A Special Bond – PL My Gto

**A Special Bond**

I was sure I was in for itnot from the local bully, Gaz, but from my own mum.

Whistling as I walked home, my chest tightened. I was about to cop it, no doubt. Auntie Rose, Mums best mate, had seen me with a fag. I couldve lied, said someone handed it to me, but noAuntie Rose had seen me puffing away. What was I gonna tell Mum? That someone shoved it in my mouth like some kind of joke?

I pretended not to notice Auntie Rose, and thank God she didnt yell or wallop mejust gave me a long look before carrying on. But I wasnt fooled. Shed definitely grassed me up, and Mum would be waiting with the belt. I was on my third lap around the block when I spotted Nan.

Bloody hell. The heavy artillery. This was an illegal movenow Nan would kick off, start crying, going on about how she was a decorated teacher who raised hundreds of kids but failed her own grandson. How ashamed she was, how Grandad would be turning in his grave, and all our ancestors with him.

When I was little, that bit terrified me. I used to picture the ground shifting as they tossed and turned down there. Then one day, it clicked. The next time Nan started on the ancestors, I said, Good. At least theyre movingstops em getting bedsores like Gazs nan.

Nan clutched her chest. Mum howled laughing, forgetting to tan me, which earned her a slap with a tea towel from Nan.

Now, Nan was hurrying toward me.

Whatre you doing out here? Why arent you home? Her eyes darted like *she* was the one caught smoking. Had a row with your mum?

N-no I havent been home yet.

Havent been home? Whereve you been all this time?

School, then footy, then walking.

Right Here it comes, I thought. Any second, shed tell me to breathe in her face. Whats this, then? Hands all redwhere are your gloves? *Where*?

Forgot em at home, Nan.

Forgot?! And your mum didnt check? Whats going on? Show me your feet.

She yanked up my trouser leg, gasping.

Whats *this*?

What, Nan? I panicked.

Why are your ankles red? Where are your thermals? And your scarf?

I burned with shame. WorseGaz was watching from the alley, his stupid red cap poking out. Nice one, Nan. Who asked her? Was she losing it? Shed always been sharp, but this

Nan whats five times five?

Twenty-five, she said, baffled.

Whats the square of the hypotenuse?

Sum of the squares of the other two sides Victor? Whats wrong? Didnt you do your homework? She didnt even check? I wont stand for thislook at the state of you!

Waitwas Nan on *my* side? Maybe Id dodge a lecture. Had I slipped into another universe? Were robots running things now? Was Nan even *Nan*?

Nan, which sides my appendix scar on?

Youve never had it out.

Okay, she was still Nan.

She dragged me home, huffing and puffing. Mum was there, the kitchen smelling lushshe was all dolled up in her best dress, curls pinned, new earrings. And she was in heels indoors. What the hell?

Vic, love She hugged me. Get washed up, dinners ready. Mum, you staying?

Whys the boy wandering the streets, eh? Doesnt want to come home? Well done. Trading your own child forwhere are his gloves? His thermals? Freezing out there! Course you dont caretoo busy with your

Mum, *stop*. Are you eating with us or not?

No! Im done here. And you know what? Vic, love She turned to me. Pack your things. Youre coming with me.

Why, Nan?

To *live*, sweetheart. With me.

No thanks The thought of Nan nagging me daily? Sod that.

Mum, Vics staying here. In *his* home. With *his* family.

What family? You threw it all away! Victor, *pack*.

Mum, if you dont stop, IllIll have to

What? *What*? Kick your own mother out?

Yes!

You ungratefulafter all Ive done! Youre just like your!

Mum cut her off, shoving Nan onto the landing and slamming the door. Nan screeched about calling the police, demanding Mum hand me over and live how she pleased, ranting about some prison guard.

Mum yanked me into the lounge. A bloke sat there, eyeing me warily.

Vic no lies. This is your dad.

Nan wailed outside. Mum stood frozen. The mantall, thin, with my eyesstood, hesitantly offering his hand.

Hello son.

I stumbled back.

But you said he was *dead*.

Toni The man looked at Mum, crushed.

*I* didnt. *She* did. Said it was better than you knowing the truth.

The doorbell rang. Persistent.

Policeopen up!

Toni, maybe I should go

No. No more hiding. Vic, well explain. Just waitlove, dont be scared

Mum answered. Nan barged in, wild-haired, with a copper and nosy neighbours.

Whats going on? Weve had reports

Nothing. Family dinner. My husbands home from the rigs. Our son.

But your mother

Hes a fugitive! Arrest him! Victor, come *here*did he hurt you?

Mum, enough with the drama.

ID, sir? the copper asked.

Course.

Any convictions?

No. Been working offshore since school.

My apologies

Arrest him! He ruined my daughters lifeshe couldve had *anyone*

Mum, *stop* humiliating me!

Mum shut the door.

A *dad*? Id lived eleven years without one. Why now? I had Mum, Nan and a living father. But Nan said he was

Id always been ashamed of my thief, repeat offender dad, killed in a drunken brawl. Nans words*dont tell anyone, its a disgrace*.

Turns out theyd *all* lied. Mum, Nan even him.

Vic Mum reached for me, but I dodged, grabbing my coat and trainers, bolting barefoot into the night.

Who could I trust? If my own family would betray me like this

Oi, lad Gazs voice. I didnt care. Things couldnt get worse. Whos after ya? Hold up.

He grabbed my arm.

No one. Piss off.

Its freezing. Youll catch your death. I was in hospital last yearate like a king, but youre too soft for that. Come mine.

Yours?

Yeah, dont worry. I like you, Vic. Wish I had a brother like you.

His flat was odd. Clean, but bare.

Keep your shoes on. My room.

Posters covered his wallsThe Clash, Queen, Bowie. Mum never let me stick posters upI had a Gagarin one and traded six holographic stickers for a Bros calendar. *When Will I Be Famous*

A guitar. *Wow*.

Yours?

Yeah. Tea?

I nodded, suddenly starving. Shouldve eaten before running.

Fancy some grub? Pasta with sardines?

I shrugged. Never had it.

Gaz cooked it quickboiled pasta, fried onions, mixed in tinned sardines. Best thing Id ever tasted.

We drank tea from mugs, sugar cubes with little trains on the wrappers.

Sorry whats your real name?

Gaz laughed. Gary. Gary Smith.

Why Gaz?

Dunno. Stuck.

He played guitar, singing *Wonderwall*. *Bloody brilliant*.

You should go home. Theyll have the law out.

I scowled.

What?

So I told him.

Dont be daft. A dads *proper* good. Ive got none.

Wheres yours?

Dunno. Mum says hes an astronaut.

Oh.

Bollocks. Shes a flight attendantbrought me back from a trip. No family, just us. But she kept me. Listen, Vic sort it. Its *their* mess, not yours.

Thanks, Gaz.

For what?

Everything. I hugged him.

He was right. He walked me back.

They were all searchingMum, Nan, neighbours, even the copper and *him*. My dad.

They explained everythinghow Mum got pregnant, how Nan hated Dad, how they split when he went to work offshore. Nan *wrote* to him, pretending Mum had remarried, told him to stay away.

He sent a furious letter back.

Then he met someone else. Mum divorced him.

Theyd been writing again for three years. Hed left that womancouldnt lie, said he still loved Mum.

Why? I asked Nan. *Why*?

I wanted happiness for her. For *you*.

What about *him*?

Forgive me.

On my next birthday, I invited Gaz. He gave me a Queen poster. *Mum let me hang it*.

I forgave them all. Their mess, not mineGaz said so.

Nan took Gaz under her wing after thatfed him pies, helped him ace maths.

Were still mates. Brothers, really.

At the holidays, we sing *Bohemian Rhapsody* round the fire, eat sardine pasta like its gourmet.