The World of David Walliams 5 Book Collection

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.”

“Yeah, all right, I will. I just can’t do it right now, can I? Not with Hawtrey sitting right there,” said Dennis, concealing himself behind Mac’s bulk and turning his attention to the match.

The opposition was Maudlin Street. They had lifted the trophy every year for the last three years. It was a notoriously rough school, and their team played dirty, going in really hard for tackles, elbowing opponents, even once poking a referee in the eye. Dennis’s school, or rather ex-school, had never won, and all most people were expecting of them was a heroic defeat. Especially now that their best player had been expelled…

True to form Maudlin Street got off to a strong start, scoring in the first few minutes. One of their team was given the yellow card for administering a Chinese burn to one of the defenders before they scored another goal.

Then another.

Darvesh ran up to Gareth. “We don’t stand a chance. We need Dennis!”

“He’s expelled, Darvesh. Come on, we can win this without him.”

“No we can’t. And you know it!”

Gareth ran off after the ball. Another goal from Maudlin Street.

4-0.

This was turning into a massacre.

There was a lull for a moment as Darvesh’s mum and Miss Windsor stretchered off one of the school’s team. One of the Maudlin Street centre forwards had “accidentally” stamped on his leg. Darvesh shouted at Gareth, “Please Gareth. Do something!”

Gareth sighed and ran over to Mr Hawtrey.

“What do you want, boy? This is a disaster! You’re bringing shame on the school!” snarled the headmaster.

“I’m sorry, Sir. But you expelled our best player. We don’t have a chance without Dennis.”

“That boy is not playing.”

Gareth’s face fell. “But Sir, we need him.”

“I’m not having that dress-wearing disgrace of a boy representing the school.”

“Please Sir…?”

“Play on, boy,” said Mr Hawtrey, with a dismissive wave of his hand.

Gareth ran back onto the pitch. Within moments he was lying in agony on the wet grass, after one of Maudlin Street’s forwards booted the ball straight at his groin. The striker then regained possession of the ball and hammered it into the goal.

5-0.

“You know you should really let the boy play, Mr Headmaster,” said Darvesh’s mum urgently.

“I’d be grateful if you minded your own business, madam,” snapped Mr Hawtrey in reply.

“Come on, Mac,” said Lisa bossily. “I need a hand.”

“Where are you guys going?” asked Dennis.

“You’ll see,” replied Lisa with a wink. She marched off across the playing fields with Mac trailing behind.

The Maudlin Street supporters once again howled with delight. Another goal.

6-0.

Dennis closed his eyes. He couldn’t watch anymore.

18 A Thousand Smiles (#ulink_83c864e6-054c-57ca-906e-c41c03437d83)

“Where the hell are they?” yelled Mr Hawtrey at no one in particular.

The second half was about to begin, and Maudlin Street were all waiting on the pitch, eager to finish off their demolition job. The school’s team was nowhere to be seen. Had they run away?

Then, suddenly, Lisa stepped out of the changing room and held the door open.

First Gareth ran out wearing a gold lamé ball gown…

Then Darvesh followed in a yellow polka dot frock…

Then the defenders were right behind in matching red cocktail dresses…

The rest of the team followed in a variety of outfits from Lisa’s wardrobe… And finally Dennis came out of the dressing room–in a pink bridesmaid’s dress.

There was a huge cheer from the crowd. Dennis looked at Lisa and smiled.

“Go get ’em kid!” she said.

As they ran onto the pitch, Mr Hawtrey bellowed at Gareth.

“WHAT ON EARTH DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING, BOY?”