‘…the castle was saved and the dragon was slain.’

The boy finished reading and looked up.

‘Very good, Michaels. Back to your seat. Right, who’s next? Hines?’

Freddy stood up nervously, fumbling his jotter, and made his way to the front of the class.

‘We haven’t got all day, boy. Start reading.’

‘Yes sir,’ Freddy mumbled. ‘A Fantasy Tale, by Freddy Hines.’

‘Speak up, boy. Let the class hear you.’

Freddy gulped and stared at the page in front of him, unable to raise his head and see the roomful of eyes watching him, waiting for him to fail.

‘After school one day I ran home. My Dad was waiting for me when I got in. He was back living with Mum and me. I was very happy to see him. I got changed out my uniform and he took Mum and me out for a slap-up dinner to celebrate…