Chapter 29

No, he thought as he headed back to his perch, snatching back his magazine from Tomas on the way and stooping to blow in Tav’s ear and distract him from the game for a moment. He wouldn’t be telling Mamma.

He would deal with Jack Collins, if necessary, on his own.

* * * *

On the twentieth, the last Saturday before Christmas itself, Tav found himself sitting on the fence by Ponds Forge tram stop, waiting for Luca to escape from swimming club, and kicking his heels off the railing. It was cold and windy, but crowded; the trams were packed, and yet the thirty quid Mam had given him burned a hole in Tav’s pocket. He had plans for him and Luca today. The twentieth was their—well…

He was jolted out of his thoughts when an unpleasantly familiar face appeared at the leisure centre doors.