Read The Little Vampire for Free Online Page A

tummy was churning in anticipation of the macaroni cheese.
    “Nonsense!” saidMum, and Dad called, “He hasn’t even had breakfast yet!”
    “Oh, all right,” grumbled Tony. In any case, macaroni cheese was his favourite lunch, although today he didn’t really feel like it. He thought worriedly how it would be at the table, when every mouthful would be punctuated by questions as to why Rudolph slept so late.
    “Good, isn’t it?” said Dad, who was already on his second helping.
    “Delicious!” agreed Mum. “Tony doesn’t seem to be enjoying it much, though.” Tony felt himself go red. “Tell me,” said Mum suddenly. “What’s Rudolph’s surname?”
    Tony’s heart stood still. “Why?”
    “Why? Because I’m interested, that’s all.”
    “Bagg,” muttered Tony.
    “What?” Tony’s mother could not believe it. “Rudolph Bagg?”
    “Sackville-Bagg, actually,” corrected Tony. “Rudolph Sackville-Bagg.”
    “That’s even worse,” laughed Dad.
    “Tony Peasbody isn’t much better,” said Tony, heatedly.
    “Now, now,” grinned Dad. “We’re all called Peasbody, you know.”
    “Yes. But it’s all right for you!” cried Tony. “You’re grown-ups. People don’t laugh at you!”
    “Just be thankful you’re not called Peasbody-Bagg,” remarked Mum.
    But Tony did not think that was particularly funny. Grumpily, he fixed his eyeson his plate. They were always laughing at him.
    “Tony,” said his mother, “where’s your sense of humour?”
    “Can I get down?” was all Tony could reply.
    “In a moment,” said his mother. “What are you going to do about the cloak? Will you take it over now?”
    “Er – O.K.,” said Tony.
    “I could drive you over there,” offered Dad.
    “Over where?”
    “To your friend’s house, of course,” said Dad. “I’ll begoing past the cemetery.”
    “Th-the cemetery?” Tony had gone white as a sheet.
    “I thought you said he lived near the cemetery?” said his mother.
    “Y-yes, he does,” murmured Tony.
    “Well, then you can show me where exactly,” said Dad.
    “And ask him over,” added Mum.
    “B-but ...” stuttered Tony helplessly. “He’ll still be asleep, and anyway, I feel like a walk ...”
    “Good heavens!” exploded hisfather. “Tony Peasbody feels like a walk. This is a special occasion.”
    “Let him then,” said his mother, and turning to Tony she added: “But if you go by yourself, I insist you invite him over here. We want to meet him!” She paused for a moment. “Ask him for Wednesday. Then I’ll be able to make a cake for tea.”
    “I-I’ll be off then.” Tony backed away.
    “Don’t forget the cloak,” called Mum. “Andremember: Wednesday, at four o’clock!”

The Heart-shaped Gravestones
    S UNDAY AFTERNOON FROM LUNCHTIME until four o’clock was the most boring time of the whole week, thought Tony – it always seemed to go so slowly! Up till one o’clock everything smelled deliciously of the Sunday lunch, but that was quickly eaten up, and then everyone went to sleep. From then on, children must preferably not be seen, and certainly not be heard! Playingfootball in the street or zooming around on your bicycle were not worth the risk!
    So when Tony took the lift down to the ground floor, it was not surprising to find it completely empty. The street was dead quiet too. Not a car passed. Tony wandered along, balancing on the kurb and swinging the plastic bag with the cloak in it. He knew that his parents were standing on the balcony waving to him,but he stared stonily in front of him. They could wave till the cows came home for all he cared. It would teach them if he never came back alive! In fact, he was rather vague about what exactly he was going to do at the graveyard. How on earth was he going to get the cloak into the tomb in the daylight? And how on earth was he supposed to invite Rudolph to tea? Should he leave a note? Luckily hehad thought of this, and had brought a pad of paper and a pencil