The Godson by Robert G. Barrett Read Free Book Online Page A

TAB.’ Billy nodded again. ‘Between that and our little flutter at the pokies we haven’t had a bad day.’ Billy winked.
    â€˜But, mate,’ enthused Norton, giving his workmate a light punch on the arm, ‘did you see who won the football?’
    â€˜Yes,’ replied Billy. ‘And I know someone else who did too.’
    Norton laughed and rubbed his hands together. ‘How’s his face? Like a tin of condemned bully beef?’
    â€˜Worse.’
    â€˜Good. I’ll go up and let the fat cunt know I’m here.’
    Whistling cheerfully, Norton disappeared up the stairs two at a time. He was back about five minutes later, still whistling and with two steaming mugs of coffee.
    â€˜Did you see him?’ asked Billy Dunne.
    â€˜Sort of,’ replied Les. ‘He saw me. Mumbled G’day or something. Then went and hid in the shithouse.’
    â€˜Did you follow him in?’
    â€˜No,’ chuckled Norton. ‘I left him in there where he belongs. But I’ll stick it up him after work. Don’t worry about that.’
    The boys sipped their coffee while they nodded to and joked with some of the punters who were starting to arrive. No one stayed out the front long enough to engage them in any great lengths of conversation as the bitter sou’wester whipping up Kelly Street soon put a stop to that. Even the mugs and the drunks didn’t want to hang around and argue in the cold for long. These were the sort of nights Les and Billy appreciated more than ever the scarves and gloves that Price had shouted each to wear with their tuxedos.
    â€˜Price is back,’ said Billy.
    â€˜Yeah,’ nodded Les. ‘I saw him on TV this arvo in the winners’ circle when My Deal won.’
    â€˜Wonder what he was doing in Canberra?’
    â€˜Wouldn’t have a clue. George didn’t know either. He might tell us after work tonight.’
    â€˜Yeah,’ nodded Billy. ‘He might.’
    Another hour or so passed by and apart from the wind stinging their eyes and making their noses run, the boys were doing it cosy. In fact they wouldn’t have minded a bit of a heated argument or even a minor altercation just to liven things up and get their blood pumping. They had just finished another mug of coffee when a beige Rolls Royce turned graciously into Kelly Street, with Eddie at the wheel and a smiling Price at the window.
    â€˜Hello,’ said Billy. ‘Here they are now.’
    The Rolls came gently to a stop not far from the club and Eddie and Price got out. There were greetings and smiles all round when they saw Les and Billy. Eddie was wearing corduroy jeans and a windcheater, Price had on a light grey suit and blue tie; neither had their jackets done up and although the wind was going through the boys on the door like a knife, Price and Eddie seemed completely oblivious to it.
    â€˜So how was Canberra?’ asked Billy.
    â€˜In a word, Billy,’ replied Price, ‘fuckin’ cold.’
    â€˜Colder than this?’ asked Les.
    â€˜You’re kidding, Les,’ said Eddie. ‘Canberra makes this look like Surfers Paradise.’
    â€˜Jesus, that’s where I wouldn’t mind being right now,’ said Norton, clapping his hands together.
    Price and Eddie exchanged surreptitious smiles. ‘You never know, Les,’ said Price. ‘I might just have a little something for you after work tonight.’
    â€˜How do you mean?’
    Price gave Les a light punch on the shoulder. ‘I’ll tell you about it when we knock off. Anyway, I’ve got to get upstairs and make sure George hasn’t robbed me.’
    â€˜I wonder what that was all about?’ said Norton, as he watched Eddie and Price disappear up the stairs.
    Billy shrugged his shoulders. ‘Dunno,’ he said. He made a gesture with his hands. ‘But I imagine we’ll find out after work tonight.’
    Try as they might, Les and