Free Secrets and Shadows by Brian Gallagher Page A

heard them?’
    ‘They were singing and messing and making noise. It was probably to cover the sound of the till being opened.’
    ‘That’s awful. Do you know who they were?’
    ‘I don’t know their names, but I’ve seen them around.’
    ‘Could you point them out to Miss Kinsella?’
    ‘I can’t accuse them when I’ve no proof.’
    ‘Right,’ said Barry thoughtfully. ‘And you’re certain it’s not just a mistake, that the money is really gone?’
    Grace nodded. ‘There were two half-crowns in the till. They’re both missing.’
    ‘Funny that they didn’t steal more than five shillings.’
    ‘I thought about that,’ said Grace. ‘Maybe they felt five shillings wouldn’t be noticed during the day, but I’d still get into big trouble when Miss Kinsella did the cash.’
    ‘Why would they want to get you into trouble?’
    ‘One of them was a boy with yellow buck teeth.’
    ‘“Buck’ Nolan?’ said Barry.
    ‘Is that what they call him? Anyway I remembered you telling me that one of McGrath’s gang had buck teeth. So I thought maybe they did this ’cause I helped you.’
    ‘But how would they know that you’d helped me?’
    ‘Keogh might have said something,’ answered Grace. ‘Or he might have been seen when I gave him the tart. Or they might have heard that I’d gone looking for Johnny Keogh last week.’
    Barry considered this. ‘It mightn’t have anything to do with Keogh at all. Though I suppose it is a bit of a coincidence.’
    ‘It doesn’t matter,’ said Grace. ‘I haven’t an ounce of proof, so it’s all the one.’
    ‘And when is Miss Kinsella coming back?’
    ‘We close at six. She’ll be back to do the cash then.’
    ‘Supposing you didn’t tell her? Could you explain all this to your mum? If she gave you five shillings you could put it in the till and your boss needn’t know.’
    ‘I can’t ask Ma. She’s spent every penny she has getting us clothes.’
    ‘What about your granddad or your uncle, then?’
    Grace shook her head. ‘We’re already staying in their house and eating their food. I can’t ask for money as well.’
    Barry thought of the ten shillings his mother had sent him to cover the school tour. If he gave Grace the missing five shillings it would save her job. But then he wouldn’t have enough to pay the seven shillings for the tour to Cork.
How could he possibly explain 
that to Mum?
And he had been really looking forward to the trip, especially now that he could relax with his classmates without McGrath picking on him. But then again, if it wasn’t for Grace, McGrath would
still
be picking on him.
    He bit his lip, trying to find an answer to his dilemma.
    ‘Anyway, can I get you something?’ asked Grace.
    This was letting him off the hook, he realised. Grace was accepting that the situation was her problem, and if he gave his order now for Grandma’s Saturday treat, the conversation would move on.
    ‘Barry?’
    ‘Eh, two rock buns and two jam slices, please,’ he said.
    ‘OK,’ she said, reaching for a paper wrapper.
    Barry watched her preparing to fill his order, then suddenly he made his mind up.
    ‘Forget the cakes for now,’ he said. ‘I got ten bob from England this morning – take the five you need out of that.’
    Grace stopped what she was doing and looked at him in amazement. ‘I …I can’t do that, Barry,’ she said.
    Barry sensed that Grace might be too proud to accept what seemed like charity. But now that he had decided that he wanted to help, he racked his brains for a way that would allow her to accept.
    ‘Look at it this way. You did me a good turn, and now I’m doing you one. But it’s not just that. If you don’t keep your job, there’ll be no tarts to pay off Johnny Keogh. And if Keogh isn’t on ourside McGrath will come after me again. So it’s best for both of us if you keep your job. OK?’
    ‘I…I don’t know what to say.’
    Barry grinned. ‘Just say “Thank you, Barry”,’ he said in a