Gronk had to work out a weakness. Steve Nobody’s movements during College hours were obvious, but he seemed to have that bag glued to him. There must be notes or books or something inside which Gronk could get his hands on. He took to working out who Steve Nobody’s friends were. But there were so many. Everything Steve did and anyone he knew just irritated Gronk more. Most of his friends were lads, and some looked like they would be handy with their fists. He resolved to stay clear of them. Fisticuffs is not my thing, Gronk thought. But his enemy did talk to some girls as well. There was a small group of three which Steve seemed to have a laugh with. Two taller girls but one was quite petite. Gronk saw a chink of opportunity. And he needed his side-kick, Groate, to exploit it.
The next morning at College, Gronk was posturing in the corridor with Barry Groate. It was lunchtime and they watched Steve Nobody in the canteen. After about half an hour, he and a group of boys walked down the corridor to the table football. They watched a game and talked with even more people. Another ten minutes or so later and he was near the lockers chatting away. The backpack was on the floor by his feet. He suspects nothing, the moron, Gronk thought. The group of girls who knew Steve were close by. Groate grabbed a random coat and put it on. He was good at stealing coats. Groate sauntered toward the girls and pulled the hood up. Nearing, he moved quickly and barged into the smaller girl. She reeled sideways and fell. Groate picked up her bag and bolted for an exit.
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