CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

BROTHER NUMBER FIVE

Jonny was glad to go to school. His mum suggested he take the day off, after being sick, but he felt relieved to have swapped Alfie and keen to get back to something close to normal life. After an eventful weekend of brother swapping, it was good to see his friends again.

‘How is it going?’ George asked when the two boys were alone. ‘With your new brother?’

‘Brothers, more like,’ Jonny said. ‘It’s not gone quite to plan. I’ve had more than one.’

‘What, like four or something?’ said George.

Jonny paused, counted on his fingers and looked at George. ‘How did you guess?’ he said. ‘Yes, I’ve had four and the fifth is coming later. I don’t know, George, it feels quite tricky. I’ve been sent a lot of funny matches and it’s quite hard work. You’re lucky not having any brothers or sisters. Much simpler!’

George looked a little worried and patted his friend’s arm, then the two of them went into class.

School was a busy, happy distraction from brother-related problems, but as Jonny walked home later that day his thoughts turned to Sibling Swap again. Who would the Swap ops send him this time? He crossed his fingers and hoped hard that the next brother would also be the final one.

Jonny hadn’t been home long when the doorbell rang. There was a new brother standing there, with a bag over his shoulder. He was taller than Jonny, with dark hair. He had big brown eyes, like a beautiful Jersey cow, but their expression was sulky, cross and a tiny bit scary.

‘I’m Pete,’ he said. ‘From Sibling Swap.’

‘Great!’ said Jonny. ‘Come in.’ Then, just to be sure Pete wasn’t Alfie mark II, he added, ‘Bet you can’t throw that bag all the way to the end of the hall.’

Pete frowned. ‘It’s OK,’ he said. ‘I’ll carry it.’

Phew! thought Jonny, Now time to check his age. He looks a bit older than me.

‘I’m nine,’ said Pete.

‘Me too!’ said Jonny. ‘But I’m nearly ten, in about four weeks.’

‘My birthday is ages away,’ said Pete.

Great! thought Jonny. We’re both nine and, even though Pete is much bigger than me, ­I am actually older than him. This is all working out well so far.

‘This is my mum,’ said Jonny, introducing them as she came out of the kitchen. ‘Is it OK if Pete stays the night? Maybe he could have Ted’s room?’

‘It’s Tuesday. Isn’t Ted back from school?’ she asked.

‘No,’ said Jonny.

He was desperately trying to think of another reason for Ted being absent.

‘No?’ said his mum.

‘Yes,’ said Jonny.

‘Yes or no?’

‘Ted went on that trip thing, didn’t he? It started today and runs all week. The school organised it.’

Jonny’s mum looked blank.

‘It’s that adventure sports and pastry-making residential thing. They all go on it in year eight. Maybe Dad got the letter about it.’

Jonny’s mum frowned.

‘Really?’ she sighed. ‘I’ll check the school website later. Wish I’d seen the letter. Maybe I did, though, and just forgot. I can’t remember. Never mind.’

While his Mum was lost in thought, Jonny began pushing Pete up the stairs, desperate to avoid any more questions from her.

‘Oh well, this means there’s plenty of room for your friend. You’re welcome to stay, Pete.’

‘This will be your room,’ Jonny said, ignoring the sign on the door and showing Pete into Ted’s bedroom.

Pete had a quick look round and then sat silently down on the bed.

‘Did you see my list of likes on the Sibling Swap form?’ Jonny asked.

Pete shook his head.

‘So, I like riding my bike,’ said Jonny. ‘How about you?’

Pete shook his head quickly. ‘Nope.’

‘That’s OK, because I also really like swimming …’

Pete shook his head again. ‘I don’t.’

‘Messing about?’ tried Jonny.

‘No!’ said Pete.

‘Doughnuts?’

‘Yuck!’ said Pete, pulling a face. ‘I don’t eat doughnuts.’

Odd, thought Jonny. What kind of person doesn’t eat doughnuts?

‘I also put down that I like computer games,’ said Jonny.

At this, Pete looked up at Jonny and, finally, smiled.

‘Do you have an Xbox?’ Pete asked.

‘Sure,’ said Jonny. ‘Shall we play for a bit? Then maybe we could take Widget to the Common or …’

Pete had already pushed past Jonny and was on his way downstairs. Before Jonny even made it into the living room, he could hear the Xbox loading. Pete was staring intently at the screen. He didn’t seem to notice that Widget was licking his face.

‘Let’s go, er, whoever you are,’ said Pete. ‘Two player!’

‘It’s Jonny …’ said Jonny. ‘I’m your new brother.’

Pete said nothing. He was already shooting aliens. Jonny shrugged. Pete would learn his name soon, of course he would. In the meantime, there were aliens to take care of.

Jonny picked up his controller and the two new brothers began to play.