The Last Tiger

  ‘Think what you like, you’re coming.’

  ‘I’d really rather not, if you don’t mind.’ Giles said, with a quiet sort of insistence.

  ‘Come on. You and Felix don’t get on so badly these days. And Bee’s folks are fine with you too. You know they are.’

  ‘As I said, I’d really rather not, if you don’t mind.’

  ‘I do mind. Dad, we booked this pub because it’s your favourite. It’ll be great, like creating a new ‘old times’. And it’s a beautiful day. We can sit outside and look at the swans on the river; you can have some proper Olde English Ale. I know you love it there. And never mind my birthday, it is also Midsummer’s Day and a Friday… and your mum’s birthday. Don’t be such an old stick in the mud.’

  ‘Well, put like that I suppose I might...’

  ‘Come on. Let’s get going and beat rush hour, that way we’ll have a few minutes alone before the others arrive. You can tell me what’s been happening lately at Whitegate, I haven’t been over for a while. I miss them all.’

  ‘Whitegate. Yes, they miss you too, but you need to come in soon, my lad, for your check-up. You will have plenty of time to catch up with everyone then. As I said, they certainly do miss you. Ah, now then. Here’s a thing. Did I mention that I ran into Lydia? Maybe you don’t remember her, she was one of the scientists with me when…’ Giles pulled a face that said I don’t want to say the rest.

  ‘Yes. I remember Lydia. She’s the one Bee insisted was hitting on Felix. Still insists, actually.’

  Giles laughed softly, ‘Yes, well. She probably was. Anyway, that is beside the point. She mentioned that fellow Boyce has been sniffing around, wanting to hear more about the time we spent on the island… you know, before… you… before I...’

  ‘Why would he want to know any of that?’

  ‘Why wouldn’t he? It’s still big news, boy. I think he’s planning to follow up the piece he did before. It’s been a while. Perhaps the fat cheque he got has finally run out? I gather he is claiming the time is right to raise your profile once more, but I assume it’s really to line his own pockets once again.’

  ‘Let him. It can’t do any damage now.’

  ‘Not to you, maybe.’

  Tuan reached out and patted his father’s shoulder, ‘I’ll find him and talk to him. Okay?’

  ‘Not okay. I would prefer that you had nothing whatsoever to do with that man. What will be will be, but no need to encourage it. If he speaks to you once then he won’t leave you alone, mark my words.’

  Tuan nodded as if in agreement, ‘So how was Lydia?’

  Giles shook his head, ‘Oh, no better than you’d imagine, feeble minded as ever.’

  GLORIOUS GAS TANKS

  ‘Sh. Quietly.’

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘It’s okay. They’ve gone. Come on, before anyone else comes along.’

  Tuan pulled Char out from behind the gas tanks, an area so out of bounds the punishment for going there was unknown.

  ‘Five more minutes?’

  ‘We haven’t got any minutes. The bell just went.’

  ‘Tomorrow then?’

  ‘Try and stop me,’ he grinned and pressed a long kiss to her mouth.

  They scurried away, the only evidence of anyone’s presence a scattering of discarded cigarette butts. Cigarettes and gas tanks! Tuan had exclaimed when Char pulled out the packet from the lining of her bag and proceeded to light up, but she only laughed and told him to lighten up and stop being a twat, revealing that she smoked there almost every day. He pointed out that they both might lighten up considerably if she wasn’t more careful.

  ‘And you know you stink,’ he said as they hurried to lunchtime registration.

  ‘I’ve got gum.’

  ‘Gum! That’s not enough. It’s in your hair, on your face, everywhere.’

  ‘Nobody at school is that bothered,’ she said, factually.

  ‘Well I am bothered. Why do you do it, it is such a disgusting habit.’

  ‘Don’t you start as well,’ she rolled her eyes, ‘I get enough bloody grief at home. Fucking hypocrites.’

  ‘I care, that’s all. Do you want lung cancer?’

  ‘Oh yeah,’ she said, ‘I’d love it, that’s why I do it. Freak.’

  ‘I think you should stop. I’ll see you later, okay?’

  ‘Sure, whatever. Was it a good night last night, by the way? Was Miss Goodie Two Shoes there?’

  Char had been excluded from the birthday celebrations.

  ‘Don’t call her that, makes you sound… you know.’

  ‘Like a bitch.’

  ‘Yes she was there, and yes it was great. Although no one gave me a birthday present as nice as yours.’ He held up a ball of string, and smiled.

  ‘You know why I gave that to you, I mean, you remember, right?’

  ‘Of course. How could I forget? So kitty-litter for Christmas is it? Or a scratching-post?’

  ‘Christmas, eh?’ she laughed, ‘That’s a long way off. Think you’re getting ideas, Tiger. See ya.’ She threw her bag over her shoulder and blew him a kiss.

  ‘Yeah. See ya.’ He watched her go, enjoying the exaggerated swing of hips tightly wrapped in a short skirt.

  Late for afternoon registration, Char received a cool look from Bee. Char smirked before running her tongue over her front teeth. Bee looked away, frowning.

  *

  On the bus home Bee and Tuan sat without speaking until Bee pointed out that Tuan had traces of lipstick near his mouth.

  Tuan rubbed it off, ‘Thanks. Shame no one else decided it was worth telling me.’

  Bee thought to remark that lipstick was against school rules, especially for boys, but for reasons unclear, humour was not a ready companion. Instead she found herself in clumsy silence. She gazed out of the window, absently viewing buildings and people as they passed by, watching the beautiful summer’s day mutate into a threateningly dark, grey gloom; a grey gloom that felt entirely appropriate.

  ‘Thanks for the birthday present, Bee, the book. It was great. I love it.’

  Bee chose to appear disinterested, just as she had at the party the night before when he had talked mostly about girls. About Char. Since joining the school he’d taken so little notice of Bee and their friendship that she sometimes wondered if they ever had been close; if she had imagined it all, if he really never had put his head in her lap when he felt down and in need of comfort, or called her just to chat, or stayed up watching films while her mum and dad slept.

  ‘There are some truly iconic people in it, all my favourite designers, in fact. Inspirational work too. It was perfect. Thanks.’

  ‘You’re still interested in clothes then?’ Reluctantly, Bee allowed for the creation of a small conversation.

  ‘Absolutely. In fact I’d really like to become a fashion designer one day.’

  She snorted a small laugh, ‘Really? When did you decide that? It’s the first I’ve heard of it.’

  ‘No it isn’t!’

  ‘It is.’

  ‘I thought that’s why you gave me the book.’

  ‘I gave you the book because… well…’

  ‘What?’

  She shrugged, ‘Dunno. Because I did. That’s all.’

  For a moment there was silence between them.

  ‘So?’ prompted Bee.

  ‘What?’

  ‘Why fashion design? Why the sudden decision?’

  ‘Not sudden. Why are you pretending like you didn’t know?’

  ‘I’m not. And if you don’t want to talk about it then fine.’

  ‘Of course I want to talk. In fact I’ve been talking it over with people for a while. I love clothes. You know that. Not sure Giles will approve, though. I think he’s already decided I should become a scientist like him. Study plain people perhaps, like they study me!’

  ‘You’ve got the brains for it.’

  ‘Maybe. Not the interest, though.’

/>   Again silence returned. Bee leaned her head on the window, solemnly watching the world go by, the stale smell of the dirty glass drifting into her nostrils.

  ‘So what will you do, Bee? What choices have you made for next year?’

  She turned her head casually towards him, but avoided eye contact, ‘I’m still thinking. Well, sort of. English Literature and History definitely. I was talking to the Careers Advisor, and I think I’d like to become a journalist, or at least a writer of some sort.’

  Silence returned yet again, but this time Bee felt hot eyes upon her.

  ‘Are you trying to be funny?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘A journalist? After everything that has happened you want to be a journalist?’

  ‘Maybe.’

  ‘Maybe?’

  ‘Okay. Yes, if you’d prefer.’ She looked away and to the world beyond the bus. Familiar places trundled by, even familiar people.

  ‘No, I don’t prefer.’ Tuan’s voice was harsh.

  Bee shrugged.

  ‘And you won’t do it. You won’t Bee! I won’t let you. I mean, what the fuck? A journalist?’

  She turned and glared, ‘I beg your pardon?’

  ‘You heard me, I said you will not do it.’

  ‘Is that so?’

  He stared. ‘Yes.’

  ‘Actually Tuan, it’s my choice, not yours.’

  ‘I don’t care, you won’t do it.’

  ‘And what exactly has it got to do with you? Since when did you decide anything for me?’

  ‘Since now.’

  ‘You sound ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous, like some spoilt little kid. Stop it.’

  ‘You listen to me, Bee, if you cared about me, about what I went through, then…’

  ‘Oh, what I went through,’ she mimicked, ‘Oh my God I am so hard done by. Jesus, Tuan. You are so selfish. It’s always about you, isn’t it? You never think about me, about what I want.’

  ‘How can you say that? Just because I don’t think you should prostitute yourself? You can be a writer without being a journalist. I won’t let you do it.’

  ‘Won’t let me? Won’t let me? Stop saying it! Have you got your frock coat on under your uniform?’

  ‘And what is that supposed to mean?’

  ‘Look Tuan. You’re not my father, you’re not my brother and you are certainly not my boyfriend, and even if you were any of those things that would not entitle you to dictate what I do with the rest of my life. Got it?’

  Clearly livid, Tuan began to rant about how little she cared for their shared past, about him, about friendship.

  ‘Just stop it, will you. Believe what you like,’ she said. ‘But it’s none of your business.’

  ‘At least I know where I stand.’

  Naturally a peacemaker, Bee softened. ‘Come on Tuan. Think about it. Not all journalists are bad. Don’t you read the newspapers and watch TV? Without journalists how would we know what is happening in the world, what’s happening right here? And okay, you’re right, not everyone has integrity, but that doesn’t mean I won’t have it. You know me, I like to have the full story about everything and that is partly thanks to what we went through together as kids.’

  ‘You’re naïve, Bee. Did you know that Boyce is sniffing around again? Is that what you want to be like? Is that the sort of person you aspire to be? The type to sidle up to twelve year old boys in dark corners just to grab a story?’

  ‘Boyce? You saw him too?’

  Tuan glared. ‘Belle! So you knew he was around? You knew and you didn’t bother to tell me? Nice one!’

  ‘It was a while ago. I saw him outside school, that’s all. And then after seeing the Careers Advisor I saw him there again, and as Ian is the only journalist I have any vague connection with, I asked him for some advice.’

  ‘Oh Ian now, is it? Ian? You know what they call girls like you? I’ll tell you...’ He stopped suddenly, halting his speech mid flow.

  Bee’s face revealed a past expression, a look worn years before on the beach during her angry battle with a giant of a man, in the vain attempt to free a stranger. It was as if Tuan were that giant.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ he said.

  Her face relaxed and as she nudged a shoulder against him, he leaned into her, head low. ‘Me too,’ she said. ‘Our first row, eh?’

  ‘And last, I hope.’

  ‘At least it was quick.’

  He laughed.

  The following silence was companionable, the rush of angry words purging Bee of ill feeling. It seemed a good moment to break some news that had been playing on her mind.

  ‘I hope it is not bad timing saying this now, Tuan, but I’ve been thinking about getting the other bus. Actually, Mum and Dad want me to. Getting this one adds on a half hour walk at either end of the day, and as the nights will be drawing in again next term… and I don’t really like walking back in the dark… I thought…’

  ‘Of course. You should have said before.’

  ‘I wasn’t sure what you would think.’

  ‘I think I’ll miss you. But I understand completely.’

  ‘You’ll see me at school, and weekends.’

  ‘Yes, but I’ll miss chatting on our own everyday.’

  ‘And arguing?’

  ‘A one off. I’m sorry I got so mad with you. Forgive me?’

  ‘Always.’

  ‘So what are you doing this weekend?’

  ‘Nothing why?’

  ‘Fancy the cinema?’

  ‘What about… you know… Char. Won’t she mind?’

  ‘Why should she? I may not be your father, or your brother or your boyfriend but we are friends. Best friends. So it’s a date then?’

  ‘Sorry about the father, brother, boyfriend thing.’

  ‘I said is it a date?’

  ‘Absolutely.’

  *

  The academic year was nearing its end and pupils and teachers went about their daily lives in a much less formal manner. Consequently, the teacher who should have been on yard duty was enjoying an extended toilet break in the company of his cigarette. As he enjoyed a furtive moment, so Tuan was in the throws of a fight with Kai and two of his cronies.

  Bee raced to the brawl, her friend, Ann Marie, hot on her heels, calling her back.

  ‘Leave it Bee! You’ll get hurt.’

  ‘I can’t leave it!’ She yelled, ‘they’ll kill him.’

  ‘I doubt it,’ came Anne Marie’s level response, ‘it’s just a fight.’

  Bee looked around, desperately searching for help. ‘Ann Marie, go and get someone.’

  ‘Like who?’

  ‘I don’t know! Anyone. A teacher. Baxter. Anyone. Go!’

  Ann Marie rolled her eyes, let out a sigh, and trotted off to see whom she could find that might be of use. As she went, she spotted Char heading for the gas tanks, ‘You might want to go and have a word with your brother, Shard, he’s busy kicking the crap out of your boyfriend.’

  ‘You what?’

  ‘Back there. Reckon him and his mates are trying to get the stripes off. Go on girl, check it out, it’s probably over you anyway.’ With that, Ann Marie spotted one of the male sports teachers, and taking a deep breath ran over to reveal the news.

  At the scene of the fight a huge crowd had gathered. Bee tried unsuccessfully to drag Kai off but was no match for a testosterone-fuelled boy with a score to settle. Periodically, Tuan emerged from the bottom of the pile and would hurl an assailant away with such force the crowd would unite in a cry of whoa! but he could never free himself enough to get the upper hand.

  By the time the sports teacher arrived at the scene, Tuan was pinned to the ground with one boy sat on each arm and Kai astride him pummeling his face and shrieking, I’ll teach you to fuck my sister, amongst other things. Char scrabbled and tugged at her brother’s shoulders, desperately trying to drag him off. The arrival of a teacher caused the crowd to quickly disperse, and as he waded in to break
things up, so back-up arrived in the form of Mister Baxter. Soon, all four boys were lined up in his office, bleeding and bruised.

  ‘Right. I will see each of you one at a time. Tuan stay, you three wait outside. No talking. We’ll see if this is a matter for the police.’

  All four paled. Kai and his friends silently filed out as instructed.

  When they were alone, Baxter took a seat behind his wide desk, leaving Tuan standing despite his poor condition.

  ‘So, Tuan. I cannot tell you how disappointed I am in you, young man. Fighting?’

  ‘Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir.’

  ‘And well you might be. But I am not stupid, Tuan. I know a lot about those boys out there,’ he nodded at the closed door, ‘and between you and me and the rest of the school, I will be glad when next week comes and they leave here forever. What started it?’

  ‘Not sure, Sir.’

  ‘Not sure or won’t say?’

  ‘Not sure.’

  ‘I assume they did start it, did they? Or will I find out that it was you?’

  Tuan remained silent.

  ‘You’re not doing yourself any favours, lad, by not speaking up. I will be talking to both Belle Malone and Char Williams later this afternoon, so if you have something to say you may as well say it now.’

  ‘Kai is unhappy about my friendship with his sister, Sir.’

  ‘I see. Well, I cannot deny that I heard some of what he was saying to you, Tuan, and I wish I could say that it was none of my business, but it is. And not just because of the disturbance.’

  Tuan nodded.

  ‘There is nothing in the school rules forbidding relationships between pupils. It would be a futile to forbid something that naturally occurs, don’t you think?’

  ‘Yes, Sir.’

  ‘I was young once, although looking at me now you’d hardly think it. Anyway, my point is that I know what it feels like to be a teenager with urges. But…. and here’s the crux of it… if I thought you and any girl under my care were engaged in sexual relations I would be forced to take action. Char Williams is fourteen and under the legal age of consent. Granted so are you, but often the law is not equal in these matters. I have to warn you that in my opinion it is you, both as a boy and as person of indeterminate age… no don’t interrupt… and not Char who would be liable for prosecution. Just imagine the black mark against you, Tuan, should her family choose to pursue it. I don’t want to know if what her brother said is true or not, I just want to be sure you understand the situation. Do you?’