A Special Bond
Tommy knew he was in for a right telling-off, and not from the local troublemaker, Gaz, but from his own mum.
He walked home, whistling nervously, his stomach in knots. Auntie Rose, his mums best mate, had spotted him with a fag. He couldve lied, said someone handed it to him, but noAuntie Rose had seen him puffing away. What would he tell his mum now? That someone forced it into his mouth? Like that would fly.
Tommy pretended he hadnt seen Auntie Rose, and thankfully, she didnt yell or clip him round the earjust gave him a long look and carried on. But Tommy wasnt daft. He knew shed already ratted him out. His mum would be waiting, belt in hand. He was on his third lap around the block when he spotted Nan.
Blimey, the heavy artillery. This was against the rules. Now Nan would startwaterworks, guilt trips, the whole bit. How shed taught hundreds of kids as a decorated teacher, yet failed her own grandson. How ashamed she was, how his grandad must be spinning in his grave, along with every ancestor before him.
When Tommy was little, that bit terrified him. Hed imagine the earth shifting as the dead turned over. Then one day, hed had enough. The next time Nan went on about restless ancestors, Tommy shrugged and said, Good. Stops em getting bedsores, like old Mrs. Wilkins down the road.
Nan clutched her chest. Mum burst out laughing, forgetting all about the beltand got a tea towel whipped at her for it.
Now, Tommy watched Nan hurrying toward him.
What are you doing out here? Why arent you home? she demanded, but her eyes darted about like *she* was the one caught smoking. Had a row with your mum?
N-no I havent been home yet.
What dyou mean? Whereve you been?
School, then football, then just walking.
Right. Tommy braced himself. Here it came. Whats this, then? Your handswhy are they red? Where are your gloves?
Left em at home, Nan.
Left them? And your mum didnt notice? Whats going on? Show me your ankles.
Nan yanked up his trouser leg and gasped.
Whats this?
What, Nan? Tommy panicked.
Why are your ankles red? Where are your thermals? And wheres your scarf?
Tommy burned with shame. WorseGaz was watching from the alley, his red beanie poking out. Oh, Nan, why? Was she losing it? Shed always been sharp as a tack.
Nan whats five times five?
Twenty-five, she said, baffled.
Whats the square of the hypotenuse?
Sum of the squares of the other two sides Tommy? Did you not do your homework? She didnt even check? I wont stand for this. Look at the state of youcome on, were going home.
Waitwas Nan on *his* side? Maybe hed dodge the belt after all. Had he slipped into some parallel world? Was Nan even his real nan?
Nan, which sides my appendix scar?
Youve never had it out. What scar?
Okay, definitely Nan.
She dragged him home, huffing and puffing. Mum was in the kitchen, cooking something lush. She wore her good dress, curls pinned up, new earringsand *heels* indoors? What was this?
Tommy, love! Mum hugged him tight. Get washed up, dinners nearly ready. Mum, you staying?
Whys my grandson wandering the streets? Too scared to come home, is he? Well done, youve driven him away. Where are his gloves? Where are his thermals? Its brass monkeys out there. But no, you dont care. Too busy with *him*
Mum, *stop*. Are you eating with us or not?
No! Im done here. And you know what? She turned to Tommy. Pack your things, love. Youre coming with me.
Why, Nan?
To *live*, Tommy. With me.
But I dont wanna
The thought of Nan nagging him foreverno thanks.
Mum, Tommys staying *here*. In his home, with his family.
What home? Youve thrown it all away for! Tommy, get your things.
Mum, if you dont stop, IllIll have to
What? *What*? Throw your own mother out?
Yes!
You ungrateful! After all Ive done for you!
Mum didnt let her finish. She grabbed Nan by the arm, marched her out onto the landing, and slammed the door. Nan shrieked about calling the police, demanding Tommy back, something about a jailbird.
Mum yanked Tommy into the lounge. A bloke sat there, watching him warily.
Tommy no lies. This is your dad.
Nan hammered on the door. Mum stood frozen. The man stoodtall, thin, with Tommys eyes. He held out a shaky hand.
Hello son.
Tommy stumbled back.
But you said he *died*
Toni the man murmured.
Not me, Dave. *Mum* told you that. Said it was better than him knowing his dad was
The doorbell rang. Pounding fists.
Police. Open up.
Toni, maybe I should go
No. Enough hiding. Tommy, well explain. Just waitlove, dont be scared.
Mum opened the door. In stormed a wild-eyed Nan, a baffled copper, and nosy neighbours.
We had reports of a disturbance
Nothings wrong. Family dinner. My husbands home from Aberdeen. Our son.
But your mother
Hes a *convict*! Arrest him! Tommy, come herehe wont hurt you!
Mum, *stop*.
ID, sir? the officer asked.
Course.
Any convictions?
No. Worked offshore for years, straight after school.
Apologies for the bother.
Arrest him! He ruined my daughters lifeshe couldve had *anyone*
Mum, *enough*.
Mum shut the door.
A *dad*? Eleven years without onewhy now? He had Mum, Nan and a living father, but Nan always said he was
Tommy had spent years ashamed of his criminal dad, supposedly killed in a drunken brawl. Nans little secret, to spare him the shame. Turns out theyd all lied. Mum, Nan, Dadalive all along.
Tommy, Mum whispered. She saw it coming but couldnt stop him. He snatched his jacket, kicked into his trainers, and bolted.
He ran, crying. Who could he trust? If his own family lied
Tommy! Mums voice faded behind him. He ran barefoot, clutching his clothes.
Oi, kid Gaz. Tommy didnt care. Couldnt get worse. Hold up. Whos after ya?
Gaz grabbed his arm.
No one. Piss off.
Its freezing. Youll catch your death. I was in hospital last yearate like a king, but youre too soft for that. Come mine.
What?
Mums on shifttrain attendant. Just me.
Tommy hesitated.
Gazs flat was different. The front door looked chewed by a dog, but inside was clean.
Keep your shoes on. My room.
Posters covered the wallsThe Clash, Queen, Oasis. Tommy only knew a few. Mum never let him stick posters up. Hed swapped six holographic stickers for a Bros calendar once.
A guitar leaned against the bed.
Yours?
Yeah. Want tea?
Tommy nodded. Then his stomach growled.
Hungry? Fancy pot noodle and beans?
Tommy shrugged.
Gaz cooked fastboiled noodles, fried onions, dumped in a tin of beans. Mixed it all up.
Tommy had never tasted anything so good.
After, they drank tea from chipped mugs, sugar cubes pinched from the café where Gaz sometimes worked.
So whats your real name?
Gaz grinned. Gary. Gary Miller.
Why Gaz then?
Dunno. Stuck, didnt it?
Later, Gary played guitar. Sang Oasis. Tommy joined in.
Youre dead good, Gaz.
Cheers. You aint bad. But you gotta go home. Theyll have the bobbies out.
Tommys face fell.
Gary sighed. Listen its *good*, your dad being alive. Mines gone.
Where?
Dunno. Mum says hes an astronaut.
Wow.
Shes fibbing. Found me on a train, she did. No family, just us. But shes sound. Dont be daft, Tommy. Sort it. Its their mess, not yours.
Ta, Gaz.
For what?
Everything. Tommy hugged him tight.
Gary was right. They walked back. The whole street was searchingMum, Nan, neighbours, even the copper. And *him*Dad.
They explained everything. How Mum got pregnant. How Nan hated Dad. How they stayed together anyway. Dad went north for work. Nan wrote to him, saying Mum had remarried. Dad sent a furious letter back.
Then he met someone else. Mum divorced him.
Three years ago, they started writing again. Dad lived alone nowleft the other woman after two years. Couldnt lie anymore.
Why? Tommy asked Nan.
I wanted happiness for you both.
What about *his*?
Forgive me
On Tommys birthday, he invited Gary over. Gary gave him a Queen poster. Mum let him put it up.
Tommy forgave them all. Their mess, their lies. Like Gary saidgrown-up stuff.
Nan, hearing Gary lived alone, took him under her wing. Fed him roast dinners. Helped him ace maths.
Years later, theyre still mates. Singing Wonderwall on the porch. Eating beans on toast like its gourmet.
And Dad? Tommy loves him. Hes got half-siblings now. But with Tommyits different.
A special bond.
