guppy_sandhu | (no subject)

"Does 'e 'ave a way to make a bit o'coin?"

"Does he have a job?" Guppy translates, as the woman looks at Will in confusion.

"Oh, he has a paper round." Gladys says. "And each week I give him a pound for some sweeties."

Will's not sure of the best answer to that and refills his cup of tea and Gladys',

"Does anyone else 'ave any thoughts?"

"Gladys, your kid is stealing from you to fund his drug habit." says the tall fidgetty youth, who gave the name of Joe.

"Do you know that for certain?" Guppy asks, seeing the old woman's look of horror.

"Yeah." Joe replies. "He's dating my sister."

If she will allow him, Will offers her an arm and a hug,

"Ye need to 'elp 'im, naught good will come to 'im for bein' a thief only fear an pain."

He knows the damage it can do and there's an much older look in his eyes.

She is crying, and accepts the hug.

"I never knew."

"There's no good time to find out." Guppy says gently. "Can you have a word with his parents?"

She nods. Guppy looks up at Joe.

"Do you know anything else that could help?"

Joe just shrugs.

He hugs her tightly and gently rubs her back,

"Shh, 'e was 'idin', na yer fault. Now ye need to 'elp 'im, speak truth to 'im an give 'im yer love."

"He's only fifteen." Gladys says with a sob.

"Will's right, it's not your fault." Guppy says. "Maybe you could get him into rehab, if not then you could always start by bringing him here next time."

"Lads can grow too fast just need to be there for 'im. 'e's lucky 'nough to 'ave ye an others who love 'im."

"This is what Farmeade does to people." Gladys says, wiping her eyes.

"He's a good boy really."

Guppy passes her some more tea.

"It doesn't have to be that way."

Will nods, Nottingham does that to people too in his time though he's not sure what to say but he can be there for her.

Future Nottingham is, at least, slightly better than Farmeade.

"Well the point of this is to try and help some of those problems." Guppy says gently.

"What do you care?" Joe asks. "You don't live here, you're that doctor who was getting beat up in the riot, I saw you."

"Folks are 'urtin' an Guppy's got a good 'eart an doesna take much to listen an aid folks."

Will's voice has more of an edge to it, the outlaw shining through.

"Why are you here Joe?" Guppy asks, shooting a grateful smile at Will.

Joe shrugs.

"Got no friends, parents are divorced, it beat hanging out on the street all night."

"Aye, ye're willin' to try somethin' else. 'rhaps ye could go with Gladys when she speaks to 'er grandson. 'avin' someone 'is age say what 'e's doin' is wrong might aid more."

Joe considers, then shrugs.

"Not sure I wanna mess with druggies, they can be pretty... hard."

"If he's dating your sister, you must know him a bit." Guppy says.

"Yeah, but if I tackle him it gives me bad press in the estate."

"Na need to fight 'im just be there for Gladys when she does. An if things get truly bad, 'ave those counselor folks made aware. 'e's young 'nough 'rhaps willna be a druggie fore'er an ye could 'elp 'im na be one."

"Yeah, but what if my sister never speaks to me again? I have to do all the caring for her, mum just sits and drinks all day."

"How old is your sister?"

"Sixteen, but she behaves like she's six."

"Tis a risk ye 'ave to take. Right things arena easy, ne'er 'ave been."

"Bring them over to me." Jackie pipes up. "I'll give you all dinner, and chat. I've been there, maybe I can make them see sense."

Guppy nods approvingly.

"Aye, dinna 'ave to face anythin' alone."

The session continues with similar themes re-emerging. Fear, problems, loneliness. Nobody seems likely to cause any violence, and at the end of the hour, most of the group come up and thank Guppy and Will.

"Told you it'd be fine." Brian says, getting up. "I'm goin' down the pub, see you at work."

As everyone leaves, Will shakes hands and gives Gladys another hug before smiling at Guppy.

"Do you think we made them more anxious?" Guppy asks, smiling nervously back and clearning up.

"Nay, I dinna think so. Seems like lot o''em 'ad been bottlin' worry up an this 'llowed up to let it out. They found allies."