Horrid Henry Goes to Work

Horrid Henry Goes to Work “ It's your turn! ” “ No, it's yours! ” “ Yours! ” “ Yours! ” “ I took Henry last year! ” said Mum. Dad paused. “ Are you sure?” “ YES, ” said Mum. “ Are you sure you're sure?” said Dad. He looked pale. “ Of course I'm sure! ” said Mum. “ How could I forget?”

Tomorrow was take your child to work day. Mum wanted to take Peter. Dad wanted to take Peter. Unfortunately, someone had to take Henry. Only today Dad's boss had said how much he was looking forward to meeting Dad's lovely son. “ Of course I'll be bringing my boy, Bill, ” said Big Boss. “ He's a great kid. Good as gold. Smart as a whip. Superb footballer. Brilliant at maths. Plays trumpet like a genius. Perfect manners. Yep, I sure am proud of Bill. ”

Dad tried not to hate Bill. He failed. “ Now listen, Henry, " said Dad. “ You're coming to work with me tomorrow. I'm warning you, my boss is bringing his son. From what I hear he's perfect. ” “ Like me?” said Peter. “ I'd love to meet him. We could swap good deed ideas! Do you think he'd like to join my Best Boys Club?” “ You're going to Mum's work, ” said Dad sadly. “ I'm taking Henry. ” “ Cool! ” said Henry. A day out of school! A day at the office! “ I want to play computer games. And eat doughnuts! And surf the web! ”

“ NO! ” said Dad. “ An office is a place where people work. I want perfect behaviour. My boss is very strict. Don't let me down, Henry. ” “ Of course I won't, ” said Horrid Henry. He was outraged. How could Dad think such a thing? The only trouble was, how could Henry have any fun with a boring goody-goody like Bill around? “ Remember what I said, Henry, " said Dad the next morning, as they arrived at his office. “ Be nice to Bill. Do what he says. He's the boss's son. Try to be as good as he is. ” “ All right, " said Henry sourly. Dad's boss came to welcome them. “ Ah, you must be Henry! ” said Big Boss. “ This is my son, Bill. ”

“ So pleased to meet you, Henry, " said Bossy Bill. “ Huh, " grunted Horrid Henry. He looked at Bossy Bill. He was wearing a jacket and tie. His face was gleaming. His shoes were so polished Henry could see his dirty face in them. Just his luck to get stuck all day with boring old Bossy Bill. “ Right, boys, your first job is to make tea for everyone in the meeting room, " said Big Boss. “ Do I have to?” said Horrid Henry. “ Henry! ” said Dad. “ Yes, ” said Big Boss. “ That's six teas, one sugar in each. ” “ Gee thanks, Dad! ” said Bossy Bill. “ I love making tea. ” “ Whoopee, " muttered Horrid Henry. Big Boss beamed and left the room. Horrid Henry was alone with Bossy Bill.