The Alien in the Garage and Other Stories Read Free Page A

Emily, the most timid member of Kimberley’s band, put in quietly.
    Kimberley ignored her.
    â€œI want to find out.” When Kimberley said she wanted something, there were no arguments. She smiled slightly. “Think I know how.”
    Break came.
    Juniper Class, along with everyone else, filed out into the yard.
    Break time was normally a time Nicholas hated. He would either be standing in a corner on his own, or surrounded by the other kids, Liam’s gang especially, who would take the mickey out of him.
    For some reason, today things seemed to be different. As soon as he went outside, there were Liam and his mates. But they seemed oddly friendly.
    â€œYou all right, Nick?” Liam gave Nicholas a grin, which was rather scarier than his usual look. “Come round with us?”
    Nicholas allowed himself to be led away to the playing field, where Liam and co. usually met.
    â€œLike a crisp?” Justin never liked delays on the food. He ripped open the bag and held it out to Nicholas. “New kind. Roast beef and parsnip flavour. They’re dead nice.”
    â€œOh.” Uncertainly, Nicholas took one. “Thank you.”
    â€œHave some chocolate, too.” Ben shared his own snack with the newest member of the gang.
    They stood on the rough grass in silence for a moment or so.
    â€œWe were wondering what was in your bag,” Justin said abruptly. “Aaargghh!”
    He grabbed his ankle at a sudden pain.
    â€œOh!” Liam smiled angelically, and moved his foot. “Sorry.” He addressed Nicholas. “Don’t listen to him. He’s a professional idiot. We just thought we’d like to talk to you. No sense, you always standing there on your own.”
    â€œIt’s nothing anyway,” Nicholas put in. “Nothing interesting.”
    â€œâ€˜Course not,” Liam agreed. He gave Justin a look that said: You’re dead .
    There was another awkward silence.
    Eventually Liam spoke again.
    â€œHey Nick…I’m…having a few mates round to mine, after school. You can…come along, if you like.”
    â€œOh.” Nicholas shrugged. “Thanks.”
    â€œAnd bring your schoolbag,” Justin finished. “Ow!”
    He doubled up in pain, at another correction from his leader.
    Over by the hopscotch grid, an argument was taking place.
    â€œI don’t see why it has to be me!” Emily was saying wildly.
    â€œHe likes you,” Kimberley said firmly. “You get on with him.”
    â€œI don’t even know him that well!” poor Emily protested.
    â€œYou’re the only one.” Sophie stuck up for her leader, as ever. “He’s not going to fancy Kimberley, is he?”
    Kimberley shot her a look.
    â€œBut on a date!” Emily cried.
    â€œNot a date exactly,” Kimberley said. “Just invite him over to yours, for tea. Today.”
    â€œI’ve got Guides tonight!” Emily objected.
    â€œAll right then,” Kimberley said. “Tomorrow. Get him to yours, straight from school. Then all you’ve got to do is find the moment…and search his bag.”
    Kimberley sniffed.
    â€œTeach him to be so secretive.”
    Emily looked dumbfounded.
    Not for the first time, she was starting to think Kimberley was just a bit mad.
    Nicholas suddenly seemed to be popular everywhere. After school, everyone stared in amazement at the sight of him leaving at the centre of Liam’s gang, in pride of place. Very few boys made it there.
    The stories went around the school quickly, as they always did. Nicholas had been round to Liam’s, with the rest of the gang, for pizza. He’d been invited to Liam’s birthday party, at World of Go-Cart. And the next morning, another story was round the Breakfast Club before you could say “toast”.
    Emily had asked Nicholas on a date.
    Or at least, for tea.
    â€œAnd remember,” Kimberley said to her firmly. “We’re