Faithless by Tony Walker Read Free Book Online Page A

Graves, "it would save the country a fortune and taxes could be then lowered allowing people to keep what they earn and encouraging hard work rather than idleness."
    Cole was boiling up a bright pink. "And what would the poor do then when they became ill?"
    "They'd do what they used to do," said Graves.
    "Which was go without health care."
    Graves shrugged. He was enjoying himself.
    "You don't know Graves, and neither do you care. You think that what the poor do is none of your concern."
    Graves shrugged again and looked around to the other boys - some egging him on with big grins on their faces, others less certain, not wanting to be on the wrong side of their German teacher.
    Suddenly, John spoke up. "My mother told me that when she was wee, her brother tipped scalding water on her arm from a pan by mistake. They couldn't afford a doctor so they had to wrap it in brown paper. She still has scars."
    Graves laughed out loud, looking incredulously at h is supporters. John had made his point deliberately. He knew they would mock him. He had tolerated the arrogance and superiority of Graves and his friends for years. Now he'd made a public statement of his origins and he sat there defiantly.
    "Exactly," sai d Cole. "Now lets get back to " denken, denke, dachte, gedacht."
    At the end of the lesson Cole asked John to stay back. John stood there nervously while his friend Fraser went to the door and indicated by gesture that he would wait outside for him. Cole nod ded for him to sit down. "I won't be long. There are just a couple of things I wanted to speak to you about."
    John waited.
    "The first is that, much as it pains me to say it, and much as I realise I rose to the bait to give Graves and his friends something to laugh about, there are established powers and vested interests in this world. You may choose to speak out of principle and from your heart, but if that goes against these interests they will cast you out. Do you understand what I mean?"
    "Maybe, sir."
    "You are at George Heriot's School. I presume that is because your parents..." He blushed. "Forgive me, your mother. Well, she must have made efforts to place you here so that you could enter into this privileged world. To have an easier life than she had. What I want to say is that if you defy Graves and his type, they will block you - and your mother's efforts will have been in vain."
    "I see." He hesitated, appreciating Cole's concern.  " I realised this of course. But you have to say and do what's right ."
    Cole put his hand on his shoulder. "I agree. And I did want to say that I respect anyone who does things that are not merely expedient. If you follow your heart, you will be the enemy of the boys who sit here with you. But you will have a clear conscience. "
    "In my paupery."
    "Indeed." Cole laughed, "I do tend to go on, don't I?"
    "Never sir. Everything you say is interesting."
    Cole smiled again. "Now I am unsure whether your flattery is sincere or you are pulling my leg. Irony was never my strong suite."
    "Is that all sir? I have games next."
    "Ah, no. I wanted to ask you whether you would like to take Russian. I studied Russian and German at Durham you know and the Headmaster was asking whether I would teach Russian to a select group of the linguistically gifte d."
    "And that includes me?" said John incredulously.
    "Ah you feign modesty. You must be aware of your talent?"
    "Well, I knew I was all right. I'm not sure if I'm especially gifted."
    "I would like you to accept my word for it Gilroy. So, Russian?"
    "I'm flat tered. If you have faith in me, I'll give it a go."
    "Good. Bear in mind what I said about crossing swords with Graves and his ilk. Hurry now, rugby awaits."
     
     
    After rugby it was the end of the day and John and his friend Fraser were making their way from school. They had turned the corner into Heriot Place as they planned to go into town before going home. Heriot Place was narrow with houses to the west and the high stone wall that