‘It’s no you A’m worried aboot. Be careful, wee man.’

A light a smoke as A walk back tae the motor. It isnae just the air that changes up here. A kin feel it awready, in the back ae ma mind. It’s that fuckin irrational aggression towards strangers n yir own attitude changin fur the worse. Yi kin blame it on these streets aw yi want, but it’s in yi, part ae yir complicated psyche fae years ae violence n watchin yir back. It’s the persona yi force yirself tae adopt up here. It’s everythin fae the clothes yi wear, the length ae yir hair, the way yi speak n the thoughts runnin through yir fucked-up brain. Like it or no, there wid always be that residual energy here, that thing that washes over yi soon as yir back in yir own area. It’s that wee voice in the back ae yir heed, talkin tae yi in yir own accent, eggin yi on, tauntin yi n tellin yi you’ve become a pussy or a clown n the only way tae redeem yirsel is tae drink a bottle ae wine n smash somecunt.

A’m walkin up the path n feelin a wee bit nervous. There’s movement behind the frosted glass. The door opens n A’m faced wae a pair ae slippers, leggings n a big bump. ‘Azzy? Nice tae meet yi, son! Thomas isn’t in. Yi want tae come in n wait? He’s finishin early the day.’

‘Nice tae meet yi finally, pal! Aye, nice wan, cheers.’

Michelle leads us intae the livin room n A sit on the sofa. The place is nice, light-brown carpets n aw cream furnishings, big telly in the corner n a wee glass coffee table. A kin see how her n Tam ir suited. She’s pretty, tall n wae a kind face. Thick n long auburn hair n heavily pregnant.

‘A’ve seen eld pics ae yees aw – in case yi wondered how A recognised yi. You’re far travelled, son!’

‘Tam been showin yi the eld albums? Just arrived back up the day.’

‘Aye, wans ae you in a blue Berghaus, ya wee ned! Thomas wae blond hair, like Eminem, n his ears pierced wae hoops n all this! Yees were a pure riot!

‘We wur cool as wee guys! The eld Mera Peak wis minted. Still hangin in ma wardrobe at ma maw’s bit, so it is.’

‘Aye keep tellin yirself that, son! Leave it hangin in that wardrobe! He doesn’t know yi were comin, does he? Told me the other day he hadn’t spoke tae yi in months n he misses yi.’

‘Naw, it wis unexpected. A kin see yees huv been busy anyway! How far along ir yi?’

‘Eight weeks tae go!’

‘Cannae believe it! Tam’s gonnae be a da! Crazy. Sorry A didnae catch yi before A left … it wisnae a good time fur any us.’

‘Aw A know all about that. Don’t worry! Thomas talks aboot yi aw the time. Wee Azzy this n that. Said you were one ae the good ones! Unlike his wee brother n his lot.’