Lauren versus the Leprechauns
Page 7
Chapter 5 - Camping
“Do you want me to read one more chapter before I turn the lights off?” Lauren’s Dad asked. She shook her head sleepily and smiled. Coco was already asleep on the mat on her floor. Her Dad closed the book but paused before saying goodnight.
“Lauren. I don’t know what happened to Jeanie today but I think it would be a good idea for us to get away for a few days. Just us. Any ideas?”
Lauren kept her eyes closed but frowned as she forced her sleepy mind to think.
“A day at the circus?” she said softly. Her Dad touched her cheek and laughed.
“Mom and I were thinking of going camping. Well, I was thinking and have finally talked Mom into it. Do you like the idea?” Lauren had her eyes closed and was falling fast asleep.
“Mmh, hmm,” she said as she fell asleep.
“OK, then. We head off in the morning.”
He kissed her on the check and turned off the light.
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Lauren woke with a large bump that knocked her upright. She straightened her hair and yawned.
“What was that?” she moaned.
“Ah, sorry guys. Big hole in the road. I couldn’t miss it,” her Dad said.
“Look who’s up?” her Mom laughed. “You’ve missed all the exciting bits, like watching the road and traffic for two hours.” Her Mom rolled her eyes. Lauren blinked a few more times and started to get her bearings again.
“I’m sure it was more interesting than that,” Lauren said and looked out the window at the bush, yawning.
“Actually it wasn’t,” her Mom said. The car lurched and bounced again.
“Dad,” Lauren complained. “What’s going on?”
“We’re off road, guys. What else do you expect?”
Lauren’s Dad was doing his best to drive along a very badly potholed road.
“Are we nearly there, Dad?”
“Yes, Kiddo. We entered the national park about half an hour ago and just over this rise ... ah!” Lauren looked through the front window to see a beautiful green valley and a rough track leading down to the river.
“Oh, my,” Lauren’s Mom said. “Are we going down there? It looks very steep.” Lauren smiled and grabbed Coco.
“Ready, boy? This could be fun.”
Lauren’s Dad aimed the car down the rough dirt road. He swerved to miss a fallen branch and then bounced straight in and out of a large pot hole. Everyone inside rocked from one side of their seat to the other, even Coco. Then they hit a large bump and Coco bounced up and landed in Lauren’s lap.
“Best if you stay here,” she said and put her arms around him to keep him safe. The car rounded a sharp bend that fell steeply. Lauren’s Mom looked out the side window, down the steep embankment and squeezed her eyes shut.
“Oh, my,” she said nervously. “Oh, my.” Lauren watched her Dad as he pulled on the steering wheel left, then right while bouncing up and down in his seat. She thought she saw him smiling. The road suddenly dropped and the nose of the car felt like it was pointing straight down. Her Dad used the brakes to slow the car, skidding the tyres. The car then bounced up with a jolt and her Dad turned hard right and then straightened.
“This is just like a roller coaster!” Lauren called out laughing. Coco barked. Just then the right side of the car bounced up and back down.
“Oh, my” her Mom said again. The car turned left around some large trees that came so close to the side windows that Lauren was sure the door handles would break off. Then the road became smooth and sandy and straight. Ahead of them was a grassy clearing. The car pulled up under a large shady tree near the river.
“Here we are guys. Everyone out!” laughed her Dad. Lauren and Coco jumped out of the car laughing. Her Dad helped her Mom out who was not feeling well. She was pale and whispering to her Dad. Lauren set up a chair under the tree for her facing the river.
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