‘Do you want to leave and do nothing, as most of your pals will?’

‘A dunno wit A wanty dae, miss.’

‘Next year, your Standard Grades will determine how your life plays out. I’m going to put you forward for the credit exam. How does that sound?’

‘Sounds hard!’

‘Of course it will be hard, but I think with the help of your writing folio and a little work, you’ll have a decent shot at it.’

Much as A’m fuckin dyin fur ma chips n the sweet tender silky smoothness ae ma Irn-Bru, A’m inclined tae listen tae folk tryin tae help me. It wisnae a regular occurrence so A’m no gonnae throw it back in hur face. ‘Aye, A’m listenin, miss.’

‘Good. English may not be of particular appeal to you, but you show some real talent. Have you any other interests, subject-wise?’

‘A like history n politics. A like talkin aboot politics!’

‘Do you do History or Modern Studies?’

‘Naw, A chose PE n Woodwork instead, n Geography fur some reason.’

‘That doesn’t matter. I can speak to your guidance teacher and get you changed if you are prepared to do the extra work. You’re more than capable and I’m sure Mr McGiver would support me if you demonstrate a genuine interest.’

‘Fair doos, miss. A suppose A could drap Woodwork, n dae Modern Studies.’

‘Mr Williams, let me tell you something. You could do anything in this life – but I don’t see you as a tradesman somehow. Do we understand one another?’

‘Aye, miss.’

‘You’re not aware of your academic capabilities, but I take an interest in students like that. Ones like Jonathan will naturally do well. However, ones like you, Mr Williams, can go either way.’

‘Wit yi mean by that?’

‘Your friend, Mr Addison. He comes from a well-off family, I know his mother. He will probably go to uni and won’t break a sweat doing it. You have the potential for great things and it’s time you realised it. It will be harder for you, but so, so much more worthwhile if you achieve it.’

We share a look fur a minute. A gee hur a nod n she glances towards the door tae let me know A’m dismissed.

‘Aye cheers again, Miss McLaughlin,’ A say as A dash fur the door.

A keep eyes open fur Toi or Fleeto wans n swagger roon tae the Smokers’ Corner alone fur a snout n patch lunch. Broonie n Addison wid awready be doon n back up wae the few other cunts we ran aboot wae. There’s aw the younger wans at our school fae the Team anaw, the wee guys. The tap man oot aw them is Wee Lucas Toffey. He’s a solid wee cunt n is gonnae be wan ae the tap men when he grows up. He’s a popular, good-lookin kinda wee character n always hus the nice burds floatin aboot him. He’s only in first year but hus the swagger n the style. Yi kin just tell who’s gonnae be who. His wee crew is made up ae him, Carlyle, Gunny, Briggy n Dalzell. They five ir the next generation. They look up tae us like we did tae Big Kenzie n Eck, Taz n Ryans, even Whytey n McColl n that. Yi need tae look oot fur the young troops below yi, just like aw the elder wans looked oot fur us – don’t bully them just tae make yirsel look mental. A think aw the wee guys ir cool as fuck. Mad tae think we’re their elder wans.