Harry waited for the rest of the gang to move on before setting off again. When their voices had faded once more he headed around the corner into Magnolia Crescent and by walking very quickly he soon came within hailing distance of Dudley, who was strolling along at his ease, humming tunelessly.
‘Hey, Big D!’
Dudley turned.
‘Oh,’ he grunted. ‘It’s you.’
‘How long have you been “Big D” then?’ said Harry.
‘Shut it,’ snarled Dudley, turning away.
‘Cool name,’ said Harry, grinning and falling into step beside his cousin. ‘But you’ll always be “Ickle Diddykins” to me.’
‘I said, SHUT IT!’ said Dudley, whose ham-like hands had curled into fists.
‘Don’t the boys know that’s what your mum calls you?’
‘Shut your face.’
‘You don’t tell her to shut her face. What about “Popkin” and “Dinky Diddydums”, can I use them then?’
Dudley said nothing. The effort of keeping himself from hitting Harry seemed to demand all his self-control.
