Chapter 16

Harry and Irene had a very public blazing row, and split up. Whether it had anything to do with him hearing about Ken’s exploits, I don’t know. Maybe Will knows, but he and I drifted apart after a week or so, and he, much to my surprise, took up with Irene. Harry studiously ignored them for a few days, and tried to chat up just about every unattached female he could find, apparently without success.

Then he took it into his head to accost Will. At first Will ignored him, then when Harry got louder and more aggressive, he laughed at him. A circle of watchers formed. Irene and the kids tried to melt into the crowd, and when Harry shouted at them to come back, they refused. Will told him to calm down. Harry completely lost it, and threw a punch at Will.

I saw the two big burly chaps, who’d been standing at the back of the crowd, start to react; but only for a moment. Will hadn’t mentioned to anyone that he was a black belt in some martial art or other. I still don’t know whether he actually is, but however it happened, Harry found himself flat on his face with his arm behind his back.

‘Try that or anything like it again mate, and next time I’ll break your arm. Or your fucking head.’

He turned to the watching crowd. ‘I hope no-one thinks I’m wrong to say that, because I mean it. In this place we can’t afford to have nutcases running amok.’

On to Chapter 17