Chapter 45

"Be good."

"I will, 'Boo."

"Good. Have a nice day."

"I will, 'Boo."

"Go on, then." Vince turns and runs into the school yard. He stops for a moment, looking around for Howard. Spotting him, he runs over.

"Hello, Howard."

"Hi Vince." The two chat happily until Howard's face suddenly pales. "Vince, please, don't look round."

"Why?"

"Because it's them and if we get into a fight we'll get into trouble."

"Them?" Vince asks, then he realises. "Howard, you can't just let them be horrible to us." He turns around. The two boys are standing there, smirking at them.

"Hello again, Titch."

"Vince, ignore them, please." Howard begs in a desperate whisper.

"It'll be fine." Vince whispers back. He turns to the boys. "I've asked you not to call me that."

"And?"

"I would like you to stop it."

"Well, Titch." One of the boys says, spitting out the name. "I don't want to stop." He pushes Vince in the chest, hard, making him fall over. He accidentally hits a particularly sensitive part of Vince's ribs, where he's been hurt many times before. Tears begin to well up in his eyes and he curls up instinctively.

"What have you done?" Howard yells, springing into action. "Go and get Miss King!" He orders, and both boys run inside, scared of this previously hidden side of Howard. "Vince, it's okay, they've gone, you're fine. Vince, it's me, it's Howard, Vince." He keeps talking, hoping that it will calm his small friend. But Vince remains curled up.