Fifty-five

Mid-morning a few days later.

The boy stood in the alcove opposite Darnley outside the principal’s offices.

‘You got any smokes?’ Darnley asked with a smile.

‘No.’

‘I hear you took the skin off Binder?’

The boy smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

‘Mention my name to Binder, I don’t think he’ll mess with you.’

The boy nodded his gratitude.

‘Talkative little prick, aren’t you?’

The boy shrugged.

‘Okay, in you come,’ the head boy, Burnside, said. The boy and Darnley followed behind. Miss Reynolds rolled her eyes and shook her head at Darnley who smiled in return.

Braun was standing behind his chair. Carmody and the sixth form boy, Platmore, who’d said Darnley hit the boy, were standing to his right. Mr Abbott was standing to the left. Burnside joined Carmody and Platmore and pointed to a spot in front of Braun’s desk. The two younger boys stepped up to it and stood. Darnley had a defiant look on his face, the boy looked to the sixth formers, then to Principal Braun.

‘You’re skating on thin ice, Darnley,’ Braun said.

‘Yes, sir.’

‘You know I was about to start proceedings to have you expelled?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘But it appears we have been too hasty this time.’

Darnley gave a slight shrug.

Braun continued, ‘Mr Abbott said he has already caned you for striking Harper.’

Darnley nodded.

‘Well, you can count that as one towards the things we haven’t caught you for,’ Braun said dismissively.

Darnley shrugged.

‘So, Harper, did Darnley hit you?’ Braun asked.

‘He hadn’t hit me before it all went black.’

‘That’s not much good,’ Braun announced.

‘Platmore, did you see Darnley hit Harper?’

‘I saw him beside Harper who was on the floor. I naturally assumed Darnley hit him.’

‘Quite so. You see the reputation you have created for yourself, Darnley?’ Braun asked.

‘Yes, sir,’ Darnley hid a smile.

‘Think yourself lucky. If Carmody hadn’t put it all together you’d be getting your marching orders,’ Braun said.

‘Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.’

‘You’re a bad influence, Darnley. I will expel you if I get half an opportunity. I think you’re a thug. I think no good will come of you,’ Braun said.

‘Yes, sir. Thank you, sir,’ Darnley replied.

‘Ridiculous. Out you go, both of you,’ Braun commanded.

Darnley and the boy walked from the principal’s office.

When they were outside, Darnley asked. ‘Hey, how come you didn’t get into trouble for belting Binder?’

The boy shrugged.

‘Ridiculous,’ Darnley said, imitating Braun and walked off.

The boy smiled. He’d started a brew of ginger beer with Brain-Box yesterday and knew where the ginger beer gang would be hanging out. He ran from the principal’s alcove.

‘Stop running, boy!’ was yelled. He stopped then did his fast walking; he knew he was really fast at walking.