‘Who are you?’ Sohal cried.
One of the monsters shuffled forward.
Sohal was alarmed to see that it had SIX eyes. What on earth did it need SIX eyes for?!
‘We are your Worries,’ the monster said. ‘And my name’s HURT. I worry about, well... getting hurt, mainly.’
‘Are you real?’ Sohal said, pinching himself hard, in case he was still sleeping.
‘Well, we’re all the things you worry about, so we definitely ARE real, thank you very much,’ Hurt said, scratching at a bandage on his head.
A creature that looked like a furry octopus came forward next, nudging the other Worries out of the way with its tentacles.
‘Excuse me, excuse me – I think you’ll find I’m in charge around ’ere,’ she said gruffly. ‘Allow ME to say hello. I’m BABS. Nice to meet ya, darlin’. I look after all them Worries.’ Babs pointed to the creatures sitting behind her.
Sohal frowned. ‘So, you’re not a Worry yourself, then?’
‘Oh yeah, I am!’ said Babs proudly.
‘I’m just LOTS of Worries all at once. You know that weird feelin’ in yer tummy when you can’t quite put yer finger on what’s worryin’ ya?’
‘Yes!’ Sohal said. ‘I get that ALL the time!’
‘Well, that’s me! I’m the one who figures out which of these squirts needs attention.’