by Karen Woods
Frankie trudged into school. It looked like he had a black eye.
Donny was stood outside and watched him walk past without saying a word. He headed straight to his car. Ged had been involved in knife crime and Donny was heading round to his house to find out more. He’d catch up with Frankie later. When it rained it poured in this place.
Donny was so wrapped up in it all that he didn’t notice the black car with tinted windows parked up near the school again.
Chapter Twenty
Clare was cleaning up; her anxiety was through the roof. Mr Knight would be here soon, and her husband was getting out of jail today. Her nerves couldn’t take much more. It was one thing after another. Everyone could get to fuck, they were doing her head in. She just wanted to be alone, to curl up in a tight ball and be invisible.
Ged limped into the living room, using his hand on the door frame to steady himself. That was all Clare needed.
‘What the bleeding hell are you doing out of bed? You know you need to rest. Get your arse back up to bed and don’t be stupid.’
Ged ignored her as he stumbled towards the sofa. ‘Nah, sack staying in bed all day. If the headteacher is coming to see me then he’s not coming upstairs to my bedroom, he can see me down here. It’s a shit-tip up there anyway, nobody is seeing my bedroom.’
Clare took his arm and helped him across the room. She couldn’t face a fight. You had to pick your battles.
‘Just sit down then. In fact, lie down I’ll put a pillow under your head.’
Ged batted her away. ‘Mam, stop faffing about will you? Just leave me alone, you’re pecking my head and I’ve only been down here with you five minutes. And you wonder why I go out all the time.’
Clare sighed. ‘The landline’s been ringing all morning too. Nancy’s been on about twenty times and Frankie rang too. Said he’d texted you.’
Ged ignored her and fumbled in his pocket for his mobile, which he’d left on silent. Missed calls, texts. He put it down again.
‘So, what’s the story with Nancy now, are you on or off with her? I’m not being funny but if you have no feelings for the girl then you should let her down gently. She seems kind of up and down at the minute, though that might be because of everything that went on. I’m grateful to her, I tell you, but it’s down to you. Just be straight with her.’
‘Why are you arsed, Mam? It’s nothing to do with you so wind your neck in.’
‘I’m only asking. She obviously cares about you so if you’re binning her just be careful. She makes out she’s a tough one but I can just tell that underneath she’s fragile.’
‘I’ve told you, back off. It’s my life and I’ll do whatever I’m doing. It’s not like you can lecture me about relationships, is it? My dad only turned his back for a few seconds and you was on to someone else.’
‘You cheeky little bastard, how dare you speak to me like that? Carry on, smart-arse and you’ll see what I’m about. Who’s been here all the time for you, not your fucking dad, so stop brown-nosing him. How did I know this would happen?’
Ged sat back and folded his arms in front of him. That was him told. His mother was still going on – he’d really pressed her buttons this time. ‘I’ll be telling him that too the minute I set eyes on him. Who the fuck is he to tell you stuff about me because we can all play at that game, can’t we? Oh yes, I could tell you a few stories about him that he wouldn’t be proud of.’
Clare raised her eyes to the ceiling. She was at breaking point and she was still having a go at Ged. ‘I want respect in this house and if you’re not willing to give it then you can get your bags packed and piss off with him too. He’s only just getting out of jail and already he’s upsetting the apple cart.’
Before Ged could say anything in reply, there was a knock at the door. They looked at each other. Clare straightened her hair and brushed at her cheeks. ‘That’ll be Mr Knight. I’ll be telling him about your attitude too. Let’s see if he can talk a bit of sense into you, because I know I can’t.’ She left the room and went into the hallway.
Ged sighed. He could hear talking, whispering. He strained to hear what was being said. Shit, they were coming into the room. He lay back.
‘Here he is, the warrior.’ Donny raised his hand in greeting. ‘Glad to see you’re alright. You had us all worried. You’re very lucky to still be with us, lad.’
Clare followed behind and invited him to sit down. ‘I’m banging the kettle on if you want a brew, Mr Knight?’ Donny sat and tapped his hands on his knees. ‘I’d love a coffee if you’re making one.’
‘Sugar?’
‘No, I’m sweet enough,’ he joked.
Ged pulled a face – was his headteacher hitting on his mother?
Donny waited for Clare to disappear into the kitchen and leant over towards Ged. ‘So, fill me in, what really happened?’
‘I just got jumped, sir. Unprovoked attack it was.’
‘What, there was no arguing or anything? You can be straight with me, Ged. It doesn’t make you a grass.’
‘Nothing, I swear I never said a word to them, they just started kicking the shit out of me and one of them must have stabbed me up. I didn’t even know I’d been stabbed at first.’
Donny looked concerned. He looked over towards the door and kept his voice low. ‘So, you’ve been dealing, then?’
Ged’s eyes were wide open. ‘No, sir,’ he stuttered. ‘Who’s been chatting shit about me because I’m not selling drugs, no way.’
Donny sat back and stroked his chin. ‘I hear things, Ged, people talk. I heard you had drugs on you and that’s why you got whacked in, is that right? County lines is serious business. It might seem like just something to do for your mates but there are nasty folk involved higher up, trust me on that. Have you heard anything about that kind of thing?’
Ged avoided eye contact. ‘No sir, like I said. I got jumped for no reason. People need to stop gassing about me because if I find out who it is, I’ll punch their fucking lights out.’
Donny nodded his head slowly. ‘Calm down, keep your voice down. I have to ask you because I need to make sure you’re going to be safe, Ged. We’ve all been worried about you lately. Your mam is out of her mind with it and you have to admit that you’ve changed recently.’
‘I’ve not, I’ve just learnt not to take shit from people. I look after myself now and I don’t let people take the piss out of me. What’s wrong with that?’
Donny reached down into his bag and pulled out some paperwork. He understood this more than he was letting on; he’d been bullied, he’d been a victim. He knew how these things worked.
He started to read through his notes. ‘You chill with Frankie a bit, don’t you?’
Ged was alert now. ‘Yes, why?’
Donny kept his eyes on the paperwork as he spoke.
‘I think Frankie is up to something, he’s come into school this morning and he looks like he’s gone ten rounds in the ring, do you know anything about it?’
Ged sat up as best he could. ‘No, I know nothing. Is he alright? Is he marked?’
‘All I know is that whatever he’s caught up in isn’t doing him any good. Ged, if you know anything that might help him please let me know. I’ll keep it between us two.’ He looked at the teenager closely, watching his body language.
‘I know nothing, so you’re pissing in the wind, sir. Frankie is big enough to look after himself. If he’s a marked man, then it must be someone who can have a fight because Frankie can hold his own.’
Clare walked back into the room holding two cups. She bent down to put them on the table. ‘So, I hope he’s talking to you nice, Mr Knight, because you should hear the abuse he’s given me this morning. A right cheeky bleeder he is.’ She blushed and shook her head. ‘Sorry for swearing, but I’m at the end of my tether with him. His bell-end of a father is out of jail today and I’l
l tell you something for nothing; I can’t promise to keep my mouth shut when he comes here.’
Ged was up in arms. This was his old man she was talking about, he was sick of it, sick to death of hearing her bad-mouth him all the time, even in front of Mr Knight now. ‘She’s only saying that because she’s got a new man. Yeah, my dad’s mate it is. She knows that when he finds out he’ll be visiting Sam so that’s why her arse is twitching. Payback time, isn’t it, Mother?’
Clare gritted her teeth. ‘Have you heard him? This is how he thinks he can talk to me now. I’ll end up putting him in care, see how he likes that?’
Donny knew he had to intervene before it all blew up. ‘OK, OK, let’s just take a minute. It’s a stressful time for both of you. Ged, you can’t speak to your mother like that. You need to stop it, but Clare, you need to think about how you talk to your son too. You are the parent and you should lead by example. I’m here to help, but I didn’t come round to watch you two rip each other to shreds with your words. Everyone needs to calm down. Ged, button it will you and just be quiet for a few minutes. You should be resting not kicking off.’
Ged was struggling to keep quiet. He had more to say for sure, but knew he had to pick his moments. Clare collapsed onto a chair, her head in her hands. Her hands were shaking, a lost look in her eyes. Donny reached over for his mug and sipped at his coffee. He’d done what he’d come for and he wasn’t in the mood to be waiting around. Ged was still in one piece, he’d taken a statement, so in reality he’d ticked all the boxes to make sure his pupil was safe, what more could he do right now?
‘Ged, I hope you get better soon, and we’ll see you back in school as soon as you’re well enough. You have your head screwed on and I know you know how important it is to make sure you sit your exams. You’ve still got a chance to make something of yourself if you make the right choices now. Please ring me if you need anything or if you need a talk.’
Clare slumped a little lower in her seat. Who was there for her? Who could she call for a chat? Bleeding nobody. Her new bloke, Sam, would run a mile if she let on what a shit-show her life really was. What fella would take all that on?
‘Yeah, thanks,’ Ged mumbled.
Donny packed away his paperwork and took a final mouthful of coffee. He stood up and straightened his trousers.
‘Clare, keep me posted. Hopefully, Ged will be back in school next week if those stitches heal nicely.’
‘Yeah, if I’ve not throttled him by then.’
Donny smiled and headed for the door. ‘Bye, Ged,’ he shouted behind him.
Donny waved as he walked down the path. He heard the sound of the front door shutting behind him and headed straight for his car. There was someone standing beside it, waiting.
‘Nancy, what on earth are you doing here?’
The girl was scribbling something down and shoved it straight into her pocket when she heard him.
Donny edged closer. ‘Were you taking my registration number down then?’ he asked. Nancy ignored his question.
‘Hello, sir. I’m on my way to see Ged, is he alright?’
‘He’s fine, Nancy, but shouldn’t you be in school?’
‘I’m not well, sir, bad period pains. My mam said I could stay off.’
‘If you’re not well then shouldn’t you be at home in bed?’
Nancy walked past him and opened the garden gate.
‘I can hang out with Ged. I’ve taken some painkillers so I should be alright. Anyway, I’m doing some research, so you could class that as schoolwork.’
Donny was never quite sure what to make of Nancy. He opened the car door and sighed. ‘I’ll ring your mother and double-check with her. And what kind of research are you doing?’
Nancy tapped the side of her nose. ‘I’ll let you know when I’ve finished it.’
‘A mystery then’ he said to himself under his breath and got into the car and flicked the engine over. He watched her standing at the door. What on earth was she up to?
Chapter Twenty-One
Tina was alone in the staff room, pacing up and down, her phone to her ear. ‘Chris, I’ve given you chance after chance. I’m moving out so you’ll just have to deal with it. Nevaya has no respect for me and Charlie is no better. And all you do is lie on the bleeding sofa all night long and I’ve had enough of it. I want more from life than listening to your kids argue and fight and diss me all the time.’
Chris had things to say too; she listened for a bit before jumping in again. ‘I’ve made up my mind, Chris, I’m done. I’m moving out at the end of the week. Chance after chance you have had to make a difference but it’s always the same and I can’t take it anymore.’
The door creaked open slowly and Rita stuck her head into the room. Once she’d seen Tina deep in her call she backed away slowly before anyone noticed her. No point her disturbing her if she was busy, was there?
Donny was back at his desk replying to emails. There was a knock at the door and his face dropped as he spotted the new kid, Dan, stood there. He’d only been in the school five minutes – surely there couldn’t be a problem already? He beckoned him in.
‘Everything OK?’
Dan barged in and took a seat, slouched in the chair like he owned the place.
‘What’s going on, Dan? You can’t just waltz in here like this.’
The boy stared at him. ‘I think me and you need a little chat.’
Donny eyeballed the kid. If Charlie Big Spuds over here thought he was calling the shots, he had another think coming. He raised his voice.
‘If there’s something you need to discuss then you speak to your form tutor and then I take it from there if needed. We have rules in this school and they’re there for a reason.’
Dan looked defiant. ‘Oh, right. I just thought you would want us to keep this between ourselves. But, fair enough, if you want me to shout it from the rooftops that you’re my father then so be it. I’ll do just that then, Dad.’
Donny felt like he’d been slapped. He was choking, his windpipe was closing up, the colour drained from his face. He tried to take a deep breath. He had to be calm, think straight. He walked over to the window, loosened his tie and tried to look casual.
‘Me, your dad, are you having a laugh or what?’
Dan didn’t flinch. ‘You remember my mum, Bethany, don’t you? At least I bloody well hope you do.’
Donny started to sweat. The kid did bear a resemblance to him, he supposed. But could this really be his son? His flesh and blood? He tried to keep his cool.
‘Yeah, that’s right. She told me all about you, how you just packed up and cleared off with your family and left her up the duff, on her own to deal with it all herself. Not a very good daddy, eh?’
Donny had no choice but to brazen it out. He knew from Dan’s age that the years matched up. But he didn’t know this kid’s birthday. Bethany could have got knocked up after he’d left for Manchester. And anyway, surely she’d have got in touch at the time. She must have just seen he was a headteacher and figured he had the spare cash to pay maintenance. He’d have to shut this nonsense down immediately.
‘Yes, thank you, Daniel. I did know your mother. But I didn’t know she’d had a child.’ He knew he should stay calm but he could feel panic getting the better of him. Before he knew it, more words spilled out. ‘And as I remember, mate, I wasn’t the only person hanging about with your mother at the time. There was a list as long as my arm, so how you can say I’m your dad is beyond me.’
Dan bolted from his seat and stormed over to where Donny was stood.
‘Listen, you prick. You know full well you’re my old man. Look at me, I’m your fucking double. So, don’t be a smart arse trying to deny it. We’ll do a test if you want. Don’t see the bloody point though. You knew from the first second you seen me that I was your son. I could see it in your face that you knew, but i
f you’re denying it then we’ll have to do this the hard way. I wonder if your missus knows anything about your secret past? I might have to book my mum an appointment at that glitzy little salon of hers…’
Donny wasn’t going to back down either, their faces were just inches apart. Normally he was the one to defuse a situation like this. But this was personal. And he knew his words about Bethany had added fuel to the fire.
‘What do you know about my wife? You leave her out of this, you little fucker. Whatever your mother has told you is a lie. I’m happily married and I don’t have any kids. She’s got it wrong.’
Dan wriggled free and carried on. ‘It’s about time you started paying for your mistakes, isn’t it? Did you think you could just sail off into the sunset and this would never come back to bite you on the arse? It’s time to step up and pay your way.’
Donny spat his words right into the boy’s face. ‘So, that’s what this is about, money. I thought as much. Come on, how much do you want?’
Dan walked slowly back to his seat and sat down. He seemed smaller somehow. ‘I’m not sure what I want. I just know that you’re my father and it’s time you faced up to it. Do you know how it felt over the years growing up with no dad? My mam told me the truth from the start. She gave me photographs of you too. So let’s make like I just want to be in your life. That’s all I want – for now, anyway.’
Donny felt like he was in the middle of a nightmare. Apart from anything else, he knew that Susan would never accept that he’d had a child with another woman. It wasn’t even the fact he had a kid. She’d never believe he didn’t know anything about it – she’d think he’d hidden it. And though he’d never give Dan the satisfaction of admitting it, now he saw the fight in this kid, he was a chip off the old block. It should have been a proud moment – but there was no room for pride, or guilt or shame for that matter. All he felt was white-hot rage. No kid came into his manor and laid down the law. And certainly no little scrote was going to threaten Susan. This would break her heart, rip her in two. He had to make a stand.