Reg Carter
I smiled, but coldly agreed to be the temporary leader. I despised being the centre of attention and somehow this whole affair had resulted in just that.
"What's the plan?" asked Suzie, somewhat eager, yet serious.
"Well, Riles will be messin' about with the old crew down South and it won't be long'a trot before she clambers back up 'ere," I replied.
"How do you know?" said Mitch, unsure.
"'Cause you don't last that long down South. She'll remember that down there it's all blood 'n' violence and as much as she's cut out for it, she won't go along with it," I replied, "So, she'll definitely be back."
"Okay," said James, "what do we do until then?"
I moved over to the kitchen and, after quickly fumbling around in the black bag, produced a couple of cans of beans and I set them on the stove.
"Well?" said Jackie, "What do we do?"
"Let's start with lunch," I said, marvelling at their curious faces. "One thing at a time."
Suzie walked up to the coffee table first, sitting down nervously and pondering in thought. The others gradually followed, and Mitch decided to make himself useful by setting out some plates he’d found in the cupboard.
“Got anything that ain’t beans?” he asked.
“$5,000,” I smiled. “You can go shopping after the beans; pick up some’t for dinner.”
James quickly peered round, staring deeply, “You’re kidding, right? We all got bounties on our heads.”
I laughed, “Fine. I’ll do the shopping, but try and bare in mind, you won’t last long if you let some bounty restrict your need for food.”
“I know,” replied James and his firm eyes told me what he was saying was true.
“Good,” I said and tested the beans for heat. “They’re done. Let’s eat.”
