Free Hot Prospect by Cindy Jefferies Page B

excitement, he didn’t have time. His father suggested going out for a celebration supper, and it was late when they got back.
    Roddy said goodnight and went up to his room. He still couldn’t believe it. He wasn’t going to start at Valley Comp in a few weeks’ time. He didn’t need to care about what a huge school it was, and if he was good enough for the football team. He was
too
good for it. That was the truth. He was so good thatStadium School wanted him to go there instead!
    He pulled out his phone, and looked at the time. Bryn might not be asleep yet. He really ought to call and let him know – it would be mean not to. And then he caught his breath. Of course! He’d invited Bryn round in the morning to play computer games. They wouldn’t be able to do that now because he was going shopping instead. Now he really
had
to phone him.
    After a few moments Bryn answered Roddy’s call.
    â€œWhat?” he said in a sleepy voice.
    â€œSorry,” said Roddy. “Were you asleep?”
    â€œSort of,” said Bryn. “It doesn’t matter. What do you want?”
    â€œIt’s just that we can’t go on the computer tomorrow,” Roddy told him awkwardly. “I have to go shopping instead.”
    â€œOh, never mind,” said Bryn. “We can do it some other time.”
    â€œTrue,” admitted Roddy slowly. “It’s just that I’ve got to get my school stuff, and tomorrow’s the best day.”
    â€œOh, right.”
    There was a pause.
    â€œSo you got a letter then?” Bryn asked at last.
    â€œYes,” said Roddy. “It was waiting for me when I got home from the recreation ground.”
    There was another pause and then Bryn’s voice came accusingly down the phone.
    â€œYou could have phoned me before,” he said crossly. “I’ve been really worried about going to Valley Comp on my own. If it’d been me, I’d have told you straight away. Sorry you didn’t get in though,” he added after a moment.
    â€œNo, it’s not that,” said Roddy quickly.“I
did
get in. That’s just it. I’m going to Stadium School on September 2nd!”
    There was a long silence down the phone.
    â€œAre you still there?” Roddy asked anxiously.
    â€œYes,” said Bryn. His voice sounded very flat. Then it lifted, as if he was making a big effort. “Well, congratulations,” he said. “You must be really pleased.”
    â€œI am,” said Roddy, feeling terrible for his friend. “Look, come round tomorrow afternoon will you? We can play on the computer then. OK?”
    â€œMaybe,” said Bryn. “Well, OK. I will. Look, I do mean it. Congratulations and all that. It’s just a bit of a shock,” he explained. “Don’t get me wrong, but I thought you hadn’t done it.”
    â€œMe, too,” agreed Roddy, grateful that Bryn was coming round. “I was
sure
I hadn’t.”
    â€œYou’ll have to give me your autograph,” said Bryn. “Before you go.”
    â€œDon’t be soft,” said Roddy, trying not to laugh. “Who’d want my autograph?”
    â€œWhen you’re famous,” said Bryn. “I want to be able to say that I knew you first, that I got the first autograph of the great Roddy Jones.”
    â€œIdiot,” said Roddy.
    â€œLoser,” said Bryn.
    â€œNight then.”
    â€œNight.”
    Roddy snapped his phone shut and smiled to himself. Everything was OK. Bryn was still his mate, even if they weren’t going to the same school.
    Roddy was just about to get into bed when he noticed something on his desk. He went over and picked it up. It was the Lucky Bag he’d bought that afternoon. It seemed alifetime ago. He looked at it and tossed it back onto his desk. He didn’t need a Lucky Bag any more.

    September 2nd finally arrived. It was a Sunday, so the whole family was able to