THE TIME MACHINE

There’s a pattern built into this story – can you work it out from the numbers in bold at the start of each section?

(750)

I’m sitting on the beach by Rhodes port, watching sailors load our luggage onto a ship bound for Rome. I don’t want to go, but my father’s been ordered back home. The ship is low in the water already, and I wonder why. It’s dangerous to overload a ship.

‘Hey, runt!’ my big brother shouts to me. His voice breaks in the middle like a wave slapping a rock. ‘Ready for our race?’

I groan. Father says I should take on Flavius’s challenges; it will help me grow strong. But a challenge you never win is no fun!

Fathers control everything, but older brothers get everything. They even get the name. My name is Flavius too, but everyone calls me Little Boots. Except Flavius. He calls me runt, rat, scrawny-knees …

‘It isn’t fair. You’re taller. Give me a head start at least.’

Flavius grins all over his spotty face. ‘All right, you