Horrid Henry and the Scary Sitter (3 page)

They’d all be sorry.

Dad came into the living room. He was holding a large shopping bag.

“Henry, I’ve got some work to finish so I’m going to let you hand out treats to any trick-or-treaters.”

Horrid Henry stopped plotting his revenge. Had Dad gone crazy? Hand out treats? What kind of punishment was this? Horrid Henry fought to keep a big smile off his face.

“Here’s the Halloween stuff, Henry,” said Dad. He handed Henry the heavy bag. “But remember,” he added sternly, “these treats are not for you: they’re to give away.”

Yeah, right, thought Henry.

“OK, Dad,” he said as meekly as he could. “Whatever you say.”

Dad went back to the kitchen. Now was his chance! Horrid Henry leapt on the bag. Wow, was it full! He’d grab all the good stuff, throw back anything yucky with lime or peppermint, and he’d have enough candy to keep him going for at least a week!

Henry yanked open the bag. A terrible sight met his eyes. The bag was full of oranges. And apples. And walnuts in their shells. No wonder his horrible parents had trusted him to be in charge of it.

Ding dong.

Slowly, Horrid Henry heaved his heavy bones to the door. There was his empty, useless trick-or-treat bag, sitting forlornly by the entrance. Henry gave it a kick, then opened the door and glared.

“Whaddya want?” snapped Horrid Henry.

“Trick-or-treat,” whispered Weepy William. He was dressed as a pirate.

Horrid Henry held out the bag of horrors.

“Grab bag!” he announced. “Close your eyes for a big surprise!”

William certainly would be surprised at what a rotten treat he’d be getting.

Weepy William put down his swag bag, closed his eyes tight, then plunged his hand into Henry’s grab bag. He rummaged and he rummaged and he rummaged, hoping to find something better than oranges.

Horrid Henry eyed Weepy William’s bulging swag bag.

Go on Henry, urged the bag. He’ll never notice.

Horrid Henry did not wait to be asked twice.

Dip!

Zip!

Pop!

Horrid Henry grabbed a big handful of William’s candy and popped them inside his empty bag.

Weepy William opened his eyes.

“Did you take some of my candy?”

“No,” said Henry.

William peeked inside his bag and burst into tears.

“Waaaaaaaa!” wailed William. “Henry took—”

Henry pushed him out and slammed the door.

Dad came running.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” said Henry. “Just William crying ’cause he’s scared of pumpkins.”

Phew, thought Henry. That was close. Perhaps he had been a little too greedy.

Ding dong.

It was Lazy Linda wearing a pillowcase over her head. Gorgeous Gurinder was with her, dressed as a scarecrow.

“Trick-or-treat!”

“Trick-or-treat!”

“Close your eyes for a big surprise!” said Henry, holding out the grab bag.

“Ooh, a grab bag!” squealed Linda.

Lazy Linda and Gorgeous Gurinder put down their bags, closed their eyes, and reached into the grab bag.

Dip!

Zip!

Pop!

Dip!

Zip!

Pop!

Lazy Linda opened her eyes.

“You give the worst treats ever, Henry,” said Linda, gazing at her walnut in disgust.

“We won’t be coming back
here
,” sniffed Gorgeous Gurinder.

Tee hee, thought Horrid Henry.

Ding dong.

It was Beefy Bert. He was wearing a robot costume.

“Hi Bert, got any good candy?” asked Henry.

“I dunno,” said Beefy Bert.

Horrid Henry soon found out that he did. Lots and lots and lots. So did Moody Margaret, Sour Susan, Jolly Josh, and Tidy Ted. Soon Henry’s bag was stuffed with treats.

Ding dong.

Horrid Henry opened the door.

“Boo,” said Atomic Bunny.

Henry’s candy bag! Help! Mom would see it!

“Eeeeek!” screeched Horrid Henry. “Help! Save me!”

Quickly, he ran upstairs clutching his bag and hid it safely under his bed. Phew, that was close.

“Don’t be scared, Henry, it’s only me,” called Perfect Peter.

Horrid Henry came back downstairs.

“No!” said Henry. “I’d never have known.”

“Really?” said Peter.

“Really,” said Henry.

“Everyone just gave candy this year,” said Perfect Peter. “Yuck.”

Horrid Henry held out the grab bag.

“Ooh, an orange,” said Peter. “Aren’t I lucky!”

“I hope you’ve learned your lesson, Henry,” said Mom sternly.

“I certainly have,” said Horrid Henry, eyeing Perfect Peter’s bulging bag.

“Good things come to those who wait.”