‘Naw, Broonie son, this is only the beginnin fur this wee dick. Everybody’s gonnae know how much ae a pussy ma wee brur is! Go, Broonie, fuckin smash him, mate. He deserves it.’

Danny looks at me but A don’t know wit tae say. It isnae pleasant tae watch n it isnae achievin anyhin. If anyhin, Broonie looks indifferent.

‘Naw.’

‘Wit dae yi mean naw?’

‘Just leave him.’

Big Kenzie straightens up n stands back, face still red n pulsin in anger. Hat aff tae the cunt, he’s done his bit.

John’s sittin on the deck sobbin. ‘A’m sorry, awright? A didnae want any this fuck sake.’ Broonie doesnae say anyhin. He just extends a hand tae him. The three ae us ir lookin at each other, waitin tae see wit he dis. Even Wee Kenzie is lookin as surprised as us. His hand comes oot n Broonie pulls him aff the deck. He’s fuckin bubblin away n tryin tae kid on he’s no greetin. Broonie just pats him oan the back, nods n walks away. A shrug tae Danny n Tam. ‘Where yi goin?’ Wee Kenzie asks quietly, but Broonie doesnae answer n keeps walkin.

Big Kenzie turns tae John when Broonie’s oot ae earshot. ‘You’re nae fuckin brother ae mine! Stay away fae ma hoose. Yir scrubbed, ya fuckin turncoat bastard!’

Danny shakes his heed n walks away anaw, joggin tae catch up wae Broonie. A follow last n don’t even glance in his direction.

The four ae us sit quietly in the motor n listen tae the rain against the windaes. A’m passin fags oot again, the only thing A kin think tae dae. Broonie seems different, quiet but thoughtful. Danny looks depressed sittin in the back wae him. Tam’s dragon nostrils ir slowly calmin doon tae their normal size. A dunno wit A feel really, just useless in a way. ‘Broonie son, we’re fuckin wae yi, cousin! Aw the fuckin way tae the end. Wit’s next?’ Tam says, turnin roon tae him n shakin his hand.

Broonie looks peaceful, the cunt, n almost wise. He shakes it back n sits quiet fur a minute. ‘Nuhin’s next. It’s finished.’

‘Wit aboot Jamesy?’

‘Fuck him.’

‘Fuck him?’

‘Wit good is it gonnae dae, Tam? Ma maw n da ir gone. It’s just me noo. Just me n yooz boys. Yooz ir the only family A’ve git left. Nae grannies or that, nae cunt. A’m no gonnae ask yees tae help me n A’m no gonnae dae anyhin maself. A’ll bury ma da n try tae git ma life back. Wit’s left ae it anyway. A don’t want any more fuckin violence. A’m done wae it.’

Naebody speaks fur a minute. Broonie just stares oot the windae at the rain. A remember the night his maw died. The polis caught us in the graveyard n took him away screamin fur his mammy but she wis gone n it wis nae good, cos she wisnae comin back. A remember me, Danny n Finnegan sittin talkin that night aboot Broonie n his hard life n how we couldnae really relate tae it. Broonie wis a young boy trapped in a never-endin cycle ae abuse, neglect n the indomitable will tae escape it usin the wrong means. That is Broonie’s life in a nutshell.