It was 7 o’clock, and Billy was grumpy.
Billy was always grumpy in the mornings, especially on a school day. But today he was more grumpy than usual. His little brother had been snoring all night, keeping him awake.
“I hate mornings,” said Billy.
Something very odd was happening on top of Billy’s head. He climbed out of bed and went to look in the mirror. Two small bumps, like big pimples, were poking up through his hair. This discovery did nothing to improve Billy’s mood.
He didn’t have time to think about it, though, as his mother was calling to him from the kitchen. “You’ll be late again Billy!”
“I hate school, I hate mornings, and I hate my brother,” grumbled Billy, as he dragged himself down the stairs.
When Billy’s mother saw him, she gasped. “Billy, what’s happened to your head? You’ve, y..you’ve got horns!”
Billy reached up, and sure enough, those small bumps had grown, and there was now a pair of short, spiky horns sticking out the top of his head.
“We’d better get you to the doctor,” said his mum, taking him by the arm and heading straight to the garage. “Get into the car.”
“But the car always makes me feel sick,” moaned Billy.
“You’re looking a little green,” said his mum. “No, you’re looking really green.”
Billy’s mother was right; Billy had turned a pale shade of green from head to toe.
“The doctor will know what to do,” she said, worriedly. “Let’s go.”
Billy grumbled all the way to the doctor’s, and he didn’t stop when they got there. The waiting room was too hot; the wait was too long; the magazines were too boring. And all the while his skin was becoming greener…
