Mr O'Connor see things differently. We need a clever plan.'

Lulu paddled her board out into the water. She needed time alone to think. She sat up on the board and stared out to sea. She thought and thought. How could she make Mr O'Connor see things differently? How could she help the koalas?

Slowly, a thought came to her. Maybe it would work …

Lulu scooted in, riding the wave to shore.

‘Can we go back to the house, Mum?' asked Lulu. ‘I think I have an idea.'

At the beach house, Lulu raced inside. She found some paper and the art box. Lulu flicked one honey-coloured plait over her shoulder. She set to work.

Lulu wrote a letter. She read it over and changed a few words. When she was happy with it, she wrote it out in her very best writing and decorated it with drawings. When it was as good as Lulu could possibly make it, she took it to Zac.

‘Zac, could you come with me?' Lulu asked. ‘I want to visit Mr O'Connor.'

Together, the two friends went next door. Lulu had to summon all of her courage. Mr O'Connor could definitely be scary. She lifted up her hand and knocked.

Mr O'Connor opened the front door. When he saw Lulu he sighed.

‘Well, what do you want, young lady? I suppose you want to talk about the koalas?'

Lulu smiled.

‘I know that people want to build more houses at Tarni Beach,' said Lulu. ‘Why wouldn't they? It is so very beautiful here.'

Mr O'Connor nodded slowly.

‘My family and I love coming here,' said Lulu. ‘It's one of the best places in the world.'

Zac smiled in encouragement. ‘My family loves it too.'

‘One of my favourite things about Tarni Beach is the way the wild animals come right into the garden,' said Lulu.

‘The blasted kangaroos eat my vegetables,' said grumpy Mr O'Connor.

‘You're so lucky, Mr O'Connor,' said Lulu. ‘I wish I'd seen Tarni Beach years ago when there were hundreds of koalas living in the forest here. Yesterday we were so excited to see two.

‘And then we realised they were only there because they were frightened and hurt. I feel so sad when I think that in a year or two, there might not be any wild animals at Tarni Beach. No koalas. No kangaroos. No trees. Nothing but big buildings and noisy people.'

Mr O'Connor sputtered. ‘I … I don't think that will happen.'

‘I've written you a letter,' said Lulu. ‘I really hope you read it. And maybe if you get a chance, you might like to visit the koalas in hospital.'

Mr O'Connor stood at the door for a moment. Slowly he opened the letter.

Back at the house, the table was set with a delicious spread of food for lunch. One platter had sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and avocado. Another had strips of cold chicken, cheese and ham. Freshly baked rolls were heaped in a bowl.

‘Finally!' said Rosie. ‘Lulu and Zac are back. We can eat lunch.'

‘Great,' said Lulu. ‘I'm starving.'

Everyone sat around the long table on the verandah. They chatted and laughed as the platters were passed
around. Lulu piled chicken and salad onto a roll. Her mouth watered with the yeasty smell of warm bread.

‘Is everything all right, honey bun?' asked Mum.

Lulu gave a super-big grin. ‘Absolutely.'

After lunch, the two families went back down to the beach. Lulu and Zac carried their surfboards.

As they walked through the garden it was all quiet. There was no noise from the bulldozer next door. Maybe Mr O'Connor had read her letter and decided not to clear any more trees. Lulu hugged the thought to her heart like a treasure.

Lulu stood on top of the dunes and gazed down at the long stretch of empty sand.

The beach was golden and warm in the late afternoon sun. The waves crashed on the sand, filling the air with salty spray. Seagulls swooped and squawked on the breeze.

‘Perfect waves now, sweetie,' said Dad. ‘The tide is coming in again.'

Lulu nodded. She flicked her hair over her shoulder. ‘Come on, Zac,' said Lulu. ‘Let's surf.'

Lulu paddled out to where the waves were breaking. Dad waded out too. A wave started to form.

‘Ready, sweetie?' asked Dad. Lulu took a deep breath. She turned the board towards the shore and paddled.

On the beach she could see Mum and Gus digging to make a sandcastle. Rosie and Mia splashed in the shallows. Dad gave the board a strong push.

Lulu paddled harder. The board reached the crest of the wave. Lulu pushed herself from her tummy to her feet. She felt the board wobble. She shifted her weight and stood straighter.

Lulu was flying. She held her arms out wide to help her balance. The wave moved faster. It felt wonderful!

As Lulu flew along a splash caught her eye. A head broke through the water. It was a dolphin surfing beside her!

‘Woohoo!' hooted Lulu. ‘I did it!'

‘Great wave, Lulu,' yelled Dad. ‘I knew you could do it with a little practice.'

‘And it's much easier when you're happy,' added Lulu.

Mum grabbed the camera. She snapped photos as Lulu and the dolphin rode the wave. Zac gave her a big grin and a thumbs-up.

‘Yay!' yelled Gus. ‘Do it again?'

‘You bet, Gussie!' called Lulu. She jumped back into the water and paddled out into the deep.