Матильда
Throwing the Hammer
Butyou’retoosmallandstupidtohavereadtheJustSoStories,aren’tyou?"
"I’vereadthem,"Matildasaid.
"You’realiar,"Hortensiasaidamiably."Youcan’tevenreadyet.Butnomatter.SowhentheTrunchbullsatdownontheGoldenSyrup,thesquelchwasbeautiful.Andwhenshejumpedupagain,thechairsortofstucktotheseatofthoseawfulgreenbreechesshewearsandcameupwithherforafewsecondsuntilthethicksyrupslowlycameunstuck.Thensheclaspedherhandstotheseatofherbreechesandbothhandsgotcoveredinthemuck.Youshouldhaveheardherbellow."
"Buthowdidsheknowitwasyou?"Lavenderasked."AlittlesquirtcalledOllieBogwhistlesneakedonme,"Hortensiasaid."Iknockedhisfrontteethout."
"AndtheTrunchbullputyouinTheChokeyforawholeday?"Matildaasked,gulping.
"Alldaylong,"Hortensiasaid."Iwasoffmyrockerwhensheletmeout.Iwasbabblinglikeanidiot."
"WhatweretheotherthingsyoudidtogetputinTheChokey?"Lavenderasked.
"OhIcan’trememberthemallnow,"Hortensiasaid.Shespokewiththeairofanoldwarriorwhohasbeeninsomanybattlesthatbraveryhasbecomecommonplace."It’sallsolongago,"sheadded,stuffingmorecrispsintohermouth."Ahyes,Icanrememberone.Here’swhathappened.IchoseatimewhenIknewtheTrunchbullwasoutofthewayteachingthesixth-formers,andIputupmyhandandaskedtogotothebogs.Butinsteadofgoingthere,IsneakedintotheTrunchbull’sroom.
