Jon and Bobby had finished their skirmishes with the tins of paint. They were outside TJ Hughes, next to the sweet barrow, which was closed, and which they had been eyeing with a view to robbing some sweets. They were facing A. R. Tym’s.
They saw a little boy in a blue anorak outside the butchers. James was still eating his Smarties. It was Jon’s idea to approach him.
‘Come on, baby.’
James followed, and Jon took his hand as they walked back towards TJ Hughes. A woman who had just finished work in a shoe shop noticed them as she passed. She smiled at James because he reminded her of a nephew.
They went into TJ Hughes and walked through the store, then up the stairs. Leaving the store, they turned left into the walkway by Sayers that led to the main square. A woman who was sitting in Sayers, having a quiet drink while she waited for her bus, looked up and thought her grandson was walking past. A little boy with blond hair, skipping as he went along. The woman realised it wasn’t her grandson, and wondered momentarily why the little boy was on his own. She was reassured when he was joined by two older boys who seemed to call the child. He skipped to join them.
‘Come on, baby.’
Bobby was walking just in front of Jon, who was holding James’s hand as they made their way past Mothercare towards Marks and Spencer and the entrance to the Strand. Camera 8: 15.42.32.