‘Aiden!’ I yelled, but I don’t think he heard me. Mr Meredith was holding on to his upraised fist, trying to stop it from descending. I went to the other side of my brother as he lifted his left arm. If he couldn’t punch with his good arm, then he was obviously going to use the other. I tried to do what Mr M was attempting. I held on to his arm, but I knew I wouldn’t have the strength to stop him. As it turned out, Aiden just twisted his fist and lashed backwards, catching me in the mouth. I felt the sharp tang of blood on my tongue and I fell back onto the floor, dazed.

Aiden must have glanced behind him and seen what he’d done, because the next thing I saw was his face above mine.

‘Oh, my God, Ash,’ he said. ‘I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know it was you. I’m …’

But he didn’t get to finish and I didn’t get the chance to warn him. Over his left shoulder I saw Justin getting to his knees. His face was flushed with rage. He moved his right shoulder back and I tried to say something, I tried to tell my brother but it all happened so fast and it all happened so slow, maybe because of the knock to my head and the dizziness that resulted, but I saw the fist coming down and then I heard the sound of knuckles against bone and my brother’s eyes widened and then turned up into white and the last thing I knew was his dead weight on my body.

The school nurse examined my face and said I’d got a cut lip and that I’d probably have bruising for a few days, but other than that there was no real damage. Once Mum had satisfied herself that I was basically okay, she quizzed Mr Meredith on exactly what had gone down. She’d already sent Aiden to the clinic in the car for yet another check-up on his head. He had come to within a few minutes and said he was all good, but naturally Mum wasn’t taking any chances and insisted he be given the all-clear by a qualified doctor, rather than a nurse. The school nurse had pursed her lips at that but said nothing. Aiden grumbled, but there was no reasoning with Mum and I couldn’t blame her. As I said to Aiden, there was no point taking a risk with his health. There had to be a good chance he’d got concussion and it was better to be safe than sorry. He just nodded at that and went meekly.