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

relying on you.”
    Emily was nervous.
    Nicholas would be arriving at any moment.
    And she was desperately hoping he wouldn’t come.
    She stood in the narrow hallway of her home, looking at her watch. Normally, it would have been fun, having someoneround for tea. She’d always quite liked Nicholas. Hewas one of the quieter ones in the class, like her. She’d found some board games for them to play. And Mum was in the kitchen, cooking them fish fingers and chips. Yes,this should have been fun.
    But it wasn’t going to be fun for Emily. Because Emily had a mission to fulfil. Somehow, at some point during the evening, she had to get Nicholas out of the way and search his schoolbag for the mysterious object. And Emily had no idea how she was going to do it.
    She’d tried and tried to think out a plan. But she wasn’t Kimberley, and nothing had come.
    She shot out of her skin as the doorbell rang.
    That was him.
    She paused for a moment. Took a deep breath. Then she stepped forward and opened the door.
    She stopped and stared. Then a wonderful feeling of relief spread through her.
    Nicholas stood there. In ordinary clothes. Dark trousers, and a rather awful plaid shirt. And there was no sign of his schoolbag.
    â€œSorry I’m late,” he said, with his usual politeness. “I stopped off at home to change. Dump my stuff.”
    Emily could have hugged him, but she settled for a smile. “That’s cool. Come on in.”
    And Nicholas came in.
    Emily’s smile was getting bigger and bigger. This was going to be a fun evening, after all.
    The next morning was not quite so fun.
    Kimberley and Sophie stood on the netball court with Emily, looking like the Ugly Sisters confronting Cinderella.
    â€œI knew it!” Kimberley was saying furiously. “I knew you’d mess it up.”
    â€œIt’s not her fault he didn’t bring his bag,” Sophie ventured.
    Kimberley incinerated her with a glance.
    â€œNow that boy Liam’s going to find out first!” She made the discovery of what was in Nicholas’s bag sound as important as a bid for the Olympics. She paused. “We’ll have to think of something else.”
    â€œOh, well…” Emily started to move away.
    Kimberley stared at her, like a general finding half his army had gone off for tea.
    â€œWhere are you going?”
    â€œTalk to Nicholas.” Emily gave Kimberley a big smile. “I’d love to stop and talk, but…” She turned away from the bigger girls. “See you.”
    Kimberley stared, dumbfounded, as Emily walked away and left her standing there.
    Sophie stifled a smile.
    Most of the class went to Liam’s party.
    Nicholas sat on a bench, enjoying a hot dog amidst the noise and frenzied activity of World of Go-Cart.
    On the go-cart track, Justin had somehow managed to crash his car into Kimberley’s, and a furious row was going on.
    Watching the scene, sitting next to Nicholas, Emily smiled slightly.
    She turned to him.
    â€œI enjoyed the other night,” she said quietly.
    â€œYes.” Nicholas gave her a brief smile. “Me too.”
    Liam came over and sat down next to them, taking a break from driving. The birthday boy had sweat on his brow and ketchup round his mouth. He was looking a bit cross.
    â€œI still think Justin had right of way!” He looked at his classmates. “Having fun?”
    Kimberley came storming over to them.
    â€œI don’t care what he says, that Justin was driving straight at me!” She glared at Liam. “We’re meant to be on go-carts, not dodgems!”
    She grabbed Emily by the arm.
    â€œCome on. We need to sort this out!”
    Helplessly, Emily allowed herself to be led away towards the track.
    Liam grinned. He shuffled closer to Nicholas. He paused, rather awkwardly.
    â€œNick…” he said slowly.
    â€œMm?” Nicholas looked at him innocently.
    â€œThat thing,” Liam went