Lottie Luna and the Giant Gargoyle

  First published in Great Britain by HarperCollins Children’s Books in 2021

  Published in this ebook edition in 2021

  HarperCollins Children’s Books is a division of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd,

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  Text copyright © HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2021

  Illustrations copyright © HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2021

  Cover design copyright © HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2021

  A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

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  Source ISBN: 9780008343071

  Ebook Edition © February 2021 ISBN: 9780008343088

  Version: 2021-01-22

  For the children of

  St Francis Primary School, Glasgow – fabulous winners of the

  Glasgow Loves Reading competition!

  Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Have you read Lottie Luna’s other adventures?

  About the Author

  Lottie Luna books by Vivian French in reading order

  About the Publisher

  ‘Good morning, good morning, good morning, darling Ma!’ Lottie Luna bounced into the breakfast room, and flung her arms round her mother. Queen Mila, who was sprinkling sugar on her breakfast porridge, looked at Lottie in surprise.

  ‘That’s very nice of you, dear. Erm … is there any special reason why you’re so cheerful?’

  Lottie dropped her school bag on the floor, and sat down. ‘I’m happy, that’s all. It’s a Monday, and it’s a school day – and I LOVE going to school!’

  Boris, Lottie’s older brother, snorted. ‘Oh yeah? I suppose everyone makes a fuss of you just because you’re a princess. But I’ll tell you something, Lottie – if you were an ordinary kid, nobody would take any notice of you at all!’

  ‘That’s so not true!’ Lottie jumped to her feet, her cheeks pink with anger, but before she could say anything more Queen Mila interrupted.

  ‘That’s a very unkind thing to say, Boris.’ The queen put a large bowl of porridge in front of him. ‘Lottie has a lovely personality … she’d make friends anywhere. Lottie, dear – did you want porridge, or toast?’

  ‘Toast, please.’ Lottie took a deep breath, and sat down again. Her knees felt wobbly because she had so nearly told her brother the truth – that only her very best friends at school knew she was a princess. All her other classmates thought she was as ordinary as they were … and that was exactly the way Lottie wanted it to be. She made a face at Boris, and rescued the butter from underneath her father’s newspaper. King Lupo grunted, and went on reading.

  ‘Some day we must come and see this wonderful school of yours, Lottie,’ Queen Mila said as she settled down to her own breakfast. ‘Will there be an end-of-term concert, do you think?’

  Lottie blinked. It had never occurred to her that there might be such a thing, and she hoped very much that there never would be. If there was, how could she keep the fact that she was a princess a secret? ‘I don’t think so,’ she said. ‘Nobody’s ever mentioned one.’

  Boris snorted again. ‘Well, if there is, don’t expect me to come.’

  ‘You wouldn’t be asked,’ Lottie snapped back, and she ate the rest of her toast as quickly as she could before picking up her school bag and heading for the door.

  ‘Bye, Ma! Bye, Pa!’ And, with a final glare at her brother, she hurried out, followed by Jaws, her pet bat.

  Still cross with her brother, Lottie ran as fast as she could along the path, Jaws flying above her. As she came hurtling out of the woods and on to the path that led to Shadow Academy, she saw her two best friends were waiting for her by the gates. Wilf and Marjory were waving madly, and Lottie ran even faster.

  ‘Woweeee!’ Wilf said as Lottie skidded to a halt beside them. ‘I’ve never, ever seen you go as fast as that … and I’ve seen you run loads of times!’

  Lottie grinned. She had been born when a lunar eclipse coincided with a full moon, and as a result she had been gifted with extraordinary strength, amazing eyesight and incredibly acute hearing. All Lottie wanted, however, was to be thought of as an ordinary little girl, so she kept her powers hidden … just as she hid her special moonstone necklace. It had been given to her when she was born; when Lottie was happy, her necklace shone as brightly as the moon, but if she was sad or bored or unhappy the necklace was dull and grey.

  Lottie’s necklace was shining now as she greeted her friends with enthusiastic hugs.

  ‘What’s going on?’ she asked. ‘You look ever so excited!’

  ‘We are!’ Marjory gave a little skip. ‘Wilf and I met Mrs Wilkolak on the way to school, and she told us a secret … Well, it’s not really a secret. She’ll tell everybody when we get to class, but we know already. Can you guess what it is?’

  Lottie thought hard. ‘An end-of-term party?’

  Wilf shook his head. ‘Much better than that! Lottie … there’s going to be an end-of-term talent show!’

  ‘There’s a talent show for all the juniors every year, but this year it’s going to be different – it’ll be a competition!’ Marjory was bubbling with enthusiasm. ‘There’s a trophy for the winner – a giant silver gargoyle! Oh, Lottie! Just imagine winning in front of all the mothers and fathers and uncles and grans and everyone! Wouldn’t it be completely wonderful!’

  A cold hand clutched at Lottie’s stomach. ‘So … are families expected to come and watch?’

  Marjory nodded. ‘The head teacher sends everyone a personal invitation. It looks ever so grand. Last year my mum had it on the mantelpiece for weeks!’

  ‘My gran did that too,’ Wilf said – and then he paused, and his eyes grew very wide. ‘Oh, Lottie! I’m such an idiot! I completely forgot about your parents. The whole school’s going to find out that you’re a princess! What on earth will you do?’

  Lottie shook her head. ‘I don’t know.’ She sounded so miserable that Marjory rushed forward and hugged her.

  ‘We’ll help,’ she promised. ‘If we think hard enough, I’m sure we can come up with something!’

  ‘Thank you,’ Lottie said, but she didn’t feel convinced.

  Wilf and Marjory tried hard to think of an idea to help Lottie as they walked along the corridor to their classroom, but nothing seemed very practical. ‘I’ll just have to pretend to be ill on the day of the competition,’ Lottie said gloomily.

  ‘That wouldn’t be any fun at all,’ Wilf told her. ‘You absolutely have to see Marjory and me perform our magic act! We’re going to be amazing!
We tried to do magic tricks last year, but we didn’t win because our white rabbit ran away and got stuck under the stage.’

  ‘I didn’t know you were good at magic,’ Lottie said, and Wilf grinned at her.

  ‘We aren’t. Well … not very. But we’ve got over a week to practise. Why don’t you join us? We can be the Three Incredibles … It’d be brilliant!’

  ‘And we’re dying to know what Awful Aggie is going to do,’ Marjory added. ‘Last year she read a dreadfully boring story, and it went on so long that Mrs Wilkolak fell asleep, and she actually snored! You can’t miss it!’

  ‘It does sound huge fun,’ Lottie said wistfully. ‘If Ma and Pa weren’t there, I’d love it.’

  Marjory squeezed her arm. ‘Don’t worry. We’ve got lots of time to come up with a plan.’

  Lottie nodded, but her smile wasn’t as sunny as usual. Marjory looked at her anxiously, but before she could say anything Mrs Wilkolak came bustling into the classroom.

  ‘Good morning, everyone!’ she said. ‘Now – I’ve something wonderful to tell you! I wonder if anyone can guess what it is?’ She winked at Wilf and Marjory. ‘Not a word from you two!’

  Wilf and Marjory grinned at each other as hands shot up all around them.

  ‘You’re all wrong.’ Mrs Wilkolak sounded delighted. ‘We’ve moved the school talent show to the end of this term … and for the first time ever it’s going to be a competition. There’s a very special trophy for the winner!’

  Agatha Claws, the girl that Wilf, Marjory and Lottie called Awful Aggie, sat bolt upright, her eyes shining. ‘A competition? With a trophy?’

  ‘That’s right, Aggie,’ Mrs Wilkolak said. ‘I can’t wait to see what everybody chooses to do. Have you got any ideas?’

  Aggie looked thoughtful. ‘I’m very good at poetry. I might write a dramatic poem.’

  ‘That sounds interesting,’ Mrs Wilkolak told her. ‘Lottie … what about you?’

  Lottie had been wondering if she could persuade Madam Grubeloff, the head teacher, not to invite her parents, and the question caught her by surprise. ‘Ummmm,’ she said. ‘I haven’t really had time to think …’

  Aggie gave a disdainful sniff. ‘And I thought you were so good at everything, Lottie!’

  Mrs Wilkolak frowned. ‘Agatha! There’s no need for that kind of comment! I’m sure Lottie will think of something splendid. And now, please get your lunar diaries out. It’s time we got down to work.’

  As Lottie’s classmates opened their bags to find their diaries, Lottie looked around. A couple of girls caught her eye and smiled at her, and several of the boys gave her cheerful grins.

  They like me, Lottie thought. They like me because I’m the same as them. If they find out I’m a princess, they’ll treat me differently – and I’ll never feel comfortable again. I won’t ever know if they want to be my friend because I’m me, or just because I’m a princess.

  Her mind was whirling, and she made a decision. She would go and talk to the head teacher at breaktime. Madam Grubeloff was the only member of staff at Shadow Academy who knew that Lottie’s father was King Lupo, and her mother Queen Mila. If I explain that she can’t invite them, I’m sure she’ll understand, Lottie told herself. At least, I’m almost sure she will.

  ‘Lottie?’ Mrs Wilkolak’s voice broke across Lottie’s thoughts, and she jumped.

  ‘Yes, Mrs Wilkolak?’

  ‘I asked if you agreed with Wilf’s answer to the first question?’ Mrs Wilkolak sounded irritated.

  ‘I’m so sorry,’ Lottie said. ‘I … I don’t know.’

  ‘She’s worrying about the competition, because clever Lottie Luna always has to win!’ Aggie’s whisper was loud enough for everyone to hear and, before she knew what she was doing, Lottie swung round and snapped a reply.

  ‘I was not! I’ve got much better things to think about!’

  ‘Ooooh!’ Aggie rolled her eyes. ‘So our Lottie Luna has better things to do than win a trophy!’

  ‘That’s quite enough, Agatha!’ Mrs Wilkolak sounded cross. ‘Lottie! Was Wilf’s answer correct or not?’

  ‘I’m sorry – I wasn’t listening, Mrs Wilkolak.’ Lottie shook her head.

  The teacher sighed. ‘Really! You’d better spend breaktime learning the lunar charts I gave you for homework. Now – can anyone tell me if Wilf was right? Is there only ever one lunar eclipse a year?’

  Aggie jumped to her feet. ‘That’s wrong! You can have up to five!’

  Lottie bit her lip. She knew a great deal about lunar eclipses – probably more than any of her classmates. After all, she’d been born during one. She could have answered the question easily if she hadn’t been worrying about the talent show … and now she was going to be kept in at break, and she wouldn’t be able to see Madam Grubeloff.

  Mrs Wilkolak was looking at Aggie disapprovingly. ‘I’d much rather you didn’t call out, Aggie – but you’re right. Wilf … I’d like you to join Lottie at breaktime. These eclipses mean a lot to us werewolves; they remind us how the earth and the moon are connected to one another. And a full lunar eclipse is particularly important. There’s a tradition that any werewolf cub born then has special powers.’

  Aggie looked superior. ‘My father says that’s an old wives’ tale. He says it couldn’t possibly be true!’

  Wilf caught Lottie’s eye, and he gave a loud snort that he quickly turned into a cough. ‘Oooops,’ he said. Lottie looked away … and hoped she wasn’t blushing.

  ‘A number of old wives’ tales are based in truth, Aggie,’ Mrs Wilkolak said. ‘Now, please turn back to your diaries …’

  The rest of the morning dragged for Lottie. At break she and Wilf sat together, staring at the lunar charts, while Mrs Wilkolak read a book, so they couldn’t chat. After break, there was a lesson in star recognition, and Lottie was paired with Aggie. Aggie insisted that she knew all the answers, and wrote them down even though Lottie knew she was wrong. As a result, they came last … and, when Mrs Wilkolak asked what had happened, Aggie blamed Lottie.

  ‘Lottie’s no good at stars,’ Aggie said smugly. ‘I’ve always known the Great Bear was also called the Giant Tripper … but she just wouldn’t listen.’

  Lottie, who had been trying her hardest not to lose her temper, was unable to stay silent any longer. ‘It’s the Big Dipper! Not Tripper!’

  Aggie sniffed. ‘That’s exactly what I said!’

  ‘No, it wasn’t!’ Lottie snapped. ‘You said Giant Tripper!’

  Wilf, with a very straight face, leaned forward. ‘Cue for a song, Aggie. “A giant took a trip to the moon and stars!”’ and the class collapsed into fits of laughter. Aggie went a furious purple, and Lottie sighed. She knew Aggie well and, if there was one thing Aggie hated more than anything else, it was being laughed at. Lottie was trying to think of something to say to calm her down when the lunch bell rang, and the moment was lost.

  Once lunch was over, Wilf suggested that the Three Incredibles might begin to think about their act for the talent show, but Lottie shook her head. ‘I’m going to find something I can do on my own. I might need to pretend to be ill on the day if my parents are coming, and I don’t want to let you down.’

  ‘I once painted myself with red spots to pretend I had measles,’ Wilf told her. ‘There was a tree identification test, and I hadn’t learned anything about it.’

  ‘What happened?’ Lottie asked, and Wilf made a face.

  ‘My gran just laughed, and made me wash them off.’

  ‘I was thinking more of a stomach ache,’ Lottie said. ‘But now I’m going to try and see Madam Grubeloff. If Ma and Pa aren’t invited, I won’t need to worry about it and there’ll be no problem.’

  ‘Do you want us to come with you?’ Marjory asked.

  Lottie shook her head. ‘Could you wait outside for me? I’d like to know you’re there.’

  The three friends walked together to Madam Grubeloff’s study. Once they were outside, Lottie took a deep breath. ‘Wish me luck,’ she s
aid and knocked.

  ‘Come in!’ The head teacher’s voice was as silvery sweet as always, and Lottie’s hopes rose as she opened the door.

  Madam Grubeloff was sitting at her desk, and in front of her was a heap of cards, and a box of envelopes. She looked up as Lottie came in, and smiled at her.

  ‘Lottie! What can I do for you?’

  Lottie was so busy thinking how she should explain her problem that she almost forgot to curtsey. Her heart had started beating very fast, and her knees felt wobbly as she approached the head teacher’s desk and said in a rush, ‘Please, Madam Grubeloff … I really, REALLY don’t want my parents to come to the end-of-term talent show because if they do everyone will know I’m a princess and I’d absolutely hate that!’

  ‘You don’t want your parents to come?’ Madam Grubeloff sounded puzzled. ‘But, Lottie … wouldn’t you like them to enjoy the end-of-term entertainment? And see what you do? And meet your friends?’

  Lottie twisted her fingers together as she tried to think of a way to explain how she was feeling. ‘I would, if they weren’t royal. But I’ve had such a lovely time being treated just the same as everyone else … I don’t want to be known as a princess!’

  ‘So do you think your friends would treat you differently?’ Madam Grubeloff looked thoughtful. ‘I believe that Wilf and Marjory know your secret already, and you seem very happy with them.’

  ‘Oh, I am!’ Lottie’s eyes shone. ‘They’re the best! It’s just that … well … not everyone is quite as lovely as they are …’

  Lottie’s voice faded away. How could she say that she was certain Aggie would want to be the best friend of a princess? And Aggie’s friends would be just like her. They’d try to push Wilf and Marjory away, and school would never be the same again.

  The head teacher sat back in her chair. ‘I think I understand, and to a certain extent you have my sympathy. But this is something you should talk through with your parents.’ She leaned forward, picked a card off her desk, and slid it into an envelope before handing it to Lottie. ‘Here’s the invitation. Have a chat when you give it to them.’