Wayne

Today is important.

Today is the day that I get to see my Dad. I can only see him twice a year.

Mum looks rather pale as she serves breakfast. Today will be emotional for both of us. I think of Emeli on this sunny Saturday. She won’t be cheerful I don’t think.

Me and Mum leave the house in good time. We board the bus to the police station. There, we will board the transport to the prison.

Mum says nothing. I take her hand. She turns to face me ‘You know what to do Wayne.’ she tells me. I nod. There are rules about visits.

We reach the police station and board the transport. Not long till I see him.

When we arrive, Mum signs both of us in and we look for the right meeting room. I glance through the door windows in the hope of seeing him.

At long last, we reach the meeting room. My Dad sits on a chair. When he spots me, he smiles. Mum touches my shoulder. 20 minutes. That is all I am allowed. I take a deep breath and walk in.

‘Hi Dad.’ I said.

‘Hey Wayne!’ he replies.

I give him a hug. He is in a good mood.

‘An earring my boy?’ he asks. I smile.

I am in his good books which is a good move.

‘You got kicked out of school?’ he asks.

‘Yeah. A fight with this show-off.’ I reply.

‘Wayne. When I am free from this prison, I will be a changed man.’ he said as he takes my hand.

‘You promise that you will be a different Dad?’ I quietly ask.

‘Of course... I know when I last said that and it didn’t go well did it?’ he replies.

‘No. I remember that well.’ I whisper.

There is a slight pause.

‘Matt OK?’ he asks.

I shrug. ‘Haven’t seen him for ages.’

‘Too much of a rebel for you eh?’ Dad asks.

‘No... It’s just... um...’ I stumble my words.

‘A girl may I ask?’ said Dad.

‘Yeah. Her name is Emeli. You would really like her.’ I reply.

The door opens ‘Time.’ the guard said.

Wow. Time has gone really quickly.

I stand up. I give Dad a hug. I think that he will put in an effort to change this time round. I leave. My Mum is shown in. The guard shuts the door.

I can’t hear anything from inside the room.

Emeli

Wayne and I were together last night. I say these words over and over again. I just can’t believe it.

I smell crispy bacon from the kitchen. My tummy rumbles. Time for some food.

I walk in to the kitchen. My Dad is indeed frying some bacon. My Mum is having a glass of orange juice. I am about to start eating when the front door slams.

My brother walks in with a tough look on his face.

‘What is this all about?’ he asks.

Mum and Dad look at one another. ‘I don’t know what you are talking about.’

‘Oh really.’ my brother replies. ‘What a lie.’

Mum looks very angry. ‘Please. Let us talk about this later.’ she stares at me.

‘Oh, Emeli didn’t tell me.’ my brother said.

‘How did you find out?’ Dad asks.

‘Her friend Jess announced it on Facebook. I asked if this was true. When she said yes, I knew that I had to come and see Emeli.’ said my Brother.

I have gone rather pale. I know this for sure.

‘I am saying that you are making a huge mistake. Emeli does not deserve to be banished to the West Country.’ said my Brother.

‘Well. The decision is final.’ said Mum.

‘You have broken her heart Mum. At least be proud of Emeli’s effort.’ said my Brother.

I am so relived that he is standing up on my behalf.

Dad looks really mad. ‘You will not speak to us like this!!!’ he roars.

I run from the room and up to my bedroom. My haven.

I hear shouting, crashing, screaming. It is like a violent war zone.

I just want it to go away.

Wayne

When me and Mum get back to our house. She sits on her bed, her face wet with tears. Told you that today was going to be so emotional.

I make her a cup of tea and I slowly carry it into her room. She sits up. I place the tea on the bedside table.

‘Mum. Can we talk?’ I ask.

Mum looks at me. ‘Sure.’

I climb into bed next to her. She wraps her arm around me.

‘My Wayne. Today was good.’ she said.

‘I know.’ I reply. ‘Do you think that he will really change for the better?’

‘Of course my Wayne.’ she replies.

‘No drugs? No violence?’ I ask.

Mum nods. ‘I am certain.’

There is silence for a few moments. I am staring at the family picture of all three of us together. We are all smiling.

‘Mum, I need your advice.’ I said.

Mum looks at me. ‘On what?’

‘This girl.’ I said as I turned very red.

‘Let me guess, Emeli?’ she asks.

I nod. My face is bright red.

‘You in love?’ Mum asks.

‘We kissed.’ I reply.

Mum ruffles my hair. ‘Ooooh. My Wayne in love.’

‘Mum...’ I warn her.

She giggles. I kiss her.

‘She’s leaving.’ I said.

‘No way!’ Mum replies.

‘What can I do?’ I ask.

‘Give her your email address.’ she replies.

It is good advice. But I still don’t feel better.

‘Thanks Mum.’ I reply.

‘Time for ice-cream.’ Mum shouts as she jumps up.

We both run into the kitchen.

Emeli

Slams, crying. My house is still a battlefield.

My brother has angered them so much. Because he told them that they were making a huge mistake.

I am shaking. I slowly open my bedroom door. I hear the noise of crying coming from the bathroom. I shut the door.

I slowly walk over to my window seat. What can I do?

After a while, an idea hits me. Why don’t I run away? Oh my gosh! That is a good idea.

I grab my notebook and I start to write down the pros and cons of the idea.

It becomes clear from my list that there are more pros then cons.

I look around. I spot my rucksack. Perfect! I can use that.

I start to pack. First, I pack some sensible clothing followed by some other equipment.

I find my water bottle. That goes in. Followed by my pencil case.

I look at the time. I didn’t realise that this is late afternoon. Time has sped by much to my relief.

I realise that I can sneak out of the window when the time comes.

I am nervous but also quite excited.

Time to get my plan into action!