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Gregory nods. “Toast. Soup, maybe, or sandwiches.” He lowers his voice. “It’s often all Robbie gets all day.“
I look the scrawny lad over. I can well believe that. “Are you hungry now, Robbie?”
He doesn’t answer.
“I expect he is, sir. I mean, Mr Haigh. He’s allus hungry.” This from Ned.
I make up my mind. “Go and ask Molly what there is to eat and bring him something.”
The boy gets up and scuttles off. The rest shift awkwardly in their seats, waiting for me to order them off the premises.
“I need to talk to Jenna about this, but you lot can stay for now.” I get to my feet.
I’m halfway to the door before something else occurs to me. “Gregory, assuming you do get those grades, how will you pay your way through university?” I can’t imagine the boy has two pennies to rub together and I know university doesn’t come cheap.
“I’ll work for a couple of years, to save some money. I think they’ll hold my place, and I can get a grant for the fees.”
“How old are you?”
“Eighteen, sir.”
“Can you pull a pint?”
“I don’t know. I expect so, if someone shows me.”
“When you’ve done, come through and have a word with Molly. She’s hiring.”
“I met Gregory.”
Jenna is sitting up in bed when I return. She eyes me warily. “Is he all right?”
“Why would he not be? Did you think I might’ve shot him?”
“Of course not,” she lies. “I just…”
“He’s fine. Ambitious lad.”
“Yes, but I have high hopes for him. He just needs a bit of help.”
“And you propose to provide that help, using Ethan Savage’s money?” I try to keep the accusation out of my tone, but the implications are clear.
Jenna is immediately on the defensive. “I mean to pay him back.”
“As I recall, you already did. You used Fuller’s money to do it, and look where it got you.”
She is silent for several moments, then, “What do you intend to do?”
I let out an exasperated snort. “I honestly don’t know.” Part of my problem is, I liked Gregory. And the others. I grew up in that neighbourhood. I know how tough it is and I see something of myself in all of those kids.
Well, maybe not Robbie. I had it hard growing up, but I never went hungry.
“Will you tell Mr Savage?”
“I’ll have to.” Of that much I am certain.
“He’ll stop them from coming any more, won’t he?”
“Probably.” She’ll be fortunate if that’s all. The chances are Ethan will want to put another landlord in there, one he can trust not to open a school on his premises.
