your taking them away if they suit your requirements.’
McAfferty saw that the receptionist was being diplomatic. The warden had actually scrawled, Tell her she can have as many of the little buggers as she likes, whatever she wants them for.
‘That’s settled then,’ McAfferty smiled, as she glanced at her watch. ‘I’ll need to interview the boys and make a decision about them. I have a long drive home, so if I could see them as soon as possible.’
Williams’ face was going red and desperation was etched in his brow. ‘Right … I suppose that’s it then,’ he said slowly. ‘I’ll go fetch ’em indoors, but it’ll take a few minutes to get them in shape.’
McAfferty smiled. ‘They can be in whatever shape you like, Mr Williams. I’m not going to faint just because they’ve got a bit of the countryside stuck to their legs.’
*
‘Someone’s coming,’ Mason said, as he backed warily towards the coal heap.
The metal door at the side of the cellar clanked open and the brothers jolted as Williams stormed in. He was aggressive as ever, but the boys sensed a lack of his usual confidence.
‘Some woman is here to see you,’ Williams barked. ‘So you’re going upstairs and you’re going to scrub up fast. If you dare to open your big mouths I’ll shut ’em permanently.’
The air felt wonderfully dust free as Williams led the brothers through a sweltering boiler room. Troy clutched his ribs and tried opening his swollen eye as Williams led them up a set of spiral stairs to the kitchen.
Williams’ behaviour became even more curious when, instead of taking the blackened pair directly across the main hallway to the showers, he led them out of a side door, around the outside of the building and into the shower block via a path covered with muddy footprints that led in from the playing fields.
‘Strip those rags off,’ Williams ordered as he reached up and turned the showers on full blast.
As hot water from a dozen nozzles steamed off the tiles, the boys grabbed pieces of soap from a tiled ledge before diving under the spray and enjoying the warmth.
Troy squeezed his eyes tightly as the coal dust came out of his hair. The water around their feet turned dark as black streaks ran down their skin. The steam was also relief for choked lungs and both lads let water into their mouths and swooshed it around to clear out the dust.
‘Scrub it all,’ Williams ordered. ‘Under your nails, behind your ears and get a good lather in your hair. I’ll be back in two minutes and I want you both sparkling.’
As Williams rushed outside, Mason looked up at his brother. ‘Do you think he’s in trouble for leaving us down there?’ he whispered.
Despite bruised ribs and a swollen eye, Troy smiled. ‘Maybe the warden came back early and yelled at him,’ he whispered. ‘Step over here, I’ll help you wash your hair.’
‘This water is so lovely and hot,’ Mason smiled, as he studied the cuts and grazes that the coal fragments had left on his arms and legs.
‘Close your eyes,’ Troy said, as he began rubbing his bar of soap against Mason’s head.
Once the lather was out of Mason’s hair, the water halted abruptly and Williams threw grubby towels at them.
‘Dry up, quick smart,’ he ordered, as he glanced through the steam to make sure that the boys were thoroughly clean. Their toenails had black crescents beneath them and there were a few areas where Troy wasn’t perfectly scrubbed, but they’d look acceptable once they were dressed.
‘I got you fresh clothes,’ Williams said, trying to sound kind for the first time ever.
When they’d towelled off, the brothers were startled to see gleaming white vests and boxer shorts along with clean brown overalls and almost-new boots.
‘Now remember: listen to what the lady says and keep your mouths shut unless she asks a direct question.’
McAfferty was waiting for Troy and Mason at a teacher’s desk in an empty classroom. The two boys sat down in the front row, while Williams hovered at the door. Mason’s overalls were meant for a teenager and Troy helped him roll up his sleeves.
‘My goodness,’ McAfferty said, looking at Troy’s swollen eye. ‘What happened there?’
Williams answered for him. ‘Always getting in fights, that one. He needs strong discipline.’
Troy nodded submissively before speaking in weak English. ‘I know that I shouldn’t have fought,’ he said.
McAfferty turned towards the door and spoke sternly. ‘Make sure you close the door firmly on your way