The World of David Walliams 3 Book Collection. David Walliams

not your colour Dennis,” she continued. “With your light hair you would probably look better in a pastel colour like pink or baby blue.”

      “Um… thank you, said Dennis.”

      “My pleasure, you can come to me anytime for style advice. Now come on, Darvesh, eat up. I’ll just go and start the car,” she said as she left the room.

      “Your mum’s cool,” said Dennis. “I love her!”

      “I love her too but she’s nuts!” said Darvesh with a laugh. “So are you going to come and watch the game then? Everyone will be there.”

      “I don’t know…”

      “I know it will be a bit weird for you, but come with us. It won’t be the same without you. We need you there, Dennis, if only to cheer us on. Please?”

      “I don’t know if I should…” said Dennis.

      “Please?”

       17 Maudlin Street

      Dennis felt sick as the referee’s whistle blew for the start of the game. Pupils, parents and teachers were all grouped excitedly around the pitch. Darvesh’s mum looked like she was going to explode with excitement. She had elbowed her way to the front of the crowd. “Come on, football!” she kept shouting with joyful anticipation.

      Mr Hawtrey was next to Darvesh’s mum. He was sitting on a strange contraption that was half walking-stick and half seat. The fact that the headmaster was the only person sitting made him look very important, even if what he was sitting on looked bum-numbingly uncomfortable. Dennis pulled up the hood on his anorak so that Mr Hawtrey wouldn’t spot him.

      He didn’t even go to the school anymore, and the headmaster still terrified him.

      Dennis was surprised to see Lisa standing in the crowd with Mac. “What are you doing here?” he asked. “I didn’t know you liked football.”

      “Well it is the final,” said Lisa casually. “I just wanted to come and support like everyone else.”

      “I feel a bit embarrassed now, Dennis,” said Mac tentatively. “Asking you out on a date and everything.”

      “Oh, don’t worry Mac,” said Dennis. “I was flattered in a way.”

      “Well, you did look very pretty as a girl,” said Mac.

      Lisa burst out laughing.

      “Prettier than Lisa?” joked Dennis.

      “Oi, watch it you!” said Lisa smiling.

      Out of the corner of his eye Dennis saw Miss Windsor making her way across the pitch to take her place in the crowd.

      “Have you apologised to Miss Windsor yet, Dennis?” asked Lisa, with a tone that suggested she knew the answer already.

      “Erm not yet, Lisa, but I will,” squirmed Dennis.

      “Dennis!” said Lisa sharply.

      “I will.”

      “You did really upset her,” added Mac as he somehow managed to put a whole Caramac into his mouth. “I saw her in Raj’s shop yesterday, and she cried when she saw a bottle of Orangina.”