Just Annoying! Read Online Free PDF Page B

alright?’
    â€˜Who are you asking,’ I say. ‘Me or Fred?’
    â€˜You,’ she says.
    â€˜I’m fine,’ I say. ‘It’s Fred who is not feeling so good. He’s got a stomach ache. He wants to know if I can stay home from school tomorrow to look after him.’
    I pretend to help Fred over to a chair. I go to the sink, run a sponge under cold water and then mop Fred’s brow with it. Mum is watching me with a frown.
    â€˜I think he’s running a temperature,’ I explain. ‘I don’t want to miss out on the school sports carnival, but I really think I should stay home and look after him.’
    â€˜What about his parents?’ says Mum.
    â€˜They’ve gone on an overseas holiday.’
    â€˜And left him all alone?’
    â€˜They didn’t want him to miss out on any school.’
    â€˜I could look after him,’ says Mum.

    â€˜Don’t be silly, Mum—you’ve got plenty to do without having to look after Fred as well.’
    â€˜No, it would be a pleasure,’ says Mum. ‘Your friends are very important to me.’
    â€˜Fred is very important to me, too,’ I say. ‘I wouldn’t feel right leaving him.’
    â€˜But I know how much the sports carnival means to you,’ says Mum.
    â€˜Yes, but I couldn’t enjoy the carnival knowing Fred is home sick. If he gets any worse overnight, I’ll have to stay home.’
    â€˜I really don’t think that will be necessary,’ says Mum. ‘I am a trained nurse. I think the best thing you could do for Fred would be to go out there tomorrow and just do your best. Make him proud of you.’
    â€˜Maybe,’ I say, ‘assuming that he lives long enough to hear the results.’

    â€˜Dinner’s ready,’ calls Mum.
    I walk into the kitchen.
    Mum has set three places. But there’s only two of us. Jen is away on a school camp and Dad is on a work trip.
    â€˜Who’s coming to dinner, Mum?’

    She gives me a strange look.
    â€˜Why, Fred of course.’
    â€˜Oh yeah,’ I say. ‘Of course.’
    â€˜Well,’ says Mum. ‘Don’t just make him stand there. Invite him to sit down.’
    â€˜Have a seat, Fred,’ I say.
    Mum motions to me to pull the chair out for him.
    We both know this is completely stupid, but to not do it would be to admit that Fred is not real. And that means the sports carnival for sure.
    I walk around to the chair against the wall. I pull it out and bow low.

    â€˜Your chair, Monsieur Fred,’ I say.
    I give him time to sit down and then I push his chair in.
    Mum places a heaped plate of steaming casserole in front of Fred.
    â€˜There you are,’ she says. ‘I know you’re probably not hungry, but try to eat as much as you can. You need to keep your strength up when you’re as sick as you are.’
    My mouth is watering. I’m so hungry.
    Mum places a plate in front of me. But it’s not as generous as Fred’s serve. In fact it’s hardly enough for a mouse.
    â€˜Is there a food shortage?’ I say.
    â€˜There is tonight,’ she says. ‘I didn’t plan for an extra guest. You’ll have to share your dinner with Fred.’
    â€˜But he’s getting more than me.’
    â€˜He’s sick! Don’t you want him to get better?’

    â€˜Well of course I do, but . . .’
    â€˜But what?’
    â€˜It’s no use him getting better if I starve to death.’
    â€˜Andy,’ says Mum, ‘I must say I’m a little shocked at your selfishness. Fred is a very sick boy. We have to do everything we can to help him.’
    â€˜Yes, Mum.’
    I eat my dinner in about three seconds flat.

    Fred, of course, doesn’t touch his.
    At the end of the meal Mum starts collecting the plates.
    â€˜What’s going to happen to Fred’s dinner?’ I say.
    â€˜I’ll put it in the fridge. He might