Horrid Henry and the Scary Sitter (9 page)

That should take a few hours. He settled himself on the toilet seat and got out a comic.

“Or you could just crawl underneath the partition into the next stall,” said Dad.

Aaargghh. Henry could have burst into tears. Wasn’t it just his rotten luck to try

to get locked in a restroom that had gaps on the sides? Henry didn’t really want to be wriggling around on the cold floor. Sighing, he gave the stall door a tug and opened it.

Horrid Henry sat in silence for the rest of the trip. He was so depressed he didn’t even protest when Peter demanded his turn on the left. Plus, he felt car sick.

Henry rolled down his window.

“Mom!” said Peter. “I’m cold.”

Dad turned the heat on.

“Having the heat on makes me feel sick,” said Henry.

“I’m going to be sick!” whimpered Peter.

“I’m going to be sick,” whined Henry.

“But we’re almost there,” screeched Mom. “Can’t you hold on until—”

Bleeeechh. Peter threw up all over Mom. Bleeeechhh. Henry threw up all over Dad. The car pulled into the driveway.

Mom and Dad staggered out of the car to Polly’s front door.

“We survived,” said Mom, mopping her dress.

“Thank God that’s over,” said Dad, mopping his shirt.

Horrid Henry scuffed his feet sadly behind them. Despite all his hard work, he’d lost the battle. While Rude Ralph and Dizzy Dave and Jolly Josh were dashing around spraying each other with green goo later this afternoon he’d be stuck at a boring party with lots of grown-ups yak yak yaking. Oh misery!

Ding dong.

The door opened. It was Prissy Polly. She was in her bathrobe and slippers. She carried a stinky, smelly, wailing baby over her shoulder. Pimply Paul followed. He was wearing a filthy T-shirt with vomit down the front.

“Eeeek,” squeaked Polly.

Mom tried to look as if she had not been through hell and barely lived to tell the tale.

“We’re here!” said Mom brightly. “How’s the lovely baby?”

“Too prissy,” said Polly.

“Too pimply,” said Paul.

Polly and Paul looked at Mom and Dad.

“What are you doing here?” said Polly finally.

“We’re here for the christening,” said Mom.

“Vera’s christening?” said Polly.

“It’s
next
weekend,” said Paul.

Mom looked like she wanted to sag to the floor.

Dad looked like he wanted to sag beside her.

“We’ve come on the wrong day?” whispered Mom.

“You mean, we have to go and come back?” whispered Dad.

“Yes,” said Polly.

“Oh no,” said Mom.

“Oh no,” said Dad.

“Bleeech,” vomited Vera.

“Eeeek!” wailed Polly. “Gotta go.”

She slammed the door.

“You mean, we can go home?” said Henry. “Now?”

“Yes,” whispered Mom.

“Whoopee!” screamed Henry. “Hang on, Ralph, here I come!”

Aerobic Al

Anxious Andrew

Aunt Ruby
      

Beefy Bert
      

Bossy Bill
      

Brainy Brian

Clever Clare
      

Dad
      

Dizzy Dave