Jack arrives at the play centre with his mum and dad.
One by one, the kids from Jack’s class arrive.
They are all very excited.
‘This is awesome, Jack!’ shouts Sam. He gives Jack a present. Then he runs over to the tunnel slide. Benny and Alex are already sliding down at top speed.
‘Wow, cool place!’ says Tracey. She gives Jack a present, too. Then she runs over to the ball pit.
She and Ella sink into the coloured balls.
Jack feels very proud. No-one in his class has ever had a party as cool as this!
Soon the play centre is very busy and very noisy. Jack feels a little bit nervous. It feels strange not to have Billie around.
When Billie is with him, Jack feels brave enough to do anything!
Just then, Benny runs over. He has a grin as big as a whale. ‘Hey, Jack!’ he yells. ‘Come and play! Alex is It!’
Jack feels a little bubble of excitement in his tummy. ‘OK,’ he says.
‘Let’s go!’
Jack follows Benny.
They run over to the play equipment. Alex is chasing Mika and Ella.
Alex tags Ella on the shoulder. ‘You’re It!’ he shouts.
Ella runs straight towards Jack. But Jack is too fast. He swings up onto the play equipment to get away. Then he slides down the long tunnel slide.
When he pops out the other side, Ella is waiting for him. She tags him before he can get away.
‘Jack’s It!’ she shouts and quickly climbs up a ladder.
Jack laughs and runs after Tracey. She jumps into the ball pit and balls fly everywhere!
Jack and his friends play chasey until his mum calls them for cake.
Everybody is laughing and puffing so hard that they can hardly sing the birthday song.
‘This is the best party ever!’ says Ella.
She takes a huge bite of chocolate cake.
‘Sure is!’ says Alex. ‘Thanks so much for inviting us.’
‘Yeah,’ Tracey agrees. ‘It’s so great you could invite the whole class.
Everyone is here!’ She helps herself to a piece of fairy bread.
‘There’s one piece of cake left,’ Jack’s mum says. ‘Anyone want seconds?’
‘Me, please!’ says Sam. He licks his lips.
‘It’s super yummy!’
Everyone laughs. Especially Jack.
He looks at his classmates and smiles.
Ella is right, he thinks. This is the best party ever!
