‘Wish us luck, Harry,’ said Mum.
‘Oh, yes. I wish you lots of luck – but you won’t need it. You’ll be brilliant.’
‘Well, if Beauty makes a batch of bunny cookies we’ll make sure we’ll bring you some,’ said Mum.
We were met by Jules, the researcher. She was much younger than I’d imagined, with a ponytail and a very short skirt. I thought just at first she might be one of the child performers on the show. She took Mum and me to our very own dressing room. It even had our names on the door!
‘Now, we’ll probably have a little rehearsal and you’ll meet Simon and Miranda and all the other kids in the show,’ she said. ‘You’re going to start the show, Beauty, making cookies. You’ll be showing Simon and Miranda what to do. Then while the cookies are baking – we have our own little oven, no expense spared on Watch-box! – all our other guests will do their turns. We’ve got a singer, a conjuror, and two different dancers, and then we’ll finish with you, Beauty, taking the cookies out of the oven. We were wondering if you’d maybe draw a little rabbit for us, seeing as you designed the Bunny Cookies logo.’
‘Oh yes, that would be great,’ said Mum. ‘Look, I’ve brought lots of Beauty’s drawings. She’s even done some oil paintings.’
She unfastened her suitcase. She didn’t have spare clothes in there at all. She had all my Sam and Lily drawings and paintings.
‘Oh, Mum!’ I said, terribly embarrassed. ‘They don’t want to see all that silly old stuff.’
‘Oh yes we do!’ said Jules, seizing an armful. ‘Do you mind if I take them away to show the producer? They’ll fit in brilliantly with the special finale.’
‘What special finale?’ I asked.
‘Oh, we’ve just thought of a good way of rounding off the programme,’ said Jules. She winked at Mum and Mum winked back.
‘What’s all the winking about?’ I asked Mum, when we were left on our own in the dressing room.
‘What winking?’ said Mum. ‘I just had something in my eye, that’s all.’
I didn’t have time to quiz her further, because we were called to go into the studio for a run-through rehearsal. It was a great room full of cameras with cables snaking all over the floor. There were two big red squashy sofas in our corner, a mini-kitchen in another, and a round stage with a spotlight.
There were four other children standing around with their mums. They all looked comfortingly anxious too, apart from a beautiful girl with long fair hair in a very short skirt and a sparkly top. She was wearing very high heels.
‘She is so like Skye,’ I whispered to Mum.
‘Maybe she’ll trip in her heels and fall over and show her knickers,’ Mum whispered back.
The fair girl looked positively ordinary compared to Miranda. She was simply dressed in jeans and a little T-shirt and sneakers but she looked stunning, her long ultra-curly black hair flying everywhere, her honey-coloured skin shining, her dark eyes huge and luminous. She smiled at everyone, asking our names, chatting away. Simon was very friendly too, bounding about pulling funny faces and tweaking the nose of the very little boy who was the conjuror.
I smiled shyly at Miranda and Simon but I felt paralysed with fear. I didn’t know what I was going to do. I knew how to make cookies – but what was I supposed to say when I was mixing and baking? I asked Jules in panic.
‘It’s OK, Miranda and Simon will ask you stuff and you just say whatever you want. We’re not going to go through it word by word just now. We find it makes things much fresher when we start recording,’ said Jules.
I had to stand in the kitchen and pretend to make cookies, while Miranda and Simon bobbed about. I felt so shy I barely said a word. Then a tall red-haired girl called Megan did an acrobatic dance, a tiny kid called Tina sang a song in a surprisingly deep strong voice, the little boy Darren did his conjuring tricks, and then the blonde girl in the short skirt and high heels, Nancy-Jo, sang and danced. She was depressingly good at it too.
‘Then we’ll come back to you, Beauty, and we’ll look at the cookies and you’ll draw the bunny and then . . . well, we’ll just chat for a couple of minutes and that’s the end of the programme,’ said Jules. ‘OK, let’s take you back to your dressing room. I’ll come and fetch you for Make-up in a tick, Beauty.’
‘Should Beauty change into her best dress now?’ Mum asked.
‘Well, we think Beauty looks great for the programme just the way she is,’ said Jules.
‘Oh yes, wear your jeans. I’m wearing mine,’ said Miranda.
‘And we all love your red boots,’ said Simon.
‘Sooo much more sensible than some of the others,’ Jules muttered in my ear, raising an eyebrow at Nancy-Jo.
So I didn’t change after all. I think Mum was a bit disappointed and worried people would think I looked a scruff in my jeans.
‘Let’s hope your dad doesn’t get wind of this and watch. He’d go bananas,’ said Mum. ‘I wonder what they’re going to do to you in Make-up? I hope they don’t plaster it on you.’
The make-up lady was lovely. She just put a little foundation on me so I wouldn’t look all shiny, and the palest pink lipstick, and then she combed my hair and said my pageboy style really suited me.
‘There, you look fabulous, pet, even though I say it myself,’ she said.
I stared at myself in the mirror. I didn’t look fabulous – but I looked kind of OK. I gave myself a soppy little grin and the girl in the mirror smiled back at me encouragingly.
Then Jules came to collect me and we went back into the studio ready for the start of the show.
They stood me in the kitchen with all the ingredients in front of me. I suddenly felt so sick and so scared I wondered if I was going to throw up right there and then in my mixing bowl.
‘Are you OK, sweetheart?’ said Simon, suddenly gentle.
‘I’m scared!’
‘I know, I know. Don’t worry, Miranda and I get scared too before the start of the show. But it’ll be fine once the cameras start rolling.’
‘But what about all those thousands of people who’ll be watching us?’ I whispered.
‘Forget about them. It’s just you and me and Miranda and the other kids having fun, OK?’
‘OK,’ I said, swallowing.
‘That’s the girl. Now listen, I want at least four of these famous cookies, OK? I’m a growing lad,’ he said, patting his big tummy.
Then they started the countdown to the programme and Simon whizzed over to the red sofa beside Miranda. I heard the Watchbox signature tune and Simon and Miranda started singing it too.
‘Hi, everyone!’ said Miranda, smiling at the camera.
‘Welcome to Watchbox,’ said Simon. ‘We’ve got a g-r-e-a-a-a-t show for you today. You just wait and see! First of all, we’re going to do some baking. Are you any good at cooking, Miranda?’
‘No, I’m total rubbish, but I know a girl who’s a great cook – and that’s Beauty Cookson,’ said Miranda.
They both walked over to me. That was my cue to start mixing the flour and the sugar and the butter. I started so determinedly that some of the flour flew up all over my T-shirt. I froze.
‘Whoops, it’s snowing!’ said Simon, flicking a tiny bit of flour too.
‘Hey hey, stop messing about, you two,’ said Miranda. ‘OK, Beauty, tell us how to make your special bunny cookies. I hear they’ve become ever so popular where you live, in Rabbit Cove. That’s a lovely name!’
‘It’s a lovely place. It’s the seaside and it’s so special,’ I said, suddenly not shy at all. ‘My mum’s great at making all sorts of cookies and I’m her number-one helper. Now we specialize in making these bunny cookies with this special cutter.’
Simon held it up, making the bunny run up my arm and across my shoulders. It tickled and I couldn’t help laughing.
‘They’ve become really popular and we sell heaps,’ I said, still mixing.
‘And you’ve designed the special bunny logo on the packaging?’ said Mira
nda, holding up one of our bags of cookies. ‘You like rabbits, do you, Beauty?’
‘Yes, I love them,’ I said, slowly adding my eggs and milk to the cookie mixture.
‘Can I have a stir, Beauty?’ said Simon. ‘Have you got a favourite rabbit, then?’
‘Well . . .’ I said, hesitating.
‘Come on, tell us,’ said Miranda, her head close to mine.
‘I like Lily. She’s Sam’s rabbit on the Rabbit Hutch show,’ I said. ‘I know I’m an awful baby to watch it, but—’
‘I watch Sam and Lily. I love Lily too,’ said Simon.
‘I love Sam!’ said Miranda. ‘Well, we’ve got a little surprise for you at the end of the show, Beauty. But now while you’re rolling out your cookie dough and popping the cookies in the oven let’s meet some of our other guests. Megan is going to do a special acrobatic dance for us.’
‘And, boy, is she bendy!’ said Simon.
The cameras switched to Megan, who did a handstand and then arched over so her feet touched the floor. By the time she’d finished her display I’d rolled out the dough, cut out forty-eight bunny cookies, and put them in the oven.
Simon looked over at me, did a thumbs-up, and rubbed his tummy. I peered into the darkness at the back of the studio and there was Mum, waving wildly and blowing kisses at me. Tiny Tina came on and sang and then did a short duet with Miranda. Darren did his conjuring tricks and Simon joked around with him.
‘You haven’t got a top hat with you, have you, Darren? Then you could make a white rabbit appear for Beauty,’ he said. ‘How are those cookies getting on, Beauty? They’re starting to smell good.’
‘Another couple of minutes, that’s all,’ I said, peeping in the oven.
Simon helped Darren through a complicated card trick and a funny routine with a ‘magic’ box. Then it was Nancy-Jo’s turn.
I took my cookies out of the oven, Jules helping as the cameras weren’t on us. We put them out on cooling trays.
‘They look wonderful, Beauty. Well done!’ she whispered.
Nancy-Jo threw back her head and went for a high note, thrusting out her arms and tapping her high heels. She wobbled precariously. Jules shook her head and I had to bite my cheeks to stop myself giggling.
Miranda and Simon had a chat with Nancy-Jo and then she tottered off while I was gently shoved towards the red sofas, a plate of bunny cookies in either hand.
‘Oh wow, Beauty, they look fantastic!’ said Miranda. ‘May I have one?’
‘Of course,’ I said. ‘They’re for everyone. Though Simon has to have lots because he says he’s a growing boy.’
They both laughed as if it was my joke.
‘Now, you’re not just a good cook, you’re also brilliant at drawing, Beauty. Will you draw a bunny for us?’ said Simon, his mouth full of cookies. ‘Mm, these are delicious.’
I started drawing on the pad he gave me – while to my embarrassment Miranda held up lots of my Sam and Lily pictures to the camera.
‘I love the oil paintings, Beauty,’ she said.
‘My special artist friend Mike showed me how to use oils,’ I said proudly.
‘There, that’s a lovely rabbit,’ said Simon, peering at my page. ‘Now, I’ve borrowed this magic wand from our friend Darren. If you tap your drawing it might just turn into a real rabbit, Beauty.’
I stared at Simon.
‘Go on, give it a try,’ he said.
I tapped my drawing, feeling a bit daft. I sensed someone coming up behind me. Then suddenly there in my lap was a huge, soft, oh-so-familiar white rabbit with floppy ears.
‘Lily!’ I said.
‘Hey there, Beauty,’ said Sam, coming to sit beside me.
It was the real Sam, his shiny hair flopping over his forehead, his eyes bright, his face one big smile. I still wondered if I was dreaming – but Lily felt so warm and heavy cuddled up on my lap I knew I had to be wide awake.
‘We’re so pleased you like our show, Beauty. Lily’s particularly thrilled that she inspired your special cookies. They are so good,’ said Sam, biting one in half. ‘And I love all your artwork!’
‘I drew them all for you,’ I whispered. ‘I never dared send any because I was scared you’d think me a silly baby.’
‘Maybe you’d like to give Sam and Lily one of your paintings now?’ said Miranda.
‘Oh yes! What about the oil painting of you and Lily? You’re meant to be on holiday in Rabbit Cove,’ I said, shyly handing it to Sam.
‘We’ll have to go there some day. It looks just our sort of place,’ said Sam. ‘We’ll hang your picture in pride of place in the Rabbit Hutch, won’t we, Lily?’
Lily snuffled sleepily, taking up an awful lot of my lap.
‘Lily’s almost as fat as me,’ said Simon, leaning over to stroke her.
‘Yes, she’s always been a big girl but she’s even bigger now,’ said Sam. ‘I think she’s got a sweetheart at rabbit school, because our Lily’s going to have baby bunnies soon.’
‘Oh, how wonderful!’ I said, stroking her too. ‘Congratulations, Lily.’
I had a little nibble of a cookie myself, just to check they were OK.
‘Tell you what, Beauty. You’ve given us a very special present so maybe we can give you one in return. Lily won’t be able to keep all her babies. Would you like one of the baby rabbits?’
I choked on my cookie. ‘Really?’ I spluttered.
‘Yes, really,’ said Sam.
‘Aah!’ said Simon. ‘Isn’t that sweet?’
‘Time to go now, folks,’ said Miranda, waving.
Simon and Miranda and Sam and Megan and Lucy and Darren and Nancy-Jo all waved. I couldn’t wave because Lily was fidgeting and I had to hang onto her, so I gave a great grin to the camera.
‘You were so great, Beauty,’ said Miranda.
‘You’re a little natural,’ said Simon. ‘A total little beauty!’
‘Well done, babes!’ Mum shouted.
But I hardly heard them. I stroked Lily and looked at Sam – and he smiled specially for me.
Also available by Jacqueline Wilson
Published in Corgi Pups, for beginner readers:
THE DINOSAUR’S PACKED LUNCH
THE MONSTER STORY-TELLER
Published in Young Corgi, for newly confident readers:
LIZZIE ZIPMOUTH
SLEEPOVERS
Available from Doubleday/Corgi Yearling Books:
BAD GIRLS
THE BED & BREAKFAST STAR
BEST FRIENDS
BURIED ALIVE!
CANDYFLOSS
THE CAT MUMMY
CLEAN BREAK
CLIFFHANGER
THE DARE GAME
THE DIAMOND GIRLS
DOUBLE ACT
GLUBBSLYME
THE ILLUSTRATED MUM
JACKY DAYDREAM
THE LOTTIE PROJECT
MIDNIGHT
THE MUM-MINDER
MY SECRET DIARY
SECRETS
STARRING TRACY BEAKER
THE STORY OF TRACY BEAKER
THE SUITCASE KID
TOTALLY JACQUELINE WILSON
VICKY ANGEL
THE WORRY WEBSITE
Collections:
THE JACQUELINE WILSON COLLECTION includes THE STORY OF TRACY BEAKER and THE BED AND BREAKFAST STAR
JACQUELINE WILSON’S DOUBLE-DECKER includes BAD GIRLS and DOUBLE ACT
JACQUELINE WILSON’S SUPERSTARS includes THE SUITCASE KID and THE LOTTIE PROJECT
THE JACQUELINE WILSON BISCUIT BARREL includes BURIED ALIVE and CLIFFHANGER
Available from Doubleday/Corgi books, for older readers:
DUSTBIN BABY
GIRLS IN LOVE
GIRLS UNDER PRESSURE
GIRLS OUT LATE
GIRLS IN TEARS
LOLA ROSE
LOVE LESSONS
KISS
MY SISTER JODIE
THE JACQUELINE WILSON JOURNAL
THE JACQUELINE WILSON ADDRESS BOOK
>
THE TRACY BEAKER JOURNAL
THE JACQUELINE WILSON DIARY
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www.jacquelinewilson.co.uk
Table of Contents
Cover
Title
Contents
Copyright
About the Author
Dedication
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Also available by Jacqueline Wilson
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