It was surprising how quickly we got used to having Ellie-bot in the classroom. We all stared at it the first couple of times the top of its head flashed blue and Ellie asked a question. But after that it became normal. It felt like Ellie was really there with us.

At break-time Miss Burnell asked if she could have a chat with me.

“Anna,” she said. “I’d like you to partner up with Ellie-bot.”

I was confused. How could I partner up with a robot?

“Me? But how?” I asked.

“I want you to be Ellie’s go-to person for any questions she might have about school life,” said Miss Burnell. “I’m sure she’d like to hear from a student. You can tell her all about yourself and what you like doing in and out of school.”

I stared at Miss Burnell’s desk. I didn’t do anything out of school. Nia would have been a far better person to do it. Nia was super-confident and her life was so busy with all her hobbies. What would I have to talk about?

I looked over at the desk where Ellie-bot was still sitting.

“Can you ask someone else, Miss?” I whispered. I didn’t want Ellie to hear me.

Miss Burnell shook her head. “I would really like it to be you, Anna. OK?”

I knew that she’d made her mind up and I didn’t have a choice. Teachers are good at that: making it sound as if you’ve agreed to do something you don’t want to do.

“All right,” I said. “What do I have to do?”

I could hear everyone laughing and running outside. It wasn’t raining now and the sun was shining. Nia, Shavina and Erin would be in the top playground talking. I’d normally be there too, even if I did more listening than chatting.

“Just start by introducing yourself,” Miss Burnell said. “How does that sound?”

I sighed. I didn’t know Ellie and I was expected to chat with her through a robot. And she was really ill. What was I supposed to say? This would be so easy for Nia. I was about to try to get out of it again when Miss Burnell went over to the robot.

“Ellie? Are you there?” she said.

There was a pause and then a small voice replied, “Yes, Miss, I’m here.”

Miss Burnell beckoned for me to come over. She pulled out the seat where Ellie would have sat if she was actually in class.

“I want to introduce you to one of the pupils in my class,” said Miss Burnell. She turned the robot around so it was staring right at me. “This is Anna and she’s going to tell you a little bit about herself and our school.”

Miss Burnell gave me a smile.