Read Online The Little Vampire by Angela Sommer-Bodenburg - Free Book Online

said Tony’s mother, getting up.
    “Dad?” asked Tony, sounding surprised
    “He arranged to come home early,” explained his mother.
    Once she had left the room, Tony rounded on Nigel. “If you think you can come here and do just what you like ...” he hissed, but Nigel interrupted.
    “Hey, steady on,” he said with mock concern.
    “I’ll ... I’ll ...” But before he could find the appropriate threat,his father came into the room.
    “Hello, Rudolph,” he said.
    Nigel half rose from his chair. “Afternoon.”
    “So, at last we’ve got the chance to get to know you,” said Tony’s father, sitting down. He doesn’t even notice me, thought Tony grumpily. But then, I’m not a guest!
    “You’re the one who thinks it’s always Halloween,” said Tony’s father conversationally.
    “I-I do?” asked Nigel.
    “Tony’s toldus that you’re always dressed for a Halloween party.”
    “Ow!” cried Nigel as Tony landed a sharp kick on his shin from under the table. “Er, yes, I suppose I am.”
    “How do you work it in the summer?” pursued Tony’s father.
    Nigel was at a loss at this, so he said nothing and took another biscuit instead.
    “You must have a special party?” smiled Tony’s father.
    “Perhaps he doesn’t want to talk aboutit,” suggested Tony quickly.
    “Quite.” Nigel nodded.
    Tony’s father pointed to the cloak and remarked, “You’ve even got your costume on today. Are you going to pretend it’s Halloween tonight?”
    “Not tonight,” said Nigel hurriedly. “Tomorrow, probably. Now, I really must be going.”
    “So soon?” asked Tony’s mother, appearing from the kitchen with a fresh pot of tea.
    “I’m afraid so,” said Nigel.“I’ve got to get some things ready.”
    “What sort of things?” asked Tony’s father. “Do you have to polish your vampire teeth? Or have you got a set of those rubber fangs?”
    “Rubber fangs?” Nigel was completely lost.
    “Yes. All the best vampire costumes have rubber fangs to go with them. If you don’t have two pointed teeth, you’re not a proper vampire!”
    Nigel had gone pale. He even seemed to havelost his appetite, for he stood up, murmuring, “I must be off.”
    “Goodbye,” called Tony’s astonished parents.
    “’Bye,” said Nigel.
    Tony went with him to the door. When they were out of earshot, he asked, “Why did you get up so suddenly?”
    “Why?” sneered Nigel. “Because I don’t like being squeezed like a lemon, that’s why. Apart from that, I suddenly realised that I’d met your father.”
    “No!”gasped Tony. “Where?”
    “My dad sits in the same office at work.”
    “Did he recognise you?” asked Tony.
    “I hope not,” said Nigel. “Look what I look like.” He grinned. “’Bye then, Tony.”
    “Wait!” cried Tony. “The cloak!”
    “Oh, yeah, this old rag,” said Nigel, pulling it off. “Here you are; I’m not wearing that again!”
    Tony quickly rolled it up and stuck it under his pullover. “’Bye, Rudolph!” hesaid loudly enough for his parents to hear, and shut the door. Thank goodness that was over. Now all he had to do was hide the cloak. He tiptoed across the hall. The door of the living room was open, and he could hear his parents talking quietly. No doubt they were still at the table discussing Rudolph!
    “Tony!” called his mother. “Is that you?”
    “Just coming,” he answered, and slipped into hisroom.
    “What’s the matter?” asked his mother.
    “Nothing,” replied Tony, stuffing the cloak under his bed. “Here I am.”
    As he had guessed, his parents were sitting at the table with rather puzzled expressions on their faces. “Well?” asked Tony bluntly. “What did you think of him?”
    “He wasn’t very talkative,” said his mother.
    “He never is,” said Tony.
    “And I’ve met better behaved boys,” shewent on.
    “So’ve I,” agreed Tony, thinking wistfully of the cream buns.
    “In fact, I can’t think why he is such a good pal of