LITMIR.BIZ

      “Yeah, I will. If anyone has a go, I’ll have a go back. You’re my brother and I’ll protect you.”

      “Good boy, John,” said Dad, trying not to cry. “I’ve gotta go boys. I’ve gotta drive a load of bog rolls to Bradford.” He walked over to the door, and then turned back for a moment. “I am very proud of you both, you know. Whatever you do, you’ll always be my boys. You’re all I’ve got.” He couldn’t quite look at them as he spoke, and then he quickly left, shutting the door behind him.

      Dennis and John looked at each other. It was as if an ice age had thawed, and the sun was shining for the first time in a million years.

      “It’s a shame you missed the final,” said Dennis as they walked to school together.

      “Yeah…” said John. “I just had to, you know, hang around outside the leisure centre with my mates.”

      “That’s funny. I thought for a moment I saw your face in the crowd, but I suppose it must have been someone else.”

      John coughed. “Well… actually, I sort of was there…”

      “I knew it!” said Dennis, smiling. “Why didn’t you let on?”

      “I was going to,” spluttered John. “But I just couldn’t run on to the pitch at the end and do all that hugging stuff. I wanted to, honest, but… I dunno. I’m sorry.”

      “Well, I’m glad you were there, even if you didn’t tell me. You don’t need to be sorry.”

      “Thanks. Sorry.”

      They walked in silence for a moment.

      “What I still don’t get though,” ventured John. “Is why you did it?”

      “Did what?”

      “Put on that dress in the first place.”

      “I don’t know really,” said Dennis, a puzzled look crossing his face. “I suppose because it was fun.”

      “Fun?” said John.

      “Well you know when we were younger and we used to run around the garden pretending to be Daleks or Spiderman or whatever?”

      “Yeah.”

      “It felt like that. Like playing,” said Dennis confidently.

      “I used to like playing,” said John, almost to himself, as they continued down the street.

      “What the…?” said John, as he and Dennis entered Raj’s shop to find Raj resplendent in a bright green sari.

      And wig.

      And full make-up.

      “Morning, boys!” said Raj in a ridiculously high-pitched voice.

      “Morning, Raj,” said Dennis.

      “Oh no, I’m not Raj,” said Raj. “Raj is not here today but he has left me in charge of the shop. I’m his Aunt Indira!”

      “Raj, we know it’s you,” said John.

      “Oh dear,” said Raj dejected. “I’ve been up since dawn putting this look together. What gave it away so quickly?”

      “The stubble,” said Dennis.

      “The Adam’s apple,” added John.

      “Those big hairy hands,” continued Dennis.

      “All right, all right, I get the point,” said Raj hurriedly. “I was hoping I’d get my own back by fooling you, Dennis, after you played that trick on me!”