‘All right,’ Jeremy said, even though it wasn’t. He’d seen the state Rave’s da was in. He’d sneaked over to the house when Rave was with Casey after his friend had come to school with a black eye and a split lip. He’d made up a stupid excuse but Jeremy was no fool. He knew his friend was lying. He knew his da had hurt him and it made him so angry he walked around to the back of the school and kicked a wall. He’d really hurt the nail on his big toe so he’d cried a little before he went back inside. He thinks no one’s watchin’, but I am. The auld fella needs to know he won’t get away with it. I won’t let him. He decided to go to the house and face him but only when Deirdre agreed to walk him to the corner of the road as moral support.

‘I’ll wait here,’ she’d said, sitting on a wall a few doors down. ‘Good luck.’

Moments later, Jeremy was standing on the path in front of Rave’s house. He gathered himself, then opened the gate. What am I doing? He didn’t notice the state of the garden: his eyes were fixed on the front-room window. Sid was standing there, staring straight out at him. He was gaunt, bony, creepy and, more than that, he was black and blue. Jeremy stopped in his tracks, waiting for Sid to acknowledge him but he didn’t. He just stared, his glassy eyes focused on something in the middle distance. He reminded Jeremy of his grammy: he was there but not really there. He almost turned and ran but he didn’t. Rave needs me to step up. He banged on the door and Sid came in his own time. When he opened it, he kept it tight. Despite that, the place reeked enough for Jeremy to take an immediate step back.

‘Ah, how are you, Mr Murphy?’ He couldn’t bear to look at him, so he kept his eyes on the ground at his feet.

‘I’m fuckin’ brilliant, thanks for askin’.’ Sid started to close the door but Jeremy was holding it open.

‘I was wondering if everything was OK here.’ His voice was shaking. What I am I bleedin’ doing?

‘What do ya mean?’ Sid asked, and suddenly he was engaged.

‘Rave’s pretty beat up. I’m worried about him.’

‘Well, don’t. He can take care of himself,’ Sid said.

‘No, he can’t. He’s a kid,’ Jeremy said. ‘He needs you.’

‘Go away, Jeremy.’

Sid moved to close the door but Jeremy stuck his foot in it, the one with the dodgy nail. ‘No,’ he shouted. His temper was rising. He was shaking and he tried his best to hold it together but when he spoke his voice shook too. ‘I won’t.’