Stage Fright!

It was dark backstage behind the black curtains.
The DDC could hear the chatter of the audience
then the clear voice of Elsa.
‘Ladies and gentlemen. Please take your seats. The
second half of A Christmas Carol will begin in one
minute. That is one minute.’
The chattering died down. All was silent.
Suddenly there was a terrific scream from the
audience. ‘Waaaaaaaaaaah! There's a horrible, hairy
beast under my chair. Waaaaaaaaaaah! ’
Susie, backstage, recognised that voice. It was her
mother, Mrs Theodora Whistle-White. No mistake.
What was going on?
‘Berwooomph!’ came an explosion. Abby looked
horrified. That was her father, Farmer Bagwash. No
mistake. Had Bertie escaped? He was hardly a hairy
beast! No Bertie was safely in her pocket. He was her
lucky mascot! It couldn’t possibly be Pickle could it?
No. Pickle was safely in his stable. Unless her
mischievous pony had escaped ... What could be the
matter? Why was her father berwooomphing!
‘Berwooomph! For heaven's sake calm down
Mrs Whistle-White,’ shouted Farmer Bagwash.
‘It's no beast. Just Lollipop.’
‘Lollipop!’ squeaked Abby.
What could Lollipop be up to?
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