(no subject)

The Easter holidays went by quickly. With holiday club in the week, Fry got settled into a routine. At the weekend there was Archie next door to play with, and since he was a little older, they were allowed to explore right up to the gates at the end of the driveways.

"You're lucky getting to go to holiday club." Archie says, one afternoon, as they play near the gate. "My mum got me a tutor."

"Sounds fun to me." Fry says. Archie laughs.

They look up as some other kids pass by the end of the drive, heading towards the park. They spot Archie, and lean on the gate.

"Oi! Lord Baldie!" one boy yells.

"Hallo." Archie says, looking at his feet.

"Look, Lord Baldie has a chum." one of the other boys says, in an imitation of Archie's accent.

Fry blinks at this exchange that he doesn't understand. He looks over at Archie, who's gone very red.

"Do they go to your school?" he asks.

Archie nods.

"Are they your friends?" Fry asks.

"Lord Baldie has no friends." the first boy says, and the other giggles.

"Yes he has." Fry says. "He's got me."

"How old are you, like four?" the boy asks.

"I'm five years five months and three weeks." Fry says.

The boys exchange a glance and giggle.

"Come on Fry, let's go and play around the back." Archie says, sloping off around the side of the house.

"What was that about?" Fry asks, when they've gone through to the back garden.

"Don't listen to them." Archie says. "I have a friend at school anyway, he's a secret friend."

"Oh." Fry nods. "Those boys at the gate, were they bullies?"

"No, they just don't like me because I'm posh." Archie says. "Mother says I have to just ignore them. Come on, let's play explorers."