Donny looked over at Tommy and shrugged. He knew all the problems the kid was facing, had been through the risk assessment sheets enough times, knew his story. He took a deep breath and walked a little further into the room. ‘Tommy, go on, you go and help Mr Sinclair get the others back into the lesson. They can use another room. I’ll stay with Ged for a bit and sort him out. He’s calm now, aren’t you, mate?’

Ged’s legs buckled as he walked towards the open window. The icy breeze was just what he needed to help slow his heartbeat down. He closed his eyes and pressed his head on the cold metal bars across the window. Why couldn’t he control his temper, why did he just flip out like that, was he ill? Did he need medication?

Donny waited until Ged slumped down onto the floor then sat down next to him. He’d been through this scenario so many times, watched even the biggest lads in the school break down at one time or another. He reached over and patted the top of Ged’s knee. ‘It’s alright to lose it sometimes, pal. It’s hard not having your dad about, especially at your age.’

Ged lifted his head up slowly, clearly upset. ‘My mam won’t even speak about him, it’s like he never existed. But, he does. I want to see him. Why’s nobody listening to me? It’s my choice not hers.’

This was progress, at least he was talking. Some of them never spoke about what was going on in their heads and it took months, even years to get to the bottom of it. ‘Have you told your mam how you feel? Maybe, if you sit down with her, stay calm and tell her how hurt you are it might help.’

Ged sniffed and twisted his knuckle into the corner of his eye to try and get rid of the tears. He sucked on the side of his cheek, looking anywhere except at Donny. ‘It’s pointless. She won’t talk to me about him. She said he’s a dirty no-good bastard and we are better off without him. What can I say to that?’

Donny felt for him. ‘I can have a word with her if you want? Us grown-ups are stubborn sometimes and we can be dickheads. When the advice comes from somebody else who’s not involved, we seem to listen better.’

Ged shook his head. ‘Nah, don’t be giving my mam any more stress. She’ll go sick if she knows I’ve been discussing our private stuff. Keep it to yourself. I’m OK now. It just gets to me sometimes and that wanker flicking at my ear when I’m tired doesn’t help.’

‘Did you not sleep properly, Ged?’