CHAPTER 1 Bananas Lose Appeal For Barnaby What on EARTH is Barnaby wearing Jake said to Alexis Barnaby their classmate was standing near the gate to Bembley Road Sports Club wearing a strange yellow and black outfit that went over his head ending in a pointy hood Underneath he had a face like he’d just eaten a large mouthful of moldy cabbage soup Dunno Alexis said giggling He’s not happy about it though As they reached Barnaby Jake realized it was a banana costume If you laugh I’ll never speak to you again Barnaby growled Ever
Jake kept in a laugh OK I won’t but why are you dressed as a banana Barnaby pointed That’s why Not far off Jake saw a stand with a sign which read That company has put loads of money into the tournament said Barnaby bitterly So Mrs Blunt decided it would be great to have all the student council members dress
up as bananas to promote them Our principal’s evilness knows no bounds Oh so Mrs Blunt made you a council member then asked Jake No I volunteered But I didn’t know I’d have to wear a stupid fruit costume said the angry banana Alexis couldn’t keep a straight face any longer Ha ha Oh Barnaby that’s such bad luck I’d never be seen dead in a banana costume A mean laugh from behind Jake made him turn around Amelia Trotter-Hogg ponytailed pest of Class 5A was standing there a look of evil happiness on her face For once I agree with Alexis Amelia said smirking She turned to Barnaby I thought this was a soccer tournament not a fruit and veggie competition What are you doing here said Barnaby coldly I thought you had Prissypants Pony Club on Saturdays Barnaby shook his banana-head as if flipping a ponytail Amelia glared It’s Priscilla’s Pony Club actually She turned to go then looked back And you’ll find out why I’m here soon enough She marched off Barnaby glared after her It’s her fault I’m dressed like this I’d have been on the team with you guys if she hadn’t told on me You can’t blame Amelia Alexis said You’re the one who put slugs in her lunch box You should have known it would get you a day’s work on the Rockery it was just bad luck that was the day they picked the team A day’s work on the Rockery was the punishment for any student getting three Sad Faces A Sad Face was given for breaking a school rule There were a hundred and forty-one or maybe two school rules so it was quite easy to break one without even knowing you had and Barnaby found it easier than most Jake Alexis Woodstock was walking toward them with a little old man dressed from head to toe in soccer gear The old man’s face was painted in blue and white stripes their team
colors and he was wearing a ball-tipped hat to match He held a megaphone to his mouth WE’RE ON OUR WAY TO BEMBLEY WE’RE GONNA MISS ASSEMBLY DA DAAA DAAA DA DA DAAA DAAA DA Woodstock rolled his eyes Stop it Granddad He turned to the others My granddad’s crazy about soccer In fact he’s just plain crazy Granddad these are my friends SPEAK UP BOY Granddad bellowed into the megaphone Jake’s eardrums shook in pain I said these are my friends Jake and Alexis Woodstock yelled in his ear No need to shout Granddad said I’m not deaf
