I didn't know how much that was, but I said "Oh!" because I knew he would like that. Then he told me about somebody called C.S.Lewis and some story about children going through a wardrobe and discovering another world.

"It's like that all the time," Joshua said, "We think we're living in the only world there is, but we aren't. Most of us never go through the wardrobe and find the other world! There's other dimensions just a few steps away, but most people want to stay on this side of everything. They like the world the way it is, and they don't like it when people like me come along and try to change things."

"Is that why you don't get on very well with other people?" I asked.

"Must be," said Joshua, "I try to play their silly games, and jump through their hoops, to keep them happy, but they know I'm not like them. Eventually they just know."

We talked about books and things for a while, then we wandered down the road and kicked a ball around in the Park, with two other guys, until some kids on bikes came along to spoil things. It was getting late anyway. The sun was on the way down, and street lights were coming on.

"I've got to go," said Joshua.

"See you."

It wasn't much of a good bye, but we had an understanding.

……………………………………..

I didn't meet him again until he was fourteen. Almost didn't recognize him. He was wearing a suit and white shirt, and he looked about twenty. Very grown up. Very serious. Very conformed.

"Hello!" he called.

"Josh! Me old buddy, how are you?"

He didn't smile very hard. I looked into his eyes, searching for the spark of life. It was still there, but his face was restraining it, holding the real Joshua inside. I glanced about and saw his parents standing nearby on the pavement. They were watching him.

"What are you dressed like that for?" I asked.

"Private school," he said, "I'm finishing my sixth form