CHAPTER FOUR

MEET MERVYN

Jonny sped down the stairs and yanked the front door open. Standing on the mat was a small boy, roughly the same age as Jonny, with blond hair and a big smile.

‘Hello,’ said Jonny.

‘Hello,’ said the boy.

‘Are you … ?’ said Jonny.

‘That’s right!’ said the boy.

‘Come to be my new …’

‘Yes!’ said the boy.

‘Great!’ said Jonny.

‘I know!’ said the boy. ‘I’m really …’

‘Me too!’

Both boys were grinning now, like their faces had been stretched. Widget sat between them, looking from one to the other.

‘He’s nice,’ said the boy, pointing at Widget. ‘Doesn’t talk much, does he?’

‘Talk much? No, s’pose not. He can bark, though, can’t he?’

‘Can he? Of course,’ said the boy. ‘Can I come in?’

‘Oh crumbs, sorry, yes,’ said Jonny. ‘Hang on! What’s your name?’

‘Mervyn,’ said the boy.

‘Cool name!’ said Jonny. ‘Welcome, Mervyn. I’m Jonny. This is Widget. Let’s have some milk to celebrate.’

Mervyn followed Jonny into the kitchen. He couldn’t stop smiling. He had actually got himself a new brother and, so far, the new brother was great. Nice blond hair. A big smile. Slightly odd clothes, like he’d borrowed them from someone who was cool three decades ago, but whatever. The main thing was that Mervyn was pleased to see Jonny, which was refreshing. Ted was never pleased to see Jonny.

‘So what do you like to do?’ Jonny asked. ‘I love riding bikes and swimming. Probably those are my best things.’

‘Me too!’ said Mervyn. ‘Well, swimming, anyway. I’ve never tried riding a bike.’

Jonny spat out his milk in surprise. ‘Never ridden a bike?’ he spluttered.

‘No,’ said Mervyn.

‘Not even once?’

‘Well, we, er, just don’t go in for bikes where I’m from.’

‘Where are you from? Bonkersville? A weird alternate universe where there are no bikes at all anywhere?’

‘Erm … kind of. You’re close,’ said Mervyn.

‘You’re not from outer space, are you?’ Jonny asked, grinning.

‘No!’ said Mervyn, giggling. ‘That would be silly!’

‘Yes, that would be silly,’ agreed Jonny and the two boys laughed.

‘It’s fine, anyway,’ Jonny continued, thinking. ‘My mum’s Auntie Bee has never learned to drive a car and she’s sixty-two, and she’s never had a Jaffa Cake. I offered her one once but she wouldn’t even try it.’

‘What’s a Jaffa Cake?’ Mervyn asked.

Jonny stared at him for a split second, but decided to move on. He’d had an idea.

‘I know!’ he said. ‘I can teach you to ride a bike.’

‘Really?’ said Mervyn. ‘Would you do that for me?’

‘Absolutely, brother!’ said Jonny. ‘That’s what brothers do for each other. Well, nice brothers anyway. And I’m definitely a nice one, promise! Come on, let’s try right now!’