Who, if not me?
In the courtyard of a fivestorey council block on the outskirts of Birmingham, everyone knew Gran Ada. She was short, wiry, with a head of silver hair tied tight in a bun, shuffling around on a cane but moving so briskly that the youngsters could never quite keep up with her.
Ada had lived in that building since it was first erected, remembered every tenant by name, and they respected hernot just because she was old, but because of her sharp tongue and iron will. When a neighbour fell on hard times, Gran AdaAlya to the kidswas the first to lend a hand. And if anyone broke the peace, she was the first to give them a piece of her mind.
One summer a new family moved ina young couple with a teenage son named Harry. The lad quickly fell in with a gang of mischiefmakers, and soon the courtyard turned into chaos: smashed light bulbs in the stairwell, crude graffiti on the walls, and one day even a broken window in the basement where the resident catlady tended to her rescued kittens.
Harry wasnt just a troublemaker; he was a troublemaker with a twisted imagination. One minute he strung fishing line between the trees to trip cyclists, the next he dumped surprises from neighbours dogs into the sandbox. His parents sighed, Its just a phase, but Gran Ada didnt buy it.
Hey, Harry! she called out one morning as he tried to lash a firecracker to a bench. Come over here, lad.
What do you want? the teen growled, but he shuffled over.
You a clever boy, arent ya?
Sort of Harry frowned.
And I see youre up to your usual nonsense. Smart kids dont act like that.
Leave me be!
Cant do that. If it isnt me, wholl set you straight?
Harry made a sour face, then unhooked the firecracker.
The next day Gran Ada caught him in the act againspraying a graffiti tag on the garage wall.
Ah, a budding artist, she said, eyes twinkling.
What? Isnt it brilliant? Harry sneered.
Its art, sure, Gran Ada replied. Except the garage owner, Uncle Colin, will be home from work soon. If he catches you
Doesnt matter to me!
Fine then, she sighed. Just know this: if Uncle Colin doesnt give you a tellingoff, I will.
Harry snorted, tossed the spray can aside.
That evening Uncle Colin, redfaced with fury, roamed the courtyard waving his belt like a whip.
Who did this? he bellowed.
Harry hid behind a pillar, but Gran Ada stood beside him.
So, artist, you running or confessing?
Itll be the death of me!
You thought a little paintjob came without consequence?
In the end Harry had to clean the garage under Uncle Colins watchful eyeand Gran Adas. When the job was done she said, See? Now the garages tidy and youre still breathing. It could’ve been worse.
Yeah, right Harry muttered, the bravado gone from his voice.
Time passed. Harry still caused mischief, but not with the same reckless gusto. One afternoon Gran Ada saw him chasing the younger kids around the yard.
Again, on your own? she asked sternly.
Theyre the ones getting in my way!
Youre older now. Should be smarter.
What am I supposed to do with them?
Dont chase them. Teach them something.
What?
Gran Ada thought a moment. You could show them how to play football. Or teach them a game of knockabout.
Theyre tiny!
Give it a go.
Reluctantly Harry fetched a ball from his house. Half an hour later the courtyard erupted in laughterhe was teaching the little ones to take penalties.
From then on Harry changed. He wasnt a saint, but he wasnt the little devil everyone tried to avoid either. When Gran Ada broke her arm, it was Harry who hauled her shopping bags from the shop.
Whats the matter, lad? Got a soft spot now? she teased.
Just so you dont have to shout, he mumbled.
Everyone in the courtyard knewGran Ada could be hard, but she was fair, and thats why people listened.
Because, if not her, who else?
Summer slipped by. Harry no longer bullied the youngstersnow they followed him around, calling him big brother. He showed them how to hammer nails, fix bicycles, and even set up a secret club with a password and motto: Real men dont cause troublethey look after the weak.
One day, watching from a bench, Gran Ada saw Harry break up a fight between two boys.
Tommys a wuss! one shouted. Beat him up!
No fighting, Harry said firmly, stepping between them. Well sort this out properly.
Gran Ada smiled. Well, Harry, looks like youre almost a hero around here.
Come off it, Gran, he blushed. Theyre just daft little things.
Youre grown now.
Harry paused. Gran, whyd you bother with me? I was a real handful.
Because I saw a decent bloke in you.
What about the rest of them?
It was easier for others to tell me off. I I was the same troublemaker once.
Harrys eyes widened. Really?
Sure. Only worse. They even dragged me to the police once.
And then?
An old constable said, Youre clever enough, why waste it on nonsense? That stuck with me.
Harry laughed. So now I have to think about it too?
You already are. I can see it.
He looked down. Gran, what if I mess up again?
You wont be a messup. And if you do, make it right.
Since then Harry became the goto bloke in the yard. He helped the elderly, repaired the swing set, and even convinced his mates not to litter. When Gran Ada fell ill again, he visited daily with meds and the latest gossip.
Youve spoiled me, lad, she grumbled, though her eyes twinkled.
Its my pleasure, Gran, he replied.
One afternoon a new boy appeareda cheeky little troublemaker just like Harry had been years before.
Hey, kid! Harry called. Come over here
Gran Ada, perched on her bench, smiled quietly.
Who, if not him?
