The sun shone through the window right into Ben’s eyes. Ben blinked,squinted at his radio alarm, and next moment he was wide awake. The clock showed sixthirty. He could really have slept in for another half an hour if he’d wanted, but today he just couldn’t do that.

Full of excitement, Ben jumped out of bed. Today wasthe day. Today he was finally getting that new computer game. His best friend Frank was going to bring it to school. In return Ben had promised him the newtracksuit that Grandma had given him. It was a steep price to pay. Just for a moment Ben hadmisgivings: ought he really to do the deal? His grandmother certainly wouldn’t be pleased to know he was planningto swap the tracksuit for a computer game. But he’d thought it all over for two weeks and made his decision. The computer game mattered more to him.

Ben dressedat the speed of light. He opened his chest of drawers andsnatched two socks, one red and one green. Now, quick, sweater and jeans. Minutes later he put his head around the door of his mother’s bedroom. »Hi, Mum! No breakfast today?« Ben’s mother shot upright in bed. She gave the alarm clock afrantic glance. Six thirty-three. Thank heavens, she hadn’t overslept after all.

»Ben!« she said in surprise. »Look, it’s only six thirty. Another forty-five minutes to breakfast. What’s up with you?«

»I have to be at school early today,« Ben told herin urgent tones. »I’m getting a new computer game.«

»I don’t believe it!«groaned Ben’s mother, letting her head drop back on the warm,