‘It wis them, but who knows who done it. Could huv been any them.’ Matty’s reaction told me it wisnae him. It’s never the main cunts. It wid huv been wan ae their younger wans or a periphery cunt tryin tae make a name fur himself or who huv bad parents who drank n didnae show them any love. That’s the way it works. There’s wounded pups aboot here that turn intae wild animals wae nae empathy. They’re the stone-cold killers who plug cunts n jump on their heeds. The main men ir the popular, bold cunts but usually, they irnae killers. They huv their pick ae the burds n pals, too much tae live fur tae throw it aw away fur a moment ae senseless n serious violence. It’s always the wee cunts yi huv tae watch, the ootsiders.

‘Leaving that aside, how can you break the cycle? It’s too late for Lucas, but not you.’ We both sit n ponder this a minute. It seems barely believable after aw these years that we’re actually here. McGiver sighs and looks deflated. He hud always tried his best fur us n wis often accused ae being a Coach Carter wannabe, his damning indictment. It wisnae true. McGiver seen potential in people that others didnae. That wis his powerful gift. The understandin in the big man’s face is unparalleled.

‘A’ve stopped takin drugs n that. The lassie A’m seein has asked me tae move tae Newcastle fur a few month tae see how we git on.’

‘That’s all positive. Is moving a possibility?’

‘Aye. A’m oot on bail fur an ABH but A could always come back up fur a day tae appear n head straight back doon.’

‘What’s stopping you?’

‘A dunno, nuhin noo, A suppose.’

‘Sounds like a viable option. Things will calm in time, and perhaps you’ll gain some valuable perspective elsewhere.’

‘Aye, maybe a few month will let everyhin cool doon here. Or it’s gonnae be me gittin stabbed or goin tae jail.’

McGiver seems tae consider this a moment n nods. ‘That’s the smartest thing I’ve heard you say yet. Everyone makes their own choices in this life, right or wrong, good or bad. The only life you can truly affect is your own. Do what’s right for you and your family. I’m sure your mother will be glad to see you out of harm’s way.’

We shake hands and A see him tae the door. Before he walks oot, he says his final piece. ‘You’re a survivor, you know.’ A watch him pull his collar up and walk away. He raises a hand but doesnae turn. A think back as A watch him go, n remember him chasin us doon the eld corridors when we wur doggin it. He’s a man ae few words at times but he believes in yi n that means suhin. A’m no quite livin up tae that belief yit n that weighs heavy on ma heart. Teachers like McGiver ir the last ae that generation, last ae the best.