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Bella's Big Secret

by Ruthie Alekseeva
7/26/2024 / Short Stories

Chapter One

Large blue tears fall from Bella’s eyes. “Oh boy, I’m in big trouble. What will Mum say when she finds out?” she wonders. “She won’t believe it has happened again, but it has.”

Wiping her tears away, Bella rises from the bed and picks up her piggy bank, tipping it upside down.

“EEEP!” A rubber trick spider falls out, but nothing else - no coins, no paper dollars, nothing. “It should be full of cash, but it’s not. It’s dark and empty.” Bella squinches her eyes closed and hunches her shoulders. She wraps her arms around her stomach. “Yowch! It feels like a storm is churning inside my belly.”

Bella looks in her pink piggy bank again. She pokes her finger inside and wriggles it around. “Ouch!” Bella’s finger scrapes along a rough edge. She sucks on her finger, then says, “Nope, it’s still empty.” Bella drops the piggy bank onto her bed and hugs her pillow against her chest. Clenching it tight, she rocks back and forth.

“It’s empty, and why? Because I bought some Red Rippers from Food Works, of course.” Bella glares at the candy on her bedside table. “Red Rippers?” she says. “Why did I buy Red Rippers? They taste wonderful, I know, but now I can’t buy my little sister a silver unicorn. I was going to buy it from the gumball machine at Food Works for her birthday.”

Standing up, Bella leans against her bedside table with both arms, rests her chin on her arm, and stares at the Red Rippers. CRASH! The bedside table slides sideways with Bella landing on top of it.

Bella places her hand on her tummy. “Oof, now my tummy hurts.”

“Hey! What’s that noise?” she hears her big brother Billy call from his bedroom.

Bella coughs. “Nothing. I was just practicing my hip-hop-wrist-roll dance moves.”

The house goes silent, then her brother says, “Well, don’t.”

Bella gathers her Red Rippers up from off the floor and tips her bedside table upright. “Phew! It sounds like Billy’s not coming over to check on me. That was close. But why can’t I have more pocket money? Then, it wouldn’t matter that I have spent too much.”

Bella looks at her candy stash and sighs. But really, I should never have bought these Fruit Chews either. Bella picks up a pink-and-purple Fruit Chew. She holds it against her nose, then breathes in deeply. “Mmm!” she says. “They smell amazing!” Bella creases her brow. “Aggh! How annoying! The sticky Fruit Chew has stuck to my nose.” Bella pulls and pulls on the Fruit Chew. She tugs and tugs until WHACK! She falls on her elbow, as the Fruit Chew finally snaps off.

Bella inspects her elbow. A tiny bit red, she thinks. She slips the Fruit Chew inside her mouth, rolling it around inside with her tongue. “Mmm! So good! So good!” she says, as the Fruit Chew melts inside her mouth.

Then, she frowns. “What am I doing? I can’t enjoy this Fruit Chew. My little sister’s birthday party is in two days. Grandma and Grandpa will be there. But baby Blue-Belle won’t get a present from me. And it’s all because of this pink-and-purple Fruit Chew and the Red Rippers.”

Bella scrunches her eyebrows. She pulls the melted Fruit Chew out of her mouth, throwing it in the black bin under her homework desk.

“Bella, you’re so silly. How could you have done this to your little sister?”

Bella casts her mind back a few hours. When school had finished, her brother had been late. Instead of waiting at the bus stop for him, she had bounced over to Food Works. And while she was there, she imagined she heard a quiet, little voice, and that voice had a body – a little pink bunny body. One she’d seen before.

And that’s when all the drama started.

Chapter Two

“Oh, Bella?” the imaginary bunny had said, hopping up and down. “Look! Red Rippers! Let’s get some! Let’s get some!”

And Bella had smiled as she picked up the packet of Red Rippers and held it in her hand. “Mmm! I remember how wonderful they taste!”

“I can’t buy any,” the bunny told Bella. “My mum and dad don’t believe in pocket money. They don’t think I should get paid for helping around the house. They believe I should help around the house because I am part of the family.”

Bella’s brown eyes had grown soft. “Oh, you poor little thing. Here, I’ll buy some Red Rippers for you. We can share it. You can have one square.”

The bunny’s eyes widened and a smirk danced across her lips. “Thanks!” she said. “You’re a great friend.” Then she pointed at the Fruit Chews. “What about those? They taste dreamy too.”

“I’m not sure,” Bella said. “My little sister’s birthday party with Grandma and Grandpa is soon. Mum says I must buy her a present, and I want to buy her a silver unicorn with pink glitter in its mane. But if I buy Red Rippers and some Fruit Chews too, I can’t.”

But the bunny hadn’t given up. “Oh, go on! Your little sister’s birthday party is still two days away.” Then, picking up a pink-and-purple Fruit Chew, she held it under Bella’s nose. “They smell incredible!”

Bella’s eyes had rolled back, and a big dopey grin had spread across her face. “Mmm! Fruit Chews! They smell sublime!” Bella had opened up her eyes. “Okay!” she had said. “Let’s get the Fruit Chews too.”

And the moment she had said that, the imaginary pink bunny disappeared. Bella had looked up, down, and side to side, saying, “Bunny? Bunny? Where did you go?” But that little pink bunny had disappeared.

Bella shakes her head, ending her bunny daydream. Raising her hands in the air, she says, “Oh, Bella! Why did you listen to that silly, imaginary bunny? She is not a true friend. She only wants your money. I won’t listen to her again.”

Bella smiles. “Maybe I could return the lollies to Food Works and get my money back. I remember that Mum once returned a yellow dress she had bought from Dream Girl. She had said it didn’t fit her at home the way it had fit her at the shops, and the shopkeeper returned her money.”

Bella glances inside the black bin under her homework desk and sees the chewed up, melted Fruit Chew. “Well, I can’t return that, but maybe I can return the Red Rippers. There’s only one square missing.”

Bella pauses. Then, lowering her brown eyes, she pops open the lid of a box of Purple Pops. “I shouldn’t have bought these either.”

Bella slides a Purple Pop out of the box and into her mouth, then sucks. A fresh set of blue tears wells up inside her eyes. She wipes them away again. My poor little sister. Now, I can’t buy her a silver unicorn. Mum and Dad will be so mad when they find out.

“YEEEEP!” Bella jumps high up into the air, seeing a shape out of the corner of her eye. She turns her head towards the mysterious object. “Oh, it’s you, Billy. How long have you been standing there?”

Billy throws her a puzzled look. ”Long enough to know that you’re going crazy.”

Bella’s cheeks warm. I don’t like it when he says that. But Bella doesn’t complain. There’s no time to because, ROAR! She has just heard an alarming noise.

Chapter Three

A shiver runs down Bella’s spine. “Oh, no! That sounds like Dad’s jeep.” Bella tugs open the top drawer of her bedside table and sweeps the Red Rippers and Purple Pops inside. “I hope Mum won’t look in here.”

Kahooga! Kahooga! The horn on Dad’s car honks.

Bella frowns. “I usually love it when Dad toots his funny horn. It normally slaps a huge smile on my face, but not today.”

Bella steps towards her bedroom window, pulls the curtain aside then looks out. She watches Mum and Dad slide out of their seats. Mum takes Blue-Belle out of her baby safety car chair. Dad unlocks the garage door below Bella’s bedroom. Then, he rolls his yellow jeep inside.

Soon, Dad’s cheerful whistling sounds throughout their house. It grows louder and louder as he comes closer and closer to where she’s standing. Bella’s lips curve as she recognises the tune Dad is whistling – A Little Ray of Sunshine. “Dad says that song played on the radio when he drove Mum to the hospital the night I was born.” Then, BOING! a head pops through the doorway of Bella’s bedroom.

“Hey princess, are you in here?” the head says.

Bella smiles sheepishly but says nothing.

“Oh, there you are,” Dad says, flicking on the light. He grins. “That’s better, don’t you think? Now you won’t have to worry about werewolves.”

She chuckles, but her cheeks feel warm and she still doesn’t speak. Bella glances out the window. She notices for the first time that the once sunny, warm day has turned into a cool dusk.

Dad’s head disappears, then she hears the toilet door swing open. When Dad returns, he crinkles his brow. He gives her a confused look. “Are you okay, princess? You haven’t moved from that spot since I arrived.”

Bella runs a hand through her hair. “Yes, of course, Dad. I was simply thinking.”

Mum appears. “About what?” she says smiling, but then her eyes narrow as she inspects Bella’s face more closely.

“Your cheeks look red,” she says, taking Bella’s hands in her own. “Are you sick? And your eyes look wet as well. Were you crying?”

“No,” Bella says, faking a laugh. “Of course not.”

“Princess,” Dad says.

Bella raises her hands in the air. “Okay, only a little. Don’t worry about it. I’m fine.”

“Wait.” Mum says, grasping her hand again. “What were the tears for? And where is Billy? He’s supposed to be baby-sitting you.”

Bella swats the air with her free hand. “I bumped my elbow on the bedside table. And Billy?” Bella notices that Billy has disappeared too, just like that little pink bunny at Food Works. “Billy?” Bella says again. “Well, I guess he’s in his bedroom too.”

Dad hugs Bella tight, then brushes her cheek. “Let’s have a look at your elbow. Are you sure you’re okay?”

Bella hugs Dad back. “Yeah, of course, Dad. I’m fine.”

“All right then,” Dad says. Then, he turns towards Mum. “So, what’s for dinner?”

After a deep breath, she responds “Dinner: right. What should I make for dinner?”

But Dad shakes his head. “Nah, don’t worry about it. I have a better idea. I bet you’re not up for cooking tonight after just getting back from visiting Aunty Bow. How about we go out instead? I know, how about that little pizza joint you like so much? It’s on Water Lemon Lane?”

“Mario’s Pizza. Right. Great idea, but Bella doesn’t like Mario’s Pizza.”

Dad raises his eyebrows, then tickles Bella’s tummy. “What? How could you not like Mario’s Pizza?”

Bella giggles, then pushes Dad’s hand away. “It’s too spicy for me. Can we go to Giant Burgers instead?”

Dad pretends to look serious. “Hmm,” he says. “Giant Burgers? I don’t know. Have you been good enough? Let me think about it.”

Bella holds her breath, nervously wringing her hands behind her back. I know Dad’s only joking about whether I’ve been good enough to go to Giant Burgers. But should I tell him that I’ve spent too much money again?

Bella stares into Dad’s warm brown eyes. They always look as though they're melting when they look back at mine. She snaps her eyes away again, her cheeks hot.

I can’t tell Mum and Dad what I’ve done. I don’t want them realising that their daughter is a dud.

Interrupting her thoughts, Dad’s expression changes, a big smile splitting his face wide open. “Okay! Let’s have Giant Burgers.”

Bella smiles too. “Cool! Just wait ‘til I tell baby Blue-Belle and big brother Billy. They’ll be ripped!” But on the inside, Bella doesn’t feel so good. In fact, she still feels like crying.

Chapter Four

COCKA-DOODLE-DOO! The next day, glittery sunbeams stream from the sky as the neighbour’s rooster crows. Bella wakes up. She yawns, then stretches her arms. “Mmm! Giant Burgers! I can still taste them on my tongue. I’m so glad Mum and Dad took us last night.”

Then Bella remembers her empty piggy bank. She groans, as an ache shoots through her brain. Her mind plunges into more worried and confused thoughts.

I don’t have enough money to buy baby Blue-Belle a birthday present. What am I going to do? How can I stop spending so much?.

Mum pokes her head through the doorway of Bella’s bedroom. “Rise and shine, bun,” she says. “It’s time to get up.”

But Bella lies still.

“Come on,” Mum says again. “It’s seven o’clock. You should get up. You don’t want to be late for school, do you?”

UUGH! Bella moans. “Mum, I don’t feel well. Can I stay home today?“

Mum sits on Bella’s bed, stroking her forehead . She creases her brow. “What’s wrong, bun? You were fine yesterday at Giant Burgers. In fact, after we ate, you even slid down the red slippery-slide.”

Bella moans again but doesn’t move.

“Come on,” Mum says, stroking her forehead again. “Get up. You’re probably still feeling full from last night. I’ll make you a small breakfast today. Do you want a boiled egg?”

Bella moans a third time, then sits up. “No, thanks. I’ll eat Choco Puffs.”

Mum raises her eyebrows. “Choco Puffs? I thought you said you weren’t feeling well. Come on. Up you get. You’re going to school.”

At the breakfast table, Mum pours Bella a white bowl of Choco Puffs. Then, SPRING! Two slices of toast land on Mum’s head. Mum squints. “Not again,” she says. She picks up a pen and, on the shopping list stuck to the fridge, she writes, ‘new toaster.’

Mum says, “Don’t forget you have recorder band today.”

Bella nods. “That’s right; so I will come home late from school today.”

“Your teacher says you’re playing has improved.” Mum smiles. “Okay, you eat. I’m going upstairs to get baby Blue-Belle.” Then, before climbing the steps, Mum stops and shoots Bella a smile. “I’m glad you’re doing your best at school, honey. I knew you would.”

While Mum is upstairs, Bella spoons Choco Puffs into her mouth. Smiling, she says, “Mmm! They taste fantastic!” But then, BANG! Bella frowns.

She listens hard, trying to guess what each thud and bump coming from up above means. She hears what she thinks is something bouncing on the bathroom floor, making a twirling noise.

Bella wrings her hands, wondering what it is.. When the twirling sound slows, a new one begins. This noise, however, sets Bella’s stomach churning like the storm from last night. It sounds like the rolling object is traveling, with great speed, toward her bedroom.

Oh, no, Bella thinks. What if that mystery object rolls into my bedroom? Then, Mum might look inside the drawer of my bedside table. If she looks in there...? Bella plants her face in her hands. I don’t want to even think about that.

Chapter Five

Bella jumps, startled by Mum’s voice, who is back with her sister in her arms

“Are you okay, bun?” Bella hears. Mum looks at Bella with a furrowed brow.

Bella pastes on a smile. “Oh, yeah,” she fibs. “ I just have a spelling test today. I only remembered that right now. Whoops!”

Mum creases her brow deeper. She places her hands on her hips. “Bella,” she says. “If I had known that, we wouldn’t have had Giant Burgers.”

Bella looks down at the ground. “Sorry, Mum.”

“Hey, bun,” Mum says. “Cheer up. Do your best and next time I’ll help you study.”

Bella grins. “Thanks, Mummy!”

Mum picks up Bella’s empty bowl and places it in the sink. “Okay, you’re up and ready. Now, where is Billy? I hope he’s not still in bed.”

Bella doesn’t move until Mum has gone back upstairs. Then, she lets out a long, loud sigh. What a relief! I felt sure Mum would find my Red Rippers and Purple Pops.

Soon, Billy emerges from upstairs. He wolfs down his hot brown toast and melted butter. Bella doesn’t tell him the toast are the very same slices that landed on Mum’s head. HEE! HEE! HEE! Then Billy stands and bounces upstairs. “Hey twerp, I’m having a shower. Then, I will take you to school.”

Good! Bella thinks. Billy is in the shower. Mum and Blue-Belle are in the living room and Dad is at work. Now is the perfect time to get my Red Rippers and my Purple Pops. I will return them to Food Works instead of going to recorder band. Then I will get my money back.

YANK! Upstairs, Bella slides open the drawer of her bedside table. She puts the lollies inside her school bag. Let’s see if I can make this problem disappear before Mum and Dad find out.

“QUICK! QUICK!” Billy pokes his head through her bedroom doorway. “Come on. We’re late for school because I took an extra-long shower.”

Bella and Billy run down the street, huffing and puffing.

“Come on,” Billy says. “Move quicker or we’ll miss our bus.”

Bella runs faster. They rush around the corner of their lane, and the bus pulls up just as they reach the bus stop.

“Phew!” Billy says. “That was close.”

On the bus, Bella wonders if she should tell Billy her problem. He’s a teenager. Perhaps he could help me.

Billy looks at Bella. “What’s wrong? You look worried.”

Bella’s cheeks feel hot. “I am,” she says.

Billy’s eyes look concerned. “What are you worried about?”

“I have a big, big secret. If I tell you, do you promise you won’t tell anyone?”

Billy closes his grey eyes half way. “No. I can’t promise you that. If you have done something very naughty, I will call the police. Then, you really will have a big problem.”

Bella stays quiet, then Billy laughs. “Just joking! Come on, tell me what’s wrong.”

Bella laughs nervously but inside she is crying. Billy’s joke made her feel even worse.

Bella takes a deep breath. “Blue-Belle’s birthday party is in one day. Mum wants me to buy her a birthday present of my own. But I spent all my money on Red Rippers and Purple Pops. Now, my piggy bank is empty. Mum and Dad will be so mad when they find out.”

“Yikes!” Billy says. “That is a big problem, but don’t worry. I will help you.”

Billy thinks for a while. “I know,” he says. “Maybe I could give you some of my pocket money. Then, you can buy Blue-Belle a birthday present, and Mum and Dad won’t get angry with you.”

Bella smiles wide. “Really, Billy? You’d do that for me?”

Billy rubs Bella’s hair with his hand. “Of course I would, Bella. I would do anything for you.”

Bella furrows her brow. “Then why do you call me twerp and tell me I’m going crazy?”

Billy rubs her head again. “I’m joking.”

Billy bends over and pulls his bag out from under the bus seat. He reaches inside, feeling around until he pulls out his wallet. Opening it, they peer inside.

“Yikes! There’s nothing in it.” Billy scratches his head. “Oh, that’s right. I used my money to buy my girlfriend pineapple earrings. She liked them, but that doesn’t help you. What will you do now?”

Chapter Six

Bella’s smile fades, as her heart sinks to the pit of her stomach “Oh, dear,” she agrees. “That doesn’t help at all. I still can’t buy Blue-Belle a birthday present, and Mum and Dad are going to get so mad with me.”

Bella pauses, then says, “I have another idea. I can take my lollies back to Food Works. They might give me my money back. I saw Mum do that once.”

Billy considers.. “Yes, that could work. Well done, twerp. Great thinking! But don’t you have recorder band today? When will you find time to go to Food Works?”

Bella’s cheeks feel hot again. “I could skip recorder band?”

Billy narrows his grey eyes. “Bella,” he says, but then he smiles. “Okay. It’s only once.”

SCREECH! The bus driver slams his brakes on hard. He yells out the window. “Look out, you wackos! I almost hit you.”

Two teenage girls giggle, then run away.

Once off the bus, Billy slings his school bag over his shoulder. He heads towards his first class, then stops. “Hey, Bella, don’t go to Food Works by yourself, okay? I’ll come too.”

“Really?” Bella says. “You’re coming as well?

Billy shrugs. “Sure. My teachers tell me I have the gift of the gab. Maybe I could help.”

Bella smiles wide. “Great!” she says with relief in her voice. “I’d love you for that! See you after school!”

TING-A-LING-A-LING! The home-time bell rings. Bella bounces to the bus stop and waits for Billy. She waits a long time. The warm sunbeams from this morning have turned into a whipping wind.

Bella squeals as a dark shadow falls across her path. It’s Mrs Tilbrook, the scary teacher of the school. As Mrs Tilbrook walks past, she scowls. Looking down her glasses at Bella, she asks, “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at recorder band?”

Bella shakes her head, placing her hand on her tummy. In a weak voice she says, “No, Mrs Tilbrook. I’m not feeling well.”

TSK! TSK! Mrs Tilbrook clicks her tongue. Furrowing her eyebrows, she says, “Well, where’s your brother? Doesn’t he normally take you home?”

Bella nods. “Yes, Mrs Tilbrook but…”

“Here I am,” a familiar voice says.

Mrs Tilbrook clicks her tongue again. She frowns, her eyes beady. “There you are, Billy. Why did you leave Bella waiting? Bella says she’s not feeling well. Are you all right to take her home on the bus? Or should I call your mother?”

Billy and Bella’s eyebrows shoot sky high. “No! No!” they shout together. “Don’t call our mum!”

Mrs Tilbrook pauses. She looks at them with suspicion in her dark, threatening eyes. “Why ever not?”

Billy and Bella stop shouting. Bella’s cheeks feel hot. “Oh, no reason,” she says.

“Yeah,” he says, nodding. “No reason. I just don’t want to bother my mother. She has a baby. I will take Bella home on the bus. She will be fine with me.”

Mrs Tilbrook looks at her watch. She clicks her tongue. “I’m late, and I don’t like this cold wind.” She clicks her tongue again and stomps off.

“Phew!” Billy says after Mrs Tilbrook is gone. “That was close.”

“Yeah,” Bella says. “But I agree with Mrs Tilbrook. Where have you been all this time?”

Billy rubs Bella’s head. “Sorry, sis, I was playing basketball with my buddies. I always do that when you’re at recorder band. I forgot I said we could go to Food Works today instead.”

Bella frowns.

“Sorry, sis,” Billy says again. “Come on, let’s go.”

Bella smiles. “Are you still sure you can get me my money back?”

Billy shrugs his shoulders. “There’s only one way to find out, twerp,” he says. “Now, let’s go.”

Chapter Seven

“Sensational!” Bella says, as she and Billy walk past a well-kept garden. “I love those purple flowers over there, and look at those white ones. I wonder if Dad could put some in our garden. Then, before he plants them, I could help him dig up weeds.”

Billy laughs. “That sounds boring to me.”

Bella creases her brow. “Well, I like digging weeds up. I love the smell.”

“What do dug up weeds smell like?” Billy asks.

“Earthy.”

“Earthy?”

Bella nods. “You know how when you drive to the beach, the air starts smelling like sea salt?”

“Sure.”

“Well, I’ve heard it’s the same the other way around. Like, if you’re on a ship, once you get close to land, the air starts smelling earthy.”

“Cool fact!” Billy says. “I’ll have to dig weeds up with you some time and see if you’re right.”

SLAM! Bella steps up to the glass sliding doors at Food Works, but they don’t open. “OUCH!” Bella yells, as her face slams into the shut doors. Bella stares at the glass. “Why aren’t the doors opening?”

Billy steps up to the doors. This time they open. “Maybe they jammed?” he says, looking toward her.

Bella rubs her smarting face. “Well, here we are. Are you still sure we can do this?”

Billy smiles. “I’m the king of persuasion.”

Bella smiles back but looks doubtful. Then, she plops her Red Rippers and Purple Pops into Billy’s outstretched hands. “Okay, here they are.”

But now it’s Billy’s turn to look doubtful. Billy stares at Bella, then scratches his head. “Is this what you want to return?”

Bella nods. “Why? What’s wrong?”

Billy shakes his head in slow motion. “Oh, yikes! Sorry, Bella. I didn’t know.”

Bella creases her forehead. “You didn’t know what?”

“I didn’t know the packets were open and the packaging was torn.”

Bella shrugs. “What’s wrong with that?”

“Well, you can only return something if you haven’t broken it. Shopkeepers give you your money back only if they can sell what you returned to a different customer.”

Once again, large blue teardrops fill up Bella’s brown eyes. “Well, I can’t just go home,” she says. “I must try. Maybe if I explain what happened, they’ll give me my money back anyway.”

Billy scratches his head again, then pushes her forward. “Well, okay. Go on. Have a try.”

Bella creeps towards the check-out counter. She recognizes the cashier from the day before.

“Hi there,” Bella says as she nears the check-out counter. “I came in here yesterday and bought these Red Rippers and Purple Pops.”

“Yes, darling,” the cashier says with a grin. “I remember you. You also bought some pink-and-purple Fruit Chews.”

Bella smiles a half smile “Yeah, that’s me. Only, I don’t want them anymore.”

Within seconds, the cashier’s big smile vanishes. Creasing her brow, she says, “Well, why ever not? What’s wrong with them? Are they out of date?”

Bella shakes her head. “No, no. Nothing like that. I simply don’t want them anymore.”

Her mouth still in a straight line, the cashier says, “Well, where’s your receipt?”

This time, it’s Bella’s turn to crease her forehead. “What’s a receipt?”

The cashier smiles a patient smile. “A receipt, dearie, is a small piece of white paper. It proves which store you bought something from.”

Bella frowns. “I don’t have a receipt.”

The cashier crosses her arms. “Well dearie, how can you prove that you bought the lollies from Food Works? How do I know that you didn’t buy them from Leo’s? If you bought them from Leo’s but I give you money for them, that’s stealing.” The cashier’s face hardens. “Are you trying to steal from me?”

Bella’s cheeks grow hot. “No, of course not.” Bella begs. “Please, I have spent too much money. I really need it back because tomorrow is my sister’s birthday party. Without money, I can’t buy her a present.”

The cashier’s eyes soften, but she remains firm. “Darling, it doesn’t really matter. Not only do you not have a receipt, but these lolly packets are torn. Also, you have eaten some of them.”

Bella bites her bottom lip. Blue tears well up inside her brown eyes again.

Chapter Eight

The cashier thinks for a moment, hating the sad look on Bella’s face. She takes a gold coin out of her own pocket. She looks right, then left. She drops the coin in her cash register, then picks up two Red Frog lollies. She places them in Bella’s hands and smiles wide. “There you go! I hope your sister likes them.”

Bella’s eyebrows shoot through the roof. “Really?”

The cashier laughs, then nods her head.

Bella stares at Billy, then back at the cashier, and beams. “Wow! Thank you so much, miss. I love you!”

Billy steps towards the check-out counter, his smile almost as big and bright as Bella’s. “Yeah!” he says. “You’re amazing! Thank you so much.”

The cashier winks, then waves them off.

Bella and Billy wave back, then Billy tugs on Bella’s arm. “Now, come on, Bella. Hurry! We must get back to the bus stop before we miss the last bus home.”

Outside, the wind is as gusty as ever, but they run fast. Then, as they round the corner of the street, Billy says, “Phew! We’ve made it just in time.”

A blue and white bus sits at the bus stop. Its engine revs, then the doors of the bus hiss and slam shut. “YIKES!” Billy says. Picking up speed, he runs alongside the bus. He bangs on the doors, yelling ever so loudly. “Let us in! Let us in!”

The doors hiss, then open. “Phew!” Billy says again. “That was close.”

Bella and Billy step on board the bus, then relax into their seats.

“I love that cashier!” Bella says.

Billy nods. “Yeah! She’s great!”

But then Bella thinks about it. She frowns and shakes her head. “No, Billy, we can’t give baby Blue-Belle Red Frogs. Mummy says Blue-Belle isn’t old enough for lollies yet: they will damage her baby teeth.”

Billy’s smile also disappears. “You’re right. I heard Mum say that as well. I guess I forgot because we were so grateful.” Billy places his arm around Bella’s shoulders. “I’m so sorry, Bella. At least you tried.”

Back home, Bella takes the lollies out of her school bag and places them on her homework desk. She flips open her homework book, sharpens her pencil, and writes the date at the top of the page. Then, she dabs at her eyes with a tissue.

“Poor baby Blue-Belle.” Bella sniffs. “I tried hard but she will not get a birthday present from me tomorrow.”

Bella tries to do her homework, but she can’t stop thinking about Blue-Belle. Poor Blue-Belle. What will I do now?

Billy comes into her room. “You know what?” he says. “I’ve been thinking. I think you should simply tell Mum and Dad what you have done. I mean, they love you, so they probably won’t feel as angry about this as you think.”

But Bella ignores Billy’s advice. Instead, she sticks her lead pencil inside her mouth and sucks on it. “I can’t,” she says. “I don’t want Mum and Dad knowing that I’m a dud. But if I think hard enough, I might come up with a new plan.”

EUREKA! Bella has a brainwave. She smiles a big smile and taps her feet up and down on the floor, shooting one finger up in the air. “I know! I know! Tomorrow is Saturday. I’ll try selling the Red Frogs at soccer practise. Cassy’s parents’ give her pocket money, and Tommy gets LOADS.”

Billy ponders the thought. “That could work, but I still think you should tell Mum and Dad.”

Bella shakes her head. “No way!”

Billy frowns, shrugs, then exits Bella’s bedroom. But Bella smiles at her great idea. She feels so happy, before she knows it, she has already finished her homework. She feels so wonderful, she draws red hearts, yellow flowers and pink bows in the margin of her lined homework page. But then something terrible happens.

Chapter Nine

Oh no! Bella imagines a quiet, little voice again and the voice has a body – a little pink bunny body. Can you guess the rest?

“Oh Bella?! Look! Red Frogs!” Then, hopping up and down in excitement, the little bunny says, “We love Red Frogs, don’t we? Let’s have some! Let’s have some!”

Bella shakes her head. “No way! Get out of here, little pink bunny. This is my room. I don’t want you in it.”

“You don’t have to eat them both,” the bunny insists. “Just take one Red Frog. You’ll love them, and baby Blue-Belle will still get her birthday present.”

Bella frowns, shaking her head even harder. “No! I can’t sell just one Red Frog at soccer tomorrow. That won’t give me enough money to buy baby Blue-Belle a birthday present. Now SCRAM! Get out of here!”

But she doesn’t give up. She picks up a Red Frog and holds it under Bella’s nose. She wafts the Red Frog back and forth under her nostrils. “Mmm! Raspberry!”

Bella’s eyes roll back again. “Yes. Raspberry! I must have one! They smell terrific! Well, okay, just one bite.”

The bunny’s eyes widen, and a smirk dances across her lips. “Let me have a bite too.”

Bella picks up one Red Frog. She closes her eyes. Mmm! Can’t wait! Can’t wait! Bella takes a big bite out of it, then passes it to the little pink bunny.

The bunny places the leftover Red Frog in her mouth. “Wow! I knew it would taste good,” she says. “Hey, give me a Red Ripper and a Purple Pop too.” Bella obeys, then takes one of each as well. And as soon as Bella has done that, POP! The little pink bunny disappears again.

YIKES! Not only that, but now Billy also pops back into her room. “Hey, I have another idea…” Billy stops and gasps, his mouth dropping open. “Bella! What are you doing?”

Bella’s smile freezes. In fact, her smile vanishes, turning into a frown. “I couldn’t help it. The little pink bunny told me to do it.”

Billy looks right, then left. He creases his brow. “What little pink bunny?”

Bella’s eyes grow round. “Didn’t you see her? She shows up whenever I’m at Food Works, and sometimes when I am eating.”

Billy’s brow creases deeper. He backs slowly out of the room. “Okay, twerp,” he says. “I told you that you’re going crazy.” Then, without telling Bella his new idea, he runs away, as if freaked out.

Bella follows after Billy but, once again, a familiar roaring engine sounds from Bella’s driveway. Bella jumps. OH NO! That must be Dad. He and Mum must be home from Aunty Bow’s.

With lightning speed, Bella rushes back and stuffs the Red Frogs in the bottom drawer of her homework desk.

Kahooga! Kahooga! The horn on Dad’s yellow Jeep blares, but, once again, it doesn’t spread a smile on Bella’s face.

SCURRY! Bella urges. She sweeps the Red Rippers into the drawer also. I can’t let Mum and Dad see me doing this.

As she hears the garage door roll open, she sweeps the Purple Pops inside too.

Next, Bella hears whistling. It’s her Dad. He is whistling the song, You’re Beautiful and You’re Mine. Bella smiles a small smile. That’s another happy tune Dad likes to hum around the house. He says grandma and grandpa sang it when they held Billy in their arms for the first time.

Uh oh, Bella thinks, as Dad’s whistling echoes down the hallway. I like that song, but not now. Now, it sounds more like the song, Baby Did A Bad, Bad Thing.

Bella slams the drawer of her homework desk shut. Great work! she encourages herself, as the yellow light in her bedroom flicks on. Now, one more thing.

Bella wipes her sticky purple mouth with her hand. The sound of dad’s steps across her bedroom’s wooden floorboards creak behind her.

Then, right as Dad steps forward, Bella wipes her sticky, purple hand on her white dress. Will he notice?

Chapter Ten

“Hey, princess,” Dad says, placing his hand on her shoulder.

Bella jumps, then spins her orange chair around so she faces Dad. Attempting an innocent look, she shoots him a wide-eyed smile. “Hi, Dad.”

“Hmm,” Dad replies. “You’re sitting in the dark again and your eyes are wet. You didn’t bump your elbow again, did you?”

Bella grins. “Nope, not today,” she says. “I’m golden.”

Dad looks at her for a moment. “Are you sure?”

Bella nods.

Dad grins. “Glad to hear that. You know, you can turn the lights on when you get home. We aren’t stretched for money, and I’ve heard werewolves bite down hard.”

“Really?” Bella says, a little too quickly. “You have money?”

“Sure,” Dad replies. “I mean we’re not rich, but we’re managing.”

“I’m glad,” Bella says. But inside her head she thinks, I’m glad you’re fine. But I wish I had more pocket money.

Dad places one hand on her homework desk and leans forward. “Why?” he says. “Do you need to buy something?”

Bella swallows. This is it; she thinks. Now is the time to tell Mum and Dad the truth. Tell them what you did. But instead, she shakes her head. “No, not really.”

Mum steps into Bella’s bedroom, baby Blue-Belle cooing on her hip. Blue-Belle smiles at Bella. She waves her arm and says, “Bella!”

So cute! Bella waves back, then looks down at the floor.

“Hey Bella,” Mum says, patting Bella’s arm. “You had a spelling test today, didn’t you? How’d that go?”

Bella creases her brow. “A spelling test?”

“Yeah, you said this morning that you had forgotten about it, and that you didn’t think you would do well.”

“Oh, yeah,” she lies, her cheeks warm. “But they were words I have already learnt before. So perhaps I’ll do better than I thought.”

Mum smiles. “I sure hope so. I said a prayer for you as Blue-Belle and I drove to play group this morning. And how was recorder band?”

Bella’s cheeks warm even more as she tells her mum another lie. “Today, we played the Skye Boat Song. I also learnt how to play a B flat.”

Kissing her one more time, Dad heads towards the bathroom. “Well, I’ll go scrub up,” Dad says. “I feel sticky.”

He pauses and looks at Bella. “Bella, your mouth looks sticky too. What have you been eating? Also, what’s that mark on your dress?”

Bella’s cheeks feel hot. “I ate mango,” she lies.

Mum looks at her funny. “But mango is yellow. The mark on your dress is purple.”

Bella’s cheeks feel like they are on fire. Looking at the ground, she shrugs her shoulders. “Maybe the mango froze in this wind.”

Mum and Dad look at her funny. Even baby Blue-Belle looks a little confused. Then Mum says, “Well, okay, throw your dress in the laundry basket; okay?” Mum and Dad leave.

The next morning, Bella holds a clump of brown soil up against her nose. It’s nice to see the sun again, she thinks.

Bella sighs. She breathes in a big breath of fresh garden air. Mmm! earthy! Bella digs deeper beneath the garden bed’s brown surface. Bella pulls up green weeds. This is so much fun! Then a voice behind her calls her name.

Oh, that must be Billy, she thinks. He said he wanted to dig weeds up with me too, to smell the earthy smell.

But then, turning her head, Bella creases her brow. It’s not Billy calling her name: it’s Mum and Dad.

Bella’s heart thumps hard inside her body when she realizes that, instead of calling her princess, Dad used her name. Is he unhappy with me? Dad only says “Bella” when he’s grumpy.

Bella tries reading Dad’s face. Then, her eyes zero in on his hands. He is holding her Red Rippers and Purple Pops.

Chapter Eleven

How did he find them? I was going to move them when he wasn’t looking, but that isn’t easy when your dad lives right in your own home.

Bella wipes her muddy hands on her playtime overalls. Time to face the music. I was going to dig up the weeds and then go to soccer practise and try to sell the Red Frog there. I know I wouldn’t have gotten much money. It probably wouldn’t have been enough to buy baby Blue-Belle a birthday present for her party this afternoon. Billy and I were going to go to Food Works just beforehand.

Bella stands up and dawdles across the grassy slope that leads to Mum and Dad. She tries not to cry, but already can feel tears pricking her eyes.

“Hi,” she says, now standing before them. She tries a bright cheery smile and says, “What’s up?” But when her brown eyes stare into theirs, she doesn’t see warmth. Instead, she sees disappointment.

Come on, Bella. You can’t act like nothing’s wrong anymore. Mum and Dad deserve better than that.

Bella frowns, then bites her lower lip. Examining Dad’s hands, she says, “You found them.”

Dad nods. “I did. I was doing some cleaning, because I found black ants in your room. I found a melted Fruit Chew in your bin. That’s why there were black ants in your room. I also found these stuffed in the drawer of your homework desk. Not only that, but your piggy bank is empty.” Looking at her face closely, Dad asks, “What are they? Where is your money?”

Staring at the ground, Bella wrings her hands. In a faint voice, she says, “I’m so sorry, Dad. I bought Red Rippers and Purple Pops instead of buying baby Blue-Belle a birthday present. Then, I ate some. I couldn’t stop myself. The Food Works cashier, gave me Red Frogs for free, but I ate some too. I simply couldn’t help myself. Whatever I see, I buy, and now I have no money in my pink piggy bank. It’s just dark and empty inside.”

Dad stays silent for a while. His ears redden, and his nose pales. Finally, he says, “I see.” He turns on his heel, then steps inside. Placing the sticky lollies on the coffee table, he heads upstairs.

That’s it? No yelling? No shouting? Well, of course not: Dad grew up inside an angry home. He said he doesn’t want us repeating that in ours. Mostly, he sticks to that, but it still makes me cry.

“Bella,” Mum, who hadn’t followed Dad in, finally says. “Dad and I are feeling frustrated right now. You spent all your money last month, and the month before that too. Why do you keep doing this? You must get your spending under control. If you don’t, this will cause you problems when you’re older.”

Bella stares at the ground. Her cheeks feel warm. Her eyes feel wet. It feels like her stomach has a firestorm burning inside it. “I’m sorry, Mum,” she says.

Mum presses her lips together in a straight line. “I think you should go to your bedroom for a while. Stay there until Dad and I come to speak with you.”

Chapter Twelve

Pushing away tears, Bella wipes her muddy feet on the doorstep and plods into the house.

She goes up the stairs, then steps towards her bedroom. She sits down on her bed, waiting for Mum and Dad.

The door to Mum’s and Dad’s room opens then closes. She hears muffled voices talking inside it. Then, moments later, Mum and Dad enter her bedroom.

Glancing at her, his face serious, Dad says, “There you are.”

Bella hunches her shoulders.

He sits on the bed next to her. “I’m upset, Bella. How could you do this again?” he asks, arms raised in the air.

Sniffing, tears in her eyes, Bella says, “Dad, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what happens to me. When I’m at Food Works, this huge feeling comes over me. It feels like I must have every single thing that I see.”

Glancing at her, Dad says, “That sounds like greed.”

Bella pauses. Then, dabbing her eyes, her shoulders shake hard. “I think you’re right,” she says. “I’m a dud. You have a dud for a daughter.”

Dad stops. Turning towards her, he looks at her face. His voice softens, and his eyes melt. “Princess,” he says. “I never want to hear you say that again. You’re not a dud. You’re a wonderful girl.”

On hearing the word ‘princess,’ Bella’s tears slow.

“But you’re right,” Dad continues. “You must show more control. Although I’m mad right now, Mum and I are here to help you. We’re here for you now, and we’re here for you anytime you have a problem.”

Mum chimes in. “You should have come to us when this problem first started. You shouldn’t have left it to the last minute.”

Bella stands. She hesitates, then hugs Mum and then Dad. “I’m so glad to hear you say that,” she says. “And once again, I am truly sorry that I spent all of my pocket money again.”

Dad hugs her back, but tighter, saying, “Of course, princess. We’re here for you.”

Pulling back, her arms still around him, Bella smiles up at Dad. “I’m glad to hear you say that, but, what about baby Blue-Belle? I still don’t have a birthday present for her.”

“You’re right,” Mum says. “So, Dad and I have agreed. We will drive you to Food Works. We will give you money there to buy baby Blue-Belle a present. But you won’t get any pocket money next week. That’s your punishment.”

Bella looks sad, but then she beams. “Really?” She says, bouncing up and down.

Mum and Dad laugh. “Really!”

Then Bella stops bouncing, and her smile turns into a frown again. “I feel great, but I also still feel awful.”

Mum creases her forehead. “Why?”

“Well, I’m so naughty. At Kids Church they teach us to do the right thing. I try hard, but I fail.” Bella looks at the floor, then takes a deep breath. “You don’t know this, but in the last few days, I’ve spent my money badly, but I have also lied. I lied many times to you and even to Mrs. Tilbrook, and I tried to keep those lies secret. I even asked Billy to join in and keep it unknown.”

Dad raises his eyebrows. “What? What does Billy have to do with all this?”

Bella’s cheeks feel hot. “He took me to Food Works instead of going to recorder band.”

Mum creases her brow. “You didn’t go to recorder band? You lied to me about that? What else have you lied about? What lies did you tell Mrs. Tilbrook?”

“I told her I felt sick and couldn’t go to recorder practise.” Bella hugs Mum’s arm. “And Mum? I lied to you about feeling sick, and about having a spelling test.”

Mum and Dad look at each other, their mouths round.

Dad breaks the silence. “WHAT? Bella.”

Mum’s voice sounds softer. “Bella, we have forgiven you. But we won’t go to Food Works yet. You’re also not going to soccer practise today. Instead, I want you to stay in your bedroom for a while.”

Dad nods. “Yes, you can use this time to think about how you have been behaving. Use this time to think of a better way of living.”

Chapter Thirteen

Alone in her room, Bella thinks about the imaginary bunny.

I don’t like that pink bunny. I don’t like how she says, “Oh Bella?! These Fruit Chews smell amazing! You should buy some.” I don’t like how when I say, “No,” the voice speaks louder. I don’t like how it reminds me of how amazing Fruit Chews taste. I don’t like how when I give in, the bunny smirks, pops and disappears. Billy says that means I’m going crazy. I wonder if he’s right.

Then, Bella notices a comic book on the ground that she got at Kids Church. It has a picture of a puppy on it.

She opens the book and reads: “Temptation is a strong feeling you get inside your body, telling you to do something wrong. Sometimes it will tell you to lie. Sometimes it will tell you to steal. Other times temptation will tell you to be rude to your parents. It might tell you to hurt your brother or sister. Perhaps, it will say, ‘Play up for your teacher!’”

Bella gasps. But those are all very naughty things to do. Is that little voice I hear not a bunny at all, but really just temptation?

Bella continues reading: “Sometimes you will stand strong. You will say, ‘No way, temptation! Leave me alone!’ But other times you will fail. Instead of listening to temptation, listen to your conscience. It will tell you that temptation is fooling you. Your conscience will say, ‘No! Don’t listen to temptation. It’s a trick!’ Instead, listen to your conscience and do what your conscience tells you to do.”

Bella frowns. I think I did hear my conscience, but I failed anyway. I don’t like it when I fail. It makes me feel guilty. That feels awful.

Bella thinks back to the last time she was at church, when she overheard two teenagers talking.

“Guilt makes me feel awful,” one had said.

The other teen had smiled. “You know what to do about guilt, don’t you? Remember what they told us in church today? When you fail, letting temptation have its way, tell God you’re sorry.”

“I don’t understand. What does that do?”

“We should say sorry to those we have hurt. But God is the only one who can truly forgive sin. So, tell God you’re sorry as well. When you tell God you’re sorry, He forgives you. But you must mean it. You must try not to sin again, even though you still will. If you give God a fake apology, He knows it. That’s lying. So don’t lie! Tell the truth! Give God a true apology by trying not to fall again. Then, you can be His friend instead of His enemy.”

Bella’s heart warms as she remembers that God can forgive her even of this.

Right then, Mum and Dad come into Bella’s bedroom. Dad holds Blue-Belle in his arms. “How are things going in here?” he asks.

Bella shares with Mum and Dad what she has remembered from church - about how God can forgive her if she asks.

Dad smiles and kisses her on the cheek. “That’s true. Do you think you’ve learned your lesson?”

Bella nods, but her face looks sad.

Mum and Dad look at each other. They frown. It seems Bella’s sad face is making them feel sad also.

Then Dad smiles again. “Well, what do you think about this? After we buy baby Blue-Belle a birthday present at Food Works, let’s all have some ice cream.”

Bella smiles. “Yay! Ice cream!”

“Yes, ice cream.” Dad grins. “But not just any kind of ice cream; Rainbow-coloured ice cream! We can eat it in the park next to Food Works. That can be Blue-Belle’s birthday party. I’ll call Grandma and Grandpa and let them know that the party isn’t at our house anymore- that it’s at the park. I will also call Aunty Bow. She’s not sick now. We don’t have to visit her after school anymore because she’s over the flu.”

Bella bounces up and down. “YIPPEE! Rainbow-coloured ice cream. Yay, Aunty Bow! Thanks, Dad!”

“Wait a second,” Mum says. “Blue-Belle can’t eat rainbow-coloured ice cream. She’s still a baby. What about her baby teeth?

Bella stops bouncing. “Oh, yeah,” she says.

“Aww, come on, Mum,” Dad says. “It’s Blue-Belle’s first birthday. How about just this once?”

Mum crosses her arms and furrows her eyebrows. Then, a smile lights up her face. “Well, okay. Just this once. Rainbow-coloured ice cream it is!”

Bella bounces up and down again. “YIPPEE!” she shouts once more.

Baby Blue-Belle waves her arms. “Dada,” she says. Then, she presses her mouth against Dad’s cheek and blows. Bella laughs, as the sun outside shines brighter and brighter.

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