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Be the first to read this fun and mischievous excerpt from The Apostrophe Posse by Teena Raffa-Mulligan.
The posse stayed together as far as the main road and then parted company.
When the girls reached the section of Wattle Street where Ben’s Burger Bar was situated it was in darkness because the street light was smashed. Ellie shone her torch up at the sign hanging high above them under the shop awning.
“How are we going to reach it? There’s nothing to stand on this time.”
“There’s you.” Louisa giggled. “You’ve forgotten I do gymnastics. If I stand on your shoulders I should be able to swing myself up onto the awning and reach over to paint in the apostrophe. I’ll have to dip the paint in the tin first ’cos there’s no way I can take that up with me.”
She loaded the brush with paint and slipped off her shoes. “Bend down like you’re going to give me a piggy back. That’s right. Now hang onto my ankles.”
Ellie wobbled beneath Louisa’s weight. “I’m going to drop you.”
“No you won’t. You’re doing good.” Louisa put the brush between her teeth, stood up a little shakily, reached for the edge of the awning and swung herself up onto it. “There,” she said, lying full length. “Told you I could do it. Now I just have to lean over and paint in the apostrophe and we’re done. Give me some light will you so I can see what I’m doing.”
Ellie’s torch beam lit up the sign for a moment and then went off suddenly.
“Hey!” said Louisa. “Give me that light back.”
“Quiet,” hissed Ellie. “Stay still. Security patrol.”
She bobbed out of sight behind one of the street planter boxes while the car cruised past. It slowed. She held her breath, then let it out again when the car sped up and drove on without stopping.
After it had turned the corner she emerged from her hiding spot, flicked on the torch beam and aimed it at the sign. “All clear. Lucky for us the street light was broken. He’ll probably report it. That’s why he slowed down. But we should get moving in case he comes past again. Are you nearly done?”
There was a brief pause and then Louisa said, “Yep. I am now. I’m coming down. Look out.”
She lowered her legs over the side of the awning but instead of dropping straight down to the ground she hung there and began to swing back and forth. “Hey! I’m a trapeze artist in the circus.”
Ellie giggled. “Looks like fun.” She grabbed Louisa’s ankles, lifted her feet clear of the footpath and said, “Swing me.”
There was an awful cracking sound as the awning gave way beneath their weight. As one side ripped away from the roof the girls jumped clear. They stared in horror at what they had done.
“Holey moley,” breathed Ellie. “We’d better make ourselves scarce. I hope the boys have done better than we have.”
Visit Little Big Reads for more insights on The Apostrophe Posse, reviewed by the fabulous Allison Winchester!
On Your Marks. Get Set. WIN!
Kids! This challenge is for you! Fix the apostrophe mistakes for a chance to WIN a paperback copy of The Apostrophe Posse by Teena Raffa-Mulligan!
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