Ged sat thinking for a few minutes. He liked his games, never really socialised. What if he didn’t fit in, what if nobody liked him? He rushed to his room and pulled out his best Nike tracksuit. He kept it for special occasions – it was his pride and joy. He styled his hair, which didn’t look as red once he’d put some wax in it, he reckoned, then looked into the full-length mirror, turning to look first at one side, then the other. Pretty dapper. He quickly checked around the room to make sure everything was alright before he left. His mother would go ballistic if she came home early, she’d know he’d had the heating on. She was a right penny pincher, but she should be glad he’d gone out, saved her the cost of a hot meal. He’d probably get it in the ear later for not letting her know where he’d gone. But Ged had a friend now, a real friend and nothing else seemed to matter.

Chapter Six

It had been quite a day – one all the teachers were glad to see the back of. Three incidents in all, though nothing else as big as Ged’s meltdown. The teachers were in the staff room chatting and drinking coffee. Tina was sat with them listening to today’s stories.

‘That new girl, Nancy, doesn’t say much, does she?’ Sinclair said. ‘It’s a shame Chelsea’s not more like her – my job would be a lot easier. On my life, that girl has a mouth like a sewer; you should hear how she talks to the boys. She might be underage but you’d never know it, going on about blow jobs and more all the time. Every second word out of her mouth is fuck. Surely, someone should have a look at what’s going on?’

Tina sat back in her chair, crossed her legs. ‘She’s been reported to the safeguarding team. There’s definitely something going on with her lately. Her mum said she’s out until all hours and she’s smoking weed too. Not good news for any family, is it? I’d be worried out of my mind if it was my daughter.’

Robert Sinclair looked up and nodded. ‘Yes, I know I could smell it on her the other day. Mind you, I thought weed was supposed to calm you down. It mustn’t be working on her though because she’s just louder than ever.’

Tina agreed. ‘Did any of you see that love bite on her neck last week? She told me it was a rash, but you could tell that was nonsense, it was black and blue. It’s a sad state of affairs when the teenagers here are getting more action than the teaching staff,’ she gave a wry grin.