‘I got nice footage of you dropping off the deep end too,’ Duke said. ‘That ride is too steep for me.’

‘Practise,’ Julius suggested. ‘Been skating since I was seven, but I took lessons with a pro when I was in London last summer. I’d watched all the trick vids on YouTube, but having someone watch you ride and explain what you’re getting wrong made so much difference.’

Duke looked impressed. ‘You’ve been to a proper skatepark?’

Julius nodded. ‘Huge indoor one in Berlin, and a couple in London.’

‘There was talk about building a skatepark in Lagos,’ Duke said. ‘But I’ll believe it when I see it.’

The weeds growing high above the pathways made the pool seem isolated. Julius liked the sense that they could sit here for hours without seeing another soul.

‘It was really cool showing me this place,’ Julius said, feeling he ought to offer something in return. ‘We should meet up Saturday night. My brothers are having their birthday party.’

‘How many siblings you got?’ Duke asked.

‘Three brothers. Kehinde and Taiwo are turning seventeen. Gabe’s ten.’

Duke laughed uneasily. He knew Julius had brothers but hadn’t realised they were two of the biggest thugs in the school.

‘We’re not friendly,’ Duke said. ‘They hang with that nasty piece of work, Collins.’

‘Collins is my cousin,’ Julius said. ‘The governor’s son.’

‘No disrespect,’ Duke said awkwardly.

‘Rip my family all you like!’ Julius laughed, waving hands like he was batting off flies. ‘My childhood memories are big brothers and cousins ganging up, chasing me with sticks or rubbing their butts on my face. The party is at this punky club place called Dog Head. It’s a private party, so we can drink and stuff.’

Duke made a don’t be dumb face. ‘Julius, the last interaction I had with your cousin, Collins pulled a knife. Said he’d cut my throat if I ever looked at him again. So, thanks, but better to give that a miss.’

‘Pity,’ Julius said, burying his head in his hands. ‘Everyone’s jealous because I’m rich. But my family pisses me off. I can’t go anywhere without a bodyguard. It’s like prison.’

‘Comfortable prison,’ Duke pointed out. ‘Marble floors, big-screen TVs. No uncle who comes home and turns off the air con to save diesel.’

The boys had squeezed close to watch the videos and when Julius took his hands off his face and looked up, their noses almost touched.

Duke’s eyes seemed sadder from close up. Julius wondered what it must be like, waking up every day knowing people were going to punch, kick and call you a homo. If he’d found himself in the same position, Julius was sure he’d have ditched the earrings, chopped his hair and tried to make himself invisible. He admired Duke’s defiance, but it was also infuriating.