Bagheads

by Woods, Karen

  Later that night, just Mark and Shaun were left in the bedroom. They’d been downstairs and grabbed a butty. The fridge was bare except for two curled up pieces of ham inside it. They buttered some bread and made the most of what was there.

  Mark’s parents were flat out on the sofa. Empty cans of lager were scattered around them. The ashtray was full to the top with cig ends. The smell from the room was putrid. Mark sighed and felt embarrassed. He just shook his head and closed the door as they trudged back upstairs. Once back in the bedroom they flung their bodies onto the soiled bed sheets. The duvet cover should have been a cream colour but to look at it, it was covered in all different colours of food and drinks.

  Shaun dragged the blanket over his body. He snuggled inside it leaving only his face showing. The moon shone in through the net curtains and made everything look magical. Shaun placed his hand into his pocket and pulled out the pebble he’d found earlier when he was waiting at the bus stop. The pebble felt cold as he stroked it. Twisting it around in his fingers he slowly closed his eyes. The pebble felt like a magic stone to him and he promised himself to keep it by his side always. His head rose one last time to look at Mark, and once he knew he was out for the count he closed his eyes to and tried to find sleep too.

  Police sirens could be heard outside and some locals were stood outside their houses talking loudly. Today had been one big failure for Shaun and he just hoped that the morning light would bring some changes in his life.

  Chapter Five

  Shaun could hear the birds tweeting outside the window. He stretched his body and scratched his nuts as his hands disappeared down his boxer shorts. The room was still dark. Looking round the room he stretched his legs across to Mark’s bed and kicked him softly. Mark didn’t move at first but when he kicked him again he started to moan.

  “Fuck off and leave me alone ya dickhead.”

  Shaun was wide awake now and sat up on his bed. He yanked the curtains open and let the bright sunlight in the bedroom. Mark screwed his face and hid his eyes under the covers “Close the curtains. Fucking hell Shaun, I’m trying to get some shut eye here.” Shaun looked for his shoes and pushed Mark’s with his hands.

  “Come on, let’s get some cash earned. I’m on my arse and need some money.” Mark liked the sound of that and suddenly sprang into life.

  “Just hang on for fuck’s sake my eyes are still closed.” Shaun moved towards the window. He scratched his head as he hatched a plan. Turning his head around to Mark he looked excited.

  “Let’s nick some lead. There’s loads on the roofs near the market. We should earn some decent cash from it.” Mark’s eyes popped open. He was skint and the chances of getting fed by his parents were zero. He needed money to survive. Nicking lead was a good little earner for the kids in Harpurhey and today was no different. They finished getting ready and quickly grabbed their coats as they left the house. Breakfast wasn’t going to happen at Mark’s and they didn’t even try looking for something to eat before they left as the fridge was always bare.

  A few youngsters were out on the estate playing in front of their houses in their pyjamas. As they walked past them Shaun slapped the sides of their heads pushing them to the ground. The kids were now up in arms and tried grabbing Shaun and Mark’s legs as they carried on walking. Mark laughed as he tried to free the kid from his calves as Shaun pissed himself laughing. Mark nearly lost his balance and fell to the floor at one point as the youngsters dragged at him. It was only Shaun’s arm that saved him. The joke was over now and they let the kids know the game had ended. They told them that on the way back they would have a re-match with them. That seemed enough for the kids to let them go without giving them any more shit.

  Conran Street market was a well known landmark In Harpurhey. The locals called it the bargain market. You could get cheap cigs, hooky CDs of all the latest pop bands - it was counterfeit heaven. The market was also a local haunt for a lot of drug addicts trying to make a few quid. They could be seen lingering near the entrance of the market sweating and getting ready to make some cash.

  Shaun knew a few of the druggies and nodded as he passed them. Each of them looked a lot older than they really were. Their faces looked sallow and they seemed to have grey skin. Shaun had always been fascinated by the junkies and the lives they lived. Everybody had told him to keep away from them but for some reason he felt like he was drawn to them.

  As they passed through the market they could hear the banter between the market traders. Shaun kept his head low and let on to the odd person who he knew. Shaun’s sister worked on the market and he made sure he kept right out of her way as he walked through. Shaun loved his sister and they got on well. She hated him sniffing glue and would have gone sick at him if she had seen him with any. Their bond was strong and they looked out for each other, but at the moment he couldn’t be arsed with the earache she’d give him about running away. He turned his head to the stall where she worked and he could see the side of her. Half of him wanted to run to her and the other part of him wanted to go and earn some cash. With that in mind his pace quickened and left the market.

  As the lads stood back looking at the old terraced houses in front of them they could see the lead on the roofs. The large wall at the side of the houses was their only route to the metal. They checked the area to make sure no one was looking and grabbed a dust bin from the nearby alleyway. Shaun dragged it to the side of the houses and knew once they threw the lead down to the ground they could gather it together and use the bin to transport it to the scrap yard.

  Shaun climbed up first. His legs held the drain-pipe for dear life. Mark watched as he saw him pull his body onto the roof and followed his lead to reach the top. Once Mark was by his side, he pulled out a screwdriver and the Stanley knife that he’d brought along with him. Shaun pressed the blade deep into the lead and dragged it along to the end of the roof. Once that was done they used the screwdriver to lodge underneath it to help lift it up from the roof. Rolling it together they crossed the slated roof and threw it down onto the floor near the bin.

  Shaun’s face was black and all his clothes were too. Mark was laughing as he looked at his face and found it hard to keep his balance. The sound of the boys laughing filled the air and they never heard the old woman from the street shouting up to them to get down. Shaun and Mark carried on doing what they were doing and were oblivious to the sound of police sirens in the distance.

  A crowd now gathered beneath them. They watched the lads larking about throwing stones at each other from across the roof as they gathered more lead. A police car drew up and took a look at the two boys up to mischief. He pulled his radio from his pocket and spoke to someone on the other end of it. Once his radio was back in his jacket he made the lads aware of his presence. His voice was loud as he shouted. Mark nearly slid from the roof when he realised they’d been caught bang to rights. Shaun climbed further up the roof and got a proper view of the crowd. Mark’s face looked white with fear as he turned to Shaun for guidance.

  “Fucking hell Shaun. It’s well on top. How are we gonna get out of this one? My dad’s gonna leather me now.” Shaun knew there was no making a run for it this time and just remained still. The police down below shouted for them to stay seated. They told them the fire brigade were on their way to get them down safely. A few young kids were shouting down below and they made Shaun and Mark smile as their voices got louder.

  “Soldier it lads. Don’t let them take you alive.” The copper chased the kids away much to the amusement of the two thieves. Shaun thought about his words and a plan was hatching in his mind. After all he had nothing to lose anyway. He was already on the run and what was the worst that could happen? He gritted his teeth and spoke to Mark.

  “No way am I getting down from here. I can stay here for hours. I saw it on the telly. If we are up here for so many hours they have to feed us. Some Human rights act or summat.” Mark looked shocked. Shaun hesitated before he continued. “I remember my mam watching it on
the telly and laughing as they took food to some thugs who were stuck in the trees.” Mark forced a smile but Shaun could see he was shitting himself. He looked at his face and gave him the words to make things easier.

  “When the fire brigade comes, you’re better off getting down. I’ll take the shit and say you weren’t doing owt. No point in us both getting done for it, is there?” Mark smiled and tried to say “No” but after a few minutes he agreed with him. Mark moved his arse about on the roof with the palms of his hands flat to the roof. His words were shaky as he spoke to his mate.

  “Yeah I’ll get down when they come. My mam’s gonna go sick at me for being in trouble again. Are you gonna be alright coz I’ll stay up here with you if ya want?” Shaun looked at him and shook his head.

  “Nah, you get off. I’m gonna have some fun with these fuckers before they fling me back in care.” The police officer who’d attended the incident recognised Shaun straight away and sent an officer round to inform his mother where her son was. Within minutes the fireman was up at the side of the house. They were helping Mark down. Shaun watched as the crowd cheered as his mate was the first to leave the roof.

  Once Mark was gone Shaun began to rule the roof. His voice was loud as he shouted. He started to throw lumps of lead at the fireman who tried to help him down. The stocky fireman stayed near the roof for a minute, but when a lump of metal nearly caught his face he gave the orders to be lowered back to the ground.

  Shaun walked across the roof and people could be heard crying as he stood at the edge of it threatening to jump if anyone came near him. One woman covered her eyes and sobbed as she grabbed the officer’s arm telling him to leave the kid alone.

  Shaun saw a police car pull up. He could now see his mother for the first time. “What the fuck is she doing here?” he snarled. Gladys looked sad as his eyes caught hers. She pulled her cardigan tightly round her body as she saw the crowd focus on her. The policeman filled her in on what had happened so far and she shook her head as her eyes focused on her son. Before he’d finished talking she stepped back so she could see her son fully and let rip.

  “Get yourself down from there, you’re making a show of yourself. What do you hope to achieve by sitting up there?” Shaun looked angry and let out a big scream as he continued.

  “What the fuck are you here for. You don’t give a shit about me. Why don’t you tell everyone that you’ve had me put in care? Go on!” He stood waving his hands in the air. He continued as he spat at her from the roof top. He was on a roll now and wanted everyone to hear his story.

  “Orr I thought you would be quiet now mother.” Shaun looked happy with his words and watched the onlookers whispering to each other. Gladys looked around and felt the shame of everyone knowing her business. If she could have climbed the ladder she would have got up there and smacked his arse until it was red raw the way she felt. She knew Shaun would play the scene out and prepared herself for a long wait. The voice of her son made her look up again.

  “I want summat to eat. I’ve been up here for ages. I’ve had nowt for ages and I’m starving. Mam tell em about that programme we watched on telly. I have human rights don’t I mam?” Gladys knew it was true and looked at the officer for help. Her face looked anxious as she spoke to the officer.

  “Can he have something to eat? He’s been on the run and probably hasn’t eaten today.” The policeman got back on his radio and walked away from the crowd while he spoke. He was gone a few minutes then returned.

  “What does he want to eat? I’ve checked with my seniors and we can get him some food.” Gladys shouted up straight away and waited for him to answer. Shaun was starving and knew he had them where he wanted them. His face was cocky as he sat with his legs up to his chest dangling from the edge of the roof top.

  “I want chips, peas and gravy from the chippy and a can of Coke.” His eyes lit up as he said the words. He watched them from above as one officer drove away to collect his food.

  Digging in his pockets Shaun pulled out his pebble. His fingertips stoked across it as he held it up to the sunlight to see all the other colours in it. The stone looked like it had fragments of diamonds in it as it sparkled in the sunlight. Under his breath he whispered to it but his words were too low to hear. Placing the stone firmly back in his pocket he stood up and looked at the area in full view. Everything looked so small and even his mother’s face was difficult to see.

  Shaun balanced across the roof with his arms stretched out at either side of him. He looked bored now and decided he would have a little fun. Pulling a loose tile up from the roof he glided it into the air. The crowd muttered in disgust. This only encouraged him to continue. His mother shouted in a piercing voice for him to stop but he just put his two fingers up in the air to her and carried on launching the slates.

  The policeman now made it clear he was committing an offence and told him he would be charged with criminal damage if he continued. Shaun knew he was right and slowly made his way to the chimney at the top of the roof. The chimney looked old and the red bricks were loose. As he gripped his arms round it he knew it wasn’t safe and slid back to his original position. He now sat tapping his feet humming a song.

  The fireman climbed back onto the ladder and left the food in the place where Shaun had requested. He told them once he’d eaten his food he would admit defeat and come down from the rooftop. Sliding his fingers into the paper he could feel the heat from the chips. Nothing seemed to bother him as he scanned the food in front of him. Shaun ate the food quickly and finished it off with a cold can of Coke. He burped loudly and launched the paper from his food down below.

  Looking down into the crowd he now nodded for them to come and get him. The rescue was done in minutes and Shaun was soon sat in the back of the police car with his mother at the side of him. The officers showed some compassion for the situation and left his mother talking to him for a while as they stood at the side of the car. Half of Gladys wanted to pummel his head in but the other half of her felt the love of a mother for her distressed son. She placed her arm round his neck and watched as he moved away from her sitting more towards the window. Her face was sad as she started to speak.

  “Shaun, why are you being like this with me? It’s not my fault son. You have brought this all on yourself. There is nothing I can do, you know?” her face was distraught as she moved closer to him. “Don’t you think I would if I could?” Shaun remained looking out of the window and pressed his face against it as he spoke.

  “It is your fault. Yours and my Dad’s. That’s why I’ve ended up in trouble because you two didn’t care.” His words crucified her and she slowly closed her eyes as the words hit her like knives being plunged into her heart. She took a few seconds to regain her strength and tried again to make him see sense.

  “You have to go back into care you know. It won’t be for long. You’ll be home before you know it. I’ll come and see you all the time. I’ll bring our Katie?” He didn’t respond. He banged his fist on the window to the officers.

  “I’m ready now. Can you get her out of the car, she’s doing my head in?” Gladys tried to comfort him one last time but his look was enough for her to know that he meant business. He’d always been a smacked arse even from being a small child. She knew if she didn’t leave now he would probably start screaming and making a scene. With one last breath Gladys told him she loved him and he would be home soon. Shaun acted as if she wasn’t there. He continued tapping on the window with his fingernails.

  He watched his mother talk to the police for a few minutes and saw the officers shaking their heads as they looked towards him. He knew they thought he was a nobhead but he didn’t care anymore. All he wanted to do now was to get to the care home and see what it was all about.

  The police took him to Collyhurst police station and he waited there until the social worker came to attend to him. It was decided that the police would escort him to the care home as they didn’t want him escaping again.

  Shaun was luc
ky that he wasn’t charged with criminal damage. He sunk his head low as the officer gave him a lecture about his previous behaviour. The policeman had seen hundreds of kids like Shaun and knew his words were wasted as he watched him stare into space. They all walked to the car. Shaun and his new social worker Jenny sat in the back of the car. Joan had told them she didn’t feel safe with Shaun anymore and requested he was moved into someone else’s care as she couldn’t cope with him. She was still traumatised.

  Jenny was a middle-aged woman and her voice was always animated when she spoke to him. She read through Shaun’s personal file and felt sorry for the youth at the side of her. The car was over halfway there now and Shaun kept asking how long they had left as he needed a piss. Jenny looked at the signpost and told him just a little bit longer.

  The care home was set in woodland. It seemed to take forever to reach the home once you’d come through the main gates. Shaun’s head swivelled around in the car as he tried to take in everything in. Jenny stroked his hand to comfort him but he pulled it away from her straight away not needing any comfort. The house looked Victorian. Shaun had seen something similar on the TV. He felt a little scared as the car door opened.

  “Come on lad,” the officer prompted. “This is your new home. It looks alright doesn’t it?” Shaun placed his hand in his pocket and felt his pebble. The stone was his only friend now and he gained comfort from rubbing it in his pocket. His words were few as they entered the house. Within minutes a scruffy looking man appeared. He looked like a hippy gone wrong. His hair was long and wild and his clothing looked old and worn. The man spoke to Jenny at the side of the reception and nodded as he looked over to where Shaun stood. The officers were offered a cup of tea and a sandwich before they set off back to Manchester. They both declined as it was getting late and they wanted to get home early before their shift finished. Once Jenny had walked them to the door and said goodbye she came to sit with Shaun. The man now came to join them and introduced himself as Bernard. As he spoke to him Shaun tried to refrain himself from looking at the spots on his skin. The blemishes looked red and some of them had yellow puss trapped inside them. The man spoke with a deep voice.