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because that could affect your account. It’s a high-profile case and it is good that you are removed from the local area.’
    â€˜What do you mean, high profile?’
    â€˜There’s a suggestion that there may be racism involved. Feelings are running high locally.’
    â€˜But there wasn’t. . . No one said anything racist. . .’ I say.
    â€˜You’ll understand why people think that, though,’ he says, but I don’t really, when I think about Arron’s black mum and various white dads and the way he and his brother and sisters were all different shades of brown.
    â€˜Who are these people that want to kill me?’ I ask. ‘Who bombed the shop? Can they find me here? Is it . . . are they . . . people we know, or someone else?’
    I think of Nathan, his face close to mine, sweat pouring from his forehead to his eyes, so it looks like he’s crying, spitting out the words. ‘Keep your mouth shut, or I’ll make sure it stays shut.’ How would he make sure?
    DI Morris looks hard at me, as if weighing up something, then makes up his mind.
    â€˜As you know, Ty, we are dealing with three suspects here. Three people have been charged with a very serious offence. Because there are three of them, their lawyers will all be trying to shift the blame, one to the other, and also they are casting doubt on your integrity as a witness. We need to be absolutely sure that you are telling the truth. You will almost certainly be asked difficult questions in court.
    â€˜After the petrol bomb incident we are concerned that you may be subject to witness intimidation. That’s why we are taking extra care of you and your mother inthe run up to the trial, and, if we deem it necessary, beyond.’
    â€˜Who are they? What else do they do? Why can’t you catch them? Why do they want to shut me up?’
    DI Morris hesitates. ‘We are confident that we can protect you,’ he says, which doesn’t even begin to answer my questions.
    â€˜What about my gran, and my aunties? Are you looking after them?’
    â€˜We will keep an eye on them, yes. Luckily only your gran lives very locally, doesn’t she?’
    â€˜Yes, but there’s my aunties too.’
    â€˜We’re doing our best, Ty, but I’d be lying to you if I said we could protect every single member of your family.’
    Why not? It’s just three more people, not a huge clan.
    â€˜When will the trial be?’
    â€˜Courts take their time. I’d be hoping for something by late autumn. The earlier the better.’
    â€˜So I’ll be Joe until then?’
    â€˜Yes, unless there is a reason to move you. But the most likely reason for that would be if you or your mother does something unwise, like contacting family or old friends, going back to London to visit, or telling people here about your former identities.’
    â€˜What does everyone think? Why do they think we have left?’
    â€˜It’s entirely possible that many people think you were involved in the fight in the park that night, Ty. The defendants are all juveniles, and their names will not be made public, so no one really knows who they are. Others think you have moved away. Your mother’s job, for example – they think that she was offered another post in a different part of the country and moved away.’
    Oh yeah? I can’t see anyone actually believing that. First, my mum loved her job. Second, if she was leaving, she’d have thrown the biggest party ever, ending up with her karaoke version of ‘Love Machine’ with my aunties doubling up as the rest of Girls Aloud. They’re famous for it. People think they ought to go on X Factor.
    â€˜The defendants – are they in prison?’
    â€˜They are in a Young Offender Institution and so far bail has been denied.’ I must look blank, because he adds, ‘That means they will probably stay there until the