A reward

Manx doesn’t turn up to school

on Monday

and Angelo tells everyone

that Manx was seen

‘doing the deed’.

Angelo says the police

have a witness,

and looks across to Patrick

sitting quietly against the wall.

‘Manx is toast,’ Angelo says.

‘Bullshit,’ I reply,

and everyone looks at me.

‘Well, you’d know pussy-boy,

you’re always so far up Manx’s—’

He doesn’t finish the sentence

because Mr Drake steps between us

and marches everyone off to class.

All the way there

Angelo grins

as if he’s solved the crime by himself

and is waiting for his reward.