NO ORDINARY ROOM Read Online Free PDF

often, but he had this morning and so he knew that he only had one head.  So, what were these kids looking at!  He was dressed just like them, but they were eyeing him as though he had dropped in from another planet.  He wanted to tell them that his dad drove a car not a flying saucer.  What had seemed so exciting last week suddenly had the makings of a nightmare.  Why did girls always giggle when they were together?
    ‘Heh, new boy,’ someone called out and the greeting wasn’t friendly.  Jamie ignored the caller and walked on towards the main building, but he hadn’t got very far when he heard the footsteps behind him.
    ‘Heh, Jumbo, I was talking to you,’ said the boy as he prodded Jamie in the back.
    Jamie tensed himself, but had already decided how he would handle things.  His would be tormentor was a good six inches taller than he was and hefty with it, in a podgy sort of way.  
    Jamie knew that today was going to be such an important one for him.  If he showed any sign of weakness then he would likely get picked on and might even get bullied.  His voice was calm and firm when he said, ‘My name’s Jamie.’
    ‘Well, I say your name is Jumbo.  You can’t be a Jamie with a pair of flappers like that sticking out of your head.  If anyone calls you Jamie when I’m around they’ll be in big trouble.’
    Jamie took a deep breath as he remembered his dad’s advice about attack being the best form of defence.
    ‘That’s fine by me as long as you don’t mind me calling you, Porky,’ Jamie countered and was surprised at the cool way he had delivered his response.
    The boy glowered at Jamie, but was too shocked to speak.  He wasn’t used to boys talking back to him, nor having anyone snigger at his expense.
    ‘And you can stop grinning, Spindle,’ Porky shouted at the thin boy who was one of his gang and he wasn’t pleased that a group of girls had heard what the mouthy newcomer had said to him and they were clearly amused.          He had his reputation to think about and he couldn’t let this go, especially in front of Isabel Jolly. 
    ‘You call me Porky once more and I’ll deck you, Jumbo,’ Porky growled back, his face red and angry looking.
    ‘I’m sorry I won't call you Porky again,’ Jamie apologised.
    The bully looked pleased that he had gained the upper hand, feeling that the newcomer was a wimp after all.  The girls looked disappointed, but they would soon discover that Jamie wasn’t frightened of the school bully.  Well he was, but they wouldn’t get to know that.
    Jamie looked the bully straight in the eyes when he said, ‘I think I’ll call you Blobby instead.’
    Jason Patmore, alias Porky and now the newly christened Blobby was about to give Jamie a shove when he heard the voice of Mr Cookson, the headmaster.
    ‘Jason, it’s nice to see you making friends with the new boy.  Welcome to our school, Jamie.  I’m told that you are an accomplished footballer, so Jason will have some competition for this year’s footballer of the year trophy.’
    The headmaster’s remarks had caused Jason’s chubby face to redden even further.  He was already thinking that he would have to find a way to keep the new kid out of the team.  There would be plenty of opportunity during practice to accidentally break his leg.  Jason was the star of the team and he intended to keep it that way, especially as Isobel Jolly watched most of the matches.
    The headmaster’s voice interrupted Jason’s planning of Jamie’s short career in school football.
     ‘Anyway, Jamie, I’m sure that Jason will show you the ropes later.’
        Jamie was thinking that the only rope that Blobby would show him was one that he would use to hang him with or to drag him around the playground.
    Mr Cookson wished Jamie well and as he turned to walk away Jason gave Jamie a nudge and made it clear that he had unfinished business with him when he said, ‘I’ll see you later, new boy.’
    The