The school bell rang, indicating the start of a brand new day. A cacophony of car horns disturbed the surrounding area as parents dropped their children off. Arthur hugged his mum goodbye and dashed across the yard to meet Francine, Buster, Muffy and Brain. When he got to them, they were chatting excitedly like a group of gossipy geese.
" Hi, guys. What are you talking about?" he asked them.
" We've just seen the caretaker bring a new desk into the school," replied Buster.
" I wonder who the kid is," Francine riddled.
" Well, whoever it is, they'd better have a great fashion sense!" Muffy sneered, wrinkling her nose at Francine's red jumper.
" And we'd better not exclude them in any way," added Brain.
In Mr. Ratburn's classroom, the desk had already been set up for Daisy. The class began to file in, still whispering about their expectations of the new girl.
" Quiet, please! Quiet!" said Mr. Ratburn in a deep authoritative voice. " Find your seats so we can begin."
The children silenced their natter for the playground and they sat at their usual tables.
" Now, as you can see, we will be having a new student joining us today. But as it turns out, she hasn't arrived yet," the teacher continued, a glimmer of somewhat disappointment in his beady eyes.
Suddenly, there was a sound of rushing feet and someone panting. Clumsily, Daisy pushed open the door and stumbled into the room. The entire class stared at the elephant curiously, making her feel very uneasy indeed.
" Is this Mr. Ratburn's room?" she asked, stammering. Her lisp came on unusually strong.
" Yes, it is," he answered kindly, removing himself from his chair to greet his 'fresh meat'.
" Sorry I'm late. I got lost and couldn't find the room and I-"
Mr. Ratburn raised his hands, meaning he didn't want to hear any more. " Say no more. Boys and girls, this is Daisy King. She's just moved here from Crown City. I'm sure you'll let her feel welcome. Daisy, go sit over there next to George."
The girl smiled politely and made her way to sit next to George the moose. He waved and she returned it as she sat down but missed, falling to the ground with a bump. Everyone erupted in fits of laughter. Daisy blushed violently.
" Class!" Mr. Ratburn boomed, making them all silent as monks. " Are you OK?"
" Yeah. I'm OK," she breathed, still blushing. Embarrassed, she buried her face in her hands while she listened to someone stifling their giggles.
" Don't feel bad," George said. " Everyone's really nice…really…" He sighed and thought back to the day Binky stole Wally and threw him up to the highest tree branch, which George couldn't climb. " So you're from Crown City then. I love it there. I go every year with my grandparents."
Daisy scoffed, rolled her eyes and avoided eye contact with him. She didn't want to make friends. Not just yet.