For Your Own Protection(13)

Matt nodded. ‘No problem. I can stick around.’ Talking to Sean could wait.

Amy beamed. ‘You’re a good man.’



The evening’s class was the best yet. The group was a bit lighter on numbers than in previous sessions, with only ten attendees, down from the usual fifteen. Matt hadn’t been too worried about the drop-off, as Amy had predicted as much. And what the group lacked in quantity, it made up for in quality. There was the enthusiasm and clear desire to learn that had been bubbling under the surface throughout the previous classes. Harvey in particular was on good form.

By the time the class had finished, with Harvey hanging back while the rest of the group said their goodbyes, Matt’s spirits had been raised in a way that he hadn’t thought possible.

Matt gathered his papers from the desk, glancing up at Harvey, who looked like he was being deliberately slow getting his belongings together.

‘Enjoy the class?’ Matt ventured.

‘Not too bad,’ Harvey said, as he hoisted his bag on to his back with a grimace.

‘I’ll take that as a compliment.’

Harvey smiled. ‘You do that.’

Matt smiled back, wondering whether Amy had got it wrong about Harvey wanting to chat. ‘See you next time, Harvey.’

‘Yep.’ Harvey paused at the door. ‘Mr Roberts?’

‘Matt. Please call me Matt.’

‘Matt. I was wondering – could we have a quick chat?’ He held up his hands and took a small step back out of the room. ‘It’s okay, you know, man, if you’re too busy.’

It was a novelty to see this imposing figure of a young man, who so often projected power and confidence, looking uncertain, even nervous.

‘Of course, Harvey. Amy did mention that you wanted to chat. I’m happy to talk.’

Harvey relaxed. ‘Great, Mr . . . Matt, great. Thanks, man. I mean, where should we go?’

‘How about here? There’s no other class due.’

‘Sure.’

They pulled out two chairs at the front of the classroom, and Harvey dumped his rucksack on a nearby table with a heavy thud.

What the hell is he carrying in there?

For a couple of seconds, they just sat looking at one another.

Matt broke the silence. ‘So, you wanted to chat?’

‘Yeah. I wanted to apologise, you know, for last night. What I said about the guns. It was disrespectful. And stupid. So, I apologise.’

‘Thanks. But really, it was okay. Did Amy—’

‘Hell, no, she didn’t tell me to do nothin’, if that’s what you think.’ Harvey looked offended that his apology had been thought in some way forced.

‘Well, thanks.’

‘Cool. So that’s sorted.’

Matt sensed that Harvey wanted to say more. ‘You’re doing really well, Harvey.’

Harvey looked unconvinced. ‘For real?’

‘Yes, for real. I’m really impressed.’

The youth laughed and shook his head in disbelief. ‘You know, I don’t hear that too often. I wasn’t top of the class in school, let me tell you.’

‘But I bet you could have been.’

Harvey deflected the compliment with another laugh. ‘I guess Miss Roberts didn’t tell you about my history?’

‘I know you’ve been in trouble with the police.’

A genuine smile, showing unfeasibly white teeth. ‘Well, I wouldn’t be here otherwise, would I?’

‘I guess not.’

‘I’ve been in lots of trouble,’ he said. ‘A lot, man. I’ve done some bad things. Stealin’, drugs, beatin’.’ He searched Matt’s face for a reaction.

‘And how about now?’

‘I want to be better, bruv.’

‘That’s good.’

He looked down towards the floor. ‘I just don’t know if I can.’ He locked eyes with Matt. ‘What do you think?’

‘I think you can,’ Matt said, without hesitation.

Harvey didn’t look particularly convinced.

‘Whatever you’ve done in the past, none of that matters now.’

Harvey laughed to himself. ‘You think so?’

‘You’ve been punished for what you did. And now you’re putting things right.’

‘Man, you and me, we live in different worlds.’

‘How d’you mean?’

‘What’s your definition of success?’

The depth of the question took Matt by surprise. ‘Well, being happy, content.’ Just saying that, the fact that it had been so instinctive, made him feel sad. That’s how he used to feel. Before everything went so wrong.

‘Not money?’

‘Not really, no.’

‘You told us you work for a big bank in the City. Must pay well.’

‘It does.’

‘But bein’ paid a load of money isn’t your definition of success?’

‘I suppose it was.’

‘Where I come from, success is about money too. That ain’t no different. But it’s also about respect, and respect is about fear. My brother, he was the big success in our family.’

Matt kept quiet. He knew about the fate of Harvey’s brother, of course.