Waiting for my GCSE results was torture but working on Savage’s farm took my mind off things. I was outdoors all the time and mostly had one of the dogs with me. Rusty’s puppies were both sold but at least I got to see Rusty most days. I loved the work. It was full-on and knackering but I was doing something useful and I was getting a tan. The money was all right and I’d been giving some to Dad and saving the rest. I tried paying Maggie some rent and she threatened to knock my block off so instead I thought I’d do something nice for her or get her something decent for Christmas.

Dad was okay about me living with Maggie in the week and coming home after I’d done my volunteer’s shift at the library on a Saturday. Weekends with Dad were about watching telly and making up Avon orders but the atmosphere was more relaxed now that the drinking and finances were under control. At least we had something to talk about although he still wasn’t great at conversation. I’d started cooking on a Saturday night. Maggie had been teaching me some simple stuff and a few trips on the bus to the charity shops in Leamington Spa have got both me and Dad looking half decent.

Living in two places probably sounds weird to other people but it suits me fine. I wasn’t looking forward to going back to Dad’s all the time when school restarted but I didn’t have much choice. I’d talked to Maggie about it and she said I needed to tell Dad how I felt but I couldn’t seem to work out how to say it without it sounding like I didn’t want to live with him. He was okay now he was off the alcohol and I definitely didn’t want to do anything that might set him back.

Results day was a Thursday and I decided to get the early bus down to be there when the results were handed out. Maggie asked if I wanted her to come with me. I kind of did but I knew some of the other kids wouldn’t have their olds with them so I said no thanks.

There was already a crowd waiting when I got off the bus. Farah was with her mates. I lurked alone at the back. When they opened the school doors it was all quite organised but I bet everyone just wanted to charge in, grab their envelope and run out like Usain Bolt. I was queuing when I heard squeals and saw Farah jumping up and down with another girl. They both seemed happy. My stomach lurched. What if I’d messed it all up?

‘Name?’ asked the bored-looking lady who usually worked in the office. She didn’t appear happy about having to come in to work today.

‘Thomas Harris.’