A Special Bond
Tommy knew he was in for a right telling-offnot from the local troublemaker, Gaz, but from his own mum.
He was whistling as he walked home, but his stomach twisted at the thought. Oh, he was going to get it now.
Auntie Rita, Mums best mate, had seen him with a fag. He couldve lied, said someone handed it to him, but noAuntie Rita saw him with it between his lips. What was he supposed to say? That someone forced it into his mouth?
Tommy kept his head down, pretending he hadnt noticed her, and mercifully, she didnt shout or clip him round the earjust gave him a long look before carrying on.
But Tommy wasnt fooled. He knew Auntie Rita wouldve already ratted him out, and Mum was waiting with the belt. He was on his third lap around the block when he spotted Nan.
Oh, brilliant. Heavy artillery. This was off-limits. Now Nan would startwaterworks first, then the lecture about how she, an honoured teacher back in the day, had raised hundreds of children but somehow failed her own grandson.
How ashamed she was… how Grandad must be turning in his grave, along with every ancestor before him.
When he was little, that bit terrified him. Hed imagine the earth shifting as they writhed beneath.
But then hed cottoned on. Last time Nan started on about ancestors, Tommy shot back, Well, thats goodstops em getting bedsores, like Jakes nan.
Nan clutched her chest. Mum burst out laughing, forgetting to wallop himand then Nan whacked *her* with a tea towel.
Now, Tommy watched Nan hurry towards him.
Whatre you doing here? Why arent you home? she demanded, eyes darting like *she* was the one caught smoking. Had a row with your mum?
N-no… I havent been home yet.
Havent been? Whereve you been all this time?
School, then football, then… walking.
Right. Here we go, Tommy thought. Any second now*breathe on me*then the interrogation. Whats this, then? Your handswhy are they red? Where are your gloves?
Left em at home, Nan.
At *home*? And your mum didnt check? Why not? Show me your legs.
Nan yanked his trouser leg up and gasped.
Whats *this*?
W-what, Nan? Tommy panicked.
Why are your ankles red? Where are your thermals? And your scarf?
Tommy burned with shame, especially when he spotted Gaz watching from the alley, his stupid red beanie poking out. Oh, *Nan*whyd she have to do this? Was she losing it? Shed always been sharp as a tack, but now…
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? Whats got into you? Didnt you do your homework? She didnt even check? I wont stand for this. Look at the state of youcome on, were going.
Waitwas Nan on *his* side? Maybe hed dodge Mums lecture after all. Had he slipped into some parallel world? Was this even his nan?
Nan, which sides my appendix scar on?
Youve never had your appendix out.
Right. Still Nan, then.
She dragged him home, huffing and puffing.
Mum was in the kitchen, smelling of something delicious. She wore her nice dress, her hair curled, new earringsand *heels* indoors? Since when?
Tommy, love She pulled him close. Wash up, dinners nearly ready. Mum, you staying?
Whys this child roaming the streets? Too scared to come home, is he? Well done, well done. Trading your own flesh and blood forwhere are his gloves? His thermals? Its brass monkeys out there! But no, you dont care
Mum, *please*. 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.
Nah, Im good…
The thought of Nans constant nagging? No thanks.
Mum, Tommys staying here. In his home. With his family.
What home? You threw it all away! Tommy, *pack*.
Mum, if you dont stop, Ill
What? *What*? Kick your own mother out?
Yes!
You ungratefulafter all Ive done! And now you
Mum cut her off. Tommy had never seen anything like itshe grabbed Nans arm, hauled her onto the landing, and slammed the door.
Nan screeched about calling the police, demanding Tommy back, something about a jailbird…
Mum yanked Tommy into the living roomwhere some bloke sat, eyeing him warily.
Tommy… no point lying. This is your dad.
Nan was still howling outside. Mum stood with her hands limp. The mantall, thin, with Tommys eyesstood and held out a shaky hand.
Hello… son.
Tommy jerked back, bracing against the door.
But… you said he *died*.
Annie The man looked at Mum, miserable.
That wasnt me, Dave. *She* told him it was better than… than knowing the truth.
The doorbell rang, then pounding
Police. Open up.
Annie, maybe I should
No. No more hiding. Tommy, well explain, justdont be scared
Mum answered. In stormed Nan, a copper, and nosy Mrs. Patel from next door.
Weve had reports of a disturbance
Nothings happening. Just… my husbands back from the rigs. Meeting his son.
But your mother
Hes a *convict*! Arrest him! Tommy, come herehe wont hurt you!
Nan, give it a rest.
ID, sir? the copper asked.
Course.
Any prior?
No. Been up north for yearsstraight after school.
Apologies for
Arrest him! He ruined my daughters lifeshe couldve had anyone
Mum, *enough*.
Mum shut the door.
A dad? Hed lived eleven years without onewhy now? He had Mum. Nan. And now… a living dad. But Nan said hed died in a drunken brawlsome shameful secret.
Turns out… theyd *all* lied.
Tommy. Mum knew what hed dobut too late. He snatched his jacket, his trainers, and bolted.
Tommy ran, tears blurring everything. Who could he trust? If his own family could lie like this
Tommy! Mum shouted after him, but he didnt stop, clutching his clothes, barefoot.
Oi, kid Gaz. He didnt care. Nothing could be worse. Hold upwhos after you?
Gaz grabbed his arm.
No one. Piss off.
Its freezing. Youll catch your death. Come onmy place.
Tommy hesitated.
Mums awayflight attendant. Come on.
Gazs flat was… odd. Clean, but bare.
Keep your shoes on. My room.
Posters covered the wallsThe Clash, Bowie, Queen. Mum never let Tommy stick posters up. Hed swapped six holographic stickers for a Bros one once, though.
A guitar. Wow.
Yours?
Yeah. Tea?
Tommy nodded. Stomach growlingshouldve eaten first.
Fancy some grub? Pasta with sardines?
Tommy shrugged.
Gaz boiled pasta, fried onions, dumped in a tin of sardines in tomato sauce. Mixed it all together.
Tommy had never tasted anything so good.
They drank tea in chipped mugs, sugar cubes with little trains printed on the wrappers.
Erm… whats your real name?
Gaz snorted.
Dave. Dave Miller.
Why Gaz?
Dunno. Just stuck.
He played the guitar, sangreally well.
Youre proper good, Dave. Whos that?
Queen, mate. Legend.
Not British?
Nah. But you know Oasis?
Tommy hummed *Wonderwall*. Dave joined in. They sounded alright.
You should head home. Bet theyve got the bobbies out.
Tommy scowled.
Whats up?
So he told him.
Dont be daft. A dads *brilliant*. Ive never had one.
Wheres yours?
Dunno. Mum says hes an astronaut.
Wow.
Shes lying. Found me on a layover. No familyjust us. But she kept me. Listen, Tommy… sort it out. This is *their* mess, not yours.
Cheers, Dave.
For what?
Everything. Tommy hugged him. Tight.
Dave was right. He walked Tommy home.
Everyone was searchingMum, Nan, neighbours, the copper… and *him*. Dad.
They explained it allhow Mum fell pregnant, how Nan didnt want her tied to him.
But they got together anyway.
Dad went off to work, Mum stayed with Tommy… then Nan wrote to him, pretending Mum had remarried, telling him to stay away.
Dad sent a furious letter back.
Then he met someone elselived with her two years before admitting he still loved Mum.
Why? Tommy asked Nan.
I wanted her happy. *You* happy.
What about *him*?
Forgive me.
Later, on Tommys birthday, he invited Dave. Dave gave him a Queen posterand *Mum* let him put it up.
Not Dave. The poster.
Tommy forgave them all. Their mess, their lieslike Dave said.
And Nan? When she found out Dave was alone, she took him under her wingfed him pies, stews. Next thing, hes acing maths.
Theyve been friends ever since, like brothers.
At Nans garden parties, they play *Wonderwall* on the guitar, eat sardine pasta like its gourmet.
And Dad? Tommy loves him. Hes got half-siblings nowall get along. But with Dad? Theres a special bond.
