Page 114 of Dying Truth

‘I used to but I’m twelve now. Almost grown up.’

‘Hey,’ Dawson said, clearing his throat. ‘No need to be rushing these years away, and it’s no sin to cry,’ he advised.

‘So, did they stop?’ Geoffrey asked, looking up at him. ‘The kids, did they stop bullying you when you lost weight?’

Dawson shrugged. ‘Either they did, or I stopped hearing them. It didn’t matter because I was happy with myself. I felt I was achieving something, so I didn’t care anymore.’

Dawson could see he had the kid’s interest.

‘Listen, I go to Pump Gym in Brierley Hill. They’ve got a cracking swimming pool too. I’ll be there Sunday morning about ten. It’s open hour for new members. Come and have a look and see if you like it.’

‘I got a card,’ Geoffrey said, quietly, staring down at his exercise book.

‘A card?’ he asked, confused.

‘Ace of spades,’ Geoffrey clarified. ‘Shaun’s death left a space,’ Geoffrey continued. ‘And they want me to join.’

‘Do you want to?’ Dawson asked.

Being part of an elite group of powerful kids had to be appealing to the child who seemed to get shit from most pupils and even some of the teachers.

Being a Spade would offer Geoffrey protection from the bullying and the taunting. It would certainly make his life at Heathcrest easier. It was not unlike his own situation. He had joined that group thinking it would improve his life.

‘So, why?’

‘It’s because of my mum,’ he said, flatly. ‘She won an important case this week. She was on the news.’

Dawson could hear the pride in his voice.

‘But that’s why they want me,’ he said. ‘Nothing to do with me. It’s because of my mum.’

Dawson tried to put himself in Geoffrey’s position. Away from home, on his own, being bullied and taunted.

‘Maybe it’s not such a bad—’

‘I told them no,’ he said, as a bell sounded along the hallway.

‘Why’s that?’ Dawson asked, feeling his admiration for this kid grow.

‘It’s not the kind of club I want to join,’ he said, collecting his books together. ‘Anyway, I’ve got to head off…’

‘No problem,’ Dawson said, watching him amble away.

Dawson silently applauded the boy’s strength of character in not taking the easy way out of a difficult situation.

He only hoped the kid didn’t live to regret it.

Seventy-Nine

Bryant indicated to turn at the first cordon into the road that led to Lye railway station.

Evening traffic began to build up behind them as the two officers stared and shook their heads to say no access. Kim smashed her warrant card against the window as they both scrambled to move the orange cones out of the way. The female officer held up her hand in apology as they passed through, ignoring the horns of the disgruntled commuters behind.

Bryant pulled up at the second cordon at the entrance to the old station building.

Three officers were busy questioning pale-faced witnesses who were either leaning against or sitting on the wall. Kim heard a bespectacled young man in his late teens mention “phone” as they passed by.

She spied the train driver in the waiting room sipping a glass of water. A rail official was leaning over him, a hand resting on his shoulder. The driver was pretending to listen, nodding occasionally while staring at the wall opposite. There was only one film playing through his head right now, and it was a film that would stay with him for the rest of his life.