Monthly Archives: June 2011

Right Frank. Sir – You’re 15, I don’t expect stupid behaviour at your age. But Sir. What’s your problem, eh? Sir, it’s the others. What Others? The lads are on at me.  All the time. Why don’t you report it? … Continue reading →

Frankie’s walking down the corridor – it’s break and full of kids charging through and round. Rucksacks, bags and kit jostle for space. Up ahead Paddy’s mates see him coming knot their heads, then as he passes a foot goes … Continue reading →

I wasn’t ready I wasn’t at ease I wasn’t sober. he pushes himself to swim faster I wasn’t sober I wasn’t ready I wasn’t at ease. He focuses on the way his arm slices the water, on a pattern of … Continue reading →

Frankie gets out the house early. The world’s different at that time of day – he can hear the birds the traffic on the western bypass like a distant sea, the alchies haven’t gathered on the bench at the entrance … Continue reading →

The door bell rings. It’s Becca. Frankie stares saying nowt, he’s hot and red, she’s cool, but her eyes flit about: Is Paddy there? Frankie turns and shouts. Paddy comes tumbling down the stairs smelling like a can of Lynx … Continue reading →

But next week when he sees the hickey on Becca’s neck he just knows she’s got another lad, trying to make him feel bad – then he finds out who it is.

At school next day, Becca makes a show of avoiding Frankie; Corinne takes him off to the Art Room to hang. It’s quiet and he tells her it was the drink that made him sick. They’re arsing about on computer, … Continue reading →

is small but it has a garden there’s a plastic red and yellow car on the small patch of grass and a soft football. The wooden door looks worn there’s a cat flap in it and as Frankie walks up … Continue reading →

They agree to meet at the Gate, see a film. It’s all lit up like Hollywood, Corinne says she’ll hang around too keep him company till Becca comes. There’s been a match – the Toon Army are out in force: … Continue reading →