Summary

At school, Shuggie is forced to play football with the other boys. When Shuggie fails to make a sufficient effort to play, the teacher berates him while the other boys laugh. Shuggie confronts one of the boys—Lachlan—for laughing at him. Shuggie and Lachlan begin to argue and it is decided that they will fight after school. Rumor of the fight spreads and excitement spreads throughout the school. After class, the two meet, and Shuggie is beaten.

When Shuggie returns home, Leek and Shona Donnelly are putting up decorations for a party celebrating Agnes’ first full year of sobriety. At the party Shuggie meets Eugene for the first time. Shuggie is defensive against letting Eugene into his mother’s life. Eugene then gives Shuggie a gift—a guidebook to the history of Scottish football. Later on, Eugene approaches Agnes to excuse himself...