Читать книгу The Person Controller - David Baddiel - Страница 18

Ellie was the more confident twin. She’d always been the one to make decisions, the one who knew what was what. She was more grown-up, more likely to understand stuff that Fred didn’t, quite, yet.

But although she was acting like she knew what was what here – taking control, telling Fred to make ready, all that – she didn’t really understand what was going on. She didn’t really think that Fred had got up on to the window ledge in the way her brain was telling her he must have. And she didn’t really think anything was going to happen when she pointed the Controller back at Fred and flicked the control stick downwards, while pressing the emerald button.

But it did.

Fred’s legs extended, and he jumped gracefully off the window and landed back on the floor of the playroom.

“Oh. My. God,” said Ellie.

“You see!” said Fred. “That’s what happened before! Only in reverse. And … wwwwooaargggh!!!”

Ellie, who had been smiling in amazement while Fred was speaking, had moved the control stick of the Controller in a circle.

Which had led to – or, if not, it was a really remarkable coincidence – Fred spinning round in a circle.

Then, gaining in confidence, Ellie pressed the ruby button and flicked the control stick up at the same time. Leading to Fred – while saying “AAARRGGGHHHH!!!!!” – jumping up in the air and doing a perfect somersault back down again.

Once he realised he was fine and hadn’t broken anything, Fred, breathless and wide-eyed, said: “Ellie! What’s happening?”

“You see that bracelet you’re wearing?”

“Yes.”

“I think it’s paired with the Controller. I think it pairs … you with the Controller.”

Now it was Fred’s turn to stare. Then he laughed. “Good one, Ellie! Very funny! Now can we talk about why I’ve started leaping up into the air for no reas— WWWWOOOAAARGGH!” he said as Ellie moved the control stick upwards while pressing the gold button – making him jump up and land with a forward roll on the spare bed.

“Oh! It’s musty!” he said, coming up near the pillow.

“Fred, it’s really happening! You’re paired with the Controller! You are my avatar!”

Fred nodded, finally taking this in. “Are you going to change all my clothes and hairstyle?”

“No,” said Ellie. “I’m not brilliant at making my avatars look good anyway. That’s your speciality.”

“Will it work the other way round?”

“I don’t know …” she said. “Shall we have a go?”

Fred nodded excitedly. He was about to take the bracelet off – and Ellie was about to hand over the Controller – when, from outside, they heard:

“HEEEEEELLLLLLLP!!!!”