SILVANA SARDI THE BOYRE EY Silvana Sard The Boy with the Red Balloon Language Constant: Lisa Suett lusirations by Maria Girén EL Readers. Founder and Series Editors Paola Acatol, Grazia Anclan, Daiele Garbugia (Art Director) ‘Graphic Design Aone Comunicazione - Sergio Elise Airone Comunicazione Production Manager Francesco Cepitano Photo credits Shutterstock © 201 Eset PO, Box 5 62019 Recanati (MO) hay 1439 071750701 F+39 071977851 info@etiontinecom wwwelinlinecom Typeset in 13/18 pt Monotype Dante Printed i taly by Teenostampa — Pigini Group Printing Division {ofeto~ Trevi tala) ~ERT 252.01 (5 BN 978-€8-536-2306-5 Fist edition: March 2017 wirw.eligradedreaders.com Contents ROBE NEDA BLE BI A STEER TE SEE 6 Main Characters 8 Before you read 10 Chapter] A Different Summer 18 Activities 20 Chapter? +Goodbye Blackpool 28 Activities 30 (hapter3. A Strange Meeting in the Woods 42 Activities 44 Chapter4 Summer Love 52 Activities 54 ChapterS The Lake 62 Activities 64 Chapter6 Past Meets Present 72 Activities 74 Focus on... Blackpool 76 Focus on... Strange Stories 78 lest yourself 79 Syllabus These icons indicate the parts of the story that are recorded start (> stop iotek eetseere ee 4 KEY (KET) = Listening Grammar for KEY (KET) aS + | 3 Listen to the start of Chapter 1 and choose the correct ; 4 answer - A, BorC. 1 Read about The Boy with the Red Balloon. Choose the correct word (A, B or C) to complete the text. x Fano the Basch, This () the story about a girl called Lizzie, from a B ran to school. Blackpool, a seaside town (1) .. .. the northwest ¢ IX! ran out of the classroom. coast of England. Lizzie is happy (2) .. the summer 4 1 It was the start of the holidays have arrived and she (3) .. go to the beach A LJ summer holidays. and have fun with her friends. She (4) ............... know that B Easter holidays. Lizzie and her friends this summer will be (5) ... . different. She has to go and c Christmas holidays. stay with her mum’s friend in the Yorkshire countryside, far 3 2 Lizzie is from her friends, the seaside and (6) ............. the summer A the same age as Greg. fun! She's very angry with her parents. Then she meets a 4 B two years older than Greg. strange boy, Jack, the boy with the red balloon, and the c two years younger than Greg. countryside suddenly becomes (7) . interesting! : 3 Lizzie has A L] long, red hair. ae see fe B [J short, fair hair to eee a c jong, dark hair. ¢ 6 eee eee oo 4 Lizzie went home 3 A wants B must c can A loyee 4 A dont B doesn't ¢ hasn't B GA TOoE 5 A too B enough © very eT loys oa ro Gevey 5 It took Lizzie 2 A te ee © ticle A twelve minutes to get home. 3 B two minutes to get home. : q c twenty minutes to get home. Vocabulary a 6 That day it was A |] cloudy. 2 Match the words to the right situation. ; B [J quite hot. 1 Libye a you say this when you hurt yourself. 1 SL fatecald: : 2 U1 hooray! b you say this when you leave. 7 Lizzie won't be at school in 3 Louch! ¢ you shout this when you're happy. A Leet B September. c June.Chapter 1 DRRRING! The school bell rang. ‘Hooray!’ Lizzie and her friends ran out of the classroom shouting and laughing. It was the last day of school! Summer was here! It was time for the beach! Time for fun! ‘Bye Lizzie! See you later!’ Lizzie turned when she heard her name. It was Greg! Greg was seventeen, two years older than she was. She really liked him. He was tall, with short, fair hair and brown eyes. He was really ‘cool’. All the girls liked him. “Hi, mean, bye Greg!’ she said. Herheart wentboom, boom, boom! Ithappened every time she spoke to him. And her face... it was as red as her long, red hair! Greg smiled*, then got on his bike and rode away. Lizzie watched until he turned the corner. Maybe they could go for a ride together during the summer holidays, she thought. Lizzie started to walk home. It took her twenty minutes but she didn’t mind, It was warm and ile OD smile 10>) SILVANA SARDI sunny and she had time to think. No more school uniform... no more exams... it was the end of July and school didn’t start again until the beginning of September! Then there was Greg. I've never had a real boyfriend, she thought. Maybe this summer will be different! a Lizzie loved Blackpool, especially in summer. There was so much to do. She wanted to go to the beach. She wanted to go up Blackpool Tower... the view was great up there. She wanted to have a picnic with her friends in Stanley Park. Then there was the ‘Lights Festival’, It was always fantastic! ‘Hi mum! Hi dad!’ shouted Lizzie as she came into the house. ‘Elizabeth,’ said her mum, ‘come into the living room. Your dad and I need to talk to you.’ Oh-oh what have I done now? thought Lizzie. Her mum only called her ‘Elizabeth’ when there was a problem. She walked slowly into the room. Her mum and dad were sitting on the sofa. “What's the matter?’ asked Lizzie. “How was your last day of school?’ asked her dad. 12 THE BOY WITH THE RED BALLOON ‘Great!’ said Lizzie. ‘We're all really excited about going to the beach and...” ‘Listen,’ said her mum, ‘I know you're not going to like this Lizzie, but there’s nothing we can do...’ ‘What won't | like?’ asked Lizzie, now very worried. ‘Tomorrow you're leaving for Yorkshire to stay with my old school friend, Hannah, for the summer,’ her mum said quickly. ‘What?’ shouted Lizzie. ‘Yorkshire! What do you mean? Is this some kind of bad joke*?” ‘Ym afraid not,’ said her dad. “But what have I done? Why are you doing this to me?’ said Lizzie almost in tears*. ‘Tm sorry Lizzie, said her dad. ‘Do you remember last winter when there was the terrible storm?” ‘Yes,’ said Lizzie, ‘and our house was flooded* like everybody’s house in the street, but...’ ‘Well,’ said her dad, ‘this morning a man came to look at the house. He told us that the roof isn’t bad joke something that isn’t funny flooded full of intears crying 13,SILVANA SARDI safe and we need a new one. It’s a big job Lizzie, and we can’t stay here while they're working on it. We need to do it now before next winter.’ “But what about you and mum?’ asked Lizzie. “What are you going to do?’ ‘Your mum and I need to stay near home so we can go to work. We’re going to stay in a caravan*. A man from work has one. He says we can use it until the house is ready.’ “Well, | can stay in the caravan too?’ said Lizzie. “You can’t, it’s too small,’ said her mum. “There’s only one bed.” ‘I don’t mind,’ said Lizzie. ‘I'll sleep on the floor! Please don’t send me away! I want to stay here with my friends... and you!’ ‘Oh Lizzie darling,’ said her mum, ‘it’s not just the caravan. Your dad and I will be at work every night. After working at the supermarket, I'm going to work as a waitress in a restaurant to make some more money, And your dad has asked his boss at work for all the overtime* he can give him. This roof job is going to cost a lot of money.” caravan ge Overtime extra hours you work THE BOY WITH THE RED BALLOON Lizzie looked at her mum and dad. She felt sorry for them, but she felt even sorrier for herself. Then she had an idea. ‘Why can’t I stay with Rachel? She’s my best friend. I've stayed with her before. Her mum won't mind.” ‘No Lizzie,’ said her father. ‘It’s one thing staying the night, but you can’t stay with them for the whole summer.” ‘The WHOLE summer?’ shouted Lizzie. ‘Do you mean I need to stay with this Hannah woman for the WHOLE summer?’ “Well, we don’t know yet,’ said her mum, ‘but it’s a big job. Anyway, Hannah is one of my oldest friends. She’s really nice. I'm sure you'll like her. There’s nobody else. You've only got one uncle and he lives in Australia... a bit too far eh?’ said her mum trying to smile. “But I don’t even know this friend of yours. I don’t think I’ve ever met her,’ said Lizzie. ‘Tve known Hannah since we were at school,’ said her mum. “The last time you saw 15‘SILVANA SARDI her, you were just a baby. That’s why you don’t remember,” Sara Hammond looked at her husband and for a moment, nobody spoke. The two of them were remembering that particular day in August. Such a sad time for Hannah, But Lizzie didn’t know anything about that and Sara wasn’t going to tell her now. Lizzie looked at them both. She could tell there was something wrong. “So why haven't I seen her since then?’ she asked. 4 ‘Hannah is a very quiet person and she likes to be by herself in the countryside,’ said her mum. ‘Oh great!’ shouted Lizzie. ‘You're sending me to live with a hermit*! The countryside! I hate the countryside! What am I going to do there? Play with the sheep and cows? Swim with the ducks?’ “That’s enough, Elizabeth!’ said her dad. He was starting to get angry now. ‘You're not the only one who is going to have a ‘different’ summer!’ He stood up and walked out of the room. Lizzie looked at her mum. hermit a person who lives in a simple way far from others 16 THE BOY WITH THE RED BALLOON ‘Lizzie, don’t worry,’ said her mum. ‘Hannah isn’t that bad. I’m sure she'll take you to York to do some shopping, It’s a lovely city..." ‘But I don’t want to go to York!’ shouted Lizzie. ‘T don’t know anyone in York! | want to be with my friends here in Blackpool!” Lizzie ran out of the room and upstairs to her bedroom. She threw herself on the bed and cried and cried. She didn’t go down for dinner that evening. She texted all her friends and told them the bad news. They all felt sorry for her. Greg’s message said: ‘Hey! What a pity! Have fun anyway!! Have fun? The second bad joke of the day, thought Lizzie. He was going to have fun for sure and she already knew who with... Jenny! Jenny was a girl in her class at school and she really fancied* Greg. She won’t waste time, thought Lizzie. She'll have Greg all to herself and I can’t do anything about it! Lizzie started to cry again. She was going to hate every minute of this summer, she thought as she fell asleep* that night. fancy when you want someone to be fall asleep go to sleep your girtfriend/boyfriend 7After-reading Activities MAAAAANDATAAAANNdddW_d diFsiTi-iGBGsFs_-'_'ibiH td AAT, 3 Stop & Check 1 Read the sentences about Chapter 1 and decide if they are true (T) or false (F). T Lizzie is sad because school has finished. oO She goes home with a friend. Her mum and dad are in the kitchen. The roof of the house is dangerous. a Her mum and dad are going to stay with friends. Hannah lives in the countryside. Lizzie knows Hannah very well. OBln Quahaun= Grammar 2 Complete the questions with a word from the box, then match them to the right answer. Who Who Where What When ~~ Why Whose fl .. does Lizzie like? is Lizzie’s best friend? does Lizzie want to do in Stanley Park? does she need to leave for Yorkshire? must her parents work harder than usual? . are her parents going to stay this summer? . house is Lizzie going to stay in? aunawnea a_ Hannah's Greg. ¢ Have a picnic. d The day after. e To pay for the new roof. f Rachel. g Ina caravan. 18 Vocabulary 3 Read the definitions and complete the words. You have lessons here Spores Oe 1 You wear this at school in Great Britain u____________ 2 It's sunny and warm in this season SSeS 3 You can find a sofa in this part of the house SS eS 4 Very bad weather Soe 5 A woman who works in a restaurant Wee a 6 Avery green place ene ese ee 7 You do this when you're sad eS Before-reading Activity SPP Ws psa Listening » 4 4 Listen to the start of Chapter 2 and complete the sentences. Next morning it was 1 Lizzie found her ..... in a drawer. 2 Lizzie’s mum wanted to help her with her .. 3 That morning for breakfast, there was sausage, bacon and ... - 4 Lizzie had breakfast with her mum and .. 5 Lizzie’s train was at half past 6 Lizzie is going to take some old with her. 7 Lizzie went... .. to finish preparing her bag. 19Chapter 2 Goodbye Blackpool » 4 Next morning when Lizzie woke up it was cloudy. Fantastic! Just what I needed, thought Lizzie. She opened a drawer and started to pull out some things to take with her. She stopped when she saw her new bikini, Her mum came into the room, ‘Lizzie, are you ok? Come and have some breakfast and then I'll help you with your bag,’ “Well, I don’t think I'll need this,’ said Lizzie holding up the new bikini. “Oh Lizzie!’ said her mum. ‘I know it’s hard for you, but try to understand.’ ‘L know, | know,’ said Lizzie. They went downstairs for breakfast. Lizzie’s dad was there too “Your mum has made your favourite, Lizzie,” he said. ‘Sausage, bacon and eggs!’ Lizzie said nothing. She sat down at the table. She pushed her food around her plate. She didn’t eat much. 20 THE BOY WITH THE RED BALLOON Mr and Mrs Hammond looked at each other. They loved their daughter very much, They hated to see her like this. “The train is at half past eleven, Lizzie,’ said her dad. ‘Are you almost ready to go?” ‘Yes,’ said Lizzie quietly*. ‘I just need to put a few old t-shirts in my bag. | won't need any of my new summer stuff* where I’m going.’ ‘T’ll come and help you,’ said her mum. ‘No, it’s alright. I'll do it myself,’ said Lizzie. She stood up and went upstairs to finish packing. =) ‘I hope she'll be alright, John, said Mrs Hammond to her husband. ‘I’m sure she will,” said Mr Hammond. ‘You know, Lizzie, she’s a good girl. She’s just angry at the moment but it'll pass. Hannah will be nice to her.’ "Yes, said his wife. ‘I spoke to Hannah yesterday. She said she’ll look after her. But I'm worried. We both know how much Hannah has suffered* and summer is the worst time for her. I hope Lizzie doesn’t find things difficult there.’ you feel very sad about quietly in a quiet, sad way suff stuff thinos 21‘Maybe she'll help Hannah to be happy again,” said Mr Hammond. ‘Maybe...’ she answered. ‘Right, I'll go and see if Lizzie is ready. It’s time to go.’ Nobody spoke as they drove to the train station. The train was already waiting on the platform* when they arrived. Lizzie kissed her parents quickly. ‘Take care, Lizzie,’ said Mrs Hammond. ‘Hannah will be at York Station to meet you.” ‘Ok,’ was all Lizzie said. She got on the train and found her seat. Her parents stood on the platform until the train disappeared*. Lizzie looked out of the window of the train. She felt empty inside. Goodbye Blackpool, goodbye friends, goodbye summer fun, she thought. Three long hours passed. Finally, the train arrived in York. She got off and looked around. Then someone called her name. ‘Elizabeth?’ In front of her was a thin woman in her forties*. She was wearing an old, dark grey tracksuit*. She had long hair, more grey than blond. Nait for a train {racksuit (rousers and jacket for doing sport platform wher disappear go oul 0 inher forties between 149 years old 22SILVANA SARDI Yes,’ said Lizzie. She felt a bit afraid. There was something sad in the woman’s big green eyes. Her face was pale* and thin. Oh dear! Is she ill? Why is she so sad? thought Lizzie. ‘Hi, I'm Hannah,’ said the woman. ‘Come on, the car’s in front of the station,’ Then she turned and started walking towards the exit. Lizzie stood for a moment and then quickly followed her. They drove for an hour along the main* road. It was the longest hour in Lizzie’s life. Hannah said nothing and Lizzie was too scared* to say anything. Then they came to a smaller country road. They drove past fields and trees, and more fields and more trees. No town, thought Lizzie, no shops... nothing! Just a few farmhouses. Lizzie wanted to cry. This was going to be the worst summer of her life! After about half an hour, Hannah stopped the car in front of a grey cottage*. ‘Here we are,’ she said. ‘Get your stuff and I'll show you your room.” ale whit scared afrai main big, imp cottage a house i 24SILVANA SARDI Lizzie got out of the car and looked around. ‘There was a garden in front of the cottage. There was the cottage... and then? Nothing! They were in the middle of the countryside! I don’t believe it! thought Lizzie. What am I going to do here? ‘Elizabeth! Come on!’ shouted Hannah. ‘Coming!’ answered Lizzie. ‘So, this is my house,’ said Hannah. They were standing in the kitchen. “The living room is there,” she said pointing to a door across the hall. “The bedrooms are upstairs,’ Lizzie followed Hannah upstairs. There were three doors. Hannah opened the one on the right. “This is your room,’ she said. Lizzie was surprised. The room was really pretty. The walls were pale blue and it was much brighter* than the other rooms downstairs. ‘There was a lovely blue cover on the bed too. “Oh it’s lovely?’ said Lizzie. Hannah looked at her and for a moment Lizzie saw a little light in those sad green eyes. Then it was gone again. brighter more light 26 THE BOY WITH THE RED BALLOON ‘Right!’ continued Hannah. ‘And here’s the bathroom... and that’s my room,’ she said pointing to the closed door opposite Lizzie’s room. ‘Just one thing... please never go into my room... the rest of the house is yours, ok?” ‘Sure, no problem,’ said Lizzie. ‘If you don't mind, Id like to have a rest now. I didn’t sleep much last night.’ “Ok, I'll be downstairs or in the garden.” Lizzie stayed in her room until dinner time. Hannah made some salad. They ate in silence*. After dinner, Lizzie went into the living room. There was something missing... there was no television! Fantastic! thought Lizzie. All she could do was go to bed. Hannah was already in her room. Lizzie could see a light was on from under the door. Humph! She didn’t even say goodnight! thought Lizzie. What a strange woman! Lizzie went into her room and closed the door quietly. She didn’t want any problems with horrible Hannah in the other room. Let’s hope tomorrow’s better, she thought. = insilence (here) without speakingAfter-reading Activities _ AMANO WOW WWF AL Stop & Check 1 Read the sentences about Chapter 2. Choose the correct word (A, B or C). Lizzie didn’t eat ... UC)... for breakfast the next morning. A lots 3B much c many 1 They hope Hannah will look .... ... Lizzie. A after B for c at 2 Her parents ... -- on the platform until the train disappeared. A stood B arrived © went 3 Finally the train arrived vce. YOrk. Ato Bin c at 4 Lizzie felt a... +. afraid when she saw Hannah. A few B lot ¢ bit 5 It was going to be the... .. summer of Lizzie’s life. A bad B worse ¢ worst Grammar 2 Choose the correct word(s). It was cloudy when Lizzie@oke up/ was waking up. 1 Lizzie was packing / packed her bag when her mum came into her room. 2 Lizzie says she won’t / didn’t need any of her new summer stuff in the countryside. 3 Mrs Hammond has spoken / spoke to Hannah the day before. 4 Lizzie wanted / was wanting to have a rest before dinner, 5 Hannah made / has made salad for dinner that night. 28 6 Speaking 3 Discuss the following questions with a partner. Then tell the class what you agree and don’t agree about. 1 Do you think Lizzie was right to be angry with her mum and dad? Why/Why not? 2 Would you like to spend your summer holidays in the countryside? Why/Why not? 3 Do you think Lizzie will be happy in the countryside? Why/Why not? 4 Do you like Hannah? Why/Why not? Before-reading Activity SGP HHH $$ 3S Bg. DW 4 Listen to the start of Chapter 3 and choose the best word(s) to complete the sentences. Lizzie woke upGarly/ late next morning. It was cloudy / sunny. There was toast, butter and jam / ham for breakfast. Lizzie pulled her mobile phone out of her pocket / bag. Her mobile phone was / wasn’t working. Lizzie finished drinking her tea / coffee. Hannah told her to go for a walk / and work. The wood was quiet and cool / quite old. NOUnRUN = 29cy Chapter 3 Lizzie woke up early next morning. It was a lovely sunny day. She got dressed and went downstairs for breakfast. Hannah was already in the kitchen. “Good morning, Hannah,’ she said. ‘Your breakfast is ready, Elizabeth,’ said Hannah. “Oh! Ok. If you want, you can call me Lizzie.’ Hannah didn’t answer. They sat opposite each other at the table. There was toast, butter, and jam. No sausages and bacon here thought Lizzie. She pulled her mobile out of her pocket. Maybe someone has sent me a message, she thought. ‘It won’t work,’ said Hannah. ‘Sorry?’ said Lizzie. ‘Your mobile... it won’t work here in the countryside.’ “What! I don’t believe it!‘ shouted Lizzie. “Well, well,’ said Hannah, ‘and your mother said you were a nice quiet girl. Instead, look at 30SILVANA SARDI you! All angry just because your phone doesn't work!’ Lizzie said nothing. She stared* at her mobile and finished her toast and tea. I need to get out of here, she thought. “What can I do now?’ she asked Hannah. ‘Go for a walk. Get some fresh air and forget about your mobile,’ said Hannah coldly*. Lizzie didn’t answer. She stood up and went out leaving Hannah still sitting at the table. She walked along a path and came to a wood. It was quiet and cool* there. She walked some more. What else could she do? Finally, she sat down. There was a lake nearby*. a ‘Hey! Are you Little Red Riding Hood lost in the woods?’ said someone. ‘Who's there?’ shouted Lizzie. She felt scared. She couldn’t see anyone. Tm up here!’ She looked up. There was a boy sitting on the branch” of a big tree. Near him, tied* to the branch was a red balloon 32SILVANA SARDI ‘Who are you? What do you want?’ asked Lizzie, still scared. ‘Don’t be afraid. I’m Jack. Are you new here?’ Jack jumped down from the tree. Lizzie could see him better now. He was gorgeous*! He had brown hair and beautiful green eyes! “Yes, no, 1 mean...’ Not again! she thought. Every time I meet a gorgeous guy, I forget how to speak! She looked down. Her face was becoming redder and redder. ‘Let’s start again, eh?’ said Jack laughing. ‘I’m sorry if I scared you. My name’s Jack, you know like in the story ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’.” Lizzie laughed. ‘I’m Elizabeth, like ‘Queen Elizabeth’ but my friends call me Lizzie.’ ‘So can I call you Lizzie?’ asked Jack smiling. ‘Yeah, why not. I really need a friend tight now,’ said Lizzie smiling too. Jack sat down next to her. She told him where she was from and why she was there. “Who are you staying with?’ he asked A really strange woman,’ said Lizzie. gorgeous very good-{aoking 34 THE BOY WITH THE RED BALLOON ‘What’s her name?’ Jack asked. ‘Hannah’ said Lizzie Jack looked at her surprised for a moment. ‘And don’t you like Hannah?’ he asked. “Well she’s very quiet and she doesn’t have a TV and she’s not very friendly,’ said Lizzie quickly. Oh no! she thought. Maybe he knows her... Why can’t I keep my big mouth shut*? “Maybe you both need some more time together,’ said Jack. ‘I’m sure you'll like her in the end.” “Maybe... and then I can’t even use my mobile here.’ She pulled her mobile out of her pocket to show Jack. ‘Is that your mobile?’ he asked “Well what do you think it is? A pink elephant? Are you crazy or something?’ shouted Lizzie, angrily. ‘I know it’s not the latest model*, but it’s still a phone!’ Jack said nothing. He looked down at his feet. He wasn't smiling anymore. Lizzie felt sorry. What am I doing? she said to herself. Here’s this really nice shut closed ‘model [ypeSILVANA SARDI guy, maybe somebody to talk to in this boring place... and what do I do?... Shout at him! “Hey! I'm sorry,’ she said. ‘I was only joking*. Why don’t we go for a walk?’ "Yeah, ok!’ said Jack happily. ‘Come on, I'll show youa place with a great view... but maybe a city girl like you can’t climb hills’ he said laughing. ‘Come on, Lazy Lizzie! Let’s see how fast you can run!’ Lizzie followed him, laughing and shouting. This wasn’t what she usually did with her friends but it was fun. They ran out of the woods and up the hill. At the top, Lizzie threw herself onto the grass. Her face was bright red and her blue eyes were shining*. Jack lay on his side next to her. He looked down at her and smiled. For a second, their eyes met and Lizzie felt a thousand butterflies* dancing in her stomach. “Your face is the same colour as your hair now!’ said Jack laughing. Lizzie sat there fora moment. Well, she thought, one thing is sure, he doesn’t fancy me. I probably look like a tomato! But she felt happy. joke say something funry butterfly wh shine wtiat the sun does 36 THE BOY WITH THE RED BALLOON ‘How old are you Lizzie?’ Jack asked. ‘Fourteen and three quarters. I'll be fifteen in November. “Well, my birthday’s in August, on the 18th. So, if you’re almost fifteen, then that means I’m almost seventeen!’ said Jack laughing. She thought that was a strange thing to say but she didn’t have time to ask. Jack was already standing again and ready to go. ‘Come on,’ he said. “There’s still lots to see before you have to go home!” Later that day, a happy Lizzie went back to the cottage. Hannah was drying the dishes in the kitchen. ‘Hello Hannah!’ shouted Lizzie happily. “Oh you're back! Where have you been all this time?’ said Hannah. ‘I went for a walk and I met this really nice boy,’ said Lizzie. “What boy? Don’t you know it’s dangerous to speak to strangers*?’ said Hannah. “You should be more careful!’ stranger a person you don't know‘SILVANA SARDI “But he’s nice. His name’s Jack, and he’s nearly seventeen. His birthday’s in August, on the 18" and...’ CRASH! The cup Hannah was holding suddenly* fell to the ground. Her face was even whiter than usual. ‘Hey! Are you ok? Come and sit down, before you fall down,’ said Lizzie. Hannah sat down slowly on the chair, She was staring at Lizzie in a strange way. Then she said: “What's he like?’ ‘Oh he's just gorgeous! He's got lovely brown wavy hair, and green eyes and a fantastic smile!’ said Lizzie excitedly. “Green eyes?’ asked Hannah quietly. Yes, a bit like yours actually but brighter...’ Hannah was staring at Lizzie again in that strange way. : “Oh sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude*,’ said Lizzie. ‘Your eyes are nice too!’ For the first time, Hannah smiled. ‘Go and wash your hands, Lizzie. Dinner is ready,’ she said. ‘suddenly when something happens tude not kind quickly and you're surprised 38 THE BOY WITH THE RED BALLOON ‘They sat down at the kitchen table but this time they didn’t eatin silence. Hannah wanted to know everything about Jack. She said she didn’t know the boy. Maybe he was staying with someone in one of the farmhouses nearby. Lizzie couldn’t believe it! Hannah was glad she had a friend! Hannah isn’t so bad after all, thought Lizzie. During the night. Lizzie woke up. She was thirsty. She wanted to go downstairs and get a glass of water. She opened her door quietly, then stopped. Hannah's bedroom door was open. The light was on. 'There was a big book open on the bed, maybe a photo album*. Lizzie couldn't see very well. Suddenly the bathroom door opened and Hannah was standing there in front of her. ‘What are you doing?’ said Hannah angrily. “What are you looking at? Were you in my room?” “No, No!’ said Lizzie quickly. ‘I just wanted a glass of water, I’m thirsty.” ‘Well, go and get it!’ said Hannah coldly. “Goodnight!” She went back into her bedroom and closed the door behind her. photo album a book where you pul photos 32)‘Goodnight!’ said Lizzie to the closed door. Next morning, Hannah was very quiet. Lizzie didn’t say anything about the night before. She ate her breakfast quickly and then left for the woods, @ 40After-reading Activities : 3 SWPPP! W HHH yyy '™WvJo201 Gg €orO€DS "°F FE Stop & Check 1 Put the sentences in the right order (a to h) as they happen in Chapter 3 of the story. [a] Lizzie checked her mobile for messages. 1 (1 Lizzie met Jack. 2 Lizzie was thirsty during the night. 3 QC Lizzie and Jack climbed to the top of the hill. 4 (Hannah told Lizzie to go for a walk. 5 6 7 ( Lizzie showed Jack her mobile. CO Lizzie told Hannah about Jack. C Lizzie sat down near a lake. Grammar 2 Choose the best word to complete the sentences about the story. Lizzie couldn't receive@ny)/ no messages on her mobile. 1 It was sunny. There were /ots / no clouds in the blue sky. 2 Lizzie didn't say something / anything to Hannah when she left after breakfast. 3 Lizzie felt scared when she heard everyone / someone in the woods. 4 Jack said nothing / anything when Lizzie shouted at him about her mobile. 5 Maybe Jack was staying with anyone / someone nearby. Hannah wanted to know everything / everywhere about Jack. 7 Hannah didn’t say a / any word next morning. 42 Writing 3 You're Lizzie. Write to your friend Rachel: - Ask her about her summer in Blackpool. - Tell her about Hannah. ~ Tell her about Jack. Write about 100 words. Vocabulary 4 Circle the odd one out in each line. a lovely b nice © beautiful a Goris) 1. a glass b cup ¢ bottle d plate 2 a lake b hill ¢ river d sea 3 a eyes b ears ¢ hair d@ hand 4 akitchen bceiling ¢ bathroom d living room 5 asad b glad © excited d@ happy 6 a door b roof ¢ window d grass Before-reading Activity WAAMMAMAANAANAAATAATAAF.'YAQA_+-5NwqNnHn iq\WwWwnwnwonooDqjia_o_o_—”_’N0Nn’Nn RR Speaking 5 Discuss these questions with a partner. Now read Chapter 4 to see if you were right. 1. Will Lizzie bring Jack to the cottage to meet Hannah? 2 Will Lizzie’s parents come to visit her? 3 Will Jack and Lizzie go shopping in York? 4 Will Lizzie and Hannah become good friends? 43>) Chapter 4 Summer Love Lizzie and Jack met every day. He was always there waiting for her, sitting in the tree near the lake with the red balloon tied to the branch. “What's the balloon for?’ asked Lizzie one day. ‘It’s there to help me remember,’ said Jack. “Remember what?’ “Where I've to meet a pretty girl with red hair!’ he said laughing, Soon Lizzie began to forget about Blackpool, her friends and even Greg! She and Jack talked for hours. Jack loved the woods and told her funny stories about all the animals that lived there. They were quite childish* but she loved them. He was different from all the other boys she knew. He wanted to know everything about her. Most boys only wanted to talk about cars and football or themselves! She even told him about Greg. ‘Greg is probably with Jenny now,’ said Lizzie. childish ike a child 44 THE BOY WITH THE RED BALLOON “Who's Jenny?’ asked Jack. “Oh just the most beautiful girl in the school.” ‘Hey! And what’s wrong with you? You're the prettiest girl I've ever met Lizzie... and you're fun too. If Greg prefers Jenny, then he’s crazy!" Lizzie looked at him. She felt very strange inside, Was this love? They were lying on the grass near ‘their’ tree with the red balloon. It was very hot that day. ‘Let's go for a swim in the lake?’ said Lizzie. ‘No!’ shouted Jack. He was really angry. Lizzie was surprised. ‘Ok! Don’t shout!” Jack was quiet for a moment, then he said: “Hey Lizzie, I'm sorry. I didn’t mean to shout. But, please, never go into the lake. It’s really dangerous. Please say you won't.’ “Ok, ok, I won't!’ she said angrily. She lay back down on the grass and closed her eyes. There was a strange silence between them. ‘Friends again?’ asked Jack quietly. Lizzie opened her eyes. His face was very near hers. Is he going to kiss me? she thought. She 45SILVANA SARDI closed her eyes again. ‘Then Jack kissed her... but on the nose! Oh well, better than nothing, she thought. That evening, she told Hannah about her day. ‘T don’t know why Jack got so angry about the lake,’ said Lizzie. “Maybe nobody taught him to swim,’ said Hannah quietly. “Of course!’ said Lizzie. ‘I didn't think of that! You understand him better than I do!’ ‘I'm older than you,’ said Hannah. ‘Tye made more mistakes than you... sooner or later you learn from your mistakes.’ ‘Mum taught me to swim when I was very young,’ said Lizzie. ‘Yes,’ said Hannah quietly. ‘Your mum did the right thing. You're a lucky girl, Lizzie.’ There were tears in her eyes. Ohno! I’ve upset* her! thought Lizzie. ‘Are you ok Hannah?’ she asked. ‘Yes, don’t worry... it’s nothing... but remember, Lizzie, never swim in the lake, it’s really dangerous.’ upset when you make someone fee! 46SILVANA SARDI “Yeah, I know, I know. You're as bad as Jack!’ said Lizzie laughing. One afternoon, Lizzie took a book with her. It was a fantasy-horror story. Jack looked at the front cover. There was a scary face on it. “Why are you reading that?’ he asked. ‘I only like stories with a happy ending,’ “Yeah, ok,’ said Lizzie, ‘but sometimes in life there isn’t always a happy ending.” ‘I know,’ he said. He looked away, his face sad. ‘Hey, are you ok Jack?’ asked Lizzie, worried. He looked at her and smiled, but it wasn’t his usual big, happy smile. ‘Yeah, I’m fine... just temembering the time I made a big mistake. I made a lot of people sad... especially one.’ “We all make mistakes, Jack. It’s strange... the other day Hannah was talking about mistakes. She said that we all learn from our mistakes.’ ‘Sooner or later,’ said Jack quietly. ‘That's what Hannah said too! I’m sure you didn’t want to hurt anyone, Jack. You’re the 48 THE BOY WITH THE RED BALLOON kindest guy I know!’ ‘And how many guys do you know, city girl?’ ‘Lots and lots and lots!’ said Lizzie, laughing. She was glad to see Jack was happy again. That day he made daisy chains* for her. Then he put them on her head and around her neck. ‘Lovely Lizzie, Queen of the Woods!’ he sang. She really felt like a queen with Jack. As evening arrived, he said: ‘Come on, Lazy Lizzie, it’s time to go home. Mum will be worried.” “What? You mean your mum still worries about you? But you're almost seventeen!’ said Lizzie. “Oh! You know mums... I'll always be her little boy,’ said Jack. He smiled, but it was a sad smile. Lizzie noticed* but said nothing. He never talked about his family, Maybe he had problems at home. She didn’t want to ask so she smiled and said: “Yes, you're right. My parents still think I’m their little girl. They always want to know where I’m going, who I’m with, when I’m coming home...’ daisy chains necklaces made of little notice see white flowers