Free Jack & Harry by Tony McKenna Page A

the building, the two boys at his heels. ‘Here, lads.’ He indicated a small door at the back. ‘Sneak in here, but be very quiet. You should be able to hide amongst the machinery in the shadows but still see what’s goin’ on.’
    The boys stumbled their way through the conglomeration of old farm and mining equipment that littered the shed until they were at the edge of a cleared space at the front of the building. They could see a group of men assembled in the dim light of the kerosene lanterns.
    The men were standing in a circle and looked up as Paddy joined them shouldering his way to the centre. ‘Head ’em up for ten bob,’ Paddy called.
    â€˜Show us the colour of your money, Paddy.’ It was obvious that he was known to most of the men in the circle.
    Paddy proudly waved the two one pound notes above his head. ‘I’ve hit a pot of gold I have, I’m flush, lads …now head ’em up.’
    â€˜Heads are good,’ called the ringmaster. Paddy smiled broadly. ‘Head ’em up again.’
    â€˜Heads are good,’ called the ringmaster a second time.
    The boys looked on in awe as time after time paddy called and time after time won the toss. There was a murmur from the crowd as Paddy collected his winnings at the end of the game. ‘Told you I’d hit a pot of gold.’ He laughed loudly, stuffed the money in his pockets and left the circle. The boys scurried out the back door of the shed to meet the Irishman who beamed at them as he came around the corner.
    â€˜Lads, we made a killin’ we did. I told you Paddy doesn’t lose didn’t I. I just need to have the money to bet with that’s all, haven’t always got it though.’ He pulled his now refilled flask from a pocket and took a long swig. ‘I deserves a little drink I do and that’s for sure now.’
    â€˜Twenty two quid plus the two pound you gave me to start with.’ They had just counted the money and Paddy gave Jack the two pound notes.
    â€˜Now let’s divvy up the winnin’s. I’ll be takin’ eight quid if it’s all right with you, lads, as me commission like. That’ll leave you with fourteen quid between you. That fair enough?’
    Paddy counted off eight pounds and handed the rest to the boys who were wide eyed with astonishment. They had never seen so much cash.
    â€˜Paddy, you’re a champion.’ Harry clapped the little man on the shoulder.
    â€˜Now don’t go getting’ mushy on me lads and let me give ya a little tip. Don’t be thinkin’ because this was easy that ye should start gamblin’. Will ye promise me that? He waited until they nodded in agreement. ‘I needed a float and I’m sure you blokes could do with a quid and that’s why I did it. I know what I’m doin’, lads; if you tried it those blokes’d bleed you blind in a second. Do you understand me now?’ He fixed them with a steady gaze. ‘Promise me now, go on I want you to be sayin’ it.’
    Both boys made a promise that they wouldn’t gamble and added that they would be extra careful with their money.
    â€˜OK, me lads, now, it’s gettin’ on and your Aunt will no doubt be wonderin’ where ye are. I’ll walk you to her place. Not good to be wamderin’ the streets it is especially with money in yer pockets at this hour. Now where does she live?’
    The boys stared at the ground for some minutes as Paddy stood by waiting for them to answer. ‘What is it, lads, and come to think of it, how come you still got your bags with you? I would’ve thought you’d have been leavin’ ’em at your Aunt’s instead of cartin’ those heavy ports all over town with you?’
    â€˜He’s proved his trust,’ Harry said when Jack asked a silent question with his eyes.
    â€˜What’s this trust you’re talkin’ about? What’s