A short while later, three of the girls from St Flick’s were searching the tow-path and passed the very same man. “Aren’t you girls supposed to be in school.” he said as they neared him.
“Yes, but one of our boys has gone missing and we’re trying to find him.”
“There was a boy about your age not ten minutes ago… cheeky little sod.”
“What did he look like?”
“A cheeky little sod.” the man replied, before describing a green parka jacket, blue jeans and long hair. “…you know how boys have it these days… hangin’ on their shoulders.”
“Sounds like him. Which way did he go?”
“That way, about ten minutes since.”
“Great, thanks mister.” the girls said before briskly walking in the same direction. They got as far as the next bridge and didn’t know whether to continue on the tow path or take the bridge and follow the road, but which way? Towards or away from town? “We might be able to see more from the bridge.” one suggested. “Can you see anything?”
“Not really.” she said, scanning the landscape. “What about the old cricket ground?” she said as the others joined her on the bridge. “It’s gonna be a housing estate soon.”
“Worth a try, but we’d better meet up with the others first.” The three girls headed back to the minibus where the others were waiting.
“Any luck?” one of the teachers asked. They told him about the man fishing who’d sem a boy fitting the description, and suggested checking the old cricket ground. “We may as well.” the teacher replied as they all climbed inside. The cricket ground has two main entrances; one on Hinckley Street and the other from the park. He dropped five of the girls off at the park whilst the rest drove round to the other entrance.
Meanwhile, William is feeling very smug. He’s relatively cosy in the crumbling old pavilion, enjoying another cigarette and munching on Opal Fruits. He knows he’s going to be in big trouble when he does go home but for now, he feels as free as a bird. His only disappointment is that Andrew isn’t with him. He peers out of the dusty window but can’t see much. He spits on it and wipes it with his sleeve, but most of the grime is on the outside. He peers through it anyway, looking this way and that. There’s nothing but the old cricket field, strewn with fallen leaves, dead weeds and a rotten old sight screen on either side. Then, the sound of voices grabs his attention. They’re not close and could be coming from the nearby park. He selects a different window, one that gives him a better view of the park entrance. He spies two girls, climbing through the broken fence. Schoolgirls judging by their clothing, but it’s a uniform he doesn’t recognise. “They’ll just be passing through.” William says to himself before slowly drawing on his cigarette and feeling like a character from a movie or TV drama. He feels relaxed, smug even. He has no idea that the girls from St Felicity’s are looking for him, and a combination of cheek, ego and ignorance prompts him to open the door to the pavilion and greet the approaching girls. He stands casually in the doorway, looking at them whilst toking on his cigarette.
The girls are close but out of earshot. “Well that’s gotta be him.” one says to the other. “What do you reckon? Fight or flirt?”
“Flirt.” the other replied. “Hiya!” she hollers to William. “D’ya live here?”
“Nah… just hangin’ out.” he replied, taking a final long drag on his cigarette and flicking it away.
“You got any more fags?”
“Maybe.” William replied. “Whatcha gonna do to get one?” he asked, descending the few wooden steps and removing the pack from his pocket.
“Dunno… whatcha gonna do to stop us from just taking them?” they replied as they drew to a halt.
“You wouldn’t do that girls.” William replied. He’s beginning to feel nervous since the two girls are a good few inches taller than him and they’re more than a little intimidating.
“Well you don’t look old enough to smoke… and we’re concerned for your health.”
“Hey don’t do that!” William said as one of the girls plucked the entire pack from his hand. “Gis ’em back!” he demanded. The girl held the pack high above her head. William reached for it but wasn’t quite tall enough.
“Not as big as you think you are are you… little boy.” she said. “Shouldn’t you be in school?”
“None of your business!” William spat as he jumped and still failed to grab his pack of fags.
