Smiling crookedly, David indicated Monica. ‘They jumped me when we came downstairs. She knackered Ronnie so hard his eyes almost popped out, and he’s the only real tough guy of the bunch. He’ll be walking with his knees together for the next month or so.’
Richard’s expression suddenly became grave. ‘Don’t underestimate those three. You’d best be on your guard from now on. They’ll try and have at you again, only next time it’ll be with baseball bats. We’ll have to watch that.’
‘We?’
‘We. In fact, after school, don’t just go walking out to your car. I’ll come with.’
Monica had listened to this exchange with growing concern and wonder. She had no idea that anyone knew anything about her circumstances, or about the people who until now had been a part of her miserable existence. Until now she had always been afraid of the police. Well, not afraid of them, exactly, but afraid to be anywhere near them for fear of what her stepfather or his friends might do to her out of suspicion or habitual paranoia.
Now, however, with circumstances changed and the tables turned, she found herself drawn to the sort of people who stood up to people like her stepfather and his friends; people who didn’t fear them, who watched over those who would otherwise be at the mercy of such.