Search for a Star by Cindy Jefferies Page A

doesn’t matter. I can go by myself…” Her voice trailed off.
    â€œIt does sound fun,” said Sophie. “Rocking about in a boat indoors. Crazy! And it is just around the corner from here. Okay!” She smiled. “I’m up for it as long as you promise not to mention Flynn or my pots.”
    Ellie laughed. “Done!”

Francesca thought it was a good idea for Ellie to go and watch the music video being filmed.
    â€œYou might get another article out of it,” she said. “And at the very least it’ll be an interesting experience for you. And it’s perfect that Sophie is going to go with you, otherwise I might be a bit concerned. But you’ll be fine with her.”
    The day of the video filming both Ellie and Sophie felt as if they were escaping, as they left the building soon after three o’clock. There was only one slight downer. Ellie had Ferdinand in tow. Angel had spotted Ellie changing her shoes in the lobby as she came back from a meeting.
    â€œAre you coming in or going out?” she had said, pausing at the door.
    â€œUm…going out,” said Ellie.
    â€œWell you seem to have forgotten my dog,” said Angel. “Hurry up and fetch him. I’ve got someone coming in this afternoon who doesn’t like dogs, so don’t bring him back before five.”
    â€œWhat could I do?” said Ellie to Sophie as they walked down the street. “I couldn’t say no. Not to Angel. I thought Piano was going to take him out for his walk, but of course she’d disappeared somewhere, just at that moment.”
    â€œThat sounds typical Piano behaviour,” Sophie laughed. “But it doesn’t matter. He’s no trouble, is he? And he seems quite pleased to be out.”
    â€œThat’s true.”
    In fact Ferdinand was looking very happy indeed. Unusually he was being taken in the opposite direction to the park; it was a new adventure for him and he totally perked up. He trotted along with his head held high, as if he was in a dog show. It made Ellie giggle to see him high-stepping his way along the street.
    It didn’t take too long to walk to the huge exhibition centre. Unfortunately, at the entrance there was a sign saying No Animals . Ellie was crestfallen. “If only Angel hadn’t caught me!” she said, but Sophie yanked her past the entrance.
    â€œDon’t stop,” she muttered. “Come over here.”
    Ellie joined her at the corner of the building. “What are you doing?” she said. “Look, I can’t go in, but you can. Here’s your ticket. It’s so annoying. I’ll miss the filming! But it can’t be helped. I’ll go to the park now. I can’t take Ferdinand back yet, Angel would kill me!”
    â€œDon’t be such a wimp,” said Sophie. “It’s getting on towards the end of the day. The people on the door aren’t going to be taking much notice. Didn’t you say that when you first saw Ferdinand under Angel’s arm you thought he was some sort of hairy handbag? Why not carry him round? They’ll never notice.”
    Ellie spluttered with laughter. “We can’t do that!” she said. “What if they did notice? And don’t they check everyone’s bags at the door?”
    â€œWell they won’t be able to look in this one,” said Sophie, starting to laugh too. “Go on. Just give it a try.”
    They both looked down at Ferdinand, who gazed back at them, wagging his tail. “Well…” Ellie bent down and picked him up, stifling a giggle.
    â€œTuck him under your arm more,” said Sophie, looking at them critically. “His feet are dangling down. That’s better.” She stood back with her hands on her hips. “That’s fi— Oh.” Ferdinand had raised his head and licked Ellie’s chin.
    â€œIt’s no good,” said Ellie, giggling in spite of her