"Elliott Parks' Visit to the UK" ©


"Oh what a morning this is," Loretta said as she hugged her husband Leo. "I'm so happy I can't wait to tell Elliott." "Elliott...tell Elliott what!?!" shouted Elliott as he flew from his bed like a bird and ran down stairs. "Tell me what Mom?" "Boy, you got down here fast," said Leo. "Well lets have it," said Elliott. "Guess what. Daddy has to go to the UK for business and we get to go with him." Loretta smiled as she told Elliott the good news. "What!?! Oh My! The UK...no way. I can't believe it," shouted Elliott. "Please, quiet, you'll wake the neighbors," said Loretta.

Just then the doorbell rang. "I'll get it," said Leo. Leo opened the door and there was Emma. "Oh what's all the excitement about. I heard something about the UK," said Emma. "We're all going to the UK! Dad has some business and Mom and I are going to go along. Oh Emma I'm so excited," said Elliott. "I can't sit still." Emma was so happy for them. She said, "you know my whole life I wanted to visit the UK. What a wonderful opportunity." Leo and Loretta looked at each other and said, "Emma would you like to come along?" "Yes! I thought you'd never ask! You know...I could stay with Elliott while you two visit some of your favorite places. This is going to be wonderful! I'm so happy I'm going to make some of my home-made chocolate chip cookies," said Emma. "In case we see the queen and her wonderful family. Oh this is going to be perfect. Well I better get going. I have to make plans to board Molly. Loretta, I'll call you later for the details. Love you all and thank you."

"Well that was a surprise." Elliott said, "Mom can I make a list of where I'd like to visit while we're in the UK?" "Sure honey. That would be just fine." In the meantime, Elliott's Mom sat down just to catch her  breath. Just then the phone rang. It was Kim Lee, looking for her cousin Elliott. Elliott ran to get the phone. "Kim Lee guess what...we're all going to the UK with Dad." We are?" shouted Kim Lee. "Wow" "Mom we're going to the UK with cousin Elliott and his family." "We are...oh what a surprise," said Kim Lee's Mom as she took the phone. "Elliott," she said, "put Mom on the phone." "Oh Loretta...what a surprise this is for my birthday! You're the best sister! But the UK...I would have never thought...how wonderful...wonderful! Wait until I tell Bill."

"But...but," Loretta said. "Er, ah, oh never mind Bonnie. I'll call you later with the details." Loretta hung up the phone, turned to her husband Leo and said, "Honey, you're not going to believe this. My sister Bonnie thinks this trip is a surprise for her birthday and she's telling Bill. Now there's going to be me and you, Elliott, Emma, Bonnie, Bill and Kim Lee!" "Well," said Leo. "This is one vacation I'm sure we'll remember." "OK details," he said. "Our flight leaves next Saturday morning. We're flying the British airlines and we'll be arriving at London's Heathrow Airport. We'll be staying in London and we'll be there for eight days. Now please call you sister and Emma and give them the details." "OK Leo. Leo I don't know how this snowballed into this. I'm really sorry." "Oh Loretta not to worry. It should be fun."

Loretta called her sister and Emma and gave them the details and they all got busy making plans. You see this was already Monday. That meant that London was only four days away. Well everyone had such a busy four days. Emma had to make her famous chocolate chip cookies, pack and board Molly. Bill, Bonnie and Kim Lee had to pack and get ready. Leo, Loretta and Elliott also had to pack and get ready. Well before they knew it...Friday was here. Leo and Loretta phoned everyone and made sure that they were all set for the morning. Everyone was ready and waiting. The next morning Leo had a van come from the airport to pick everyone up. BEEP BEEP. Everyone was ready. Into the van they piled. Emma went first with her suitcase marked TOP SECRET!!!

Leo asked Emma, "what's in this case?" Emma replied, "My famous chocolate chip cookies. You know Leo the recipe is TOP SECRET!" Leo smiled. "OK In Elliott. In Kim Lee. In Bonnie. In Bill. Finally in Loretta & Leo. OK Do we have all the luggage?" "Yes we do," they shouted. "Then lets go." And off to the airport they went. They arrived at the airport and had to board their flight. Emma made sure that the case marked TOP SECRET!!! stayed right with her. After a long flight, they arrived. Everyone was so excited. "OK everybody please stay together," Leo said. "This is a big airport and we don't want to lose anyone." Emma sat down with the children and the TOP SECRET case was right there by her seat, while Leo, Loretta, Bonnie and Bill went to get the luggage. Oh finally they reached the hotel. Now they could get some rest.

Emma stayed in a room with Elliott and Kim Lee and her secret case full of chocolate chip cookies. "OK Elliott," Emma said. "Lets see how my cookies survived the trip." Well when Emma opened the case, she fell to the floor. Elliott and Kim Lee couldn't believe their eyes. These weren't cookies...they were diamonds...and lots of them! "Oh no," Elliott said to Kim Lee. "Dad's not going to believe this! How in the world did the diamonds get into the cookie case? Or who switched the bags and took the cookies?" The only way to find out is to keep an eye on this great adventure to the UK. You might want to keep both eyes open for this one!

About the Author Maria Lisa Hartgrove is a native of Boston, Massachusetts. She is the mother of three who enjoys writing. She created the character of Elliott from life experiences of her own children. Maria teaches us tolerance, love and understanding using humor and real-life experiences. Maria's goal is to one day make a "Camp Elliott," where every child can have an adventure of their own. Maria still resides in the New England area where she continues to raise her three children with her husband and two dogs, Molly and Buttons.

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