‘You do know I still stick up for you, don’t you? Even after all the shit you’ve caused me. When Mr Clark was slating you, I told him to go easy. Every day, I’m sticking up for you.’ He wipes away a string of snot with his sleeve. ‘But I’m sorry. I’m sorry if it’s not enough. I know they make your life hell, mate. I know they bully the fuck out of you. And yeah, maybe there’s been times when I should’ve said something and didn’t. Maybe there’s shit I’ve gone along with without thinking about it. Maybe there’s been stuff I thought was a bit of a laugh and didn’t realize how badly you were taking it.’

‘A bit of a laugh? That’s what you think?’

‘Mate, I felt sick watching you in assembly earlier. Seeing everyone goading you like that. I wanted to just run up to the front and, I dunno, tell them all to fuck off.’

‘You can’t just switch sides now. You made your choice.’

They’ll just cover each other’s arses. No one’ll believe me.

‘I’m on your side, Morky. Always am. Maybe I don’t always have the balls to show it, but I’m always there.’

I shake my head at him.

‘I’m sorry, mate,’ he says, his voice warbling. ‘I’m sorry for not being a good enough friend.’

He digs in his pocket and pulls out a little packet of tissues. Unfolding two, he thrusts one towards me before mopping his own face.

‘I think we both need to calm down,’ Amit says.

For a minute, we don’t speak. I wipe my tears away and pull myself together.

‘I just need to leave now, mate,’ I say.

He draws his tissue down his face until it’s level with his nose and looks straight at me. There’s something of a smile about his puffy eyes. ‘Mate? You just called me mate.’

I look down at the floor. ‘I shouldn’t be here.’

‘Tell me you’ve accepted my apology.’

‘I don’t want to talk any more.’

He moves the chair from the door and reassembles his oversized sandwiches. He offers them to me. ‘You sure you don’t want one? They’re proper tasty.’

‘Not hungry.’

‘I never see you eating, mate. Guy’s gotta eat. Have one.’

‘I’m fine.’