Run Johnboy Run: The Glasgow Chronicles 2

by Todd, Ian

  “I’ll give you an initial three months to see what you can come up with. We’ll review progress regularly. If there’s no marked change in the behaviour of your targeted group, then we can always say we tried,” The Heidmaster hid finally said, gaun back tae nibble the end ae his pencil.

  “Thank you, headmaster. I won’t let you down.”

  Oan reflection, it hid surprised Fanny that persuading the heidmaster hid been the easy part. She’d awready known whit tae expect fae the staff, so hidnae been too disappointed, or surprised by their reaction. The boys in the school wur a different proposition aw thegither. In jist o’er a year…fourteen months, tae be exact…only a haunful ae boys within the school hid voluntarily spoken tae her and even then, it hid only been efter she’d asked them a question directly or hid called them intae her office. The wans who’d spoken tae her freely wur maistly those placed under supervision as a result ae Care and Protection and who usually sat opposite her crying, mystified as tae why they’d been put in a place like Thistle Park, given that they hidnae committed a crime. It wis these boys who wur maist at risk ae being bullied than any ae the others. It wis always heart-breaking, as she knew she could dae very little fur them, other than tae put forward a request fur a transfer tae a less secure school. The problem within the system wis the numbers. There wis jist too many boys and no enough places in the schools that could support the CPs tae come tae terms wae their situation. When Fanny first started, she thought the majority ae the boys wid make a bee-line fur her door tae pour oot their woes and tae ask fur help. The only knock she’d heard this past twelve months hid been when wan ae the staff hid come knocking tae borrow her Typhoo tea. It hid been a steep learning curve and she’d found it hard tae come tae terms wae it. She’d felt that aw her training hid gone doon the drain. She’d quickly found herself in some sort ae no-man’s land. Oan the wan haun, there wis the staff who thought she wis just some air-heid do-gooder who wis playing at being concerned.

  “Aye, well, we’ll see where ye ur in a few months’ time, hen,” hid been the mair polite ae the responses in the staff room that first week.

  It hid been the responses fae the boys that hid hurt her the deepest though. The mair she’d tried tae engage wae them, the mair they’d shied away fae her. She’d believed, and still did, that she hid a lot tae offer them, tae help them turn their lives aroond. She’d lost coont ae the number ae days, or weeks, that she’d arrived first thing in the morning and left at five o’clock, hivving sat at her desk staring intae space, asking hersel whit it wis that she’d done wrang. Her parents and her brother, Benson, The Glesga Echo’s motoring columnist, hidnae helped either.

  “I’ve spoken to Tom Bryce, the crime desk sub-editor, and he’s willing to take you on as a cub-reporter, working alongside Mary,” Benson hid said, before admitting that her father hid put him up tae it.

  The thought ae working alangside her pushy, patronising, sister-in-law, Mary Marigold, a rising master crime-desk reporter, hid been the deterrent tae Fanny fae picking up the phone and admitting defeat oan many occasions. She thought aboot Mr Dupon…Hugh…and the advice and support he’d been gieing her. He seemed tae be the only wan who could understaun whit she wis up against.

  “Don’t give up. Who told you that it wis going to be easy, Fanny? Hang on tight and just take a deep breath. Suck it and see,” he’d said. “You might actually like it.”

  With Mr Dupon…Hugh’s…encouragement, she’d gied hersel a month tae carefully troll through the files ae the potential candidates in the school. Within a few hours, she’d identified her group. In simplistic terms, they wur the best ae the worst. They contributed absolutely nothing, ignored even the maist basic ae rules, actively undermined everything and anything that could be deemed as positive in the school, refused tae play ball and disrupted anything they wur forced tae participate in, whether staunin in the queue or sitting doon tae eat. In fact, the only time they didnae appear tae be in trouble wis when they wur sleeping, although wan ae them, Taylor, did tend tae sleep walk aboot the school at night. In aw the time they’d been in Thistle Park, only wan ae them hid ever managed tae move up a peg oan the hame-leave board and he’d taken his anger oot oan another boy by assaulting him. Mr Dupon…Hugh…hid pointed out that treating this group like the rest ae the boys in the school wis hivving the opposite effect ae whit wis being intended in the first place. That hidnae gone doon well wae the majority ae the staff.

  “We all need to think out of the box. That’s the answer,” he’d telt the staff, shrugging the hostility emanating fae the silent group ae men like water aff a duck’s back.

  In her eagerness tae get started, she’d jumped right in at the deep-end and hid realised her mistake the moment she’d sat doon in the classroom. They hidnae even pretended tae look curious at her sudden presence. Apart fae wan question, asking whether she wis Chinese, they’d totally ignored her. She’d then hid tae retreat, feeling rejected. She’d phoned Mr…Hugh…who’d telt her tae get back in there, bit this time, tae introduce the steps that they’d spoken aboot.

  “Isolate the leader, Fanny. Don’t mess about with the rest. That will come later. They won’t do anything without his say-so and he won’t do anything, if he feels that you’re embarrassing him in front of his peer group. You’re young…and don’t forget…female. Don’t be shy in using the assets that God gave you,” he’d soothed, putting the phone doon.

  She hidnae been too sure aboot ‘using the assets that God hid gied her,’ bit she hid decided tae bite the bullet and go back in the efternoon. She’d goat Mr Burns tae take Gucci alang tae the vacant dentist’s office at the end ae the corridor in the education block.

  “Thank you, Mr Burns, that will be all. I’ll give you a shout when I’m finished here,” she’d said, no being in the least bit surprised at his hesitation as he aboot turned and slammed the door shut behind him.

  She’d quickly glanced at the boy as he entered the room. This hid been the closest she’d managed tae get tae him…in fact, tae any ae them. She hid spent a good bit ae time looking doon oan Gucci and his associates fae wan ae the dorm windaes when they’d been oot in the yard. Although they looked tae be the wan group, efter studying them, it hid become clear that the boys fae the Toonheid and Royston wur two separate entities. While Gucci either sat or stood by the steps that lead intae the main building, McManus always seemed tae be busy talking tae boys in the various groupings scattered aboot the yard. Taylor never stood still fur mair than a few minutes and wis always oan the move, walking roond the perimeter ae the yard, wae Smith, the quiet wan, trailing efter him. He displayed the same mannerisms as a caged animal that she remembered staunin and staring at when her parents took her and her two brothers tae the zoo. She’d looked doon at the open file in front ae her. Gucci wis described as being five feet five tall, wae nae distinguishing marks oan his body, other than a strange looking scar oan his right wrist. Although he hidnae disclosed how he’d come by it, his file suggested that it wis as a result ae being held in the jaws ae a large dog. She’d looked up intae his dark, diamond eyes. She’d quite easily been able tae detect his Italian background in his olive skin. He wis stunningly beautiful and she could swear she’d felt her heart palpitating. He hid jist stood staring right back at her. Efter managing tae regain her composure, by glancing at a page in the folder in front ae her, she’d taken a deep breath and started tae deal her haun.

  “Please take a seat, Tony. I’m Miss Flaw and I would like to ask you a few questions so that I can figure out how I’m going to be able to help you and your friends, without you, or them, losing face,” she’d said, looking up at him, disappointed that he hidnae sat doon.

  “You have to come across sincerely, Fanny. Don’t attempt to lie to him. He’ll be on to you as quick as a flash. You have to get him to sit down opposite you, or you’ve lost him.” Mr…Hugh…hid repeatedly drummed intae her oan the phone.

  She’d fought hard tae quell the panic welling up inside her. She’d wanted
tae run oot ae the door and hid jist been measuring the distance when she’d looked intae his eyes again. They wur saft and warm and she’d thought she detected a hint ae a smile behind them. She’d put her mad dash oan hold and hid taken a deep breath.

  “If that’s okay with you?”

  “Kin Ah read that file ye’ve goat in front ae ye?” he’d asked pleasantly, taking a seat.

  “What? Oh, er, somehow, I don’t think so.”

  “So, whit’s so special aboot it?”

  “There’s nothing special about it.”

  “So, whit’s wae aw the secrecy then?”

  Her brain hid fought wae her tae avert her eyes fae that look ae his, telling her tae retreat back tae the file sitting in front ae her, that she’d read a hundred times before, o’er the previous two weeks, bit she’d held her gaze steady…jist.

  “Do not, under any circumstances, allow him to control the situation with those intimidating, menacing eyes, Fanny. You have to be assertive, and the eye contact will be the first test,” Mr…Hugh…hid emphasised.

  Gucci hid the maist beautiful eyes that she’d ever come across. The only part ae the advice she’s been gied regarding his eyes that hid been missing, and whit the reports furgoat tae mention, wis that they wur mesmerising. Although she’d been studying him and his pals fae a short distance…getting familiar with their body language…being that close tae him hid been totally different. Despite whit the reports continually emphasised, he hidnae come across as being the dangerous violent little thug that she knew him tae be.

  “The file just contains reports regarding who you are and what you’ve been up to over the past few years. Background reports, that kind of stuff,” she’d replied pleasantly.

  “Dae ye think Ah’d be annoyed aboot whit’s been written aboot me in that secret folder that ye’re gripping oan tae?”

  “Er, I don’t know. Perhaps, although I wouldn’t imagine that you would find much in it that would be interesting. Legal jargon, that kind of stuff,” she’d replied, involuntarily slackening her grip oan the folder.

  Silence.

  “Tony, what I’m attempting to do is work out a programme that will assist you and your friends to come to terms with your current situation and help you to manage your sentence more positively than what you have been doing so far.”

  Silence.

  “By that, I mean, see if we cannot help you to get more involved...”

  “In obeying rules?”

  “...in what’s going on in the school generally.”

  Silence.

  “So, er, what do you think then?” she’d asked, hoping he widnae detect the desperation in her voice.

  “Aboot whit?”

  “About what I’ve just said?”

  “Hiv ye ever done time?” he’d asked her, throwing her completely aff kilter.

  “Er, what? What do you mean?”

  “Ye heard me the first time…miss.”

  “Have I ever done time? Of course I haven’t.”

  “Bit ye want tae help us dae oor time better?”

  “Er, yes.”

  “Whit makes ye think we need yer help? We’re experts at daeing time, so we ur.”

  “Well, your behaviour towards the staff and other boys leaves a lot to be desired, for example.”

  “Bit, whit’s that goat tae dae wae ye helping us dae oor time better?”

  Silence.

  She’d walked right intae that wan, she remembered cursing tae hersel. He wisnae being aggressive. He’d jist been coming oot wae questions as if he wis asking her whit time ae day it wis. She’d hid a terrible urge tae lean o’er and poke him straight in the eye wae her pencil.

  “Well, as well as being sent away as a punishment, we have a duty to try and reform you and help with your rehabilitation,” she’d replied lamely.

  Silence.

  “I mean, since you’ve arrived in Thistle Park, I cannot find one single good word that has been written about you…and that also applies to your friends along the corridor in the classroom,” she’d said, waving her haun at the wall.

  Silence.

  “Were you aware that there are boys in here that have arrived after some of you who are literally just days away from being liberated or let out early over the next three to six months, not to mention all the home leave that they’ve enjoyed?”

  Withoot trying, his demeanour hid gied her the distinct impression that he’d awready lost interest in aw the positive aspects ae school life that she’d been pointing oot tae him. He’d hardly said anything fur fifteen minutes, apart fae when he’d chosen tae challenge or correct assumptions oan her part.

  “I can do this for you,” she’d practically pleaded.

  “Whit makes ye think that’s whit we want?”

  “I’ll use my influence with the headmaster to instruct the staff to back off…give you all more space.”

  “We kin speak up fur oorsels.”

  “It wouldn’t cost you much to try this.”

  “How wid you know?”

  “I want to be your friend, get to know you all better.”

  “Naw, ye don’t.”

  “I want to understand you all.”

  “Whit’s that goat tae dae wae us?”

  “Give me a chance to show you what I’m talking about and what I can do for you, Tony. At least, give it a try. Give me a month...please?” she’d finally muttered in defeat.

  And then it hid been aw o’er wae. He’d suddenly stood up, opened the door and walked through, withoot looking back at her or saying cheerio. Mr Burns hid taken great pleasure in gieing her an ‘Ah telt ye so’ look fae the door, before disappearing efter Gucci. She’d walked back tae her office feeling totally dejected. She hidnae been too sure whit tae dae next. She’d thought ae phoning Mr…Hugh…bit, while she appreciated his wonderful support, she hidnae been sure if she’d hiv been able tae control her disappointment and the last thing he probably needed wis her crying o’er the phone. She wisnae sure how long she’d sat there, contemplating picking up the phone tae her brother, Benson, wondering if the cub reporter job wis still an option. It hid been the school bell that hid brought her oot ae her reverie. She’d heided oot intae the corridor, tae find Mr Burns stomping alang towards her, wae a face like thunder.

  “Ah hope tae hell ye know whit ye’re daeing, Fanny?” he’d scowled.

  “Why? What’s happened?”

  “That Tally wan, Gucci, his jist gone and telt them that they’ll aw be starting their new jobs first thing oan Monday morning.”

  Chapter Ten

  None ae them goat aff tae a good start…especially Johnboy and Silent. Oan the Monday, they aw trooped intae the recreation hall. The wee joiner, Mr Button-heid, took wan look at them and flipped his lid. It wis clear that they wurnae tae be welcomed wae open erms.

  “Right, you and you, get yer jaickets back oan and come wae me.”

  Johnboy and Silent followed him alang the corridor tae the main reception area tae see Bick the Prick, the deputy heidmaster.

  “Harry, whit’s gaun oan here? Tell me this is a joke ye’re playing oan me?”

  “Sandy, calm doon. Whit’s the problem?”

  “Whit’s the problem? This is the two wee basturts that broke intae ma cadet hut and stole ma cadet uniforms, when they decided tae fuck aff back tae Glesga a couple ae weeks ago. That’s whit the problem is.”

  “Bit, ye goat them back, aw in wan piece, didn’t ye?”

  “Whit’s that goat tae dae wae anything? Tell me Ah’m no expected tae hiv anything tae dae wae supervising this pair ae sticky-fingered animals.”

  “Sandy, aw the boys in here ur in fur thieving. They’re nae different fae anywan else. This his come fae the tap, so it his. Ye’ll jist hiv tae accept it…and them.”

  “And another thing…ye’ve also took away ma wee crew who done a bloody sterling job this time last year and replaced them wae a bunch ae bloody wasters. Ah cannae bloody believe this. This his goat tae be a wind-up, sur
ely?”

  It wisnae often that Johnboy agreed wae any ae the teachers in the place, bit he thought Button-heid hid a point, being upset. A couple ae weeks earlier, Johnboy and Silent hid managed tae get oot ae the main building, jist efter the teatime heid coont. They’d managed tae jump intae two ae the big wicker laundry baskets that hid been left at the main door tae be picked up. Wae Silent in wan and Johnboy in the other, and under the supervision ae Rolled Back Neck, four boys hid lifted each basket and carried them through aw the locked doors. Efter waiting five minutes, Johnboy and Silent hid heided fur the cadet hut, dressed up in uniforms and marched straight intae Paisley and then alang Paisley Road West. They’d goat nabbed in Govan, waiting at the traffic lights fur a lorry tae gie them a hudgie intae the toon. A pair ae bizzies hid offered tae gie them a lift intae the toon centre in their squad car when the boys telt them they’d lost their bus fares. It hid nearly worked. The bizzies hid later telt them that they’d known right away that they wurnae real cadets because their ankle gaiters hid been oan their ankles the wrang way roond. The buckles should’ve been oan the ootside seemingly.

  “Did ye no feel them catching aff wan another when ye wur walking?” PC Plod, ex-Argyles, hid scoffed at them.

  They hid, bit they hidnae been gonnae admit that tae him. When the bizzies hid phoned the school tae come and collect them fae Govan Polis Station, the school hidnae been aware that two ae the boys hid done a runner. The teachers hid turned the school upside doon, searching fur a key, in an attempt tae try and find oot how they’d managed tae get oot ae the main building.

  “Ye’ve nae choice, Sandy. There’s a reason why ye’ve goat this crowd. Ah’m sure they’ll be fine. Jist tell them whit ye need done and don’t take any shite aff ae them. Ye’ve ma full support,” Bick the Prick telt him.

  It wis a bit tense fur a few days, bit things soon settled doon. The recreation hall wis oan wan ae the wings ae the U-shaped building. Above it wis the dorm wings. There wur eight big sash windaes oan each side ae the room and four windaes at the bottom end, which went fae waist height, straight up tae near the ceiling. Each windae hid twenty eight panes ae glass in it. The windaes only opened a couple ae inches as blocks hid been attached tae the runners above the bottom sections ae the windaes and the grooves in the screw heids hid been grinded doon, tae stoap people like Johnboy fae unscrewing them. They spent that first week humphing wood intae the room and then hammering and screwing the frame ae the stage thegither at the bottom end ae the hall…away fae the snooker table. The radio wis oan aw day and they sang alang tae aw the hits oan Radio Wan, like ‘Bad Moon Rising,’ ‘Baby Come Back’ and ‘A Little Help Fae Ma Friends.’ It wis definitely better than sleeping wae their heids oan their desks aw day, across in the hut. The Garngad crowd seemed tae settle in tae their new jobs as well, apart fae wan wee incident where Patsy skelped somewan fae Drumchapel o’er the heid wae a pitchfork. This wis soon forgotten aboot as he hidnae stuck it in him. Meanwhile, Tony wis still trying tae find oot whit Johnboy wis up tae. Before they’d been allocated their new jobs, Johnboy hid been moaning that he needed tae get oot ae the hut or he’d go mad. It wid hiv been practically impossible tae escape fae the building unless everywan hid been prepared tae attack the teachers and haud them doon tae allow Johnboy time tae get well clear ae the building. Wance oot, he’d then hiv needed tae get aff the grounds before finding a way intae the toon undetected. Johnboy hid known that as long as he wis in the hut, then escape wis a non-starter.