Neville twitched in his sleep. He was dreaming about being Super Neville, sidekick to his favourite television hero, Captain Brilliant.
‘NEEEOOOOORRR!’ he shouted, dreaming out loud. Super Neville was soaring through the clouds, wearing his green pants of power, defeating bad guys on all sides as easily as squishing ants. He snorted, then smiled. It was great being Super Nevi–
SLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPP!!!
A grey-green hand swished through the air and swatted Neville straight across the face. He woke up, gasping and flailing his arms and legs like an upturned tortoise.
‘Ugh! Who’s there?’
‘GET UP!’ a voice grunted in the darkness as a sausage-finger poked Neville in the ribs. ‘Oy!’
Neville reached over to the bedside table and fumbled for his glasses. He put them on, still not sure whether he was awake or dreaming, then flicked on the lamp.
‘AAAAAAAGH!!’ Neville nearly jumped out of his pyjamas as the sight of his enormous troll-sister, Rubella, flashed into view. Her face was so close their noses were almost touching. ‘Oh! Rubella, what are you doing here?’
‘Shut up, scab!’ Rubella said and leered a wonky, wart-covered grimace … then smiled. ‘D’you know I’ve been waiting to say that for yonkers.’