Just Henry Page #3

from the war?

We do. Come this way.

Sternsea Echo for 1941.

You should be able

to find what you're

looking for somewhere

towards the middle.

Thank you.

No, no, no. No, it can't be.

Jeffries! I know your dad

wasn't just a deserter.

You watch your dirty mouth.

He was a murderer. He killed my dad!

(SHOUTING)

ALL:
Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!

(SHOUTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT)

Stop it!

Stop it now!

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

(BLOWS) Henry Dodge!

You refuse to say?

What led to this disgusting melee?

I'm appalled at your behaviour.

After all this country's been

through.

Don't you realise violence achieves

nothing but misery?

You of all people, Henry Dodge.

I understand you started it.

Is that right?

It was both of us.

Are you sorry for what happened?

No.

Perhaps this will make you change

your mind.

Evidently you must be taught a lesson

in the only way you understand.

Hold out your hand, Dodge.

Now your turn.

Off you go.

Miss.

She's coming.

(CLASS QUIETENS DOWN)

Sit down.

Let's turn away from thuggery

and go back to Roman civilisation.

Page 36 in your books.

Grace, will you read to us?

Me? Mm-hm.

(SIGHS HEAVILY)

When you're ready.

In the...

lost...

list...

(LAUGHTER)

last...

year...

(LAUGHTER)

year...

Yeah, yeah, yeah!

Stop it! Stop laughing!

All right, Henry. Leave this to me.

I'm sorry, miss. I can't.

It's me who's sorry.

I hadn't realised.

Grace, Grace, the family disgrace.

Don't say that. I'm here to help you.

There's no-one here so clever that he

or she can afford to laugh at others

as we're about to find out.

You can read. Me?

BOY:
Let's see what you do.

(MOUTHS)

He killed my dad.

That's what this is about.

They were in the East Yorks

together. My dad and Jeffries' dad.

And after the bombing

they found my dad.

He'd been shot in the face

and Jeffries' dad had scarpered.

Some money was missing from

the regiment's social club.

The police thought my dad had

tackled Jeffries' father about it

and... he shot him.

That's terrible.

Poor Jeffries.

What do you mean, poor Jeffries?

You don't understand, do you?

He's lost his father too.

Why didn't you tell me

Jeffries' father killed my dad?

(VOMITING)

What's wrong?

Mam?

Mam, are you ill? No.

That's one way of putting it.

Think I haven't noticed

your little secret?

How far gone are you?

Please, let me...

What is it?

She's going to have a babby.

Aye, aye.

His babby.

How could you?

I want nowt to do with it.

That's a wicked thing to say, lad.

Now I know for sure.

There's no place for me here,

is there?

I'm proud of you,

the way you stand up for your dad.

You know what? Maybe you and me

should clear off out of here.

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