They're a Weird Mob by Nino Culotta

Author:Nino Culotta [Name, Author]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction classics
ISBN: 9781921921346
Publisher: The Text Publishing Company
Published: 2012-09-27T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

Pat and I wheeled and stacked ‘commons’ all day Friday.

We only saw Joe once when he came to pay us at lunchtime. He said they were ‘goin’ like a train on Bill’s job’, and they would, ‘Drop the last one in this arvo.’ He also said, ‘Bring all yer gear out ter-night, Nino. She’ll be a late session. There’s no need ter go back ter the Cross. Yer c’n doss on the sofa fer wot’s left o’ the night. Move in ter Jimmy’s room Saturdy.’

‘Your wife will agree, Joe?’

‘Who, Edie? Won’ be there, matey. She takes orf to ’er sister’s place when we ’ave a bucks’ party. See ’er at the weddin’.’

‘Very well Joe. And thank you very much.’

‘She’s right, mate. Want a hand with yer gear?’

‘I have only two suitcases, Joe. I will get a taxi.’

‘A taxi? All the way out ’ere? Cost yer the world, matey. Run y’in in the truck soon as we knock orf. Only take us an hour.’

Pat said, ‘If that boneshaker o’ yours c’n do the Cross an’ back in an hour, I’ll eat dirt.’

‘Nothin’ new. Look as though yer been eatin’ ut all day. Orright, hour an’ a ’alf. Be back before six.’

I said, ‘This is very kind Joe but it is not necessary.’

‘No arguin’, mate. Pick y’up about arf past four.’ He drove away.

‘No use arguin’ with ’im,’ said Pat. ‘Yer c’n talk yerself blind, but yer still do ut the way ’e says.’

It was nearly five o’clock when Joe returned. He called out, ‘Yer ready Nino?’

‘Yes, Joe.’

‘Been sittin’ on our dings the last ’alf hour waitin’ for yer,’ said Pat. ‘Thought yer could lay bricks.’

‘Got ’eld up matey. Dropped me level down the cavity. Took us an hour ter get ut out.’

‘Yer always doin’ that. Y’ought ter hang ut round yer neck on a string.’

‘Hang meself if I do ut again. Hop in. Drop y’orf on the way past.’

But Pat decided to come with us, ‘In case she conks out,’ he said.

‘She won’t conk out, matey. Best truck on the road.’

‘Wot road?’

‘Any bloody road.’

‘Alice Springs ter Darwin, if there was no one else on ut.’

She didn’t conk out. We got back to Joe’s place. Edie had gone, and Joe said, ‘Dump yer gear in Jimmy’s room. Unpack ut ter-morrer.’

‘Is it possible for me to have a bath and shave before this party?’

‘Course. Yer don’ want a shave, but. There’s not gunna be any sheilas.’

I had a shower and changed my clothes. When I came out of the room, Joe and Jimmy were sitting in the lounge drinking beer. Jimmy whistled two notes, softly, and Joe said, ‘Gees, Nino, yer done up like a pox doctor’s clerk. Yer don’ need no coat an’ a coller an’ tie. Too hot, mate. Take ’em orf.’

I took them off. He said, ‘That’s better . . . ’ave a beer.’

He poured beer without waiting for my answer.

I sat down with the glass in my hand, and said, ‘There will be many men at this party?’

‘’Bout thirty or forty, if they all turn up.

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