Billy Rags

by Ted Lewis

  I threw myself out of the gap and landed face down by the Zephyr’s rear wheel.

  Then there was a crash as the nearside wing of the Rover connected with the boot of the Zephyr. I heard the screams of the kids as the two cars hit.

  Then I heard another scream and felt a terrible weight crushing down on the small of my back. The weight was only present for a second. Then it was gone. At first I wasn’t sure what had happened. I tried to move my head but when I did that I felt the pain and the scream sounded out again. I could see the Rover racing away from me. I swivelled my eyes and I saw the kids re-grouping at the railings, staring down at me. And between me and the kids was one of the Zephyr’s rear wheels. That was what had happened. The collision had bounced the Zephyr’s rear wheel across my body.

  I tried to move again and again I screamed. The scream was echoed in the crowd of kids. There was the sound of footsteps, coming at a run. I thought of Sheila and Timmy on their way to the flat, getting there, waiting. And among the hubbub in the playground I thought I could hear my own voice, as a child, challenging Bas Acker to a fight, to see who was best.