‘Really? That seems likely to you, does it? It seems likely that Treasure tripped for no apparent reason and managed to roll himself around in spilt paint until he was covered from head to foot, and then he just stood there doing absolutely nothing about it until a teacher came and found him?’

‘What is it, Mrs Campbell, that you’re implying?’ The headmaster’s veneer of insincere civility was disintegrating in the face of such an unexpected challenge to his authority. ‘Are you trying to suggest that someone else was involved?’

‘I’m suggesting that your version of events is about as likely as Prince Charles announcing his engagement to Elsie Tanner! What does Treasure say?’

Mr Scrait smirked. ‘Nothing.’

Ruby stood up. She’d had enough. ‘You’ve not heard the last of this. My husband and I will be in touch.’

Mr Scrait didn’t bother to rise from his chair.

‘Ah yes, Mr Campbell. He’s from Jamaica, I believe.’ He returned to his paperwork, before adding as an afterthought, ‘Of course, it’s never easy for children like Treasure having parents from such different backgrounds.’

Ruby resisted the temptation to slam the door on her way out. Miss Jenkins was waiting with a carrier bag containing Treasure’s ruined shoes.

‘I’m so sorry. He’s a lovely boy. So well behaved.’ She turned to Treasure. ‘I hope you’re feeling better soon.’ He gave no indication of having heard her attempt at kindness, but Ruby thanked her and then took Treasure’s soiled hand in her own.

‘Come on, son. Let’s get you out of here.’

_______________________

Randall sat at the kitchen table with his head in his hands. Eventually he looked up at Ruby and she was scared by what she saw. Her husband was usually a genial man. He rolled with the punches – took everything in his long and loping stride. But she knew that at his core burned a pride that was absolute. It had been hard won and sorely tested. The ‘mother country’ that had invited him, one of her sons, to make it his home in 1948 had denied and humiliated him more times than Ruby wanted to remember – far too many times for her to be able to forget. But Randall had refused to be broken by his country’s betrayal. He had never allowed the demeaning treatment he had endured, nor the filthy words flung at him in ignorance and hate, to define or diminish him. He knew who he was. He was an honourable man, who worked hard and loved his family. He was proud of where he came from and the life that he had built. But this was different. This was his son.

‘Someone is going to pay for this,’ he growled.

Ruby placed her hand over his.

‘We don’t know what happened.’

Randall smashed his fist down onto the table and stood up, knocking his chair flying across the kitchen.