How Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant by Elen Caldecott Page B

slipped into Mr Thomas’s empty office. Ben rushed straight to his desk. His PC glowed blue.
    â€˜Look at that,’ Kirsty said. She was pointing at a postcard that was Blu-tacked to the monitor – it was a picture of the city museum from the street. ‘He must really love it there.’
    â€˜There’s no time for nosing about,’ Ben said. He took the mouse and started clicking open folders. He was breathing fast. Click , click , click . ‘I can’t find it!’ he said. ‘It’s not here!’
    â€˜Look harder. Quick. He’ll be back any second.’ Kirsty ran back to the door and strained hard to hear any noise in the corridor outside.
    Ben’s hand flicked rapidly from side to side, opening windows, following leads through folders and files, his eyebrows drawn together in concentration.
    â€˜Here!’ he said. ‘I’ve got it! I just need to add a new line for you. Well, for Katy Jennings, actually.’
    Footsteps approached. Kirsty held in a squeak, feeling prickles of fear spreading all over. She eased open the door, just far enough to see. Mr Thomas was walking back towards his office. Dawn followed behind him, clutching her arm.
    â€˜Oh no,’ Kirsty said. ‘Ben, you better have finished. He’s back!’
    â€˜Two seconds.’
    â€˜We haven’t got two seconds!’
    Kirsty dropped down low and peered around the door; she didn’t dare stick her head out too far. He was ten metres away, eight metres, six metres. He was going to catch them! Dawn struggled to see past Mr Thomas’s bulk. She moved left and right, trying to see the office door. Then she saw Kirsty peeping out at her. Dawn’s eyebrows shot up and her eyes saucered wide. She hurled herself to the floor, landing heavy and hard. Mr Thomas whipped around at the noise. He had his back to the office door!
    â€˜Ben! Now!’ Kirsty hissed.
    â€˜Done!’
    â€˜Move. The lift!’ Kirsty said. Kirsty pulled the door open just enough for the two of them to slip out of the office and pelt down to the lift. Dawn groaned louder and doubled up in pain. Ben bashed the call button again and again. Mr Thomas was bound to turn any second and they were right in view.
    â€˜Stairs!’ Kirsty whispered and ploughed through the doorway just next to the lift. They were in a stairwell; grey steps led down to the floor below. Kirsty leaned against the door, holding it closed. She fought down the giggles. She could still hear Dawn moaning in the corridor behind her, and Mr Thomas starting to panic.
    â€˜Do you need a doctor? An ambulance? Are you hurt?’
    Abruptly the moaning stopped. ‘Oh no, I’m fine. Just fell over. I can’t believe what a klutz I’m being today. Thanks very much for meeting me. Bye!’
    Kirsty stepped away from the door just as Dawn burst through. Her face was red and blotchy – had she been crying? No, Kirsty realised. She was laughing – killing herself laughing, but straining to be quiet.
    â€˜We’d best get out of here,’ Kirsty whispered. ‘Before Dawn has a heart attack.’
    â€˜Are you OK? Did you burn yourself?’ Ben sounded anxious.
    Dawn rolled her eyes. ‘Of course not. I’m not an idiot. I was pretending, you doofus. Though I think I bruised my bum when I threw myself on the floor.’
    Kirsty grinned at Dawn. ‘You’re brilliant,’ she said. ‘And I’m top of the list!’

Saturday

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    Chapter 16
    The next day, Dawn and Ben stayed over, as usual. But, for Kirsty, nothing felt quite normal. On Saturday morning she sat in the passenger seat of the race car. Ben was driving. He revved the engine quietly. They didn’t speak. Then Kirsty’s door opened.
    â€˜Can I get in?’ Dawn asked.
    Ben swivelled in his seat. Kirsty raised her eyebrows. Dawn never, ever, ever, came to play in the car. But today she was wrapped up in a duffle coat and