Lulu Bell and the Sea Turtle by Belinda Murrell

Chapter 1
Exciting News
    It was dinnertime and the Bell family was seated around the kitchen table. Mum had made lemon roast chicken, roast vegetables and crunchy green salad. It was one of Lulu’s favourite meals.
    â€˜Mmmm,’ said Lulu. ‘This is delicious. Thanks, Mum.’
    â€˜Dulishus,’ agreed her little brother Gus. He popped a whole roast potato into his mouth. His cheeks bulged as he chewed.
    â€˜Thanks, honey buns,’ said Mum. ‘I’m glad you’re enjoying it. I thought we should celebrate. I had some very exciting news today.’
    Dad grinned. ‘We love exciting news. Don’t we, kids?’
    â€˜I have been asked to organise a very special art show for the local gallery,’ said Mum.

    Lulu’s mum Chrissie was an artist. She created the most wonderful paintings. Her work was sold at several galleries.
    â€˜That’s great,’ said Dad. ‘What’s the art show about?’
    Mum smiled. Her cheeks were pink with delight. ‘It is a collection by Aboriginal artists from the far north of Western Australia,’ she explained. ‘It will be the first time their work has been shown here.’
    Mum glanced around the table at the family. ‘I’ve been asked to fly over there to meet the artists. I have to interview them about their work and decide on a theme. Then I’ll choose the artworks and organise for them to be shipped over.’
    Lulu felt a little flutter of nerves. Mum was going away. Who would look after them while Dad was at work? Who would look after Gus while they were at school?
    â€˜That is exciting,’ said Dad. ‘When do you have to go?’
    Mum gave a big grin. ‘I’ve asked the gallery owner if I can go next week. It’s the school holidays then. That means you can all come with me. It will be an amazing adventure.’
    â€˜We’re going to Western Australia for the holidays?’ cried Lulu. That did sound like an adventure.
    â€˜Will we go on a plane?’ asked Lulu’s younger sister Rosie.
    â€˜Asha and Jessie come too?’ added Gus. The two dogs pricked up their ears at the sound of their names. Jessie gave a big doggy smile. She was always keen for an adventure.
    Mum laughed. ‘No, the dogs can’t come with us, honey bun.’ She turned to Rosie. ‘Yes, we will go on a plane. We’ll fly to Broome. It’s on the north coast of Western Australia. Then we’ll drive about two hundred kilometres further north to a tiny Aboriginal community called Ardyaloon.’
    Dad rubbed his chin. ‘It’s a long way to go,’ he said. ‘And we’d have to find someone to look after the vet hospital.’
    Dad was a vet. The family lived right behind Shelly Beach Veterinary Hospital.
    â€˜Please, Dad?’ begged Lulu. ‘Can we go? Kylie could feed all the animals.’
    Dad thought about it. ‘She certainly could. And I could ask Dr Humphrey to see the patients for me.’ Kylie was the vet nurse, and Dr Humphrey was a retired vet who sometimes helped out.
    Dad grinned. ‘Let’s do it!’
    â€˜Hurray,’ cried Lulu, Rosie and Gus together.

    â€˜Where will we stay?’ asked Lulu.
    â€˜I spoke to Harry today. He’s one of the Aboriginal elders,’ said Mum. ‘He invited us to camp on his family’s property. Their land is on the beach just west of Ardyaloon.’
    Lulu jiggled with excitement.
    â€˜I’ll have to work for a few days. But we’ll also make it a lovely family holiday. We can go swimming and boating and explore the islands,’ said Mum.
    â€˜And fishing and watching wildlife,’ added Dad. ‘We might even get to see saltwater crocodiles or sea turtles.’
    â€˜It will be an amazing adventure!’ agreed Lulu. ‘I can’t wait.’

Chapter 2
The Journey
    Lulu thought the holidays would never come. The last week of school seemed to take