Rupert

"What time is our Susie's new boyfriend comin' then?" asked
Peter.

"Oh, about six o'clock, I think," answered Peter's mother.

"What's his name, then?" asked Peter.

"Rupert," replied his mother.

"RUPERT. You mean Susie's going out with a boy that's got the same name
as my rabbit?"

"Yes, and you had better be nice to him. This is a special day for your
sister," warned Peter's mother.

Peter looked up at his mother, smiled sweetly and said, "yes mum. Of
course I'll be good."

At about five to six the doorbell rang. Susie ran to the door. She was
giggling, like a fool. AND she had lipstick all over her mouth.
"Humph," Peter muttered under his breath. Susie opened the door. She
brought her new boyfriend into the sitting room. Peter was pretending
to watch the television. Peter looked up. He couldn't believe it!
Susie's boyfriend looked like his rabbit. His nose twitched when he
spoke. His ears wiggled when he listened. But it was his teeth. They
stuck out just like his rabbit's teeth.

Peter put his hand over his mouth. He had to, to stop himself from
laughing. His giggles were just about to escape, when his mother called
out."Tea's ready, everyone," she shouted. Peter and the rest of the
family sat down at the table. His mother ladled soup from a large soup
bowl.

"M..u...m," said Peter, "why are you using that posh dish for the soup?
You usually dish it up straight from the pot."

Peter's mother shot him a warning glance and carried on serving the
soup. Peter picked up his spoon and accidentally, on purpose, spilled
most of it on his jumper. "Oooops, sorry," he said. He looked up to see
his father, mother and sister glaring at him.

Rupert just sat there stiffly, not saying anything at all.

Peter looked at everybody, then he stood up. "Rupert doesn't look very
well," he said.

"Yes he does," replied Susie.

"Em, no he doesn't," answered Peter. "His ears look a bit floppy,"
Peter added.

"No, they don't, and you can stop being so personal," said Susie
angrily.

"AND," carried on Peter, ignoring his sister's spluttering, "his nose
is running."

"MUM," shouted Susie angrily. "Tell Peter to stop this and to apologize
to Rupert."

"Peter, stop this rudeness this instant. Now apologize to Rupert
immediately," commanded Peter's mother.

Peter smiled angelically, and with what he hoped was a convincing tone
in his voice replied, "but mum, Rupert my rabbit is poorly. His ears
are floppy and his nose is running. You didn't think I was talking
about Susie's boyfriend. Did you?"Peter sat down, and finished his tea
without saying another word.

THE END