Lily and the Very Important Job

Bonk! Bonk! Lily marched round Grandma’s kitchen, banging a wooden spoon on a pot.

“Shh,” said Grandma. “Mum is bringing the baby home tomorrow. And his room isn’t ready!”

The baby’s room was a muddle. Boxes. Paint pots. A cot in pieces.

“A baby needs someone to watch him,” said Lily. She held up Bumble.

“Bumble is on the job!”

But Bumble had never watched a baby before.

“He needs practice,” said Lily.

Grandma smiled. “Then Bumble can help us get ready. Starting with the walls!”

Swish, swish went Grandma’s brush. Lily held Bumble up to watch.

Wobble. Plop!

Bumble fell headfirst into the paint.

“Oh no,” said Lily. “Now he’s a blue bear!”

They washed Bumble in the sink, then hung him up to dry by his floppy ear.

“He looks silly,” giggled Grandma.

“He’s still watching,” said Lily firmly.

“Bumble is on the job!”

Next came the cot. Grandma read the instructions upside down. Then sideways.

Clunk. Clatter. CRASH!

The cot fell flat as a pancake. Grandma was sitting on top of it.

“Bumble knows,” said Lily. She pointed his paw. “That bit goes there.”

Grandma tried it. Click!

“Well I never,” said Grandma.

The cot stood up, tall and proud.

Last came the mobile. Grandma stood on a chair. Lily stood on a cushion. Bumble stood on Lily’s head.

“Higher!” said Lily.

The chair went wibble. Wobble…

Whoosh! Down came Grandma, the mobile, and a tangle of clouds.

They landed in the soft cot, giggling.

“Comfy,” said Grandma.

“Bumble is on the job!” cheered Lily.

That night, the house was quiet. Lily couldn’t sleep.

“What if the baby doesn’t like me?” she whispered.

Then she had an idea. She tiptoed to the baby’s room…

In the morning, a car door went clunk. Mum came in with a tiny bundle.

Lily ran upstairs. Bumble was waiting in the cot, guarding the stars.

“He’s ready!” said Lily.

Mum laid the baby beside Bumble. A tiny hand opened. Lily slid her finger inside.

He held on tight.

Lily whispered softly, “Bumble is on the job. And so am I.”