Free Bad Company by Cathy MacPhail Page B

our midst!’
    Murdo began to clap then and, without hesitation, so did the rest of the class. Not hesitantly, but with enthusiasm and pride, like I’d never heard before.
    ‘Good on ye, Ralphie boy!’ someone shouted.
    ‘Terrific!’ Nancy called to him.
    Even Asra stood up and gave him an extra special cheer.
    Of course it was all Murdo’s doing, I told myself. Working behind the scenes, making sure Ralph’s potential wasn’t lost forever. But as I listened to the class applauding, and watched their faces, their genuine pleasure for Ralph’s success, I felt alone. None of them had spoken to me in weeks because of what I’d done and I hated them and yet, here they were delighted for Ralph Aird of all people.
    I looked at him beaming like an idiot and I realised with dismay, I was jealous, jealous of Ralph Aird. In that same moment, he looked at me. He always looked at me with disgust, as if he hated me and for a second that was the look he gave me. And then, the look changed to a puzzled frown and then gave way to a smile that spread across his face. And I knew he could read the envy in my face.
    Diane leaned toward me and tugged on my arm. ‘He probably only got it because they felt sorry for him. He’s a loser.’
    ‘WHAT WAS THAT!’
    Murdo’s voice boomed out and the applause died in an instant. Silence fell. Total silence.
    Murdo took a deep breath and strode up the aisle to where Diane sat. ‘Stand up, Miss Connell.’
    Diane flushed and licked her lips.
    He stopped right in front of her.
    At first I thought she was going to refuse but after a moment she got to her feet, defiance in her every move.
    ‘Now, why don’t you share with the class what you just said?’
    Diane wouldn’t even meet his gaze. She didn’t answer him, but I could tell by the nerve throbbing in her cheek just how angry she was.
    ‘Forgotten already, have you?’ Murdo looked round at the rest of the class who had all turned to face him. ‘Shall I tell you what she said?’
    He turned back to Diane. ‘Diane Connell says that Ralph only got that commission because the Council felt sorry for him. Did you hear that, Ralph?’
    Even then his gaze never left Diane.
    I glanced at Ralph and his smile had disappeared.
    Murdo continued. ‘This is our Council, by the way, which evicts old ladies from their homes if they can’t pay their rent. This is our Council, which throws blind people out ofour libraries when they try to bring in their guide dogs.’ He batted his eyes in feigned shock and the class began to snigger. ‘Ooo, but they’re all heart when it comes to our Ralph. Och, they decided, the poor wee laddie. Let’s give him this commission. He’s rubbish but we just feel so sorry for him.’
    Now he was laughing too. He smiled over at Ralph. ‘Och, isn’t that nice, Ralph?’
    For a moment he let the class laugh. Laugh with him, and laugh at Diane. And Diane didn’t like it one bit.
    Suddenly his voice became an angry roar again. ‘Do you know what your problem is, Diane Connell? The only way you can feel important is to belittle other people. And I am telling you now, and I genuinely hope it helps you to know this, that true greatness comes from recognising other people’s worth. Maybe then, you can find your own.’
    He stared straight at her. I knew, because I know the kind of teacher Murdo is, that he really did want her to understand that. He wanted to change something in Diane. But Diane wouldn’t look back at him. She kept her eyes downcast, and sucked in her cheeks as if she had something sour in her mouth.
    Finally, he shook his head. ‘Stay behind after class, Diane. I want to talk to you.’ And he began to walk back down the aisle to Ralph.
    And suddenly, the class were applauding again, only this time they were applauding Murdo.
    I stood at the door while Murdo spoke to Diane. His voice was soft at first, but grew steadily louder when he realised he was getting no response from her.
    ‘Lass! I’m only