Stories Number three.

Sick Day.

One morning, Joe woke up with a sore elbow.

He prodded it carefully with one finger.

Wow, that really hurt.

Joe climbed out of bed and put on his dressing gown very, very carefully, so as not to juggle his bad elbow.

Then he went downstairs.

Mom was in the kitchen searching for cereal in the cupboard.

We're out of cornflakes again, she said.

Not looking around.

Mom, Joe began.

I think there's something wrong with my.

But at that moment, Bella came into the kitchen.

She was clutching her tummy.

Mom, she cried.

I'm very, very ill.

Very ill indeed.

My tummy hurts really, really bad.

I'm far too sick to go to school.

Mom was worried.

She felt Bella's forehead.

You do feel hot, but you were fine yesterday.

I'm not fine now, said Bella.

Please, Mom, can I go back to bed?

Bella didn't even want breakfast.

Joe tried to tell Mom about his elbow, but Mom was too worried about Bella.

Please just get dressed, Joe.

You'll be late for school.

Mom stayed home to look after Bella.

Dad gave Joe a lift to school, and Joe tried to explain about his elbow.

I was playing football yesterday on.

I banged it and it still hurts, he said.

Probably just a bruise, said Dad.

I hope Bella is better.

Soon she looked a bit feverish to me.

It's always about Bella thought Joe Crossley at school.

Joe had to be very careful of his elbow.

He had to keep it really still.

Luckily, he could still right with his other hand at home, Mom was looking after Bella.

She put her back to bed and tucked the covers around her.

She brought her a glass of water to sip.

Slowly.

She stroked her head on, read her a story.

How do you feel now?

She asked.

Would you like to try a little breakfast?

I can't eat a thing, said Bella.

Mom was worried.

It wasn't like Bella not to eat anything.

She leaned over to pick Bella's teddy bear off the floor, as she did so, she caught sight of something under the bed.

A huge pile of sweet wrappers.

And an empty box.

Bella, Mom cried.

Are those the sweets that aunt Jackie sent you and that you were supposed to save for your birthday?

Bella turned very red.

I woke up early and felt hungry, she said.

In a small voice.

Bob Abella said, Mom, no wonder you've a bad tummy.

You've eaten everyone.

An hour later, Mom and Bella were walking into school.

Bella's tummy was better, and Mom wanted to get back to work.

Mrs Smells, the head teacher, came running to meet them.

Oh good, you're here, she said.

I think you need to go straight to Hospital.

Hospital, said Mom, she's only eating too many sweets.

I'm not talking about Bella, said Mrs Males.

I'm talking about Joe.

Didn't you notice that he'd broken his elbow?

What?

Said Mom at the hospital, Mum and Joe had to sit in the waiting room until Joe could have his X ray.

Why didn't you tell me?

Mom said I did try, said Joe, But you wouldn't listen.

Then my teacher noticed I couldn't move my arm at the hospital.

They were very kind to Joe.

They took an X ray of his arm on.

The doctor showed him the picture of the crack in his bone.

A nurse wrapped up Joe's elbow in a bandage.

Then they put his arm in a sling.

Joe was sad that he wouldn't be able to play football for a few weeks, so Mom bought him a box of sweets from the hospital shop to cheer him up.

I hope Bella doesn't steal any, said Joe, opening the box.

I don't think she will, said Mom, smiling.

I think she's had enough sweets to last her a long time.

Boom, yeah.