‘Well? The headmaster is waiting, Paul. And I’ve not got all morning.’

‘You too, Alan.’

‘Aye, Shaun, witever they says.’

We aw look at wan another. It’s no in us. Tellin a teacher, even wan being sound, is still grassin. We cannae afford tae dae that, lest yi be labelled a grass fae then on n rightly terrorised. Rather than take our opportunity tae come clean n make it easier fur ourselves, we sit silently n wait fur the torrent but it doesnae come n McGiver talks quietly.

‘I see. Honour amongst thieves then. You think your friends in the Young Toi were reluctant to talk when they were “grassing” you in?’

We aw share a glance.

‘Do you boys think this is a new issue? Do you think you’re the first to fight in the school, the Young Team versus the Young Toi? I think not.’

None ae us know wit tae say. Even A’m surprised n Big McGiver knows it. Broonie’s da looks a wee bitty amused anaw. Aw seen n done before, part ae the tradition ae young men passin through these schemes n schools. Our maws look horrified. They’ve just clicked on he’s talkin aboot gangs.

‘This flares up every few years. The village and the first area in town have been fighting for a generation – angry young men warring with each other, over postcodes. At this age, we see episodes like yesterday. Which leads me back to my first question. You are being given an opportunity to explain your actions, before I sum them up for your mothers and father. My explanation, I’m sure, will differ from yours.’

McGiver glances at me. He gees me this look like it’s up to me tae spill the fuckin beans. He knows Addison is a mouse n he knows Broonie doesnae gee a fuck. The buck’s landed at ma door. It seems only fair cos it wis aw inspired by me anyway. A’ve git a sneakin suspicion that he knows that anaw. Big McGiver always knew. ‘It wis cos ae me,’ A say quietly.

‘Ahh, Mr Williams, you’ve seen sense. Please continue.’

‘They set aboot me, done us right in, n that wis payback.’

‘I see … so this was your bad flu?’ he says, glancin towards ma maw. She shifts uncomfortably. ‘This is why the school needs to know about things which happen outside. This could have been prevented.’

‘It’s no ma maw’s fault A smashed them.’

‘Indeed not, Alan … but this could have been dealt with differently. So, you were attacked?’

‘A gang of them jumped him walking a girl home, Mr McGiver. It’s an absolute disgrace. Kicking him on the ground. Never would have happened in our day.’

‘Mrs Williams, I agree. Alan is a big boy, an easy target for groups like this. However, his gang affiliations are the reason for his attack, I am sure.’

‘They’re hardly a gang, it’s the boys he’s grown up with. For God’s sake, I used to take them to playgroup together.’