Runner

Later, Charlie returns home from a training session with Mr. Redmond to find Alice Cornwall in the living room with Mrs. Feehan. She quietly thanks him for helping Mr. Cornwall, and she gives him a box of cream buns in gratitude. Charlie can see that Mrs. Feehan enjoys entertaining Alice’s company. Mrs. Feehan tells Charlie that she and Alice both love to dance, and for a moment Charlie imagines his father smiling at him from across the room. 

Alice and Mrs. Feehan dance around the room while Charlie enjoys his cream buns. When Alice leaves, Charlie offers to walk her home, saying he has someone to visit in her direction. Alice hardens, but Charlie reassures her “it ain’t that kind of visit.” He explains that he is training for a footrace, and he appreciates that like Nostrils, Alice listens without pushing matters. As the two part ways, Alice says that she hopes Nostrils is alright. She adds that his injuries are a shame, considering his skill as a football player.

Charlie visits Nostrils in the hospital and apologizes for leaving him in the garden. He says that Nostrils and Mrs. Feehan are right––working for Squizzy is too dangerous. Nostrils insists Charlie shouldn’t blame himself, but Charlie believes that he should be the one in the hospital, since Nostrils had the potential to be a “champion.” After the visit, Charlie goes to Squizzy’s house. He asks the bouncer where Dolly is, and finds out that she and Squizzy have broken up. Squizzy is with his men, celebrating a success with whiskey. He offers Charlie some whiskey, and when Charlie says no, he insists Charlie take some anyway.

Squizzy drunkenly tells Charlie he is celebrating his men’s drive-by shooting of a house in Fitzroy. Charlie tells Squizzy about what happened to Nostrils, but Squizzy suddenly turns cruel. He says that he doesn’t care about Nostrils and orders Charlie to leave. Charlie is furious, and then “something click[s] inside his head.” He changes out of his new boots in his father’s old boots and sets the new boots on the table in front of Squizzy. Squizzy, enraged, pulls a gun on Charlie, but Charlie stays calm, waiting to see what will happen. Squizzy shoots the wall, remarks on Charlie’s bravery, and tells him to get out. As Charlie leaves, Squizzy mockingly asks if he expected Squizzy to send Nostrils flowers. Charlie runs through the streets, feeling free as he runs not for Squizzy but for himself.