Double Trouble Read Online Free PDF Page B

day would come!”
    “Hi,” Ali said, still shivering. Was this really what she had wished for? She didn't have a clue how Ray was going to warm her up!
    “Ray was the coolest cat in class when we were learning how to fly magic carpets,” Genie explained. “I was
hopeless.
Ikept crashing, and in the end our teacher, Mr. Abracadabra, would only let me use a doormat”.
    Ray proudly tapped his carpet with his toe. “I'm flying the latest model now,” he told her “This is the R-60, the most expensive carpet I have in the shop. Top speed 140 miles per hour, and it never overturns, not even in the strongest wind.”
    “Really?” Genie, looked very impressed and bent down to stroke the gold fringe.
    Ray yawned hugely. “Sorry,” he apologized. “I was refueling in the Sahara when you called, and I've got jet lag. What did you want me fon Genie?”
    Quickly Genie explained what had happened.
    “In that case, ladies, it's lucky I've brought my sunlamp.” With a flourish, Ray unwrapped the object in his arms. It looked a bit like the reading lamp on Ali's desk, except that it was a shiny golden color. Ray put it down on the desk and pointed it in Ali's direction.
    “A sunlamp?” Ali said. “Well, that seems like a good idea.”
    “This will warm you up in no time,” Ray promised.
    “You can plug it in under the desk,” Ali said, feeling another giant sneeze tickling her nose. She hoped he would hurry up.
    Ray shook his head. “It doesn't need to be plugged in,” he said, waving his hand in front of the lamp. “It's magic!”
    “Like my Lava lamp,” Genie added. Shesat cross-legged on Ray's carpet and smiled encouragingly at Ali.
    Ali watched as the giant lightbulb inside the lamp began to glow. The light was very bright, but soon Ali felt a deliciously warm beam coming from it. She lay down on the bed and shut her eyes as the heat soaked into her and dried her clothes.
    “So how's the flying carpet business these days, Ray?” Genie asked.
    “Not bad at ail,” answered Ray. “I sell a lot of these R-60s. It doesn't just go up and down, you know. Oh no, you've got 360-degree movement; and it can even do loop-the-loops. You have to hang on tight, though.”
    “That's bookin'!” Genie said. Sheturned to Ali. “How are you feeling?”
    “Great,” Ali replied with her eyes still closed. “It's like I'm lying on a beach!” She opened her eyes and sat up. She was warm and dry all over “Thanks very much,” she said, grinning at Ray.
    “No problem,” he said, giving her another sweeping bow.
    “You can turn the lamp off now, if you like,” Ali added.
    “Actually, the lamp's part of your wish, so it has to stay on until all the sand runs through the hourglass,” Genie explained cheerfully. “Ray has to stay too.”
    Ali's heart sank. She'd managed to keep one genie hidden from her family so fan but it was going to be much more difficult with two!
    Just then she heard the front door open and close downstairs. There was the sound of voices in the hall.
    “That's Dad talking to Gran,” Ali gasped. “He just got home from work Genie, you'd better go downstairs.” Her tummy rumbled loudly, and she realized she hadn't had anything to eat since breakfast “And would you bring me something to eat?”
    “Sure,” Genie promised. “Just give me five minutes.” She hurried over to the door and went downstairs.
    Ray yawned again. “Do you mind if I have a nap?” he asked Ali. “I'm really tired”
    Ali shook her head. “Of course not.” She scrambled down the quilt onto thefloor and went over to look at Ray's carpet. A pattern of round yellow suns was woven along the orange and red stripes, and the soft, floaty fringes were made of gold thread. “Is It very difficult to learn how to fly a carpet?” Ali asked curiously.
    “Not really,” Ray replied. “You just have to practice. I could give you a great deal, if you like,” He frowned thoughtfully. “If you're a beginner, I'd recommend the