Nobody Saw No One by Steve Tasane Read Free Book Online Page B

He’s got his back to me, poring over his computer.
    So I stand there. I lean against the wall, soaking it all up. The first light o’ the sun is beaming over Mr Virus’s shoulders. He’s sitting straight, good posture like grown-ups allus drum into you so you don’t grow crooked. He’s got a clean white shirt on, ironed an’ all. It wun’t be surprising to see he’s wearing a tie.
    Feel smart, be smart,
that’s what Mr Barrowclough allus reckoned.
    But I don’t want to think about Mr Barrowclough. It makes us sad. Today is a new day.
    Then Mr Virus stands up and goes over to the wall, where there’s a picture hanging. He lifts the picture off, and there’s a metal square against the wall. He fiddles wi’ it, and it opens up, like a cupboard. It must be a safe. He stands there, staring into it, and brings out a big metal box, about the size of a shoebox, which he starts caressing, like it’s a pet cat or summat.
    “You don’t deserve it,” he says, to hisself, I suppose. “You can’t be worth any of this, when you’re so … bad.” I wonder what he’s going on about. “You’re no better than the naughtiest of the boys. Don’t be a disappointment.”
    But he dun’t turn round. It en’t me he’s slagging. He puts the box back into the hole in the wall and stands there, staring at it. Starts tusking at himself. He puts his phone to his cheek, like he’s listening to a message, sighs, and shrieks. He falls sideways, like he’s been zapped.
    Is it a migraine? They come out o’ nowhere.
    He straightens himself. “See if you can’t set a better example in future,” he says. To himself.
    I go over and tap his shoulder.
    He slams his safe shut and spins round, his phone gripped in his hand like it’s a knife.
    It ain’t Mr Virus. I step back.
    Composure.
    It
is
Mr Virus.
    “Alfi,” he says. He reaches forward and touches me cheek wi’ the phone. I feel the cool casing against me skin.
    Me heart is thumping. I don’t know what to say. He used the phone to hurt himself.
    “Alf.” He smiles, putting the phone down. “You gave me a shock. I didn’t know boys of your age rose at such an hour. I thought you must be a burglar, forced your way in.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    I
am
sorry. Don’t I allus find a way to mess things up? I’ve only been at
Cash Counters
five minutes.
    “I thought you were hurt,” I say.
    “Hurt?” He puts his hand to his cheek. “I … no. No, I just startle easily. Were you standing there long?”
    “I suppose you were busy at your work. I’m really sorry.” I need to let him know.
    “It’s all right.” He repeats, “Were you there long?”
    “No. I – I were just watching you work, was all.”
    He gives us a smile. “Learn anything?”
    “You put on a clean shirt,” I say, more brightly. Change the subject, Alfi.
    “You’re a very observant young man,” he says. “You’ll go a long way, I’m sure.”
    I gesture at me uniform. “I’m all ready.”
    He shakes his head, kindly. “Oh, dear me, no. I’m sorry, my sweet. We just gave you those clothes because the ones you were wearing weren’t really … hygienic. No, no, you couldn’t possibly work on the shop floor. You’re too young. It’s against the law. Why, imagine the trouble we’d all get into. Don’t worry, my boy, we’ll find ways for you to be useful. You’ll pay your way. But you’re our guest for now. I’d like you to enjoy yourself, relax. Today, for instance, you’re just going to hang around, have some fun with Citizen Digit. He can show you how things are, give you a tour of the local area. He’s your pal, isn’t he?”
    “Yes,” I say. I suppose he is.
    “What a laugh we all had last night!”
    “Yes,” I say.
    “Are you good at secrets?” he says.
    “Only if they don’t hurt anyone.”
    “Ahh, Alfi,” he says. “You’re wise all right. Honest too. Well, look, what you just saw behind that picture there, that’s my little secret, isn’t it? And it’s a