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I grabbed my keys and set off towards my car, my phone to my ear. Frankie’s phone continued to ring out, but he couldn’t have gone far. The town wasn’t that big, and he had Logan with him. I wouldn’t normally be so bothered, but something in his demeanour had me concerned.

Maybe he’d gone to his gran’s? Could I remember the way? After a couple of false turns, I finally spied them. Logan was skipping ahead of Frankie.

They both looked okay. I pulled up next to them and opened the passenger window. “Frankie. Is everything okay?” I leant forward, trying to see his face. Was he annoyed with me?

He carried on walking, and I wondered if he’d heard me; even Logan tugged on the hem of his hoodie to grab his attention, but it didn’t stop him.

There was only one thing for it. I turned off the engine and got out.

“Frankie,” I said, determined. I stood on the pavement, and finally, he stopped.

“What do you want, Mac?” He clutched his brother’s hand, his gaze downward.

“To talk. Make sure you’re okay. You stepped in front of a car. You could have been hurt. Why would you do that?” I took a step closer, my hands outstretched.

“I’m fine. Everything’s fine. Me and Logan are just going to Gran’s.”

“Did something happen? You seem upset.”

The Frankie I saw now was reminiscent of the one I met on the first day, not the vibrant soul full of life who played the piano with reverence, but the downtrodden one, and I didn’t like it one bit.

Finally, his eyes met mine, and for the first time, I saw fear. Was he scared of me? Had something happened at home? I’d had a brief glimpse of what life was like for him from his mum.

“Yes, something happened,” he whispered. “Can we just get to Gran’s? Meet me there.”

And with that, he scurried away, still holding onto Logan.

I jumped back in the car and, after eventually finding the right house, parked outside and waited.

A minute later, Frankie appeared, glancing over his shoulder as if looking for someone. Was he being followed?

He gestured to me to follow him, but didn’t speak until she opened the front door.

“Hey, Gran. This is my friend, Mac. Is it okay if he comes in? I could do with some advice.”

“Of course. I’ll go put the kettle on.” She patted my hand and walked into the kitchen.

Ten minutes later, we sat in his gran’s front room, our hands wrapped around hot mugs of tea. Logan sat in front of the TV, engrossed in a kids’ show.

“So, what’s going on? You look like a startled rabbit,” his gran said, concern on her face.

“Brian’s having an affair. I caught him with Stacey from next door. Thankfully, Logan didn’t see anything. What should I tell Mum?” He kept his voice low.

“The slimy bas-” His gran stopped herself before she could say more, but the sentiment was there. “I always knew there was something off about him. I’ll wager it’s not the first time, and I’m sorry to say, Frankie, I don’t think your mum is as innocent as she appears.”

“I know that, but what do I do?” He glanced between us, looking for an answer. I had none, not really knowing the family, but if it were me, and Dad had been having an affair, would I have told Mum?

One thing I knew was that it wasn’t fair to put Frankie in that position.

“Is that why you stepped into the road?” I’d have been distracted, too.

“Well, um…not really. That was something else.”

“Yeah, we saw you with your girlfriend,” Logan piped up.

“You concentrate on your programme, Logan,” his gran glanced in his direction and shook her head.

Frankie rolled his eyes and looked sheepishly in my direction.