Chapter 9

“Anything else?”

“I…I wear a binder, Miss. A looser one for PE ‘cause they make it hard to breathe sometimes, but, um, if one of the other kids sees it…” She raised her eyebrows, and Anton took a deep breath before ploughing on. “My aunt always calls it a back support if people see it.”

“I see.”

“That’s…that’s what I’ll say.”

“You may call it whatever you want, Williams. I will not, however, have you playing up a back injury. You may tell the others it is one, but it’s not an excuse to slack off.”

“No, Miss. I won’t.”

“Good. Go and get changed—you need to be outside the sports hall in five minutes. Do you have football boots?”

“Trainers, Miss. I own some, though.”

“It’s football boots until half term. Make sure you bring them in future.”

“Yes, Miss.”