Suddenly Bill jumped up, ran downstairs and started barking. I assumed it was John coming home as he usually barks twice at him if he arrives home and takes him unawares. He carried on though so I went downstairs to see what was up and there was a young lad in the hall
First thought was that it was one of Joe's friends as he'd just gone out to the cinema and I thought he'd perhaps forgotten something but it was soon clear that wasn't the case as he looked really panicky.I asked him what he was doing (in a few more words) and he said he was looking for a safe place and the use of a phone. He'd been at the park down by the main road and there'd been a fight. It ended but shortly afterwards some other kids came back in a car with a baseball bat. He had a bump on his head, a black eye, cuts on his face and his phone screen had been smashed. Two had chased him on foot but he'd lost them which is probably just as well because he'd have reached a dead end up here. I went out to have a look around and Tom stayed with him while he phoned the police. He was shaking like a leaf. One of our neighbours was outside, he'd knocked on her door but she'd turned him away, she came in and apologised to him as she thought he was about to mug her and had called the police herself.
It took around an hour for the police to come but they were taking him home seeing as he couldn't contact anyone to collect him. He couldn't phone his mom or anyone as the numbers were in his smashed phone and he couldn't remember them.
Ever since our two have been old enough to go out alone I've always told them to look for a house with a light on or a car on the drive or run to a nearby shop if there was ever any trouble, never expected to have to be someone's safe place though.
(((x)))
