“Oh Mum why have you enrolled him in one of those?!” Kate exclaimed. Their parents give Kate the very same reasons as they’d given Peter and she was just as surprised as her brother to discover that she’d be attending an EP school too. She’s not happy to discover that ballet classes are compulsory, but likes the idea of street dance classes. So does Peter but that’s a small consolation. Being around 18 months older than Peter, Kate realised that since they’d both be wearing the same uniform, he’d be growing into the things she’s just grown out of. “Great.” Peter groaned after his mother said that’d save them a ‘fortune’ on the already expensive uniform. Peter pleaded for days and days with his dad not to send him, but there really was no choice. He pleaded with his mother too but she took the position that the ‘girl-time’ will do me him the ‘world of good’. His dad admits that EP is a bit weird and empathised with Peter’s plight, but spouts the usual blurb and excuses to justify their decision.

Peter wanted to know why he wasn’t told or even consulted beforehand and was told that they didn’t want to worry him. But between finally being told and his first day at Butterworth High School, Peter was nothing but worried. No matter how supportive and encouraging his family were being, his first day at Butterworth High School was a panic ridden experience. But that was then, and this is now. Peter feels a similar sense of panic welling up as they rang Noel’s door bell a second time.

“Whayyy!” Noel exclaimed as he opened the door. “Good to see you Pete… Mark.”

They stepped inside and removed their coats before settling in the sitting room. A games console and a handful of games were splayed out in front of the TV. “You’ve got an X Box One!” Peter excitedly stated.

“Got it for Christmas.” Noel replied, adding that it’s half Carol’s.

“What games ‘ave you got?” Peter asked, crouching and reading the titles.

“Loads…” Noel replied. “But I was thinking Battlefront… to get us in the mood for Rogue One.”