How Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant by Elen Caldecott Page A

interested in a good crime. Especially one committed by your own children,’ Dawn said nodding. ‘But do you really think it will make a difference to Mr Thomas?’
    â€˜We’ve tried being nice and that didn’t get us anywhere. We tried being cunning and that’s going to get us grounded when Mum finds out. We have to get mean! If we kidnap something that Mr Thomas cares about, then he might listen. We can hold it to ransom.’
    Dawn was nodding. ‘Two birds with one stone. It’s risky, but I like it.’
    â€˜Dawn!’ Ben leapt up. ‘You can’t be serious! You must be still asleep! We can’t steal an elephant. It’s crazy! It’s insane! It’s impossible.’
    â€˜It’s genius,’ Dawn said. ‘Consider it a challenge. Kirsty’s right. Dad’s like a zombie. We need to give him a shock to snap him out of it. And Mr Thomas will give us the allotment so that he can get the elephant back. He loves that museum. He’ll be a hero. Everyone’s happy. Don’t worry, Ben. It will be fun.’
    â€˜But even if we could find a way to do it, do you really think it will work?’
    Kirsty nodded. She was surer than she had ever been before. ‘This is the only thing that will work,’ she said.
    Ben bit his lip. Then he shrugged silently.
    â€˜Woo-hoo!’ Kirsty punched the air. ‘We’re going to steal an elephant!’

.

    Chapter 25
    â€˜I thought we could go to the park?’ Mum said after breakfast. ‘It’s a bit chilly, but we can probably find the odd duck or three to feed.’
    â€˜Is Dad coming?’ Ben asked quietly.
    Mum shook her head, ‘No. I don’t think so, love.’
    When Mum said that, Kirsty suddenly knew that what they were going to do was right. ‘How about the museum?’ she said. ‘We haven’t been there in ages.’
    Dawn grinned wider than a Cheshire cat on its birthday. Ben seemed to shrink down further into his chair.
    â€˜Sure. The museum. Fine,’ Mum said. ‘If anyone needs the loo, go now. Everyone else, coats on.’

    On a Saturday afternoon, with spring still hovering some way in the distance, the museum was full to bursting. Kirsty was amazed at the transformation. Two Mondays ago, when she had followed Mr Thomas, they had practically been the only people there. Today, it was as busy as an ants’ nest, a big marble and cast-iron ants’ nest. Kirsty looked up into the cavernous space of the ceiling. Today the air echoed with the shrieks of children, the chatter of adults, the tinny music coming from the headphones of the teenagers.
    â€˜Cool,’ she said to no one in particular. Then she turned back to the others who were dithering at the cloakroom window. ‘I’ll fetch a map.’
    Kirsty squeezed through the forest of bodies that had sprouted around the information desk. She ducked a handbag as it swung towards her head, then she swiped two leaflets from the desk. She stuffed one into the back pocket of her jeans, for use later. She twisted her way back out of the crowd and skipped towards the others. She unfolded the leaflet with a snap and then examined the map.
    â€˜Egypt, Natural History or Science? I think Natural History,’ Kirsty said.
    Mum smiled with more warmth than Kirsty had seen in days. ‘Do you now? Don’t the rest of us get any say?’
    Kirsty smiled back. ‘Nope.’
    â€˜Stuffed animals it is, then.’
    Kirsty handed the map over to Mum, who led the way towards the archway at the end of the hall. Kirsty walked behind. Ben and Dawn came last. Ben held Dawn’s elbow. ‘Perhaps this isn’t a good idea?’
    â€˜We’re only looking at some dusty old animals.’
    â€˜No, we’re not. We’re, we’re . . .’ Ben thought hard for the right words. ‘We’re scoping the joint! That’s what we’re doing.’
    â€˜I