Jack & Harry by Tony McKenna Page B

like?’
    â€˜Darned if I know, Jack, it sounds pretty good but eh? Mt Margaret,’ Harry said almost reverently.
    Both boys edged closer to the desk and began to write their letters home.

Chapter Seven
    It was Wednesday mid-morning at the Fergusons. Jack had been home for some hours, having driven through the night, and the Turners, Claude and Jean, had come around to be with them to plan the next course of action in finding their two sons. Eric, Jack’s best mate, had also turned up to see if he could help in any way and to just be there for them in this crisis time. They were all seated around the kitchen table, a large pot of tea brewing in the centre. Eric pulled a tobacco pouch from his pocket and began to roll a cigarette.
    â€˜Well.’ Jack refilled his cup from the pot, ‘I’ve been in touch with the school and the boys wagged lessons on Tuesday, so they must have planned all this over the weekend while they were here and on Monday. I’m sorry, Claude, that Jack has got young Harry involved in this.’
    â€˜Not just your boy’s fault, Jack; they’re both in this together. Been like it since they were little tackers, in everything together.’
    The two mothers were visibly upset, their eyes red and swollen from a night filled with tears and lack of sleep.
    â€˜Have you reported to the police that the boys are missing?’ Eric puffed thoughtfully on his cigarette, smoke swirling lazily around his head. ‘Wouldn’t be a bad idea, Jack … they could put a bulletin out for them.’
    â€˜Not yet, Eric. I thought we’d wait for bit before involving the police.’ He looked at Claude who nodded in agreement. ‘There’s a good chance they’ll turn up today when they get hungry enough and run out of money.’
    â€˜Got much with them, Jack?’ Eric asked.
    â€˜Only a few bob.’ Jean joined in the discussion. ‘They both conned us out of a couple of shillings didn’t they, Alice? They told us they had to buy lunch yesterday from the tuckshop and Jack said he had swimming lessons. Their money boxes are empty too but there wasn’t much in them so at most they would only have a bit over ten shillings between them, if that.’
    â€˜Won’t last them long, that’s for sure.’ Claude took a sip from his cup. ‘They’ll spend up big on lollies and soft drink, probably go to the pictures and be back for tea tonight I’d wager.’ He smiled encouragingly at the women.
    â€˜Yes, there’s no sense in getting all het up about it, I suppose.’ Alice took a deep breath and forced a wan smile. ‘They’re sensible kids and can look after themselves and our worrying won’t bring them home any quicker.’
    â€˜That’s better, Alice.’ Jack reached out and patted her hand. ‘I’ll go over to the Munse’s though later this afternoon when he’s home from work, to see if they can throw any light on what’s happened. You want to come with me, Claude?’
    â€˜Try keeping me away. What say we have another drive around, Jack; you never know, we could get lucky? We’ll go down to the shops and check out the milk bars and maybe the picture theatre.’ He got to his feet.
    â€˜I’ve got a better idea.’ Jack looked determined. ‘While we’re out let’s go to Munse’s office and talk to him there.’
    â€˜What if he won’t see you, dear?’ Alice was concerned. ‘He’ll see us.’ Jack said with authority.
    â€˜Don’t you two go getting into trouble there; you know what that Munse is like. Keep your fists to yourselves, it’ll only make matters worse,’ Jean pleaded.
    â€˜We’ll be right.’ Jack took his hat from the hallstand and he and Claude left the house.
    Eric left shortly after them saying he would take a drive around the shops down the main street as well, on the off