Viking at School

by Jeremy Strong

  Sigurd listened to this with growing excitement. He rushed across to Mr Garret, wrapped the poor farmer in his arms, kissed him on both cheeks and then rubbed noses with him.

  ‘Gerroff!’ shouted Mr Garret, trying to push Sigurd away. ‘You big hairy ox!’

  ‘You good man!’ cried the Viking. ‘I pray to Thor and tell him you very good and go to Valhalla when you die.’ Sigurd turned to Mr Ellis. ‘You good man too!’ he roared, and opened his arms wide. ‘Come to Siggy!’

  ‘Oh no,’ muttered Mr Ellis, backing away. ‘No Siggy, leave me alone. I don’t want to be hugged. Siggy! Go away!’ He turned tail and fled, with Sigurd in hot pursuit. The others watched with delight.

  ‘I never knew Dad could run that fast,’ said Tim. A startled scream came from the far side of the hotel. Mrs Ellis giggled.

  ‘He can’t,’ she said.