Lauren versus the Leprechauns

By J Sevil

Lauren and her lovable dog Coco live in Sydney, Australia which is on exactly the other side of the world from Ireland. Pillosh, a nasty little leprechaun gets stuffed in Lauren's mother's luggage at Dublin airport and wakes a day later to find he could not be any point further from his home and becomes homesick, which is fatal for leprechauns. Lauren helps him out by agreeing to mail him to Ireland, but not before she makes him cast a talking spell on her best friend, Coco. When Pillosh returns to Ireland the leprechaun king is outraged and sends leprechauns back to Sydney, at great risk of each developing the homesickness themselves, to undo the spell. Coco, Lauren and her unwitting Mom and Dad foil every attempt until the final climactic chapter.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J Sevil
• Release date: Jun 29, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476142449

Book preview

Lauren versus the Leprechauns

by

John Sevil

SMASHWORDS EDITION

Published by

Little Rocky Publishing at Smashwords

Copyright 2012 Little Rocky Publishing

by Rocky and the Ideas Girl

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Chapter 1

You’ll be fine. The doctors said that you’re OK now. You can get out and play with some friends again.

Lauren nodded but still clung to her Dad’s waist. They stood together in the kitchen on her home. Her Dad gave her a warm hug and brushed some loose hair from her forehead.

For over a year you have had to stay inside, at home because of that terrible illness. But you’re better now, you can go outside.

Lauren took a deep breath. She stroked some of her long brown hair behind her ears. Her Dad noticed how much weight she had lost over the year. Her arms were slim but not bony. And he could feel her ribs pushing against him as he hugged her.

She’ll make fun of me. I’m shorter than they are. I’ve been sick. They’ll say that I have germs. Oh, Dad. Can’t I stay inside with Coco like always?

Her Dad pulled her arms away from her waist. He bent down to speak to Lauren face to face. His green eyes looked right into Lauren’s blue eyes. He could see Lauren was holding back tears.

Go on. Out you go. I’m here inside if you need me. And look. Jeanie’s already playing in your tree house. Go on, he said smiling.

Reluctantly, Lauren turned and pushed open the back screen door.

Come on, Coco, she said. And Coco stood up from under the table, where he had been laying.

Let’s get humiliated.

--

Yuk. That smelly dog can stay down there! Jeanie squealed at Lauren. And then poured imaginary tea into Lauren’s cup. Lauren’s dog, Coco, sat staring up at the two girls playing in the tree house. Coco was short, brown and fuzzy and belonged to Lauren. Many times she had heaved him up the ladder to join in her tea parties. But today Jeanie was over to play. Meanie Jeanie, Lauren called her.

He’s not smelly. He’s lovely. Lauren frowned.

Well, my mom says dogs carry fleas and always bite. I’m never going to touch one as long as I live. Sugar? Lauren shook her head.

Can’t we play a game with Coco in it? How about hide and seek? Lauren looked at lonely Coco, looking up with his big brown eyes, licking his nose.

Lauren. No. We have to discuss playing offices. Now, this is my office and I want you to work for me. I am a very good boss. Now, get to work and clean up this stuff. She pointed to the tea set on the table. Standing close to Lauren to show how short Lauren was, Jeanie then turned away and pretended to be talking on the phone.

Oh, yes, I am the owner of this business. Oh, I know, good help is so hard to find. I am still looking. Ha ha.

Jeanie. I’m standing just here. And this is my tree house so it should be my office.

Meanie Jeanie stared at Lauren with her arms folded and her tongue pressing against one cheek.

I’m not working for someone shorter than me. Besides, do you know how to run an office? You spent all that time in bed being sick, while one weekend I helped my Dad run his business. He said I could run his company all on my own. I am that smart. Now Lauren? The cups?

With tears stinging her eyes Lauren got up from her stool and climbed down the ladder. She got to the ground and hugged Coco.

I love you, boy. Then she walked up the path to the back door with Coco beside her. The two went into the kitchen leaving Jeanie alone in the tree house.

You’re fired, said Jeanie in a huff. She bumped her knees climbing the ladder down and held back her tears as she walked out the front gate. Her feet stomped on the pathway and she sniffled constantly as she walked to her house next door. She opened the front door and ran inside howling and sobbing into her Dad’s arms.

I don’t ever want to play with that girl again!

--

Lauren! her Dad called out from the study. It was evening. Lauren and her Dad had had their dinner and were busy doing their own thing before bed time. Lauren was sitting on her bed talking to Coco while brushing his short curly hair. Coco enjoyed it so much he closed his eyes and panted happily. Lauren loved to make her Coco happy.

Lauren! her Dad called out again. It’s Mom! Come on!

Lauren ran into the study to find her Dad sitting at the desk. He was talking to the computer.

Mummy! Lauren giggled and waved to her mother’s face on the screen.

Hello, dear. Oh it’s so cold in Ireland. And wet. Are you OK? asked her mother.

Yes, Mom. And so is Coco. He’s great, she said.

And how did your play date with Jeanie go today?

Lauren looked at her Dad nervously.

Well, we played in the tree house ...

And? her Mom asked.

"Well, Meanie wanted me to clean up after her. And she wouldn’t let Coco in the