The Brothers' Lot - Kevin Holohan [105]
When he pushed open the toilet door, a thick jet of rusty water hammered him square in the face. He fell backward into the corridor with its force and the toilet door slammed shut again.
“One of you, run and get McWhatsisname, the janitor,” spluttered Moody, as he lay drenched and stunned on the floor.
A charge ran through the boys as each one independently decided this was a great opportunity to get away. Before Moody could react they were all clattering down the stairs and out of earshot.
“I said one of you!” he shouted weakly after them.
Smalley Mullen inched toward the door that led to the yard and peeped out cautiously. He was completely out of breath. He had to get away or they’d catch him and he’d be disappeared off to Drumgloom before anyone knew what was happening. He was about to make a break for it across the yard to the gate when he heard voices and saw Brother Loughlin, Mr. Pollock, and the inspectors emerge from the Biology lab and walk toward him. Without thinking he turned and burst through the next nearest door.
He stared in shock to find he had entered the staff room. He hesitated but, seeing no one, closed the door behind him and leaned against it trying to catch his breath. At that moment the exterior door to the yard opened. Smalley’s heart contracted to a walnut and he turned to open the connecting door again.
“I think we’ll proceed upstairs to the second year classes,” he heard Brother Loughlin’s voice announce outside.
Smalley froze with his hand on the doorknob.
“By the sounds of it, I don’t think you’d want to be going out there right now,” Spud Murphy’s voice advised him softly from the far side of the staff room. “They’re all a bit edgy right now.”
Smalley turned around to look at the teacher.
“Ah, for fuck sake! What did they do to you now?” exclaimed Spud when he saw the blood on Smalley’s face.
“Brother Moody … I sneezed … pushed me on the floor … kicked him in the bollix,” stammered Smalley before his chest tightened and he dissolved into tears.
“Shhh. Come here. It’s all right,” said Spud, and gently led the boy to one of the ratty armchairs by the window. “Just take deep breaths. That’s it. Let it out. You’ll be all right. Don’t worry. Take your time.” He handed Smalley his handkerchief.
Just then Mr. Laverty walked in. Spud motioned him to stay quiet. “Just keep watch and make sure no one comes in.” Laverty hesitated. “Just make sure no one comes in! It’s not hard!”
Laverty nodded nervously.
In the third-floor toilets one pipe after another gave way. The floor was awash; the trough urinal overflowed and the water began to seep out under the door. The cisterns gurgled painfully and the toilet bowls in the stalls churned and bubbled, then suddenly emptied with a heaving, choking sound.
The plaster in the ceiling, sodden by the upward spray of the broken pipes, flaked and fell. The ceiling bulged and creaked and then all the water stopped and there was nothing but an ominous dripping silence.
Drawn to the silence and still believing that Smalley Mullen was inside, Brother Moody carefully opened the toilet door. The farthest stall was closed.
“I’m going to give you a beating you will never forget,” Moody said calmly as he advanced toward it. He reached into his pocket and withdrew his leather just as the ceiling came down on top of him.
“What are we doing?” called Finbar.
“Looking for Smalley. We can hide him in McDermott’s shed.” Scully pushed open the door of the second-floor Chemistry lab. “Oh, sorry sir,” he said, and abruptly closed the door.
“Where could he go?” asked Finbar.
“Don’t know. The gates are locked and those inspectors are wandering around all over the place. Maybe the monastery.”
“Don’t be insane!”
“The main exports of West Germany are steel, coal, and cars,” parroted the second year, handpicked to display his learning for the inspectors.
Before Brother Loughlin could attempt to elicit any praise for this wonderful feat of rote learning, the classroom shook with a sudden thump.
“Merciful