impression that the daily vigil behind the police barriers filled a big hole in some empty lives. And hanging out with them wasn't a total waste of time. Even though they were about as softcore as Zebra Alliance members got, theyr overheard a million conversations and their gossip let you know whether an approaching activist was considered a sweetheart, a psycho, or someone rumoured to be an undercover cop.
None of it was hard evidence, but Lauren noted the names of anyone the pensioners didn't like and scored a surprisingly high hit rate when she checked them against the criminal intelligence database back at the cottage. They also turned out to be right about the undercover policewoman.
Kyle and James usually visited after homework and dinner, when the sky was beginning to turn dark. The oldies had packed up their folding chairs and newspapers by then and given way to a livelier crowd of students, young couples and the odd kid. They were a friendly bunch, but every so often an eager young buck ?usually drunk, trying to impress a girl, or both ?would unleash paint, eggs, or bags of flour at the staff driving in or out of the Malarek compound.
It was fifty-fifty whether the thrower escaped or got nabbed by one of the police officers who concealed themselves behind the hedgerows whenever the crowd looked boisterous. The arrests were good-natured and the suspects always got cheered as they were handcuffed and loaded into a van for the twelve-kilometre ride to the police station.
*
It was Wednesday, coming up to 4:50 p.m. Lauren was cutting across the field behind the cottage holding a tray of empty picnic cups and the remains of a packet of biscuits when she spotted Stuart Pierce standing thirty metres away, up to his knees in thistles and grass.
Ney,?he said, using the least threatening voice he could manage and wearing a please don't kick my arse again look on his face. T know you told me not to come over here, but is it OK if we talk??
Stuart was in Laurent year at school and theyr even been on the same basketball team in a PE lesson, but this was the first time theyr spoken since Monday.
Auess it won't kill me,?Lauren shrugged, feeling an odd mix of emotions for a kid whose mum had been blinded by the AFM, but whor also spat in her face.
Stuart smiled uneasily as he wandered over. T know we got off to a bad start.?
T take it you're referring to the brick that you threw through my bedroom window??
T'll sorry, Lauren ?Is it OK to call you Lauren??
Lauren had come to realise that Stuart was a quiet kid. He only had one mate around school, a skinny Asian dude who didn't live in Corbyn Copse. Tell, what else are you gonna call me??she smirked.
Stuart realised her said something dumb and started going red. T'll not a yob or nothing, you know? I never did anything like that before. Did they fix the window? Ire got money saved up. I can probably pay for it.?
Theyre put a board in, but itt leaded glass so theyre got to make all the little squares into a new piece.?
Mh,?Stuart said weakly.
Ttt OK,?Lauren said. T didn't tell my mum your name and shet claiming the money on insurance.?
Cool,?he said, looking down at the black plastic shoes on Laurent feet. Tou know on the bus, when you said I could have my boots back??
Lauren nodded. They're in my room. I thought about leaving them on your doorstep, but I didn't want to bump into your brother and his mates.?
Stuart tutted. My brothert such a dick, going round acting like het sticking up for me. He used to batter me all the time when my mum was out working.?
Lauren set off towards the house. Ttt sad what happened to your mum. But Ryan and my mum are nothing to do with the AFM. They're totally anti-violence.?
Tou really kicked my arse. Wherer you learn to fight so good??
Lauren used the standard CHERUB excuse. My dad was a Karate instructor.?
Eweet. So you must be at least a black belt, or something.?
Lauren nodded. Eecond dan black belt. My brothers ?James and Kyle ?are both third dan.?
T wish I was tough,?Stuart said. Sot that I'll a weed or anything, but Ire never had proper lessons. One time Andy had me pinned. I grabbed this massive book and knocked him spark out. He puked about eight times.?
Must have been funny,?Lauren giggled, as they passed