by Tony McKenna
‘Yeah, catch ya, Billy.’ The boys walk off up the path but Billy rode beside them. He certainly wanted to get more glory out of this encounter than the brief discourse so far. ‘Wanna ride?’ Billy asked.
‘Nah, better not,’ Jack said. ‘We’ve gotta get home.’
‘Yeah, OK. I don’t suppose you could ride it anyhow.’ Billy reverted to sarcasm. ‘You have to know what you’re doin’ to ride a bike like this. You’ve only got that old thing that your dad used to ride eh? Was it your granddad’s or did Noah have it on the ark with him?’ Billy laughed sneeringly. ‘Got flat tyres now hasn’t it? Rusted out in the shed.’
‘I could ride it no worries.’ Jack started to bristle with indignation.
‘Me too,’ Harry said. ‘I could ride it easy. My cousin’s got one similar and I’ve ridden his before … lotsa times.’
‘Well have a ride then.’ Billy was anxious to have the boys ride his new bike because he knew that would make them even more envious of him and his birthday present. He also figured they would talk about it at school so Billy would get the glory and not even have to mention a word about it himself.
‘Are ya sure you’re allowed to lend it, Billy? Jack asked. ‘Bein’ so new and everythin’.’
‘It’s my bike, I can lend it to whoever I like. Do ya wanna ride or not … last chance?’
‘A little turn on it’d be good eh, Harry?’
‘Yeah, maybe, you go first though.’ Harry was still reluctant to give Billy anything further to gloat about but was busting inside to get a ride on the bike.
Billy dismounted and proudly handed the bike to Jack who tossed his leg over it and after a slightly shaky start, got the feel quickly and rode off down the path toward the river. It was exhilarating. Jack couldn’t imagine what it would be like to actually ‘own’ a machine like this. He braked, turned the bike and pedalled strongly back up the slope to where Harry and Billy were standing.
‘Wow!’ Jack couldn’t think of anything more appropriate to say. ‘Your turn, Harry.’
Harry hopped on board the racer and headed off at speed down the path to the river. He too braked, spun the bike around expertly and rode full pelt back to where the two boys stood waiting.
‘What do ya think, Harry?’ Billy asked.
‘Hhmm, not bad.’ Harry was reluctant to give too much praise although he was green with envy of Billy’s bike.
‘Have another turn then, Harry.’
‘No I’m right.’
‘How about you, Jack, like another turn?’
Yeah, I reckon one more’d be good, Billy, thanks.’
Jack rode off along the flat beside the river and Harry, unable to restrain himself, ran after him shouting encouragement. ‘Go faster, Jack, give it to her, she can take it.’
Billy was ecstatic with pride as he watched Jack ride his bike with Harry running and skipping alongside trying to keep up and yelling for Jack to go faster.
The pride quickly turned sour and a sinking feeling hit the pit of his stomach as he glanced over his shoulder and saw his father striding purposefully through the park entrance towards where he was standing. Panic took hold as he realised that his father must have come to watch him ride the new present and where was it? About two hundred yards away along the track with Jack in the saddle and Harry running beside it.
There goes the bike, he thought. My dad’s gonna kill me and hang the bike in the shed.
Tears welled up in his eyes as he realised the mistake he had made and the consequences he would have to pay for being so stupid. He could see the anger on his father’s face and the grim set of his mouth was enough for Billy to recognise that this was no mere temper but a rage that his father was in.
Jack was laughing and Harry yelling so loudly that at first they didn’t hear Billy screaming to them. Then they heard the urgency and panic in Billy’s voice and looked back in amazement to see Mr Munse striding down the path and Billy jumping up and down waving his arms wildly in the air.
‘Give my bike back you thieves. My dad’s here so you won’t be so brave now eh?’ Billy screamed accusingly.
‘What’s he yellin’ about?’
‘Dunno, Harry … let’s go and find out. Doesn’t sound too good though and there’s his father the solicitor. Billy must be in some sorta trouble.’
‘What the hell do you think you’re doing, William. I told you not to let anyone ride your bike and you’ve disobeyed me almost immediately, that bike will be going to the shed, believe me!’ Munse’s was red faced with anger.
‘I didn’t lend it Dad, honest, they stole it from me,’ Billy lied.
‘Stole it! Stole it! Did they now? Well I’m not surprised, I told you they were riffraff. This is going to be reported to the police. You won’t get away with this you young hooligans.’ Munse shook his fist at Jack and Harry who had arrived at the angry scene and slowly began to understand what was happening.
‘We didn’t steal the bike, Mister.’ Jack was defensive ‘Billy wanted me and Harry to have a ride.’
‘Did not, liar,’ Billy yelled tearfully. ‘You forced me to let you ride it, stole it you did. They did, Dad, they did, they stole it, honest.’
‘We did not!’ Harry yelled back at Billy.
‘My William wouldn’t lie to me and say you stole the bike if you didn’t. You stole it all right and the matter is going to the police, You will both go to jail for this my lads, mark my words.’ Munse reached out and grabbed the boys by their shirt collars holding them in a tight grip. ‘William!’ he directed. ‘Run up to the police station now and bring the constable back while I hold these two thieves here until he arrives, get a move on, lad.’
Billy Munse ran at top speed, still sniffling, up the hill and out of the park toward the police station on the corner.
Jack and Alice were getting ready for their guests to arrive for the barbecue. Alice had been making salads from fresh lettuce, apple cucumbers and tomatoes that had been home grown in the vegetable garden behind the garage. ‘These tomatoes are firm and sweet, Jack. Good crop this year.’
‘Mmm. It’s the sheep manure I fertilised them with. Best thing for vegies. Wonder where those bloody kids are? They promised to be back and chop some wood for the barbie.’
‘Young Timothy will do it dear; he loves to help with the barbie.’ Alice called out to Jack’s younger brother. ‘Timmo, come and help your father, dear. Jack and Harry are a bit late.’ A shadow of worry flitted over her usually smiling countenance as she hoped her son and his mate Harry hadn’t gotten into any trouble at the river. She had an irrational fear of water, especially when it came to her kids. ‘Hope they’re OK, Jack.’
‘They won’t be OK when I get ’em, Alice. They’re just forgetful and havin’ too much of a good time that’s all.’
‘Oh, Jack, you know you aren’t really cross with them. They’ll be home shortly.’ She still couldn’t shake the feeling though that something could be wrong. It was unlike young Jack to be late when he said he would be home at a certain time. He idolised his father and wouldn’t let him down intentionally.
The arrival of Eric and Eve with their children, followed closely by Jim and his family interrupted her thoughts as she greeted them all warmly. The men moved to the backyard area where Jack had set up a rescued concrete wash tub filled with ice to keep the drinks cold.
‘Gotta have cold beer, boys,’ Jack said.
‘Never a truer word said,’ laughed Eric. ‘Did you say that young Harry’s parents Claude and Jean are coming today too?’
‘Should be here shortly,’ Jack replied as he carefully placed kindling on top of newspaper under the steel barbecue plate. ‘They’ll be here before their son gets back the way things are. Jack and Harry are a bit late. Went down to the creek this morning … should be home by now.’
‘Ahh you know what kids are like, Jack. They’ll be here shortly.’
Alice ushered the children onto the verandah where she had set up a trestle table with plates of
sandwiches and trays of sliced rockmelon. ‘There’s homemade ice-cream in the fridge, Eve, would you mind getting it out for the kids?’
‘You’ve been busy, Alice,’ Janet said. ‘Can I help?’
‘Thanks, Janet, I kept a good job for you. Can you slice up those onions there?’ She pointed to some peeled white onions on the bench. ‘For Jack to cook on the barbie. I’ll help Eve get the kids something to go on with. You know what they’re like if they have to wait for the meat to be cooked. Jack’ll throw some snags on for them soon but I suppose he and the boys will want a couple of beers first.’
Claude and Jean then arrived and after greeting everyone looked around the yard. ‘Where’s Harry and Jack?’
‘Not back from the creek yet, Jean. Shouldn’t be long now though.’ Jack put a match to the wood.
At this point Timothy, Jack’s younger brother, came out to the back yard and said that someone was knocking at the front door.
‘Why didn’t you see who it was, Timmo?’
‘I dunno, Dad … didn’t think.’ Timothy went back inside as Jack put his beer glass on the table and went to see who was at the door.
‘Keep your eye on that fire will you, Eric, should be hot enough soon to start cooking.’ Jack checked the flames then disappeared inside the house. When he opened the door he was shocked to see a uniformed policeman standing with his son Jack, Harry Turner, young Billy Munse and Billy’s father William, who looked extremely angry.
‘What’s this then, Bob?’ He knew the constable from investigations over stolen stock from the cattle yards some months ago.
‘Your son and his mate stole my William’s new bike,’ Munse said accusingly.
‘What? Jack is this true?’ His father turned to him with a puzzled look.
Both boys spoke at the same time, hotly denying the accusation. Young Billy skulked in the background standing off the front porch on the pathway, his eyes lowered.
‘No way, Dad, we didn’t steal the bike. He …’ Jack pointed to Billy who refused to look up, ‘… let us ride it and then said we stole it when his dad turned up. He’s lyin’, Dad.’
Munse started toward young Jack, his fists clenched. ‘Don’t you dare call my son a liar, you scoundrel.’
Jack’s father was about to lunge forward when the constable intervened. ‘That’s enough of that. There’s enough trouble now without you two blokes making it worse.’ He glared at Munse. ‘Sir, if you don’t mind, I’ll handle this my own way.’
‘Nothing to handle, constable. The boys stole William’s bike and I want them charged.’
‘Nobody is going to be charged until I get all the facts and I want to talk to each of the boys involved alone. It’s the weekend and I want you to go home now with young Billy here …’
‘His name’s William not Billy,’ interrupted Munse.
The constable ignored the rebuff and went on. ‘Take Billy and the bike home, sir. I’m sure there must be some explanation for all of this and I’ll get to the bottom of it. Take the weekend to cool down … all of you!’ This comment was directed mainly at William Munse who stood menacingly on the verandah facing young Jack and Harry. ‘I’ll be back around on Monday afternoon after school to get statements from you three boys.’
‘I will bring William to the station after school. There’s no need for you to come to my house.’ Munse was horrified at the thought that a police car might be seen parked outside his home.
‘Whatever you prefer, sir,’ the constable replied.
‘Don’t think because you happen to know the constable that your boy will get away with this, Ferguson. I’ll make sure there is a charge, I have better contacts than you, you know.’
Before Jack could respond Munse stepped from the verandah with his arm around his son and they went out the gate together wheeling the bike.
‘I don’t believe this!’ Jack stared after the Munses running his hand through his hair. ‘You’re accused of stealing a bike, Jack, that’s serious you know? You too, Harry.’
‘I know it’s serious, Dad,’ Jack replied for both of them ‘But we didn’t steal it. He let us ride it then his dad turned up and he started yellin’ that we stole the bike.’
The policeman intervened. ‘Look, I know it’s a serious accusation, Jack, but there’s no point in everyone getting upset and ruining the weekend. Forget about it until I get the statements and sort a few things out early next week.’
‘Yeah, I guess you’re right, Bob, but you blokes are grounded.’ He glared at the two boys. ‘For the whole weekend and I’ve a good mind to send you packing off home with your parents, Harry.’
‘Dad! That’s not fair,’ Jack pleaded. ‘We didn’t steal the bike and even you believe that Mr Munse and his kid instead of us.’ Young Jack was close to tears. He was frustrated and felt cheated by the injustice.
‘He’s right you know, Jack.’ The constable supported the boy’s defence. ‘Nothing is proven at this point.’
‘OK, OK! I’m just upset that’s all and what right has that Munse to come around here wavin’ his bloody fists around and threatening us. Anyway you boys are still grounded. You’ll have to amuse yourselves in the yard if you still want to stay over, Harry, until this thing is sorted out. I don’t want either of you out in the street. Is that clear?’
‘Yes, Dad.’
‘Yes, Mr Ferguson.’
‘We’re havin’ a barbecue, Bob, but I guess it wouldn’t be right under the circumstances to invite you to stay?’
‘That’s right, Jack, not good timing and I got to get back to the station anyway. We’ll catch up some other time after this episode is out of the way and have a couple of coldies then.’
The constable left. Jack went to explain what was going on to Alice and Harry’s parents. The two boys decided it would be prudent to stay out of the way for the time being so they went around the side of the house to where Jack had fashioned a swing from an old tyre slung by a rope to the limb of a mulberry tree. They wanted to discuss what had happened, as they hadn’t had a chance to do so since the debacle in the park.
‘Do you think we’ll go to jail, Jack?’ Harry was clearly concerned.
‘Nah, don’t think so. We didn’t steal the bloody bike, Harry, so how could we go to jail for somethin’ we didn’t do?’
‘What if they don’t believe us, Jack?’
Jack had no real answer for this so they just sat, each consumed by his own thoughts until Jack’s dad called out to them. ‘Come on you two, better get something to eat.’ Then he added with a wink and a smile to the people gathered at the BBQ. ‘You won’t get good tucker like this in the lock-up.’
It was a joke that was totally lost on the two boys who stared at each other in horror.
After a while, with a few beers, and friendly conversation, the tension of the bike episode began to fade and everyone relaxed around the barbecue. Alice and the wives set salads out on the trestle table and Jack put a big metal tray of cooked lamb chops and burnt sausages in the centre. ‘Help yourselves, folks, don’t stand on ceremony around here.’
After they had all eaten their fill and the kids had demolished all the sausages, bread, icecream and rockmelon and consumed gallons of raspberry cordial, the wives retreated inside. They said they would ‘do the dishes’ and get a cup of tea so the men settled back in the shade on the lawn to sink a few ‘cleansing ales’ as Jack liked to call them and have a yarn together. Young Jack and Harry, being grounded, sat on the verandah and listened to the adults talk. Jack liked this time when his father relaxed with his mates and shared tales and experiences. Jack often picked up a few pointers for life as they talked about where they had been and the people they met.
‘You were up in the Territory recently, weren’t you, Jack?’ Claude asked.
‘Yes, that was interesting but the most interesting part of the trip was coming back down and through Coober Pedy.’
‘Coober Pedy? What was that like? I’ve heard about it.’ Alice and the women b
y this time had completed the washing up and now joined their husbands with cups of tea in hands.
‘Hang on.’ Eric reached into the ice tub to get another bottle of beer, opened it and began to fill the glasses. ‘Once Jack gets going with one of his stories we could all die from thirst.’ Everyone laughed at his good-natured ribbing.
Jack took a long draught from his glass. ‘Ahh, that’s good, Emu Bitter, can’t beat it. Travel all over and try lots of beers but it’s good to get home to a real beer.’
‘Get on with the story, Jack,’ Alice prompted.
‘Well,’ Jack continued. ‘We were up at Anna Creek station buying cattle and decided to come back through Coober Pedy just for a look. It’s an amazing place, like somewhere from another planet. Everyone lives underground up there.’
‘Is that because of the heat?’ Queried Eric.
‘Certainly gets hot up there and it’s a lot cooler to live underground but it’s also practical in that you can dig for opal and build a home at the same time. Bugger of a place to get building materials into anyhow.’
‘Must be interesting. What are the people like there, are there families?’ Eve asked.
‘A few I guess but mostly blokes of all sorts and nationalities. Mostly on the run from something they say. Alimony payments, broken homes … the law.’
‘Bad lot then?’ Claude’s comment was more a question than a statement.
‘No, not really. They have a pretty tight unwritten law of their own up there and everyone keeps to themselves. They ask no questions and give no information about where they’re from or about their past. No one seems to mind that, in fact it’s expected. Part of the culture.’
Jack and Harry were listening intently to this information as they sat quietly in the shadows on the verandah. ‘Did you hear that, Harry?’ Jack whispered.
‘Do they make much of a living, Jack, up there in Coober Pedy? Opal, isn’t it, they dig for?’ Jim leaned forward and stubbed his cigarette out in the jam tin ashtray on the table.