Chapter 15

They sawtheir horses to the saloon stables, made sure they were fed and watered, then went inside to do much the same for themselves.

Albie had been half tempted to spend the afternoon in their room upstairs, but he knew they had all night for that. There were other rooms available but he opted for only one. After all, it wasn’t uncommon for men to share a room to cut the costs.

Those men probably didn’t share a bed or share their bodies the way Albie and Percy did, but the woman behind the bar didn’t ask for any such details, and Albie certainly wasn’t offering them.

They ate a late lunch of beef and kidney pie, then went about the town. First to the store for their supply of flour, salt, sugar, tea, oats, and molasses, which he put on the counter. He spied the glass jars of boiled sweets that Percy had his eye on last time and added two jars to the tally.

“Two?” Percy asked.

“Robert has a sweet tooth,” Albie said. “I’m sure he’ll be grateful.”

“I’m absolutely sure he will be. You might want to add some plums and oranges,” Percy said, almost as a joke, but Albie thought it was a great idea.

Albie peeled a pound note from the fold and handed it over to Mr Collier, the man behind the counter. He gave Albie a smile. “Ah, young Mr Bramwell, good to see you in these parts again.”

He was an older man, a little round in the middle, but he always offered a smile, which Albie returned. “Thank you, Mr Collier. What’s news around town?”

“Here,” Percy said, taking the heavier sacks. “I’ll take these to the room and come back to help with these.” Albie watched Percy leave, then turned back to Mr Collier.

The older man sighed. “Much the same in these parts. The old bullock pass road was cleared and reopened, so that’s good. I heard the gold mine outside of Kiandra might be closing down soon. They haven’t found anything there for a while now, so that’s not surprising.” Then he nodded to the door. “Say, that boy with you...”

Albie bristled at the word boy, but he knew Mr Collier meant no harm, so he let it go.

“What about him?”

“He’s the one that found McAllister’s boy, is he?”

Ah.

“Word travels fast.”

“They said the doc was called, but he seems well enough now,” Mr Collier added, prodding for details to gossip, no doubt.

“He’s fine. Took a knock to the head but he’s fine now.”

“Good, good. And he scored himself the finder’s fee. Good for him.” Then he looked at the items on the counter and Albie could see it clicked when he realised that Albie had paid him with that money.

Albie took the folded receipt and looked at it, taking a second to do a tally of items—something he’d not have been able to do so quickly before Percy had made him study the books.

“Everything to your liking there?” Mr Collier asked.

Albie wasn’t sure if he was affronted that Albie would check his calculations in front of him. “Perfect, thank you. I’m trying to get better at checking such things. Not something I had to worry about before my father passed.”

Mr Collier gave him a sad smile. “I understand.”

Percy came in, still smiling, and loaded up his arms full of their goods, so Albie did the same. Mr Collier helped him stack up the last few items and he walked them to the door, holding it open for him. “Albie,” he said quietly, a hand on his arm. “If I may...”

Albie wasn’t sure he wanted to hear this, but Mr Collins now seemed cautious, nervous. Albie was curious. “Of course.”

“The money,” he whispered. “However much it was, go put it in the bank. Folks in this town know he scored himself a windfall, and these are desperate times for some men.”

Oh.

Albie hadn’t expected that.

He also hadn’t thought of that.

He gave Mr Collier a nod. “Thank you.”

“You boys be safe now, you hear?”

He’d have shaken his hand if his arms weren’t full but had to settle for a nod. “Thanks again, Mr Collier.”

They walked back to the saloon, and maybe Albie was being paranoid now, but he swore he felt eyes on him.

He’d thought he’d imagined some strange looks when they’d eaten their lunch at the saloon but had disregarded them. Much like they’d looked at him the last two times he’d been to town, looks of pity and curiosity and even some anger, given he’d taken over his father’s farm at such a young age.

But now he wondered if they were looking at Percy.

And Albie didn’t like that one bit.

“What was that all about?” Percy asked him quietly as they crossed the street to the saloon. They had their arms full, and Albie felt unprepared should someone decide to confront them for money.

“I’ll tell you when we’re inside,” he said, quickening his step.

Albie hurried up to their room, juggling his armful so he could unlock the door, then quickly locking it behind them once Percy was inside.

“Albie, what is it?”

“Mr Collier gave me a warning,” he said, putting his wares on the floor with the others Percy had brought up earlier.

Percy did the same, then turned to Albie, his eyes narrowed. “What for? What did you ever do to?—”

“Not for me,” Albie cut him off. “More so for you and the money you got from McAllister. Word is that folks in town know you were paid handsomely, and here we are making purchases.”

Percy was stunned momentarily. “Do you think... do you think it’s a concern? I mean, the men in this town are a lot of talk, but... do you think they’d try to take it from us?”

Albie put his hands on Percy’s shoulder, his gaze serious. “I won’t risk any harm coming to you. We’ll stay in our room all night like we did when Robert was with us.”

Percy brightened. “Ooh, and now it’s just us. However will we spend our time?”

Albie managed a smile, though he hardly felt cheerful. “Perhaps I should take it to the bank. At least if eyes are watching us, they’ll see we no longer have any amount on our person.”

Percy simply nodded. “If it would make you feel better.”

Albie was torn. “My father never trusted banks, and I’m not sure I disagree with him. But if it takes a target off your back, then I’ll take the risk.”

“Albie, I’m sure it’s not anything to be worried about.”

He cupped Percy’s cheek, studying the blue of his eyes. “I can’t risk anything happening to you. If anyone tried to shake you for it, or if a group of men were to outnumber us... and hurt you to get you to hand it over.” Albie couldn’t even bear thinking about it. “I’d never forgive myself.”

Percy clucked his tongue and sighed. “No, you’d fight them all and I’d have to pay the thirty pounds to bail you out of gaol. Then it’d be all for nothing.”

Albie knew he was joking and he could appreciate that Percy was trying to make light of the situation.

Percy smiled up at him. “So, let’s take it to the bank, then we can check on the horses before we come up here and lock the door and find a way to fill in some time. Because I have some ideas,” he added with a twinkle in his eye.

Albie found himself smiling again, genuinely this time. “Some ideas, huh?”

Percy nodded brightly.

It made Albie smile. “I’d like to hear them.”

“Well, we can read or practice some more accounting?—”

Albie took his face in his hands and planted a kiss on his lips. “There’ll be no reading tonight.”

Percy laughed. “Thank heavens for that. Come on, let’s go to the bank.”

* * *

My father was right,Albie thought as soon as he’d walked in the door.

There were two men behind the counter: one banker, one clerk.

The banker was the younger of them. He wore an expensive suit and a greasy smile, with small round spectacles and his slicked-down hair. The older man beside him didn’t seem to like him much either. He had a kind face and a quiet confidence. Albie liked him much better than the snake-oil man.

“Young Albert Bramwell,” the older man said fondly. “I knew your father. He was a good man.”

Albie got that a lot in this town. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember you.”

He smiled. “I wouldn’t expect you to. You were just a boy last I saw you.” Then he turned to Percy. “I don’t believe you’re from around here.”

“Not originally, no sir,” Percy replied cheerfully. “But I call it home now. The name’s Percy Collins.”

“Nice to meet you, Percy Collins. I’m Arthur Stanton. And this is Phillip Matthews, our new banking manager. He’s from Melbourne.”

Albie nodded, smiling courteously, all while thinking this was far too polite.

Then Arthur gave Albie an odd glance before he turned to face the banker. “Albie is the neighbour of Royce McAllister.”

It wasn’t just the way he said that, but why he’d said that, Albie realised.

Phillip Matthew’s gaze cut to Albie’s and his demeanour changed immediately.

Typical of men like him.

“That I am,” Albie said, reading this play for what it was. “It was Mr McAllister’s recommendation that I bring this in. No safer place for it, he said.” He took the folded notes from his inside coat pocket and slid it on the service counter.

Mr Stanton gave a tight smile, pleased, and Albie knew he’d read the situation correctly. “Let me count that for you.”

Mr Stanton counted the notes and handed Albie a receipt showing his total sum. He checked the numbers for the second time that day and was able to see that they were correct.

He wouldn’t have been able to do that before Percy.

“Have yourself a good day, gentlemen,” Mr Stanton said.

Albie tipped his hat at Matthews but gave Mr Stanton a smile before they walked out. No sooner were they on the veranda, did Percy fix his coat. “What was that all about?” he asked quietly.

“Politics,” Albie replied. “More or less.” He felt some eyes on them. Some discreet, some not. Was it any more than last time he’d been here? Before they had any amount of money worth stealing? Albie couldn’t be sure. Maybe he was being paranoid.

But when they went into the stables, the horses were fine, but the saddles on the railing had been moved and Albie’s old gloves were on the stall floor. “What the...?” Percy said, picking them up and seeing the saddlebag was open.

Not so paranoid after all.

“There was nothing in the saddles,” Albie said. They’d made sure not to leave anything worth stealing behind.

“But they looked anyways,” Percy said. He was mad and wary. Maybe a little scared.

“The horses are fine,” Albie said. “Let’s get upstairs.”

There was quite the crowd in the saloon now. Men stood around drinking. The number of beers they’d had clearly indicated the volume in which they spoke, but a hush fell over them when they saw Albie and Percy.

He had to do something, say something.

Albie went to the bar, the older barman eyeing him cautiously. “Is Elsie not in?” Albie asked.

“She don’t work here no more,” the barman said brusquely.

“Oh.” Albie acted surprised. “Shame.” He took a few pence from his pocket and slid the coins onto the bar. “Can I order some bread for the room upstairs, please?”

“Rumour has it, you got more money than that, boy,” a deep voice behind him said.

Boy.

Oh, how Albie hated that word.

He turned slowly and sure enough, it was none other than Peter Winnicott. The whole saloon was watching, waiting.

“Then the rumours are wrong,” Albie said simply.

Winnicott snarled at him. “You got paid thirty quid for finding McAllister’s kid.”

There was no way he was correcting him on who exactly it was that got the money. “What we got paid,” Albie said, “paid off debts and bought us enough food to last maybe a few weeks. Though I’m sure whoever ransacked our saddlebags can tell you there was no money in them. Because there isn’t any.” Albie looked at the men who were watching him before his eyes drew back to Winnicott. “The child was fine, by the way. I know that must have been your first concern, right?”

Winnicott’s jaw ticked and he held Albie’s gaze. Albie was not backing down. If Winnicott truly had a problem with Albie, it’d end here today either way.

“You sure got a mouth for a kid your age,” Winnicott said.

Albie burred up at that, his hands became fists, and Percy quickly grabbed his arm. But it was Bill Kelly who stepped in between them. Albie wasn’t even aware he was in town.

“It took a man bred from these mountains to find that boy,” he said. “And a braver man to go off the edge of a cliff to retrieve him.” He gave Albie and Percy a nod before he cut a scathing glare to Winnicott. “If respect is earned, he’s got mine. And McAllister’s. You’ll do well to remember that.”

Well, I’ll be damned.

Albie couldn’t believe it.

Kelly turned to Albie and Percy. “Mrs McAllister is most grateful.”

Albie tipped his hat. “Just glad Christopher’s okay.”

Then Kelly looked at Percy. “She’ll be happy to hear you’re up and well.”

Percy grinned at him and knocked his fist to his head. “Take more than a mountain to knock me about.”

Kelly smiled. “And as for your horses,” he said loud enough for the whole room to hear. “No one will touch them again as much as they’d dare touch mine. You have my word.”

Albie locked eyes with the big man and gave a grateful nod. “Most appreciated.” Then he looked around the room, Winnicott not even worth a glance. “Evening, gentlemen.”

“Oh, Albie,” Kelly said. “I hear the saleyard prices will be good next round.”

Albie could have just about cried, though he surely wouldn’t. “That’s good to hear,” he replied.

He and Percy left, taking the stairs to their room. It was still locked and just as they’d left it, though Albie made sure to lock it once they were inside.

“What in the blazes was that about?” Percy asked, wide-eyed. “Did you see Winnicott’s face? He looked like he’d swallowed his tongue.”

Albie laughed, scrubbing his hand over his face. “I still can’t believe it. That Kelly would put me in McAllister’s favour.”

“None of those men would dare do you wrong now,” Percy said.

“Or you.”

Percy gave Albie’s arm a squeeze, his smile as wide as his big blue eyes. “And you with the banker, and then at the bar. You said it was politics and you played it well.”

Albie had almost forgotten about that.

“It’s a game we all play to some degree,” Albie said. “I wish it wasn’t on the coattails of McAllister. My standing at the bank or with the men downstairs. They should respect me for who I am, for being my father’s son, for having the right to stand amongst them as any other man in this town. It shouldn’t depend on the respect they have for the likes of McAllister.”

“But it does.”

Albie nodded. “I don’t like the game but I respect the rules. I’ll take it though. Just to be treated with the respect my father’s name deserves.”

“That you deserve,” Percy said quietly.

“And you,” he whispered. “A man brave enough to go over the edge to retrieve the boy.”

Percy’s grin was blinding. “That sure shut them up.”

Albie studied Percy’s beautiful eyes and lifted his chin for a soft kiss. “Percy, I?—”

A knock at the door made them jump apart. Percy went and knelt by the goods from the store as though he was checking something, and Albie took the key and unlocked it.

It was the man from behind the bar. He gave Albie a curt smile. He was holding a plate of bread and butter. “As you requested,” he said. Then he noted Percy by the far wall first. “If you’d like a second room...”

“I’m fine with sleeping on the floor,” Percy said, standing up. “Slept in worse places.”

Albie took the plate. “Much obliged,” he said and closed the door. He put the plate on the dresser, then took one side of the heavy wooden dresser. “Help me with this.”

Percy did as he was asked, moving it to block the door. “What are we doing this for? Do you not think what Bill Kelly said was enough?”

Albie smirked at him. “I do, but I want to be sure we’re not interrupted. I don’t think anyone should see what I plan on doing to you tonight.”

Percy’s pupils blew out and his cheeks flushed pink. “Oh.”

Albie took the plate. “We’ll save the bread for breakfast when we leave before first light,” he said. “But the butter we’ll use tonight.”

Percy’s eyes went to his, confused. “Butter?”

“It will help make things slide,” he murmured. He licked his lips, liking the idea of it more and more. “If you know what I mean.”

Percy’s eyes narrowed at first but then Albie could see when the penny dropped. His eyebrows rose. “Oh.” His cheeks flushed a deep scarlet that set Albie’s blood on fire. “We’re not eating the butter, are we?”

Albie shook his head slowly. “No.”