It was off Harper Road on some bombsite houses half standing half rubble you and Jim and some other kids were climbing amongst the ruin
the holidays just begun the sun shining on your heads
Coppers! one kid shouted and you all began to climb out of the ruined house and onto the rubble
a police car had parked on the edge of the road and two policemen got out
what you lot doing in there? one of the coppers said come on line up the other said
so you all lined up against the wall surrounding the bombsite
what were you doing in there? the copper asked
playing Jim said having fun another kid said
don’t you know it’s illegal to play on theses condemned houses? he said
didn’t know a fat kid said at the end
the copper walked along the line studying each boy in turn asking each one their name and address
you listened sweating your nerves on edge your ears pricked the answers the boys gave were lies you knew because Jim had said Barny Broadbridge and his address was not were he lived
you the copper said what’s you name?
your mind went a blank don’t know you said
the copper smacked you around the face your name kid what is it?
your cheek stung tears welled in your eyes Brian Tolling you muttered saying whatever came into your head
where do you live? you made up a number to a block of flats nearby
the other kids glared at the coppers as they walked along the line
you saw a watery blur of colours
right get off home and if we see you on here again we’ll come and see your parents get it? he closed his black note book and they climbed back in the car and drove off
up you copper the fat kid said lifting a finger to the far away car
you all right? Jim asked
you rubbed your cheek blinked tears out of your eyes he came in to focus yes you said didn’t hurt frigging flatfoot
the other kids laughed and the fat kid patted your back see you around they said
and you and Jim walked down Rockingham Street the sun peering over the flats where you did not live
back to Jim’s place to look at his knives and get on with your schoolboy lives.