One day Harry will grow up. But it might be too late then. He mixes with the wrong people, and when there is trouble, you know he will be involved. He carries a blade for protection because there are many who will hurt him. There is a rumour that he once shot somebody, and that could be true. And you live with the realisation that one day he will come unstuck and will end up in prison or worse.

Harry can lose his temper, and when he is angry, he will strike first, and for that reason we should be afraid.

But those of us who are well acquainted are not scared. If Harry likes you, he will invite himself into your bed and you will not resist.

In the darkest hours, when he is safe in someone’s arms, he becomes the sweetest little boy again, and will love you until morning claims him back.

It happened to me once, and I saw the scars across his chest and stomach from when drug deals had gone wrong. And Harry whispered in my ear that I was one of his boys, and he would protect me.

Harry has been good as his word. He gives me dodgy money, stolen gifts, and friendship, and once beat up my ex-boyfriend because he found out he’d been sleeping with somebody else.

But Harry has never returned, and I live in the hope that he will be back, but I worry that his time will soon run out, and he will be lost forever.