Remarkable by Elizabeth Foley Page B

But I need to borrow the music box to do an experiment. If I’m right then—”
    “An experiment? You mean like a science experiment?”
    “No, that’s not what I’m saying—”
    “Because Dr. Presnelda will have a fit if you enter this science experiment of yours in the science fair. What if you won? I can’t imagine what she’d do if someone other than one of her students took first place.”
    Grandmama chuckled as she pictured Dr. Presnelda’s distress at losing. Grandpa sighed and wished hewere the sort of person other people listened to without interrupting.
    “Julietta,” he said firmly. “This isn’t about Dr. Presnelda. This is about Lucky and the bell tower.”
    “Lucky? What on earth does Lucky have to do with the bell tower?”
    Grandpa opened his mouth to explain, but this time he was interrupted by a knock at the door. Stilton peeked in.
    “Mayor Chu is on the phone for you,” he said.
    “Tell her I’ll call her back.”
    “She’s called your office five times already today. She’s insisting I put her call through.”
    “I’d better take this,” Grandmama told Grandpa as she picked up her phone. “Then I promise I’ll give you my full attention.”
    “Julietta Augustina, I have some news for you,” Kate Chu barked into the phone.
    “Good news, I hope.”
    “It’s good news for me. I wanted you to be the first to know that after a great deal of effort I’ve finally managed to acquire a truly qualified dentist for the citizens of Munch.”
    “Interesting,” Grandmama said, even though shehad no idea why Mayor Chu thought this piece of information would be interesting to anyone. “Now if you don’t mind, I’m a little busy at the moment discussing an important matter with a constituent.”
    She gave Grandpa a smile, realizing as she did so that she’d completely forgotten why he’d come to see her.
    “The dentist’s name is Dr. Christobel Pike,” Mayor Chu continued. “As I’m sure you know, she comes highly recommended.”
    “What! You can’t steal our dentist! You wouldn’t dare!”
    “Now, now,” Mayor Chu said. “No need to get upset. I’m happy to let you keep her provided that you do one small thing.”
    “I wouldn’t bargain with you if you’d stolen the last dentist on earth!”
    “Now hear me out. All I need is for you to admit—in writing—that Munch’s Generic Jelly is superior in every way to that pale, tasteless organic jam you make in your town.”
    “Never!”
    “Oh, dear. I had hoped we could work together here. But never mind. We know our jelly is better.And it only makes sense that the town that produces the best jelly should also have the best dentist.”
    “Now you listen here, Kate,” Grandmama yelled into the phone, but Mayor Chu had already hung up.
    “How dare she!” Grandmama said, giving Grandpa John a wild-eyed stare. “Stilton? Stilton! Bring my coat. We’re going to visit Dr. Pike!”
    And with that, she stormed out of her office, leaving Grandpa John alone with his concerns about Lucky.

After School
    A fter school that day, Anderson Brigby Bright Doe III offered to walk Lucinda Wilhelmina Hinojosa home.
    “Do I know you?” Lucinda asked.
    “I’m Anderson Brigby Bright,” he said. “Anderson Brigby Bright Doe III. I’m taking you to the Science Fair Dance.”
    Lucinda squinted at him through her small chic glasses, then shrugged.
    “Hmmmm,” she hummed. “If you say so.”
    “I was thinking that perhaps I could carry your books for you. It’s old-fashioned, I know, but doesn’t it sound romantic?”
    “Not really,” Lucinda said. “And I don’t need you to carry my books. I have my wagon with me. I’ll just put them in there.”
    “We could go on the trail that leads past Lake Remarkable, which is also quite romantic,” Anderson Brigby Bright persisted. “And while we’re there, perhaps I could paint a portrait of you sitting on a rock.”
    “Why would you want to do that?”
    “What do you mean