The end of the school day. Ged was one of the first to get on the minibus and park his arse. He just wanted to get away from this place, go home. Frankie came and sat in front of him before the rest of the rabble boarded. He twisted round to look at Ged.

‘Never thought you had it in you. Paul shit himself today, he’s not so loud now is he, now you put him in his place? And quite right too, you shouldn’t let no muppet bully you in this place. You have to stand up for yourself, show the fuckers.’ Ged was taken aback; Frankie was the main man in this school and since he’d been there, in the last two months, he’d never said a single word to him, nothing. Frankie was like the alpha male of Second Chance, sitting on the top of the hill watching his tribe and making sure there was no messing. If any of these lads wanted to challenge his reign, then he’d soon rip their heads off and sort them out. Ged wasn’t going to ignore the guy; he’d seen his chance to make a friend and replied without hesitation. ‘He’s a dickhead, Frankie. I’ve watched him for weeks now harassing some of the others, the guy is a windup.’ Frankie looked around the bus. He pulled his iPhone out of his jacket pocket and looked at the screen. ‘Here, get my digits typed in your phone. You can one ring me, and I’ll save your number. You’re an OK kid, Ged, and I’m gonna look after you.’

Ged’s hands were shaking as he pressed his number into his phone as quickly as he could. Here he was, a nobody, chatting, swapping numbers with the top boy. Maybe now Ged had a someone, someone who would have his back if he was ever in trouble.

Frankie rammed his phone back in his pocket and patted it down. ‘I’ll give you a bell later, mate, if you’re not doing owt. You can come on the estate with me and meet the crew.’ Ged’s eyes were wide open, and his mouth was dry. Was this a windup or what? He’d never had a friend like this – nobody had ever really taken the time to get to know him. Frankie sat back in his seat now, watched the rest of the pupils board the bus. Nancy made her way towards Ged and plonked herself down next to him. She smiled softly. ‘It’s not that bad here, is it?’