Quinn - Billy Bolshie Junior

Billy Bolshie Junior
Author and Creator
Dee Quinn

Aran Kawadri
My Charismatic Inspiration

Illustrations by Adrian Grubb

I.S.H. Publications, London SW3 England

Putting his pet mice in Grandma's slippers has made his Mother's face turn bright red with anger.

"Billy!" she screams, "Billeee!"

Billy goes to his Mother, his head hanging low in shame.

"How would you feel if Grandma had fallen down the stairs and broken her leg?" asks Billy's Mother.

"Sorry, Mum. Honest." pleads Billy, looking up at his Mother.

"Go to bed! Go Now!" commands Mother.

Billy's Mother watches from the foot of the stairs as he sheepishly makes the long, lonely climb up to his bedroom. Just as Billy reaches his bedroom, the front door opens downstairs. Billy's Mother turns and is surprised to see Billy's Dad coming home early from work.

"Darling," cries Billy's Mother, "I wasn't expecting you home before Friday."

"I'm grounded," says Billy's Dad, looking down at his feet.

"Grounded! Why?" asks Billy's Mother in despair.

"Control tower says that I disobeyed their instructions and almost caused a mid-air crash."

"What!" exclaims Billy's Mother incredulously.

"Stupid people. I knew exactly what I was doing," he pleads.

Billy is sitting at the top of the stairs, having heard everything.

"Dad...grounded?" whispers little Billy to himself. "Grown-ups can't be grounded, can they?"

But Billy can tell by the worried look on the faces of his Mother and Father that - yes! - grown-ups can be grounded. At first, Billy is worried, too. Then, he is soon grinning widely with excitement.

"Cool! Can't wait for tomorrow!" whispers Billy.

And with that, Billy rises, creeps into his bedroom and climbs into bed.

"Oh, Isabella! If only your little brother was more like you," says Billy's Mother as she kisses her daughter good morning. "With our two boys grounded at the moment, promise me you'll keep an eye on Billy; I'm going to have enough to do trying to keep your Father out of trouble."

"Of course, Mother," says Isabella reassuringly. Then, adding, under her breath, "Heaven help me!"

Suddenly, loud noises and shrieks of laughter are heard coming from upstairs. Even Billy's dog, Jacob, joins in, barking with delight.

"Listen to that dreadful din," complains Billy's Mother as she puts on her coat, "and it's only 8 o'clock."

"It's another pillow fight, Mum," explains Isabella. "I warned you it wasn't a good idea to confiscate Billy's Playstation."

Later that morning, with Mother and Isabella out visiting Grandma, Billy's Dad prepares breakfast.

"Popcorn and marshmallows!" exclaims Billy "Wicked!"

"Eat as much as you like, Billy," encourages Dad.

"Mum always makes me eat rotten old cereal and banana, ugh!"

"Not a word to Mum, okay?" cautions Dad.

"Okay, Dad," says Billy gobbling the sticky meal. "I'm never going to get married, Dad. Even when I'm old like you," Billy tells his laughing Dad as he stuffs more and more popcorn into his mouth.

"Good thinking, son," says Dad.

"So, what fun things are we going to do today, Dad? More stink bombs under grumpy Smith's rose bushes? Go on, please, please!"

"Sorry, old pal, Grumpy's on to us," warns Billy's Dad. "He'd set the dogs loose if it happened again. No, we'll just have to think of something else. Now, what can we do...?"

Billy's Dad strokes his chin in that the way grown-ups do when they're being mischievous. Billy copies his Dad, but it doesn't seem to inspire any ideas. Then, Billy's Dad snaps his fingers.

"I've got it," cries Billy's Dad triumphantly as he jumps up from the table. "Now, let's see what we've got in here," he says to himself as he searches through every cupboard in the kitchen.

Billy does not know what his Father has planned, but it's sure to be fun and, even better, something Mother would not allow. Billy stands on his chair and, with his eyes twinkling with excitement, watches as his Dad produces a big jar of gooey treacle.

"Ho-ho," thinks Billy, "whatever Dad's planning, it's got treacle in it...this is going to be good, sticky fun!"

"Now, we need to find two big apples and some butter," says Dad with a crafty smile.

"Two big apples...butter...," repeats Billy trying to work out his Father's intention, "...treacle...?"

Then, Billy's face lights up.

"Toffee apples!" he screams.

"Bulls-eye!" replies Dad. "But we must be quick; we've only got one hour until your Mum and Isabella return from Grandma's."

"Then, let's get cracking," says Billy slapping his palms together.

Just seconds later and Billy is helping his Dad whisk up the ingredients: treacle, butter, cinnamon and one drop, two drops, three drops of vanilla essence. It's hard work all that whisking but - "Ahhh!" - the delicious smell makes it all worthwhile.

Dad carefully pours out the toffee into a hot pan and, then, the best bit...

...Billy gets to dip two apples on sticks around and around the yummy, sweet-smelling mixture.