The War of Jenkins' Ear: Part 4

By MICHAEL MORPURGO

The carriage was unnaturally quiet when he got back. 'And this,' said Simpson, 'is Jinks. He's been blubbing. He always blubs at the beginning of term. Say hello, Jinks.'

Until then Toby hadn't noticed him. There was a boy sitting in his seat by the window, a boy he had never seen before. His hair was longer than you were allowed at Redlands.

'He's a new bug,' said Simpson. The new boy moved up a bit so that Toby could sit down beside him.

'He's called Christopher,' Simpson went on.'Christopher what?' Toby asked.

'Simon Christopher,' said the new boy quietly and he turned away to look out of the window.'

Per jesum Christum dominum nostrum. Amen.' Shepherd's pie, cabbage, and after that it would be rice-pudding. Toby liked rice-pudding, especially the skin. The first supper was always the same.

Price: $14.95

Publisher: Mammoth

Age group: 10 plus years