Fighting Back by Helen Orme Page A

Amita turned round to Cath.
    ‘Why’s he going on about immigrants?He’s black.’
    ‘Be quiet please, get on with your work,’ said Mrs Soames to the class in general. For a while there was relative peace and quiet.
    Maddy Smith decided that it had been quiet long enough.
    ‘’Ere,’ she said to Amita, ‘Luke fancies you – d’you wanna go out with ’im?’
    ‘Just ignore them all,’ whispered Cath, loudly enough for them to hear.
    ‘Don’t stick your nose in, posh cow. She can answer herself, can’t she?’
    Amita shrugged her shoulders and settled to her work. Brian’s mates continued to make comments to both her and Cath in voices low enough for Mrs Soames to ignore. She was relieved when the session ended and they could finally escape to their last lesson.

TWO
Our Own People
    ‘Where do you live?’ asked Cath at the end of the afternoon.
    ‘It’s about twenty minutes walk away,’ said Amita, explaining where it was. ‘But my uncle’s meeting me today so that I don’t get lost.’
    ‘It’s just down the road from me. What’s your uncle’s name?’
    ‘Javin Desari. He’s my dad’s youngerbrother. He’s lived in Southampton about two years now.’
    ‘He runs a business selling to Asian shops doesn’t he? My dad knows him quite well.’
    Amita didn’t want to start talking about her family. She liked Cath, but she wasn’t sure she’d really understand.
    ‘Tell me about Brian and his gang,’ she said to change the subject. ‘How come he’s so racist when he’s black?’
    ‘It’s not about race with Brian,’ explained Cath. ‘It’s about living in Southampton. Brian’s dad’s family were from the Caribbean but they’ve been here for years and years. Because Southampton’s a port there’s always been a changing community and some families think they’re special. Brian’s dad’s like that. It’s worse because Brian’s mum ran off with an Asian guy about three years ago, so he really hates Asians.’
    Amita thought about it. She supposed it made some sort of sense.
    ‘Don’t let Brian get to you. It’s just words with him. But you need to watch out for Tony. He’s a real menace. He was cautioned by the police last year for carrying a knife in the street. People say he’s into drugs. Anyway, see you tomorrow?’
    Cath waved at Amita and went off down the road.
    Amita looked around. She wasn’t sure where she was supposed to wait. Oh no! Luke and Maddy were heading her way. She didn’t want to have to face them again. Then she spotted Uncle Javin’s car. Rajeeb was with him, looking very pleased with himself. She supposed it was because of the car. Rajeeb was impressed by cars like their uncle’s.
    She ran over to the car and got inquickly. She didn’t notice the nasty look Maddy gave her.
    Rajeeb was Amita’s elder brother. He had been really pleased when it had been decided that they would move to Southampton to live with their uncle. He knew his uncle had always been the one with ideas. Just look at the way he had built up the new business. It was only two years since he’d moved and he’d got a big house and a flash car. He employed six men and a secretary. He’d come a long way since the corner shop he’d run with Dad.
    Javin was fond of his niece and nephew. He wasn’t married. He had been once, but things hadn’t gone well. That was one of the reasons he’d moved away. He was fond of his brother, Gayan, and had done all he could to help when Amita and Rajeeb’s mother had died, but living with him wasanother thing. They’d only moved down a few weeks ago and already the disagreements were starting again. Gayan had never been a good businessman, and Javin just didn’t want his comments and advice.
    ‘How did it go then?’ Javin asked.
    ‘OK. I suppose.’ Amita shrugged her shoulders, then grinned, ‘Yeah, not bad. Most of the teachers are OK and there’s this girl, Cath, who’s in most of my sets. She says her dad knows you.’
    ‘What’s