by Griff Hosker
He felt a flush of air and then a vaguely familiar voice said, “God Robbo but you are a prat! You lose the captaincy of the football team and are warned to leave this lad alone and then you come here to do, God knows what! You have got the brain cells of an amoeba! The thing is no-one likes you. You are a bully! You’re not a bad footballer but you aren’t that good. And the thing is, I like this kid. He saved your mate Johnno. Shouldn’t have but he did. He never grassed anyone up and yet you still go after him like a rotweiler with its brain removed and then to top it all you try to hurt the mate who is teaching me chess and who is in my cross country running team. Now then what would you call that?” His hair had been released and he had recognised the voice of Kevin Burns. “You all right kid?”
“I am now Kev.”
“Come on dork! I asked you a question.”
“Stupid Kev. Stupid!”
Wayne heard the slap and the blow. “My friends call me Kev. Wayne calls me Kev. You call me Sir.”
“Sorry Sir.”
“That’s better and what are we going to do about my friend Wayne?”
“Leave him alone.”
There was another blow and another cry. “And?”
“And spread the word that he is not to be touched.”
“You know Robbo I have hopes for you, like I hope you that you might survive to the end of the year now get!”
As Kevin helped Wayne to his feet the door slammed and Michael ran as fast as he could to his detention. “Thanks Kev.”
“No worries. I meant it you are in my team now and I look after my team. Now let’s get changed.”
Chapter 17
When Friday came and passed much as the rest of the week had passed, successfully, Wayne had a dilemma. He knew that the head and Anna were waiting for his decision but his safety relied on Kevin who would be leaving in June. What would happen when Kevin left? Wouldn’t Robbo wreak his revenge on Wayne far more than he would have done before Kevin’s intervention? As he waited with Anna outside the head’s office he didn’t actually know what he would do.
Anna sensed his mental debate. The normally chatty boy had been silent. She knew the week had gone well; after the cross country training he had been positively bouncing and Mrs Woodward was gushing about what a lovely young man he was and a delight to have in the home and what a change had occur in less than a week. She had thought that he would have said he wanted to stay but now she wasn’t sure.
Dave had had a difficult week. Wayne had been the least of his problems. He had had numerous complaints about Tony Lancaster; apparently he had laid his hands on a pupil. The problem was that the pupil was Michael Roberts and Tony Lancaster was the union rep. There had been many other issues in the week and Wayne Johnson was almost a pleasure to deal with but he felt on edge. This was a test. Wayne had, unwittingly, asked many questions about his leadership and his school. Wayne’s answer meant more to him than anything which had happened in the last five years. If Wayne chose another school it would be more than a slap in the face of Dave Campbell, it would mark a failure, a major failure. Everything he had done in the previous thirty years leading to this prestigious headship would mean nothing if Wayne did not stay.
The atmosphere in the room was tense for none of the three actually knew what would transpire. “Well Wayne have we done enough in a week to convince you?”
“If I am honest…”
“Come on son I’d rather have honesty. I think after your trials and tribulations you would have realised that.”
For the first time Wayne smiled. “Well Sir, nothing you did or said changed my mind. I was all set to leave the school but I think the school changed my mind. The dinner ladies and their banter, the good teachers I got instead of, well let’s just leave it there and, a kid who was in more trouble than me but who helped me when I needed it. I would like to stay, if you want me.”
Dave sat back in his chair. “Well I can honestly say my flabber has never been so gasted! I did not expect that answer. I hoped for it but you have given me pause for thought. Perhaps we are going in the right direction.”
“Yes Dave but from what Wayne said the journey isn’t over yet.”
“No, you are right. See you on Monday Wayne?”
“Yes Sir. Wouldn’t miss it.”
As they were driving home Anna glanced at Wayne. “You’ve grown Wayne.”
“Probably Mrs Woodward’s bread miss.”
“No Wayne you have changed and I wonder if you can handle the next problem heading your way.”
“Heading my way?” He became wary. “What problem is that then Miss?”
She took a deep breath. “Your mum is a little better. She is coming up here to settle your nana’s affairs.”
“Oh.” They drove in silence and Wayne counted the streets to his home. “What problem is that then Miss?”
“Well, if your mum can prove she can look after you, then she will take you back.”
“That is the problem? That’s not a problem for me. We are a team.”
“What if you go back to London?”
“That’s okay. If we are together then we can handle it. I would miss Hartlepool. I’ve come to quite like it and the people. They are a bit weird but in a nice way. No Miss. Mum and me aren’t a problem. It was the world around us that caused us the problems. When is she coming up?”
“Next week. The case worker is bringing her up on the train.”
“She’ll like that. It’s a really fast train.”
When Craig arrived the next day Wayne was really pleased that he loved the new chess set. “This is such a good set. You feel like you can play better.”
“I know. I felt that as soon as I opened it. Shame I can’t play with it in the tournament.”
“Yeah. But you are getting better. Even in the last few days you have improved.”
“You know part of that was teaching Kevin. Somehow I understood the game more when I explained it to him,”
Craig shyly smiled. “I know. I did when I taught you.” They played in silence for a while. “What do you think of the little girl who sits next to you in English?
Wayne was no longer surprised that his every movement was scrutinised beyond belief. “She’s all right. What do you say up here? She’s canny.”
“That’s my sister, Helen.”
“Really I wish I’d known.” He suddenly panicked. “I didn’t upset her did I?”
“No she thinks you are nice. A gentleman I think she said.”
“No one has ever called me that.”
“And I can see why. Check.”
The first part of the following week seemed to drag. He enjoyed the lessons and was no longer seen as different. The word had gone out and no-one bothered him but the week dragged as he waited for his mum to come. Anna grew used to the daily question about the imminent arrival.”If you asked me to guess I would say Friday would be the day she arrives. We have pencilled in two meetings, one on Friday afternoon and the other on Monday morning. Does that satisfy you?”
“Yes Miss.”
The unexpected turn of events came on Wednesday when Johnno returned to school, on crutches. Miss Tozer had warned Wayne of his return, not because she was worried but she thought it only fair to Wayne. “He’ll be based in the unit.”
“That’s okay Miss I am only there for registration and if he chases me, well his crutches will get in the way.”
“I don’t think he will be after you Wayne.”
“Me neither Miss but I have learned to expect the worst and then you can have some nice surprises.”
Wayne was helping Stephen with his maths when the door was opened and Johnno hobbled in. He only knew he had returned when he heard his voice beside him.
“Wayne.”
“Johnno.”
“They told me I would have been dead if you hadn’t found me. Thanks.”
“No problem.”
“I still don’t know how you found me though.”
“Me ne
ither, probably dumb luck or a guardian angel.”
He snorted, “I don’t think I have a guardian angel; they only watch over good kids.”
“I think you might be surprised who they watch over. Anyway I’m glad you are getting better.”
“Do you want to be the first to write on me pot?”
“Yeah.”
Soon the whole tutor group was clamouring to write on the pot. Wayne just returned to his seat. Johnno looked at him and nodded. It was almost as though Wayne had been accepted. There would be no trouble from Johnno and that meant he was safe in the streets, and the playground and the dining hall and the corridors. The impossible situation had been resolved. ‘It was like a chess game,’ Wayne thought, ‘Your opponent appeared to control the whole board and there was no direct route for attack but by being subtle and exploring less obvious strategies you could win in the most unlikely way.’
On Friday morning as Anna put on her seat belt she turned to Wayne, “Miriam, the case worker, sent me a text. They are on the train. They will be here by twelve. I’ll see Dave and get you out of lessons for the afternoon. We will go to the Marina for lunch.”
Wayne was excited to be seeing his mum and having lunch at the Marina but he also felt guilty about missing the afternoon lessons. He had been at Spion Kop for a few weeks now and he had still not managed to do a whole week’s lessons. He voiced his concerns to Craig.
“Missing a couple of lessons is nothing. You are going to be seeing your mum.”
“I know Craig but it is weird. Why am I feeling guilty? A week last Monday I asked the head for a different school and I was worried about being in ordinary lessons.”
Craig shrugged, for him school had always been a place he had enjoyed; not the noisy chaotic part which were the public areas but the lessons had always been a delight. He realised part of it was because, being in the top sets, he had better teachers and the behaviour in the lessons tended to be better. Wayne had managed to escape the quagmire that was the world of the bottom sets. “Perhaps it’s the journey you have taken. Maybe you had to go the darkest place to get here. You know what it is like to be in a hopeless situation and now you are in a hopeful one.”
Wayne nodded. “Wise words and a bit like you.”
“Like me?”
“Checkmate!”
Anna was waiting with Dave when the head’s assistant brought Wayne. “You’ll have to catch up with this work you are missing Wayne.”
“Yes Sir. I know.”
“Tell your mum if she wants to come in for a chat my door is always open. I will be here until five thirty tonight.”
“I will Sir.”
Wayne had been to the Marina with his nana but they had only had the fish and chips and watched the ships in the locks. He was quite excited about eating in a restaurant. It also meant that he was just a few yards away from Hope Street. “Miss have I got time to go and see nana’s neighbour?”
Anna looked at her watch. “Not really Wayne but we have to go to the solicitors after lunch and we’ll probably be going round to your old house.” Anna avoided the issue of Wayne and his mum not being in the same dwelling even though it would be the first time they could be together. That particular bridge would have to be crossed but there were other difficulties along the way.
When the train came in Wayne was disappointed. It was not the Grand Central he and nana had taken it was just a little Northern Rail train.
“I think they got the East Coast to Darlington and changed there.”
“They should have got the Grand Central. No changes then.”
She smiled. “Maybe next time eh?”
“What do you think will happen Miss?”
“I genuinely don’t know. I know Miriam and your mum have had discussions but there are too many unknowns: the house, London, your mum’s health, you.”
“I know. Life isn’t easy is it?”
“No Wayne it most certainly is not.”
The train finally lurched to a noisy halt and began to disgorge its passengers. Wayne tried to peer around the suitcase and bag festooned travellers to catch a glimpse of his mum. Suddenly there she was in front of him looking tiny next to Miriam Calvert-Jones in her high heels and shoulder pads. He just ran to her and Anna sighed with relief when she saw his mum do the same. The two social workers stood off to one side to witness the reunion. Neither Wayne nor his mum said a word and they just froze like a frieze on a wall or a tableau posing for an artist. Eventually Debbie pulled back and viewed him at arm’s length. “Let’s have a look at you. Well you’ve grown a bit. Put a bit of meat on yer.” She ruffled his hair. “But you could do with a haircut.”
He laughed with her. “You look good mum. But you need a couple of nana’s meals inside you.”
“I could that love. I wish I could have got here for the funeral but … well you know.”
He nodded. “I said goodbye to her, from both of us.”
She put her arm around him. “I’m glad you were there.” She pointed at the social workers. “Miriam said as how you made a difference. Thanks son.”
“We’re family mum aren’t we? Here give me your bag.”
Anna stepped forward. “Right then let’s get on shall we? I’m Anna Allen Wayne’s social worker. Pleased to meet you.”
“I’m Debbie. Thanks for looking after my little lad.”
“It has been a pleasure. He is a very resourceful and thoughtful young man you can be proud of him.”
“I am. Don’t you worry. I am.”
“I thought we could grab a bite to eat first.”
“Any chance of seeing Hope Street? It’s only round the corner.”
“We could do but the solicitor has the keys. We are meeting him at three so…”
“Okay you are the boss.” Debbie looked around. “It’s nearly fourteen years since I lived here. Where do we eat?”
Anna and Wayne smiled a conspiratorial look. “I think you may be surprised at the changes Debbie … and Miriam?”
“Yes?”
“If you have had any preconceptions about the north then be prepared to lose them. My car is just outside.”
“We’ll get in the back Miss eh? We are only little.”
Miriam flashed a look at the young man who seemed a different child from the one sleeping in her office a few weeks ago. Was he saying she was large? “So how do you like Hartlepool Wayne?”
“It’s everything nana said and a little bit more. I like it.”
Debbie nodded appreciatively. “I know what you mean son. I thought I would never leave London to come back to this little backwater but you know what? It feels like coming back to an old friend you haven’t seen in a long time.”
“Well mum. This friend has had a serious face lift.”
As they drove along the dual carriageway Miriam saw the masts of the Napoleonic frigate, H.M.S Trincomalee. ”I thought all the historic ships were in Portsmouth?”
“This is one they didn’t manage to steal after we rebuilt it.” Anna had been a fan of its predecessor the Warrior.
“They were still doing it when I left. It looks good.”
“It’s brilliant mum. Nana took me on board. They have all the guns and you can see the hammocks and they have a man firing a musket.”
The three women laughed at his enthusiasm. “You’ve convinced me. We’ll go.”
When they turned into the car park at the Marina Debbie couldn’t believe what she saw. There were dozens of yachts moored neatly next to pontoons and the cafes had tables outside like London or Paris. Even Miriam was impressed. “I see what you mean about preconceptions.”
“Right what do we want to eat?” When Miriam looked at her quizzically she added, “Thai, Indian, French, Italian, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, traditional English or just fish and chips?”
“You have all of those here?”
Wayne piped up, “Yup and Miss needs to know so that she can park close by. Miss doesn’t like to walk too far do you Miss?”
<
br /> “Cheeky.”
“Italian for me, “ventured Debbie. The others nodded.
“Right that’s one decision made.”
Lunch was largely two conversations. Mother and son discussing what Hartlepool was now like and the two social workers comparing bosses, life styles and case loads. For all four it was a very pleasant lunch. When the bill came the two social workers argued about who would pay. They would be putting it on expenses anyway. Eventually Miriam won the argument on the basis that her London allowance was greater. However, when she saw that the bill for all of them was less than £30 she gasped with disbelief. “In London I would expect to pay that for just me.”
Wayne leaned over, “Welcome to the north Miss.”
“Shall we have a little explore? We have forty five minutes.”
Wayne took great delight in showing the two strangers what there was to see. His mum recognised some features like the headland but she hadn’t seen the yachts and ships. As they approached the car Debbie said, “Fancy an ice cream Wayne?”
“Yes please.” She looked at the two social workers who shook their heads. Debbie wandered off to the ice cream shop and the two social workers went towards the car.
“It’s a heck of a change in such a short time. When I read the reports of the assault and the death I thought we would have had a much damaged boy.”
“Me too but something happened when he went on the school trip. I have no idea what but some strange things went on there. Wayne is keeping something hidden but I can’t winkle it out of him.”
“Yes the whole bit with him finding that boy. There was no suggestion he had pushed him was there?”
“No. I have spoken to the lad. He was on his own and he fell all by himself. He is just grateful Wayne came along. It’s like one of the great mysteries, like the Marie Celeste. “She looked over at Debbie. She had heard how unwell she had been and was surprised by her healthy appearance. “His mum is looking well.”
“She is now. There was a change in her just after the grand-mother died. I really liked her you know. I was really upset when she died.”
“She was one of the true matriarchs. The bond between her and Wayne was amazing.”