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Back The Lightning Catcher Save as PDF
Chapters (45)
  1. 1
  2. 2
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  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. 10
  11. 11
  12. 12
  13. 13
  14. 14
  15. 15
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  18. 18
  19. 19
  20. 20
  21. 21
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  23. 23
  24. 24
  25. 25
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  27. 27
  28. 28
  29. 29
  30. 30
  31. 31
  32. 32
  33. 33
  34. 34
  35. 35
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  37. 37
  38. 38
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  40. 40
  41. 41
  42. 42
  43. 43
  44. 44
  45. Acknowledgements

Lily yanked loose threads out of the cushion next to her, two at a time, fingers fast and savage. ‘But Alfie, this can’t … They can’t do this to you …’ She trailed off and sat still. ‘I won’t let them.’

I didn’t speak, just stared at her, and she stared back at me.

We were double-stunned.

NEW JOURNAL

21st August, 11.15 p.m.

We thought there would be time between the police going and whatever was going to happen next.

But they came for me this afternoon.

32

Departure

The houses on Usher’s Place curve round in a semicircle, so when they came for me, there was no hiding. Faces appeared at windows, curtains jiggled, and things suddenly needed doing in front gardens.

The social worker – the most smiley lady ever – took me by the shoulders while two men stood beside the open car door, watching. She guided me forwards gently, but my stomach lurched, like it was trying to escape by itself. The rest of me was jelly.

Mum came too, but Lily had to stay behind. She stood on the doorstep with Mrs Gillespie, who’s going to stay at our house for a while. When the social worker first put her hands on my shoulders, Lily looked ready to yank her fingers off me, one by one.

The social worker looked like she was used to this. ‘Are you comfortable?’ she asked when we were all strapped in.

‘Yes, thank you.’ Mum’s voice was thick and swamped with tears, as if she had a mouthful of porridge.

Then Lily took a step towards the car and shouted, ‘You can’t take him! Alfie!’ And Mum had to get out of the car and calm her down, and then the social worker got out too and untangled Mum and Lily, and Mrs Gillespie put her arms right round Lily until she looked like a small girl.

Lily stopped shouting, but she didn’t stop sobbing and sniffing.

By the time they got Mum back in the car, I couldn’t listen to Lily any more. I covered my ears but kept my eyes on hers till the very last second.

33

Always Watching

11.50 p.m.

Court was frightening and boring and confusing all at once. Adults spoke one at a time and took ages. Mum and I just sat there.

Then Mum had to go home and I had to carry on in the same car, away from her.

I’m never going to write about that.

They’ve taken my phone, so I can’t get texts.

‘Nothing bad is going to happen to you, Alfie,’ the social worker said. ‘We’re just taking you to an appropriate setting until your case can be heard fully. That takes a little while to prepare. But there are other boys there and you’ll soon settle in.’

Don’t want to settle in. Just want to go home.