4
Worse Than Homework?
The next day at school Flip and Zeb arrived late. When they came into the classroom, Mr Hemingdrake leaned in close to them both and whispered, “See me after class” in the very serious voice he normally only used for discussing ‘considerate behaviour’. Flip and Zeb looked at each other, worried they were in Big Trouble.
Even though Zeb usually loved Mr Hemingdrake’s class, that day the lessons seem to last an age. Worrying about being in Big Trouble made everything feel awkward and strange, like when your uncle shows up to a nice formal dinner and starts telling rude jokes and spitting chunks of meatloaf everywhere.
When class finally finished, Zeb and Flip timidly tip-toed over to Mr Hemingdrake’s desk.
“Good heavens! The two of you look like you’ve just found
