Corrugated fences flashed by, each looking exactly like the next, and in his bother he became hopelessly disorientated, couldn’t remember which was Thelma’s gate, even which side of the alley it was on. Those kids had spotted where he’d gone to ground. He didn’t look back, but could hear them storm into the Upton Street end of the alleyway, baying insults and threats which could mean everything or nothing. He could hear the clatter of little nylon wheels across flagstones, and pounding feet. An empty aluminium drink can sailed past his ear and clanged against a gate post—maybe it was Thelma’s gate post, but he couldn’t even remember what colour that was.

There was a sudden unexpected break in the wall of iron on his left, a splash of light from a gate left ajar, and he darted in there and slammed the gate shut and stood against it, quaking. The feet stopped, the wheels stopped and someone rattled the gate half-heartedly and said, ‘Aw, let’s forget about that little wimp, for the time being, know what I mean? Probably nicked inside to tell his old lady on us. Come on, let’s go down the oval.’

The feet stampeded past and there was just the muted, innocuous rumble of main-street traffic. Nothing was new, nothing under the sun…confrontation and flight, huddling in some secret place trembling with cowardice. It happened inevitably at each new school, every new place he lived. All his strong resolutions made in lonely hours seemed doomed to come tumbling down like a flimsily built tower of plastic blocks. Seymour stood pressed against the gate for a long time.

17 Acacia Avenue

Merken

Dear Judith,

I’m sorry to trouble you, but I wondered if you have any idea where Angela is living now? She really is very inconsiderate about not letting us know when she moves, and some urgent mail (bills etc.) has turned up here for her.

Judith, I’m afraid my husband must have sounded very abrupt and rude when he arrived to collect her belongings from your flat last month. We were all very upset and things looked so hopeless and impossible. I do apologise for Stuart, he’s been under a great deal of pressure and strain recently.

It was kind of you to put Angie up for those four days, especially when you’re so cramped for space with the new baby. I’m sorry she abused your hospitality like that, it was unforgivable. She had no right to inconvenience you when she could easily have come out here to stay.