‘Fine,’ he said. He’d got a bottle of whisky on the table. I left him to it. I got changed into one of the tops Maggie had got me. They all fitted, although a couple were a bit big. I don’t usually change after school but then I don’t usually have something worth changing into. It’s a pale blue Superdry top and I can’t stop looking at myself in the mirror. Glad nobody can see me. I might wear it for the next Save The Library meeting.

After some revision and a mild panic, because I realised I didn’t know as much about World War One as I thought I did, I went downstairs to get a drink. I looked in on Dad. He hadn’t moved from the sofa and was staring at the TV. For once the TV wasn’t on.

‘You sure you’re okay?’ I asked.

He turned slowly to look at me. ‘The car’s failed its MOT.’

‘Right.’ I wasn’t sure what else to say.

‘That’s it. I can’t afford to get it fixed. We have no car.’

I couldn’t see how it was going to affect me so decided not to say anything about it. ‘You want a coffee?’

Dad frowned. ‘Is that another new top?’

‘Yeah.’ I stood up straight to show it off.

‘Where from?’

‘My mate’s mum.’ I’d not yet owned up about Maggie.

‘She just gave them to you?’

‘Yeah.’

Dad’s expression changed from one of scrutiny to alarm. ‘You know two people have been mugged?’

‘Err. No.’ I knew about Maggie, obviously, but I didn’t know if she was one of the two he was talking about.

‘Old ladies in the village just after it gets dark. Police are looking for a tall skinny youth.’

We looked at each other. I could feel my neck heating up. ‘Did you want a coffee?’

‘Hang on, Tom. What’s going on? What are you not telling me?’

‘Nothing.’ I might have been too quick to respond but I didn’t like the way he was looking at me. He knew I was hiding something.

‘Bloody hell. It’s you isn’t it?’

‘What?’

‘The muggings. Oh, Tom. Why?’

‘No, Dad!’ What the hell? How had he jumped to that conclusion?

‘Don’t deny it. All the extra cash and now the new trendy clothes. Why you little…’

I dodged out of the way as he made a lunge. He’d clearly caught up on his drinking today. ‘Dad. You’ve got this all wrong.’ I backed away as he staggered to his feet. Anger and injustice bubbled in my gut.

‘Don’t LIE!’ he shouted and spit flew in my direction. I was angry at being accused but he was in a proper rage.