Ottoline and the Purple Fox Read online

  The basket rose higher and higher until it came to the end of the rope. “Now,” whispered the Purple Fox, “we must stay very quiet and wait.” “Wait for what?” whispered Ottoline. “You’ll see,” said the Purple Fox with a smile.

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  They waited and waited but down below, in the garden on the roof of the 1st Street Fashion Store, nothing stirred.

  “I think we might need these,” said the Purple Fox smoothly, taking the mysterious objects Ottoline had given him from his haversack and assembling them. “It’s a fishing rod!” exclaimed Ottoline. “Who’d have thought?” “It was missing its line,” said the Purple Fox. “But apart from that it’s in excellent condition.” “Mr. Munroe thought the line was string,” said Ottoline. Mr. Munroe didn’t say anything.

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  Then the Purple Fox took a bunch of bananas from under the seat and tied them to the fishing line. He handed the fishing rod to Ottoline. “Try this,” he said with a smile.

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  Ottoline lowered the bananas on the end of the fishing line down towards the roof garden. The moonlight glittered on the leaves of the tropical plants and shrubs.

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  The Purple Fox, Ottoline and Mr. Munroe waited . . .

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  . . . and waited . . .

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  . . . until, all of a sudden, a large, hairy hand appeared. It stretched up out of the undergrowth and plucked a single banana from the bunch on the end of the fishing line.

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  More arms appeared, followed by heads.

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  They watched the gorillas dress up and parade through the rooftop jungle garden. “I’ve had a wonderful time,” said Ottoline, lowering the last of the bananas. “Mr. Munroe and I were just wondering if you and the Crimson Vixen would like to come to our dinner party.” “That sounds fascinating,” said the Purple Fox smoothly.

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  When they got home Ottoline and Mr. Munroe went straight to bed.

  The next morning Ottoline read the notes she had made in her notebook. Mr. Munroe read the poems he had collected from the lamp posts.

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  Ottoline read about the library flamingos . . .

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  . . . and Mr. Munroe read the first poem.

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  Ottoline read her notes about meerkats . . .

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  . . . and zebras . . .

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  Mr. Munroe read a poem about them.

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  Ottoline read her notes about the shy gorillas . . .

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  Then Mr. Munroe read Ottoline a poem . . .

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  . . . that he found particularly interesting.

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  The next day Ottoline and Mr. Munroe made folded paper invitations and paper-people place settings for their dinner party.

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  When they had finished, Ottoline gave the invitations to Max the paper boy to deliver to each of the guests personally. All, that is, except the one for the bear and his friends in the basement. Ottoline delivered that one when she went to do her laundry.

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  Myrrh and Miss Macintosh were almost the last to arrive. “I like your pyjamas,” said Ottoline.

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  Everybody chatted until the dinner gongs sounded.

  “The Purple Fox is late,” said Ottoline.

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  The first course was served by the Home-Cooked Meal Company.

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  “Delicious tomato soup,” said Myrrh. “And Miss Macintosh loves her Choco Flakes. It’s all she ever eats.”

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  The second course was served. “Yummy pasta,” said the bear, slurping a strand of spaghetti into his mouth. “There’s no sign of this Purple Fox of yours,” said Cecily. “Are you sure you didn’t make him up, Ottoline? I once had a blue kangaroo as an imaginary friend.”

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  Pudding was served. “This dessert is divine,” cooed Mrs. Pasternak. “You must give me the recipe.” After dinner, everyone went into the living room for fun and games. They were just about to begin when there was a tap-tap-tap at the window.

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  It was the Purple Fox. The Crimson Vixen held the window open and he stepped off the fire escape and into the living room. “I’m so sorry I’m late,” he said, “but my assistant was late opening my mail.” “She does look a little distracted,” said Ottoline. “Does she?” said the Purple Fox. “I hadn’t noticed.”

  132

  “Well, I never!” exclaimed the Purple Fox when Ottoline introduced him to Myrrh.

  “You two could be sisters, you’re so alike!” “Now you mention it . . .” said Ottoline thoughtfully. “Now, who wants to play Pillow Island Hopping?”

  133

  The Purple Fox was very good at jumping from pillow to pillow but gallantly allowed Cecily to win. Then they played Truth or Stair, and the Purple Fox told them about the most embarrassing thing that had ever happened to him and everyone laughed because he told the story so well.

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  When it was her turn, the Crimson Vixen chose to climb the stairs to the roof instead. Mr. Munroe and Miss Macintosh went with her to keep her company. They were gone for quite a long time.

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  When they got back from the roof the others were just finishing a game of Musical Bears. “Is that the time?” said Cecily. “I really must be going. Mumbles and I have got carriage croquet in the morning. It’s been a lovely evening.”

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  Everyone agreed.

  The Crimson Vixen shook Ottoline’s hand and then shook Mr. Munroe’s. “Thank you for inviting me,” she said shyly.

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  After the guests had left, Mr. Munroe showed Ottoline the rest of lamp-post poems he had collected. Ottoline asked if she could brush Mr. Munroe’s hair. It helped her think, especially when she had plans to make and tricky puzzles to solve.

  When she had finished brushing, Ottoline began to plait Mr. Munroe’s hair.

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  “I think we should try to help the lamp-post poet,” she said thoughtfully. “And I’m working on a plan . . .”

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  The next day Ottoline and Mr. Munroe got up early and went out.

  They visited a wooden crate in the alley behind the Paul Stewart III Building that Mr. Munroe had been told about the night before.

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  The Crimson Vixen was surprised to see them. “Mr. Munroe saw that you were unhappy last night,” Ottoline told her, “so we’re going to try to help.” “It’s no good,” said the Crimson Vixen.“The Purple Fox is so clever and talented and witty, but he just doesn’t notice me and I’m too shy to tell him how I feel.” “Well,” said Ottoline, “we need to show him how clever and talented you are. Mr. Munroe and I are already working on a clever plan, aren’t we, Mr. Munroe?” Mr. Munroe nodded and handed the Crimson Vixen his raincoat. “Put this on and come with us,” said Ottoline. We’ve got lots of friends who can help!”

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  First they visited the 4th Street Bookshop.

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  Then they had lunch in the Tall Teacup Cafe.

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  Next they visited Pettigrew Park and Ornamental Gardens . . .

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  . . . and when they got home, Ottoline and Mr. Munroe went down to the basement. The plan was coming along nicely.

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  A week later, The Purple Fox heard a knock. When he opened the lid of his bin, he found a note, and saw Newton Knight’s Robo-copter waiting for him patiently.

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  The Purple Fox arrived at the roof gardens of the 1st Street Fashion Store. “Hello,” said Ottoline. “I’m so pleased to see you.”

  “Please, step this way,” said Myrrh. “Just follow us,” said Cecily and the Sultana together.

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  Mr. Munroe and Miss Macintosh were waiting beside a large pair of curtains.

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  First Cecily and Mumbles performed an interpretative dance.

  Then the Sultana and Bye-Bye juggled coconuts . . .

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  . . . followed by Ottoline and Myrrh singing a song.

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  “And now . . .” said Ottoline, “introducing the very clever and extremely talented lamp-post poet, the Crimson Vixen!”

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  The Crimson Vixen read her poems to everyone.

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  “Why, Miss Crimson Vixen, I hadn’t noticed how clever and talented you are,” said the Purple Fox. “Until now.” “Please call me Magenta,” said the Crimson Vixen shyly.

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  “You can call me Peregrine,” said the Purple Fox with a smile. “I’ve never noticed before what a beautiful colour your fur is.” Magenta smiled.

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  “Would you like to dance?” asked the Purple Fox. “I’d love to, Peregrine,” she said.

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  The Purple Fox and the Crimson Vixen danced the foxtrot as the shy gorillas began to emerge from the jungle roof garden.

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  The party went on all night.

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  As the sun rose, the Purple Fox and the Crimson Vixen slipped away from the party and, untying the rope, they waved as the balloon sailed up into the early-morning sky.

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  “It’s nice making new friends,” said Ottoline sleepily. “But you, Mr. Munroe, will always be my BEST friend.” Mr. Munroe didn’t say anything . . .

  . . . but Ottoline felt a little squeeze on her hand.

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  How to Use Your Fancy-Dress Fortune Teller

  1. Put the thumb and forefinger of each hand into the fortune teller so that you can move the four corners. 2. Ask a friend to pick a colour, then move the fortune teller back and forth as you spell the colour: B-L-U-E would mean moving four times, while R-E-D would be three, and so on. 3. Next, ask your friend to pick one of the numbers now visible on the inside of the fortune teller and then move it back and forth again as you count up to the number they’ve chosen. 4. It’s time to pick a fortune! Your friend must pick one of the numbers on the inside of the fortune teller. Lift the flap to reveal their fancy-dress costume!

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  Meet Ottoline Brown and her best friend’ Mr. Munroe. No puzzle is ever too tricky for the two of them to solve . . . A string of daring burglaries have taken place in Big City and precious pet dogs are disappearing all over town. Can Ottoline and Mr. Munroe come up with a clever plan to catch the robbers

  Ottoline Brown and her best friend’ Mr. Munroe’ are starting school . . . . . . but they’re not scared - even if it is haunted! Ottoline is off to the Alice B. Smith School for the Differently Gifted’ but she is rather worried that she doesn’t have a special gift. Mr. Munroe is more worried about the ghost who is said to haunt the school halls at night. Does Ottoline discover her hidden talent and can they expose the spook

  Ottoline Brown and her best friend’ Mr. Munroe’ are usually inseparable . . . But Mr. Munroe has gone on a secret mission to Norway to f ind the snaggle-toothed’ super-hairy Quite Big Foot. Ottoline sets off over the sea by submarine’ silver seaplane and even a raft to f ind Mr. Munroe - before he comes face to face with the terrible troll all on his own.

  The Goth Girl books

  Ottoline Brown and her best friend, Mr. Munroe, are having a dinner party . . .

  By the creator of the award- winning GOTH GIRL series

  All their old friends are coming’ and some new ones as well. The mysterious Purple Fox is their special guest’ and he has some amazing tales to tell. When he offers to take Ottoline and Mr. Munroe on a midnight safari of Big City’ how can they possibly refuse

  Look out for more adventures with OTTOLINE