‘You could tell the police you were forced to help Pete. I’ll back you up. But if you don’t help me, Pete might kill me. I don’t know if my parents have the money he wants, so what happens then? He might kill you and Lewis too if things don’t go his way.’ Danny didn’t know Pete but assumed he was a ruthless man. Lewis and his mother were both afraid of him, and looking at their damaged faces it was with good cause. ‘It could be a chance for you to make a new start and I know my mum and dad will help you.’

‘Get away and stop bothering me, will you. Lewis, lock him up again if he’s going to nag me.’ She turned away and Danny had no idea what she was thinking or if his words had touched her at all. Lewis took hold of his arm and pulled him away.

They went upstairs and sat on the mattress.

‘Do you think she’ll consider it?’ Danny asked.

‘Maybe.’ Lewis shrugged. ‘She’s sober for a change and I know she’s not happy with Pete when she’s sober. She drinks so she doesn’t have to think about what a mess her life is. What you said about a new start was good. I’d like us to be able to start again somewhere different – maybe even go to a posh school like you do, so I can be clever like you.’

With wide eyes Danny turned to look at Lewis. ‘But you are clever. I don’t think I’d know how to survive the life you live, but you do, and take care of your mum too. I’d never be able to do that.’ Danny was starting to look upon Lewis as a friend; he rather liked this skinny boy who was so different to himself.

If they’d met under any other circumstances they probably wouldn’t have had anything in common to talk about and nothing to draw them together. So why was he feeling this way now? Danny had been born into a relatively wealthy family – Lewis was not only poor but his life was hard and often violent. In this bizarre situation they were both living in fear. Was this what drew them together?