CHAPTER 6

Dad was about the Talent Quest.

We couldn’t wait to see him dance!

The announcer stepped up on the stage and everyone in the crowd went quiet.

Mum looked straight at me.

‘No,’ I said, ‘not me!

Roger should do it. He’s cute!

Everyone will love him, even if he doesn’t get the moves right!’

‘My vote’s for Weir,’ said Dad.

‘Me too,’ said Sally.

‘Me three,’ said Granddad.

Oh yeah, did I mention

Roger can’t say Weir yet? Every time he tries, it comes out sounding like ‘Wee’.

Mum took off her paper plate hat and put it on me.

The first act was Helga, the Samples Lady from the grocery store. Remember her?

She sang with her sausage dog and its thirteen puppies!

The dogs were soooooooooo cute!

Henry’s twin brothers were up next.

They had prepared a

ballet

routine.

They spun around all over the stage and even ended with one twin picking the other twin up!

Then it was our turn.

Dad decided that because we were a pair of Dos, our dance act should be called

THE DODOs.

I didn’t think this was a great idea because:

a. Dodos aren’t very good dancers

b. Dodos are extinct

Oh well …

I followed Dad up onto the stage.

I was REALLY nervous, but he wasn’t.

Everyone was looking at us.

The music began and I started to sweat.

I spotted Bella and her mum in the crowd.

Dad looked over at me and tipped his hat.

I tipped mine back.

And then we danced …

The crowd laughed and laughed.

I didn’t really know if they were meant to be laughing, but it didn’t matter because

they LOVED us!

They cheered so loudly the whole time! I think they especially loved Dad’s sprinkler and shopping trolley.

And they really liked our itchy bottom squirrel!

It was so much fun!

After us, there were a bunch of other cool acts … and then it was time to announce the winners.

Dad’s great at dancing.

And I guess I’m not so bad either.

It took ages filling up the car with our winnings—

TWO years’ supply

of dog food!

Once it was all in there, we could barely fit!

‘What are we going to do with it all?’ asked Granddad, after we’d finally

squeezed into the car.

‘We’ll think of something,’ said Mum.