"Australia Hassle" by Oliver S.

This is Oli's entry for the Elm Class story-writing competition: 

Australia Hassle

Once there was a family. Their names were Ollie, who was 6 and loved football. Harry was 8 and loved cars. Lucy was 12 and addicted to make-up. And remembering John and Katherine (Mum and Dad). And last of all baby Mac who was 6 months old. 

'Where shall we go today?' asked Mum.

'The make-up shop!' screamed Lucy.

'The car museum!' shouted Harry, as well.

'The football stadium,' said Ollie.

'I'd quite like to go to the Australian Tennis Open,' said John. Well they did live in Australia.

'Then the tennis it is,' said Katherine, so that is where they went.

Three hours later when all the kids were saying, 'Are we nearly there yet?' Harry needed a wee. 

'Typical Harry can't you hold on for another five minutes? You are 8 years old.'

'No, Mum, I can't. Plus, I don't just need a wee.'

'Carry on driving, Honey.'

Five minutes later.

'We're here!'

'Yes, I can finally go and do my business,' said Harry. 

Once they got to the ticket booth they had sold out.

'Can my son just use the loo?'

'Sorry,' said the man, 'only for use of spectators.'

'Harry, just go in that bush over there.'

Three hours later (at home).

'Outside everyone, BBQ's ready!'

'Dad, we're already outside,' said Ollie.

'Ah yes. Lunch! Who wants a burger?' John's burgers always got mouldy somehow or burnt. 'Lucy, burger?'

'You're joking Dad, right?' replied Lucy.

'No!' said John.

'Ahhhhhh,' screamed Katherine. 'Fire!'

'Call the fire brigade!' shouted Ollie.

'What fire brigade?' asked Lucy. In the area that they were in there was no fire brigade.

'I've got the hose,' shouted Katherine. As soon as the water came, the fire was out. 'For goodness sake, how many times do we have to tell you? Don't leave the BBQ running!'

'You've only told me three times, and one of them was your fault.' 

'How?' asked Katherine.

'Stop arguing!' shouted Lucy. Everybody stared at her. Ding-dong went the doorbell.

'Hello, can I help you?'

'We're the Australian Animal Keepers, can we have a word?'

'Sure,' said Katherine, while wondering who and what these people wanted. In the sitting room the men were waiting for Katherine. 'This had better not be sad,' thought Katherine.

'So,' started the man in brown, 'do you have any pets?'

'No,' answered Katherine, 'but we are getting one.'

'Do you mind giving it to us for the next six weeks?'

'Why?' asked Katherine.

'There is someone killing all the animals in the land and we must stop them.'

'Ok then.' So that is what happened. Of course, the kids had no idea that the dog was going.

'What do we do now?' asked Katherine.

'I guess we tell them,' replied John.

So later that day at dinner, roasted kangaroo, the kids asked, 'When is the dog coming?'

'Six weeks,' replied Katherine, trying to hide the fact that the men had asked for it. Lucy looked at her mum with the look that said, 'Really!'

'What?' asked Katherine, doing surprisingly well to keep it undiscovered. Everyone carried on eating. 

That night, just after Ollie had gone to bed, the news came on. It was talking about the animal killer. It was getting out of hand. The killer's favourite time was night. This terrified everyone. Nobody wanted to go to bed that night. Obviously Ollie was fast asleep.

Later that morning, everyone woke up hoping someone wasn't standing next to their bed holding a dead animal in their hands. 

'Breakfast!' shouted John. Knock, knock, knock came the door. Nobody dared answer. Ding-dong, carried on the door. 

'I'll answer it,' said John, in a gloomy voice.

'Hello,' said the killer. It was John's sister Charlie.

'You!' said John, looking like they had swapped jobs and he was about to kill her. She was in handcuffs with the police at her back. 

'It's over,' said the police. 'Arrested for life.' 

Over at the police station she was making herself at home, but the rest of the family were thinking about the next day. 

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Next time: the competition winner by Ellie.