London Art Chase Read Online Free PDF

perfect,” Dad said, wrapping an arm around her and raising his other hand to hail a new cab.



SEVEN
    W e’re here!” Lulu announced, pushing her way through the concert hall doors.
    She bolted down the aisle the way Mom always told her not to do, because she might stumble and fall into one of the seats. Lulu never fell though—the faster she went, the more sure-footed she seemed. Once Lulu made it to the stage, she hurried up the steps and threw herself into one band member after another’s arms for giant hugs.
    â€œWe’re in London!” she announced with each hug. “London!”
    Maddie and Mia made it up to the stage after Lulu, but they also made the rounds, handing out hugs. Maddie loved every single person in Mom’s band. And even though she knew they’d be there for the concert, it was always surprising seeing them in each city on tour—like running into your aunts and uncles halfway around the world.
    â€œSo, we think we should sing a song in Mom’s concert,” Mia said to Richie, the drummer.
    â€œYour own song, huh?” he said, smiling over at Mom. “And what would you sing?”
    â€œSomething about dreaming big, I think,” Mia said.
    â€œI’ll be the star!” Lulu said, leaping and twirling, nearly tripping over a coiled-up cord.
    Dad caught her, laughing. “If there’s a Glimmer girls song, all three of you will be the stars.”
    Lulu’s face fell. Mia knew the song wasn’t the only problem; there was also Lulu’s dashed plans to be the Glimmer Girls Detective Agency. This morning, her suitcase arrived at the hotel just after Mom and Dad had left. Even though Lulu was happy to have her toys back, she’d really wanted to be a detective and figure out who stole her suitcase.
    â€œIt’s okay, Lulu,” Maddie said. “Maybe the Glimmer girls will find another case.”
    â€œI knew your suitcase wasn’t stolen,” Mia said, and then when Maddie shot her a be-careful look, she threw up her hands in innocence. “What?”
    â€œThe suitcase showed up?” Mom asked.
    â€œYes.” Lulu looked more like a wilted tulip than her usual, radiant self.
    â€œThe airline delivered it this morning just after you left,” Miss Julia said. “Apparently, they accidentally sent it to Paris rather than to London.”
    â€œLulu, your suitcase visited the Eiffel Tower!” Mom said. “That’s fantastic.”
    â€œI want to visit the Eiffel Tower!” Lulu wailed.
    Clearly, the situation was going downhill.
    â€œYou know what, Lulu?” Mom said, “We may not have time to prep a song for you girls to sing with me while we’re in London, but maybe you can sing with me in a concert another time. It might be a lot of fun, actually. We should try out a song with the band to see how it feels. Want to?”
    â€œRight now?” Lulu’s eyes went wide.
    â€œYes, yes, yes!” Mia said, pumping her fists.
    Maddie’s stomach twisted into a knot. Even though everyone in the room was a friend, she couldn’t imagine singing, right here, right now. Maybe Mia and Lulu thought it would be fun to jump around and sing when they weren’t ready, but to Maddie, that sounded like the most embarrassing thing in the world. Even when she’d prepared for weeks for her piano concerts, her hands still shook on her way to the stage.
    â€œI think we should sing ‘This Little Light of Mine.’ ” Mom turned to her band. “What do you all think? Can we rock out that old-school children’s song, Glimmer girls’ style?”
    Richie beat out a rhythm in response. Everyone scurried to hook up instruments, pick up guitars, and adjust amps. Miss Julia and the three backup singers headed out to the theater seats. Dad handed Mia, Lulu, and Maddie wireless microphones.
    â€œYou can do this, Mads,” Dad said. “Just sing like no