Free Frederick's Coat by Alan Duff Page B

I only offered. If you buy at the right price then it could be turned into something good. You’ll still own the building. Wrighty says always pay half the asking for anything, except one of his or my cars.’ A smile revealing nicotine-stained teeth. The charm had always been more in Laurie’s eyes.
    ‘You mean offer Harry sixty grand?’
    ‘I’d go lower. You said he’d had no interest. The bloke’s crook. Place’llbe worth nothing if he dies on the job. It’s past its use-by date, this mixed grill and steak and eggs stuff. Wrighty tells me people want white meat and salads, fish. Not fries with every meal. You need a new clientele. Get the workers with a bit more class and dough. Buy furniture from some restaurant that’s gone broke. Offer him forty-five and see if he’ll settle for fifty. Leaves us some dry powder.’
    ‘What do I know about running a business?’ Though the idea was taking hold — fast.
    ‘What does anyone know about anything when they’re starting out?’ said Laurie. ‘You just put one foot in front of the other and get walking. Only the bricks and mortar is worth anything. And only if the tenant pays the rent. Tell this Harry bloke the place needs a massive refurbishing. Stop at fifty and don’t overcapitalise on the do-up.’
    ‘I’ve never heard you talk like this once in your life,’ Johno said, even as his mind churned.
    ‘Till I met Dave Wright, I’d wasted a lifetime mixing with the wrong people.’
    ‘Yeah,’ said Johno. ‘Believing the myth that crime pays and thieves have honour and they hardly ever go to jail.’
    ‘It’s all drugs now, at any rate.’
    ‘
If
the place was mine …’ Johno started off tentatively, ‘I’d throw out the entire menu, sit down with Mavis and work out a better one — she can cook. I’d improve the quality of service, and the way the staff are treated. Change the place completely — the décor, lighting. And, like you said, attract a better clientele.’
    ‘There you go, mate. A businessman in the making. I’ll provide the money.’
    ‘A loan, of course.’
    ‘You were too quick. Yes, a loan, but as my only child you’ll get it back in my will,’ said Laurie. ‘Minus the fifty grand of Danny’s shares.’
    ‘If I don’t pay it back sooner,’ said Johno. ‘Or I’ll leave it to Danny.’
    ‘Jump into my grave, why don’t you? See if I left anything in mypockets. My health’s fine, other than a smoker’s cough. Thanks for your concern.’
    ‘Didn’t mean you were at death’s door. Can’t have you going before your own father, can we?’ Johno got up and rubbed his father’s thinning scalp, teasing, ‘You do look a bit pale, though.’
    ‘Must admit I didn’t think you’d stick to being a non-smoker. You miss it?’
    ‘Not one bit,’ Johno answered honestly, his mind elsewhere. ‘I’m thinking there are quite a few offices nearby — we could offer lighter lunches at a reasonable price. Women like to keep slim, so why not get a name for great salads? Even offer free delivery to their offices. How about kids can eat free on Sundays when they come with their parents? Make it a place people want to come for a drink, like some of the pubs on our old circuit.’ More than warming to the idea of owning his own business.
    ‘Son, I’ve got like you — don’t wanna know those crims bragging about the good old days. What good old days? I never go near my old haunts.’
    But Johno’s mind was on only one subject. ‘Get in a two-piece live band Friday and Saturday nights, play the standards — Abba, Elton John.’
    ‘Glad you didn’t say Motown. We’re white Australians, we don’t do that black music.’ Then they looked at each other and Johno grinned first.
    ‘I liked black music before I knew my old lady was brown,’ he said.
    ‘Come to think of it, she was hot on soul.’ Gave Johno a funny look before he said, ‘You can forget her. Throw some imagination at your new joint, like your boy does with