Read The Bombs That Brought Us Together for Free Online Page B

said.
    The Big Man put his hand on Pav’s shoulder, like a father would do to a son who’d done reasonably well at schoolsports day. In that moment I was glad Pav was here to take the heat out of the situation.
    ‘You need to be careful of those Old Country bastards, Duda. They don’t like it when their people come to live in Little Town. There’s talk that they’re going to take Little Town down.’
    ‘Old Country people?’ I asked.
    ‘They don’t like how we live, Law. They want to destroy it,’ The Big Man said.
    ‘Destroy it with what?’ I said.
    ‘Anything and everything they have,’ The Big Man said.
    ‘But that’s a lot,’ I said. ‘Then what happens after they destroy it?’
    The Big Man sniggered.
    ‘Don’t worry, Law, that won’t happen.’
    ‘How can you be so sure? Old Country is strong. It has lots of money.’
    ‘Oh, there’s people in place to make sure that it doesn’t happen.’
    ‘People like you?’ I said.
    ‘You better believe it,’ he said. ‘There are many who want to protect Little Town. Every day, people come and ask to help.’
    ‘I want help,’ Pav said.
    ‘Hold on, tiger,’ The Big Man said. ‘There will be time for that soon. First things first.’
    ‘Are we in trouble?’ I asked. Something told me that we hadn’t been brought here to chew the fat about Little Town versus Old Country.
    ‘Trouble?’ The Big Man said.
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Not that I’m aware of, unless you’ve been out stealing any of my stuff and playing silly buggers.’
    ‘We broke the dark curfew.’ I kind of bowed my head. ‘Sorry, Big Man.’
    ‘Ah, we all do that from time to time. I wouldn’t worry about that, Law.’
    ‘So … we’re here because … ?’ I asked.
    ‘Yes, why here?’ Pav asked.
    ‘Well, lads, you’re here because it’s come to my attention that you want to get your hands on a few chairs and other bits and bobs. True?’
    Chairs? Bits and bobs? I let out a comfort sigh. The Big Man had popped my fear balloon. I could’ve hugged him … well, not really.
    ‘Have you spoken to Norman?’ I asked.
    ‘Indeed,’ The Big Man said.
    ‘You get chair?’ Pav asked.
    ‘I can get whatever I want,’ The Big Man said.
    We looked at each other and smiled.
    ‘A big lock?’ I said.
    ‘Anything,’ The Big Man said.
    ‘Cool,’ Pav said.
    ‘Norman tells me you’re after three chairs, one table and one lock? Am I right?’
    ‘Yes,’ I said.
    ‘Yes,’ Pav said.
    ‘And all this is stuff for a shed?’ The Big Man said.
    ‘You know about our shed?’ I asked.
    ‘There isn’t anything I don’t know about, Law,’ The Big Man said.
    ‘Oh, OK,’ I muttered.
    ‘Norman good friend,’ Pav said.
    ‘Give me a few days and I’ll get it sorted.’ The Big Man said.
    ‘For the stuff?’ I said.
    ‘For the stuff,’ The Big Man said.
    ‘Very brilliant,’ Pav said.
    ‘Great,’ I said. This was a great moment in my life, as nobody – apart from my parents – had ever done anything nice for me before, without wanting something in return, that is.
    Click: light switch moment.
    ‘We have no money to pay.’
    The Big Man waved his hands. ‘Ah, don’t worry about money,’ he said.
    ‘How pay we?’ Pav said.
    ‘I told you, don’t worry about the dosh.’
    ‘Are you sure?’ I said.
    ‘I’m sure. What’s a few chairs and a lock between friends, eh?’
    We looked at each other and shrugged our shoulders. Dad always told me never to look a gift horse in the mouth. So, right there and then, I decided not to look inside The Big Man’s gub.
    ‘Thanks,’ I said.
    ‘Thanks,’ Pav said.
    The Big Man organised a car to drop us off back at our block. ‘I’d take you myself, but I can’t be arsed,’ he said.
    As the car was leaving the smelly factory The Big Man waved us down. We stopped. The windows were electric. I felt rich. He leaned his head inside the car, smiled.
    ‘Remember, lads, don’t worry about any dosh.’
    ‘Thanks …’ I