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ON MY third Tuesday at school, I made a friend Richard Montrose was a slish and history classes He was a year younger than most of the others He didn’t say verycomplimented by the teachers Which of course et for bullies

Since I didn’t take part in ga around, or in the co at the rear of the school That’s where I hen I heard sounds of a scuffle outside and went to investigate I found Richard pinned to the wall by Suy who’d called me an asswipe on my first day at school - and three of his pals Ser boy’s pockets "You know you have to pay, Monty," he laughed "If we don’t take yer money, someone else will Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t"

"Please, Smickey," Richard sobbed "Not this week I have to buy a new atlas"

"Should have taken more care of your old one," Smickey snickered

"You’re the one who ripped it up, you" Richard was on the point of calling S awful, but drew up short

Sonna call htened now

"Yes, you was," Sonna teach hi," I said quietly from behind

Shed "Little Darrsy Horston," he chuckled "Wot are you doing here?" I didn’t answer, only stared coldly at hi, Horsty," Smickey said "We ain’t come after you for money yet - but that’s not to say on’t!"

"You won’t get anything fro from Richard in future either Or anyone else"

"Oh?" His eyes narrowed "The words, Horsty If you take ’eet you said e the chance to put this bully in his place Se - then grinned, grabbed Richard’s left ar him towards me I stepped aside as Richard cried out - I was fully focused on S hard Glancing back, I saw that he’d sla over - about to fall head first to the floor three storeys below!

I threw myself backwards and snatched for Richard’s feet I ht ankle just before he disappeared over the side of the handrail Gripping the fabric of his school trousers hard, I grunted as the weight of his body jerkedsound, and I feared his trousers would tear and I’d lose his, whi, I hauled him back up and set him on his feet

When Richard was safe, I turned to deal with Smickey Martin and the rest, but they’d scattered like the cowards they were "So much for that lot," I muttered, then asked Richard if he was OK He nodded feebly but said nothing I left him where he was and returned to the soft hum of the computer room

Moments later, Richard appeared in the doorway He was still shaking, but he was sed and stared at the screen as though immersed in it Richard waited a few seconds, then said, "Thanks"

"No proble a fall You’d probably only have broken a few bones"

"I don’t think so," Richard said "I was going nose-down, like a plane" He sat besidea screen saver?"

"Yes"

"I knohere to find soood scenes from sci-fi and horror movies Want me to show you?"