The usual disclaimers apply to this story

 

C'est la vie

 

 

Part 4

Revelation

The rest of the week went quite well for Timothy; Brian Hunter had returned to school but had not troubled him in any way whatsoever. Maybe the rumour that was going around the school that Mr Beardsley, was going to take over the post of Assistant Head after the mid term holiday might have had something to do with it. Old Mr Sinclair who was supposed to be resigning the post was a soft touch and the boys knew it. So when they went in front of him to be disciplined unless it was the most serious of offences they invariably got off with a warning or detention. Now if Mr Beardsley were to take over that would be a whole different ball game, and the regular trouble makers would not want to come up in front of him to be disciplined.

Kai still tended to ignore Timothy since he had admitted his preference to boys rather than girls, but at times

Timothy on the other hand was sure that when he took a quick look in Kai's direction during classes he seemed to be averting his eyes and making out he was looking at Samantha Clayton, who sat in the desk behind him. He could have been wrong because Kai and Samantha always sat together at meal times and were never very far apart during the breaks, so maybe he was looking at her and not him, and he was just imagining it in the hope that they could be friendly again.

He was walking home after school thinking that this could be his last walk as today according to his mother his bus pass should arrive in the post. Tomorrow morning being the last day before the school closed for the mid term break he could go to school on the bus.

As he walked homeward, his thoughts as they had on numerous other occasions wondered why his parents weren't as nice to him as they were to his brother when he was living at home and sister. He did everything they asked of him, and never once answered back to question their demands. He could sense the animosity his mother showed towards him, whereas his father's attitude was one of total indifference.

His parents never showed much interest in his every day school progress, and never indulged him in any social conversation or even asked him to participate in any of the activities of the home. If it wasn't for his younger sister he would be like a stranger in the house, she made life at home that much more bearable. At times he was sure his presence was resented mostly by his mother, his father mostly ignoring him unless he was called on to administer some form of punishment that his mother decided he deserved.

He arrived home still thinking about the attitude of his parents towards him, and the moment he walked in the front door he had a taste of his mother's harsh tongue as his ears were assaulted by her yelling.

"Why the Bloody Hell have you taken so long to get home," before he could answer his back pack was pulled of his shoulders by his mother a £5 note was thrust into his hand,

"Go and get a sliced loaf and a litre of milk and don't be long," and he was pushed out of the still open door and on his way to the corner shop about 400m away.

He walked as fast as his legs could carry him without breaking into a run and within a few minutes was at the door to the shop. Before he could open the door it flew open and Kai was standing in front of him. He quickly stood to one side keeping his eyes riveted to the ground to let him pass. He didn't hear any footsteps pass him so looked up to see Kai holding the door open for him, he quickly stepped forward and into the shop saying, "Thanks," and keeping his eyes looking at anywhere except at the boy who had held the door open. He heard the door close behind him and made his way towards where the bread was located and then picked up the milk. He went over to the counter and paid for the items collected the change and made his way toward the exit. He hesitated before opening the door but when he did so and looked around there was no Kai to be seen. As he got out into the street and started to make his way home he had an uneasy feeling that someone was watching him. He stopped and looked around but could see no one but the feelings were still there but he didn't feel threatened by them.

Kai Webster saw Timothy exit the shop, and then watched as the boy stopped to look around before continuing on his way.

He had wanted to speak to the boy when he had held the door open for him but for some unknown reason had faltered at the last minute and held his tongue. Now the opportunity had passed as he watched from his hiding place as the diminutive 15yo boy made his way home.

When Timothy was out of sight he emerged from where he had been hiding and somewhat dejectedly made his way back to his house. On reaching his destination he made his way to the kitchen and gave his mother the bottle of oil and a packet of flour that he'd purchased for her.

Noting the change in her son's demeanour she asked, "What's the matter Kai?"

At once he tried to lose his glum appearance by putting on a false smile saying, "Nothing mum, just thinking," which didn't fool her in the slightest but she let it pass nevertheless.

He excused himself from his mother's presence and made his way out to the garden shed where his father was as usual having one of his cigarette breaks. He knocked on the door at the same time saying, "It's me dad," so that his father wouldn't stub his cigarette out unnecessarily, and start fanning the room to disperse the smoke and spray that awful room freshener all around.

"Come in boyo," he heard his father respond in his overly jovial voice "the door's open."

He walked into the shed flapping his hand around to dispel the smoke, and standing in front of his father who was seated in an armchair that had seen better days asked, "Dad can I talk to you for a bit."

Noticing the troubled look on his sons face Frank Webster dropped his jovial voice and took on a more understanding fatherly tone of voice saying, "By all means Kai, what's on your mind."

"Last Saturday dad," Kai began his narration "while you were in the shed having a smoke, I brought a boy home who goes to the same school as me, actually it was the same boy Timothy Clarkson, over whom I got into a bit of trouble that I told you and mum about."

"Yes I remember."

"Well to cut a long story short he told me that he preferred boys to girls and if I was uncomfortable with what he'd said he would leave. As I didn't respond to his statement he got up and said he was leaving, I didn't try to stop him and to be truthful I was a bit upset about it. Mum questioned me about it at first wanting to know why Timothy had left after we'd invited him to stay for dinner. I told her that he'd had to go home that his parents hadn't given him permission to stay, Mum noticed that I was sort of uncomfortable with what I had just told her so then I told her the truth saying he was a queer.

She didn't like my attitude and my remark about Timothy's sexual preferences."

"Have you apologized to Timothy yet?"

"Not yet dad, but I intend to."

"I'm glad to hear it Kai. At least you have recognised and admitted your mistake and can do something about it."

"It's not only that dad it's something else."

"Okay son spit it out I'm not going to bite."

"Umm well dad, when I went to visit Timothy, when his mother let me into their house the passageway and stairs had carpets that you could just about sink up to your ankles in. As I passed their sitting room the door was open and I could see the same lush carpets in there and white leather armchairs and settee."

"Well it's good to know that they can afford to furnish their house so well."

"Yes but dad, when I went up to Timothy's room and he asked me in I couldn't believe it, it was like walking into a prison cell. All he had was brown lino on the floor, a tatty little bedside mat, a wardrobe, and a chest of drawers with a mirror resting on it and leaning against the wall. The only other thing he had was a shelf opposite his bed with his books on it, nothing else no TV, no pc, not even a cd player. He isn't given any money when he goes to school. He brings his sandwiches and drink, and walks there and back every day don't you think that's kind of cruel dad, he's treated like, like, uh, uh, I dunno what and yet they have all that luxury."

"Humph, umm," and Frank Webster held his chin with index finger and thumb while he thought. "I tell you what Kai I'll make a visit to their house tomorrow after school making the injury that Timothy got at school the excuse to see him. I'll ask to talk to Timothy and if I can will get him to take me to his room; I can then judge for myself how bad it really is. Now just remember not a word of this to Timothy."

"Okay dad, I'll leave you to your ciggy now," and Kai made his way to the door stopped and turned to his face his father, "you do know that mum knows that you come in here for a smoke when you've supposed to have given it up?"

"Yes I kinda guessed that she knew, but I have cut down from twenty five a day to about six, so I'm getting there slowly."

"You sure it's only six," Kai said opening the shed door ready to depart, "you seem to spend and awful long time in here every day."

"Well maybe seven" his father responded."

"Bye dad," Kai Webster said smiling as he stepped outside of the shed and made his way into the house.

Friday morning and Timothy Clarkson with his new bus pass left the house ten minutes later than he normally did. He was a bit apprehensive about taking the bus not knowing how the other kids would react to him, but he'd faced a similar situation when he first attended this school and had got over it so getting on a bus should be a lot easier.

There were a couple of other younger kids at the bus stop whom he didn't know and who gave him a "Who the Hell is this guy, never seen him before," look when he also stood at the stop to wait for the bus.

The moment he made his way inside the bus after showing his pass it seemed like every eye was turned on him. No one spoke or even greeted him, and as the bus took off he stumbled and grabbed hold of the hand rail thinking, "I should have stuck to walking," regaining his balance he made his way to the rear of the bus where he could see empty seats then his heart leapt as the boy sitting by the window turned and looked at him, it was Kai. He took his seat keeping his eyes focused downwards making sure not to meet anyone else's gaze. He was trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible, which was nigh on impossible with the confined space within the bus. The moment he sat down his body brushed against that of Kai's and he nearly jumped out of his skin as a voice he recognized said, "Hi."

He quickly turned his face to look at the source of the greeting to see a smiling Kai , his nervousness left him and he responded with a "Hi," of his own, and then continued, "I thought your mum drove you to school."

"She does when it's raining, as the bus stop is quite a distance from our house. So how do you like it on the bus instead of walking?"

"With all the looks I'm getting I think I'd have preferred walking."

"Don't worry about it you're just a new face on the bus, they'll soon get used to you and then you'll be totally ignored, umm" and Kai hesitated for a bit before saying, "Can we get together at the morning break Timothy, I need to talk to you in private."

"Yeah sure," Timothy responded with a puzzled look on his face.

As they alighted from the bus Timothy thought that they would enter the school together, but the moment Kai's feet hit the ground he was looking in the direction of where Samantha Clayton was saying goodbye to her mother. He watched as Kai ran over to them talking first to Samantha's mother then the accompanying Samantha into the school.

He made his solitary way into the school and was surprised that there were none of the regular insults hurled at him or any bodily contact.

At the morning break he went to the section of the school ground that he normally habited. While he sipped his drink he kept his eyes open for Kai. A couple of minutes later he saw him across the other side of the grounds making his way towards where he stood when at the same time from around the corner Fletcher and Blake came heading towards where he stood.

"So dip shit," Blake said, "you happy that you got us suspended?"

"I didn't get you suspended I wasn't even in school at the time."

"Yeah, maybe so, but if you hadn't screamed like a little girl nothing would have happened, and for that you're going to pay right now."

He grabbed the smaller boy by his arm and began to twist when all of a sudden Timothy's hand was free as Blake was yanked backwards by Kai who'd grabbed his coat by the collar and pulled. "Now piss off Blake and you too Fletcher, before I put my boot up your arses."

Sneering, "You haven't heard the last of this Webster," Blake said, "We'll fucking have you."

"Oooh I'm shaking in my boots Blake. Now just say one more word and see what I'll do to you even with your shitty little friend Fletcher there to help you,"

Blake, without a word turned on his heels and followed by Fletcher headed away from them.

"Thanks Kai,"

"Its okay don't worry about it. Look what I really wanted to talk about was the way I acted when you were at my house and you told me about yourself. I shouldn't have let you go home like that; I'd invited you to stay for dinner and more or less threw you out."

"You didn't throw me out Kai I left."

"Yes I know, but that was due to my stupid reaction to what you told me, I'm really sorry for that and if you want during the half term break you could come over again."

"I would like to Kai but, I'm going to Manchester on Sunday morning for the week."

"Oh okay Timmy but we can hang out on Saturday if you want I'll come around and see you."

"Yeah that would be great." Timothy said as they walked back to their classes.

After school he met up with Kai and together they made their way home. As he got ready to get off the bus Timothy asked, "What time will you be around tomorrow?'

"About 11am we'll head over to the Mall again."

"Okay Kai see you tomorrow."

A bit behind them Peter Blake's brain was working overtime making plans for Saturday morning.

When he arrived home he greeted his mother then asked her if there were any errands to run before he went upstairs to change. She didn't acknowledge him in anyway just waved her hand in a dismissive manner. He turned and left the sitting room followed by his sister whom he lifted into his arms and carried her upstairs.

Inside he placed her on his bed while he got his clothes then telling her to stay put went into the bathroom to change. He returned shortly dressed in his tracksuit bottoms and a T-shirt put his school uniform away then turning to his sister asked, "Okay Lindy what do you want to play?"

"Umm I think I want to play Hide and Seek."

"Okay but you got to remember to keep quiet otherwise I'll find you too easily."

"Alright, I'll hide first, you count up to fifty."

He started his count and he heard his sister excitedly dash out of the bedroom and head along the passageway to her bedroom closing the door after she'd entered. He knew he wouldn't have to look too hard, she always got excited when he came close to where she was hiding and started a nervous sort of giggle. He gave her time to settle into her hiding place and pretended to look in all the other rooms keeping a loud running commentary on wondering where his sister could be hiding. Eventually he opened the door to her room saying in a loud voice, "I wonder if she's in here," and before he could take another step into the room he heard her giggle coming from under the bed. He pretended not to hear it, and looked in all the places except under the bed then lay down on the bed saying in as loud a voice as he could, "Now where could she could be hiding I've looked just about every where. I think I'll phone the police and ask them if they know where Linda could be hiding.

More giggles from under the bed and then she popped out from underneath yelling, "Here I am."

"Oh Gosh," he said grabbing his sister and lifting her up as she screamed with laughter, "I never thought of looking under the bed, that was very clever."

"Timothy what's all that noise going on up there?" He heard his mother calling.

"I was just playing with Linda."

"Well make less noise and play down here if you have to."

He kissed his sister on the forehead then putting his finger on his lips indicating to her to keep quiet carried her downstairs to the sitting room.

At about 4.30pm as his mother switched on the telly she told him to go and tidy his room, and without argument he made his way to do as he was told. There was nothing much to do as he always kept his room neat so he got his book out lay on his bed and started reading. He knew that he could stay in his room without disturbance till his father returned from work, and then he could go down for his evening meal.

Half an hour later the front door bell chimed and Mrs. Clarkson went and answered it. Opening the door she saw a rather tall well built man clad in a charcoal grey suit.

"Yes what can I do for you?"

"Good afternoon madam, I'm Councillor Frank Webster," he said showing his credentials, "Is this the residence of Timothy Clarkson?"

"Yes, what did you want of him?"

"It's nothing to worry about, I just want to talk to him, and ask him a few questions about school, and how's he coping since the assault."

"Come in councillor," I'm Mrs Clarkson and she stepped to one side to allow Mr Webster into the house. "He's in his room at the moment I'll just give him a call."

"No that's alright Mrs Clarkson I don't mind talking to him in his room, actually knowing boys I think that's where they'd feel most comfortable when talking to an adult."

"Are you sure you'd want to talk to him in his room."

"Of course, would you like to lead the way."

"Oh that's alright, if you turn left at the top of the stairs it's the second door on the right, I have my daughter to attend to."

"Alright Mrs Clarkson I'll see you after I've spoken to Timothy," and he made his way to the room noticing all the plush furnishings downstairs and the thick wall to wall carpeting.

He knocked on the door and within the space of a few seconds a small boy opened the door and stood in front of him looking questioningly up into his eyes.

"He was surprised at the smallness of the boy that he knew to be the same age as that of his son, but quickly composed himself and asked, "I presume that you're Timothy?"

"Yes sir, what did you want?"

"I'm Mr Webster, I'm the head of the local council Child Welfare Department and if you don't mind can I come in and talk to you."

The boy stepped back into the room inviting Mr Webster in. saying if you wish to sit down you'll have to sit on the bed I don't have a chair in the room."

The man took a good look around the room before saying, "Alright Timothy would you like to sit beside me while I talk to you."

When they were seated Mr Webster said, "I want to ask if you've had any further problems at school, like boys being abusive or threatening you in any way."

"No Mr Webster actually things have improved quite a bit, I still get some remarks but nothing like it used to be."

"Oh that's good to hear Timothy. I hope you don't mind me asking, but your room seems to me to be very sparsely furnished compared to the rest of the house."

"Yes that's because my parents don't have enough money to do my room yet. They decided to do all the rooms downstairs first as we do have visitors and they wanted them to be comfortable when they visited."

"But don't you think that they could do a bit more to your room."

"No Mr Webster dad works really hard and he does the best he can they'll do my room when they have the money."

"Okay Timothy I'll leave you now I'll stop and see your mum on the way out."

"Bye Mr Webster and thank you for looking out for me, Oh and say Hi to Kai for me."

"I certainly will, bye Timothy,"

Mr Webster made his way downstairs he paused at the entrance to the sitting room and tapped softly on the door at the same time poking his head around the open door

"Oh do come in Mr Webster, Mary Clarkson called out.

He entered and looked around the lavishly furnished room then turning to his host said, "I've spoken to Timothy and apparently everything at school is going well. He's says since his return to school he's had less name calling and no threats of violence to date."

Mrs Clarkson was on the point of responding when they heard the front door close, and shortly a man well over 6ft in height and broad of shoulder walked into the room.

"Mr Webster this is my husband Jack Clarkson."

Frank Webster held out his hand saying "Please to meet you," as Jack Clarkson took the proffered hand and shook it.

"I have just finished talking to Timothy and was telling your wife that he says school life has improved considerably since the assault."

We're glad to hear that Mrs Clarkson," said, "its good to hear that school is more enjoyable for him now."

"There's just one other point I'd like to raise." The councillor said.

"What is it they both asked anxiously?"

"Well I see you room here is very well furnished and the carpets in here and in the rest of the house are to say the least very plush."

"I'm glad you think so," the wife said with a pleased look on her face

He happened to glance across to the sitting room door and was sure he had seen some movement but could see no one there now.

"Yes but in total contrast to Timothy's room," Frank Webster said frowning, "His room is so sparsely furnished it beggars' belief."

He saw Mrs Clarkson's face cloud over and then her voice burst out, "He's got a roof above his head, clothes on his back, and food in his stomach what else does he need."

The councillor was astonished at the outburst he looked across at the husband who was looking embarrassed and wouldn't meet his gaze.

Addressing the woman "Mrs Clarkson," he said, "I've heard of parents like you and at times could hardly believe that they would treat there children in such a manner. Now I come face to face with just such people, how could you treat your own son in such a disrespectful way?"

Mrs Clarkson's face was livid, and she seemed like she was about to burst a blood vessel, "Quite easily you pompous fool," she said with raised voice, "He's not our fucking son."

Frank Webster heard a cry from the doorway and glancing in that direction saw Timothy with a shocked expression on his face as the boy turned and ran from the room.

Part 5

Confrontation

Jack Clarkson had a look of shock and embarrassment on his face as he tried to apologize for his wife's outburst.

"It's alright Mr Clarkson," the councillor said, "You don't have to apologize for your wife's foul mouth. Instead you should be questioning yourself as to how you allowed this pathetic excuse of a parent and yourself to neglect Timothy from any form of love or understanding, and subjecting him to the abuse that he's had to withstand all his life. Now instead of standing there with your mouth wide open I suggest that you go upstairs and try and console Timothy."

Jack Clarkson gave his wife a withering look and like Mr Webster had suggested made his way to Timothy's room.

"I'll be leaving now," Frank Webster said turning his attention to Mary Clarkson, "I'll be contacting the local children's welfare authority and also Timothy's teachers. I will ask them to keep an eye on Timothy and if they notice any adverse behaviour in him to report it directly to my office. I can understand a woman who ill treats her own children doing what you did to Timothy; it would be in that person's nature to behave in that manner. But it makes it worse still Mrs Clarkson that you can shower love and affection on your own children and at the same time subject Timothy to such abuse from the time he was brought into your care. There is no excuse for you, you knew what you were doing, and what is even harder to believe is that you must have enjoyed treating him in the way that you have." Frank Webster made to leave but halted by the doorway. Turning and once again addressing the woman said,

"The irony of it is Mrs Clarkson, that when I asked Timothy, why his room was so sparsely furnished he was making excuses for the both of you that there wasn't enough money to do his room, but you would when you could afford it. What's more he wouldn't say a bad word against you or your husband, and that after all the abuse he's had from the two of you."

Turning his back on the woman Frank Webster made his way out of the house.

Upstairs Jack Clarkson tapped softly on Timothy's bedroom door and walked in to see him lying on his bed. As soon as he saw the man enter his room Timothy sat up and waited.

Moving over to the bed Jack Clarkson stood by the boy and asked, "Is it okay if I sit down beside you."

The boy moved slightly sideways and said, "Okay."

He took a place next to the boy and stared at him noting the puffy eyes and the tear stained cheeks.

"Ti" and his voice caught in his throat and he cleared it then continued, "Timothy, can you find it in your heart to forgive me and Mrs Clarkson for the way we have treated you."

"I don't hold anything against either of you but now I don't know what to call you as I heard you're not my mum and dad."

Jack Clarkson bowed his head and collected his thoughts then looking at the boy seated next to him he picked the boy up and placed him on his lap saying, "I think its time that you should know the truth. After you've heard what I have to tell you and you know your origins then you can decide how you want to address my wife and me. Firstly Timothy Clarkson is your proper name, your mother chose your Christian name before you were born. She was not married at the time of your birth; your father disappeared shortly after your mother told him that she was pregnant. So her surname was automatically passed onto you, your mother happened to be my sister. You were born prematurely and a caesarean operation had to be performed. There were complications with the anaesthetic and your mother died shortly after giving birth to you." Jack Clarkson paused to collect his thoughts then continued.

"Your grandmother my mother couldn't look after you as she was wheelchair bound after an accident in the house. My other sister your aunty Lucy was only sixteen at the time and still at school so it fell upon me and my wife to take care of you. I brought you home and my wife was not too pleased as she had thought that she would have more time for herself now that Robert who you thought was your brother had just started kindergarten. So now that she had to look after someone else's child she resented it. I thought that she would get over it but she never did, and to my shame I never took her to task over her treatment towards you. Not wanting to upset the household I also let her dictate my treatment of you. I'm sure my sister your mother would consider disowning me because of my behaviour towards you, and I would not be able to face her if she were to return. So by blood you are rightly my nephew, not my son, but Timothy, I would be proud if you would still consider calling me your father."

The boy twisted in the mans lap, "Dad," and when Jack Clarkson heard that word his heart leapt and he had to use all his will power to refrain from bursting into tears.

"Yes son," he managed to get out.

"What did my mum look like?"

"He smiled and cupping the boys face in his hands and kissing him on the forehead said, "You know your aunt Lucy."

"Yep."

"Well she's the spitting image of your mother; they were very close to one another. I think that is why you two get on so well and also because she gave you the love that you never got in this house except from Linda."

"So what's going to happen now dad?"

"Nothing, and everything. First, there won't be anymore of the harsh treatment that you've had to put up with for as long as you can remember. I'll be talking to my wife about that. Umm how do you intend addressing her in future?"

"I don't know, she doesn't really like me so there isn't any point in calling her mum, or aunty, so I think I'll just stick with Mrs Clarkson would that be alright?"

"If that's how you feel then that's how it will be. She's a hard woman and doesn't like having to admit her mistakes but let's just see how things work out. Also like Linda you will have access to all the facilities in the house to use when you wish to. The other very important task to complete is to refurbish your room and make it a more fitting place for a boy to live in. We can do that while you're up at your aunt Lucy's during half term. But before you go you had better tell me what colours you want in here, the furniture I'll sort out."

Timothy jumped up wrapping his arms around his dad's neck saying, "You choose I haven't got any ideas, and that way it will also be a surprise for me when I get back."

"Okay now lets go downstairs to have something to eat Linda must be hungry as well, and if my wife doesn't join us then don't worry about it that's her problem."

They went downstairs to the dining room collecting Linda on the way. When they were seated at the dining table Jack Clarkson made his way to the kitchen to warm and serve the food for his children when he was told unceremoniously by his wife as she stormed into the kitchen to, "Go and sit down I'm still capable of serving the food in this house."

That night Timothy lay in his bed wondering if the changes to his way of life would be permanent. From what had taken place since the man he called his father had promised him that there would be a more loving and relaxed attitude towards him, he'd never felt more at ease in the house as he did now.

Earlier in the evening he had been allowed to sit and watch whichever TV programme he wished, and was also at liberty to change the channels. He hadn't tried to use the hi-fi system as he wasn't too sure how to use it and in any case didn't know much about the type of music on each individual cd. Now as his eyelids drooped his last thoughts were as he slipped into unconsciousness, "Hope Kai gets to be my best friend."

The following morning Timothy after he'd had his breakfast went to his room to pack his case ready for his trip to Manchester. He was really looking forward to spending a week with his aunt who in the past when he visited her gave his life a whole new meaning. Where he got to laugh and relax, and be himself and not having to hear the inevitable Timothy get up to your room which now he hoped won't be happening in this house so often.

Kai Webster was a bit dubious about calling on Timothy after his father had told him what had transpired at the house the previous day. But he'd promised Timothy that he'd go out with him to the Mall and he wasn't going to back out now. If they turned him away, then Timothy will at least know that he hadn't copped out on their agreement. Nervously his hand reached out and pressed the bell button.

The door opened and Mrs Clarkson stood in the doorway. "Kai isn't it," she said smiling.

"Yes, is Timothy available we're supposed to go to the shopping mall today?"

"Well you'd better go up and ask him he's packing his bag ready for his trip to Manchester tomorrow." And she stood to one side to allow Kai to enter the house and make his way to Timothy's room.

Outside the room he tapped softly on the door and within seconds it was opened by a wide eyed Timothy standing in the doorway.

"Blimey, I didn't think you'd turn up today after what your dad heard yesterday."

"Yeah well I promised we'd go out today so here I am, you ready to go?"

"Sure just let me grab my bus pass and jacket and we'll go"

As they reached the downstairs Timothy went into the sitting room to inform them that he was going out. He was about to leave when his dad said, "Have you any money with you Timothy?"

"Umm no dad but I don't really need any I'm just going for the outing."

"Here take this and his father withdrew forty pounds from his wallet and handed it to the boy saying, "Now go out and enjoy yourself.

"Thanks dad," he exclaimed then he turned to look at the woman that he'd called mum all his life. He knew in his heart that he was unable to carry out what he told his father the day before. Instead he walked over to where she sat bent over and kissed her on the cheek saying, "See you later mum," and went to join Kai at the front door.

"Bye Timothy," she responded "and don't be out too late."

That one simple gesture by her adopted son made Mary Clarkson realize that in him she had one in a million.

Jack Clarkson looked across at his wife and was surprised to see the beginnings of a smile on her face and eyes that looked decidedly watery.

The two boys made there way along the street with Kai asking, "What do you intend buying with the money you were given?"

"I don't really need anything but I know Linda wants a skipping rope, and I can buy mum some perfume and dad some after shave."

"Bloody Hell Timothy, Kai blurted out, "The money was meant for you to spend on yourself not buy everybody else presents."

"Yeah I know but I'd like to buy them prezzy's I've never been able to do that before., and if there's any money left over I can buy you something as well."

"Very nice of you Timothy," Kai said, "but I've got what I wanted those trainers."

They continued their walk chatting away till suddenly Kai exclaimed, Oh Shit!"

"What's up," the smaller boy asked looking across at his companion.

"Over there," Kai indicated with a flick of his head

Timothy looked in the direction that Kai had indicated and saw three boys whom he recognized as Hunter, Blake, and Fletcher.

His fear returned the moment he saw the boys, but like he'd done throughout the time he'd been in school he controlled his emotions and bottled the fear. He watched as the boys approached Peter Blake seemed to be elated at seeing the boys making for the bus stop. His mouth was split with an evil grin, and he was relishing the prospect of meeting up with the two boys who were on the top of his hate list.

The moment they were within speaking distance Blake couldn't contain his eagerness to hurl insults at the two boys now that he had the backing of Hunter, and Fletcher.

"What a pair of wankers, did Timothy do it nicely for you Kai?" he said with an affected foppish accent.

At least we can wank arsehole," Kai replied, "all you use yours for is to piss through no wonder the girls in school think there's something wrong with you."

"Shut your mouth Webster or I'll shut it for you." Blake yelled as the insult hurled by Kai hit its mark.

Kai opened his eyes in mock fear, "Oooh talking big now that he's got back up, you see Timothy," he said turning to the smaller boy, "if it were just him on his own he'd be shitting bricks." Turning to Blake Kai said, "How about it just you and me, what's more I'll let you take the first swing. You want to try."

Peter Blake was losing his cool; he knew he couldn't take the boy who had insulted him on his own. Not wanting to lose face in front of his two companions he slid his hand around his back into the waistband of his trousers at the same time stepping closer towards Kai.

Timothy who'd been watching Blake saw the hand come around and the flash of steel as he swung his hand to strike at Kai. He jumped between them to stop Blake and try to grab his hand at the same time he could hear Brian Hunter shouting "Don't do it Blake." He missed Blake's hand and then he was falling a look of astonishment appeared on his face as he let out a momentary gasp as he felt the knife pierce his body. He staggered backwards then his legs seemed to give way and he slowly slumped to the floor.

Kai seeing Timothy take the knife that was meant for him was enraged, as Blake withdrew the knife and before he could use it again he lashed out with his fist with every ounce of his strength flush on Blake's nose and mouth snapping his head back and sending him crashing to the pavement the knife flying out of his hand.

T.B.C.

 

Many thanks to those of you who have written to say how much you have enjoyed the story to date.

I think I have responded to all the letters, but if inadvertently I have failed to do so then my sincere apologies to you. I hope these next two parts will continue to hold your interest in the story, and hopefully entertain you the readers.

Caleb Wilson

 

If you wish to join the others who have expressed their views on the story in writing, your letters will be most welcome, just send it to :- cable4uw@yahoo.com