The Falconry lessons seemed to be going well so far. The kids were engaged and interested in what Steve had to say, including Earl. Eddie was relieved. He was finding it interesting too.

"A bird of prey will try and train you, given half the chance. Breaking them in can take months, or even years" Steve informed the group

"A bit like this talk then?" Michaela grumbled sarcastically, rolling her eyes

"Boring you, am I?" Steve questioned, raising an eyebrow at her

"Yeah! I don't see anything impressive about showing off some tied up birds to a bunch of kids who have no choice but to be here either!" she huffed

"We all know who we're really here for" she added, glaring at Earl

"Michaela" Eddie scolded

"There are no captives here. The Falcons are free to go at any moment, just like you are" Steve reassured

Michaela scoffed, rolling her eyes again

"It's true! The only means I've got of keeping track of this fella, is this little device here" Steve explained, holding up a small device attached to the Falcon's claw

He let the Falcon go, everyone watching as it flew away.

"But ultimately, there's no guarantee he'll come back. Just like there's no guarantee that you'll turn up at School tomorrow. I've just got to hope that I've built up enough trust, coupled with a little bit of bribery, to show him I can offer him an easier life here, compared to what he'd have out in the wild" he continued

The group watched curiously as Steve reached into his pocket.

"This is a lure, a little toy to simulate the hunt" he explained, pulling out the leather type pouch, which had some bait attached to it

"If I can get you all to form a line down here, we'll see if Kes over there fancies a game of catch"

Everyone moved over to the right of the playground. They watched as Steve attached the leather pouch to a string, swinging it around to build its momentum. Once it was high enough, he swung it in the direction of the Falcon, who was flying freely in the air. The Falcon caught it with ease, landing back on the ground. Everyone applauded.

Steve smiled.

"So, I managed to get his attention. The question is, have I got yours? Who wants to be the first to hold the Peregrine Falcon?"

"Me!" Earl piped up

"What a surprise!" Michaela exclaimed, glaring at Earl

"What about you then, Michaela?" Eddie suggested

Michaela shrugged, walking over to Steve confidently. He gave her a glove to put on.

"Right, now you've put that on, just let him step up onto you" Steve instructed her

Michaela held her arm out, flinching as the Falcon climbed onto her arm.

"Of course in the old days, it was all about different birds for different status" Steve explained to the group once he'd got Michaela situated

"I know which one I'm having, then" Earl smirked, glancing at the female Falcon next to Steve

"The Harris Hawk? Sienna? Not likely, son! Unless you want a nasty peck on the cheek!" Steve chuckled

Earl glared at him

"What? So I don't even get a go?" he huffed

"You can have a go... with the Peregrine Falcon" Steve insisted

"I want to hold this one though" Earl demanded, nodding at Sienna

"Nah. Trust me, son, she's a fiery one. Not a big fan of humans" Steve warned

"That makes two of us" Earl shrugged

Steve sighed, picking Sienna up and letting her climb onto his arm. She squawked loudly.

"Her last owner didn't look after her properly. Her Mother abandoned her" Steve explained

Earl stared at the Falcon, mesmerised by her.

"You don't like me, eh?" he said to her, his voice eerily gentle

He looked at Steve

"Go on, let me hold her? Please?" he begged

Steve thought for a moment before shaking his head.

"I'm sorry, son, we can't take the risk. She might take a bite out of you"

"Earl, he doesn't want you touching his bird! Get over it! He's heard about your reputation, same as the rest of us!" Michaela taunted

The class erupted with laughter. Earl shot Michaela a glare.

"Michaela! Another one like that and you'll be going straight to the cooler!" Eddie warned

Michaela rolled her eyes

...

Back in Rachel's office, Rose Kelly had just entered, looking unimpressed. She slumped into the chair opposite Rachel's desk, a bored expression on her face.

"Who's done what now?" she asked abruptly, folding her arms

"No, no, everything's fine" Rachel reassured, closing the door and sitting down

"I just thought that... well... you could come in and we could have a little catch up" she explained

"Oh yeah? Are the phone's not working?" Rose scoffed, rolling her eyes

Rachel smiled politely.

"Uhm, Rose? Marley has pulled out of running for Head Boy this morning. I've tried talking with him, but he... well, I just thought maybe you could have a word with him?"

Rose stared at her in disbelief

"You called me all the way down here, acting like someone's died, for that?"

"It's a really good opportunity for his CV, Rose!" Rachel reasoned

"He's fine as he is!" Rose huffed

"No, he's not, actually, Rose. Do you know how many lessons he's dropped out of in the last week? We do all we can here, but if they don't get all the help they need from home..."

"I'm there for them 24 hours a day!" Rose shot back defensively

Rachel raised an eyebrow. Going about this gently wasn't going to resolve or sort anything. Rachel was struggling to hold her tongue now. Her patience with Rose was wearing thin. It was time to deliver some home truths.

"Really? Ok... is that why Marley gets left to look after the kids?" she questioned

"Has he been saying that?" Rose snapped

"No, but he doesn't need to. Rose, he's throwing his life away, while you're looking for yours in a bottle!"

"I beg your pardon!" Rose scoffed angrily

"Come on, Rose! I can get you help. There's lots of really good AA groups in Rochdale. You can't expect your kids to achieve anything if you're sitting around drinking all day!" Rachel argued

Rose glared at her

"And who made you the bloody judge and jury?"

Rachel sighed

"You know what, Rose? I haven't got a perfect past myself,"

"Yeah, I heard all about that! 'Madam' Mason" Rose snarled smugly

Rachel scoffed, the snide comment rolling off her easily.

"Yeah. I moved on. I got a job"

"So I'm an alcoholic, who's not there for her kids, and you're telling me to get a job?"

"Listen, you've got Social Services on your back. You need to work, Rose, to prove to them that you mean business!"

Rose sighed, shaking her head

"Have you got kids?" she asked

"Yes... I've got 600 of them!" Rachel snapped sarcastically

"None of your own, though?" Rose questioned

Rachel looked at the floor, ignoring the small ache in her heart.

"That is my job, yeah? I could have walked away like all their Dad's did. But I didn't. I'm up to my eyes in debt raising them the best I can! Are you going to deny me the odd drink for that?"

Rachel sighed. She wasn't going to win this argument with Rose.

When there was no answer from Rachel, Rose stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

...

Earl continued to watch Sienna, taking in her brown feathers that sparkled in the sunlight, as well as her black, beady eyes. He thought she was beautiful.

She squawked at him loudly, eyes darting left to right.

"Are you scared, bird?" Michaela taunted

The class sniggered

Earl moved closer to her. Sienna jumped, flying towards him and swiping him with her claws. Earl immediately cried out in pain. The whole class erupted with laughter.

Eddie and Steve dashed over.

"GET IT OFF ME, THE PSYCHO!" Earl yelled angrily

Steve picked Sienna up, moving her away whilst Eddie helped Earl to his feet.

"Go on, bird!" Michaela cheered

"QUIET!" Eddie ordered

"Aw, it doesn't like you either, Earl!" Michaela teased

Earl pushed Eddie off him, storming away.

"Stick your birds up your arse!" he snapped at Steve

"Looks like the special needs kid has spit out his dummy!" Michaela taunted, smirking triumphantly

Eddie sighed. Rachel was going to be furious with him when she found out. She'd trusted him and he'd failed. He'd let Earl down too. Instead of helping him, he'd humiliated him.