Novel Chptr 20

Chapter 20

The Boy Scouts

Ever since Finbar saw the school teacher that day in his garden, he knew he was a Scoutmaster and he should approach him about joining the scouts. But he hardly ever saw him and didn't know which troop he belonged to; that is, of course, if he was a Scoutmaster and wasn't just a boy scout himself albeit at that age.

He asked Patrick to find out if he could join his troop. “I know who you mean' said Patrick “he's a friend of the shoe shop man.'

“Mr. Murdoch' said Finbar.

Patrick went into Murdoch's shop. As he entered a big bell rang as he opened the door. He looked around and there were single shoes priced at more than Patrick's weekly wage if not a great deal more, scattered artistically around the shop.

Murdoch came into the shop “Hello – er Patrick?' he said.

“Yes' said Patrick “you are?'

“Murdoch.'

“Hello Murdoch.'

Murdoch smiled “I mean Mr. Murdoch.'

“I know, what you meant, but I'm not calling you Mr. anything.' said Patrick.

“Oh' from Murdoch.

“If that's okay?'

“Yes' said Murdoch “but perhaps Doug!'

“That's better – Doug.' said Patrick.

“What can I do for you, Patrick?'

“Mr. Callaghan, to you.'

“Oh I'm er sorry I . . .'

“I'm only codden' yeh'
Murdoch looked confused.

“I'm joking yeh' he said “Call me Paddy. Do you know the Scoutmaster who lives along here – I believe he's a schoolmaster?'

“Yes.'

“I need to see him. Finbar wants to join the scouts. Do you know where does he lives?'

“Yes thank you' said Murdoch.

“Who's being smart now?'

“He's next door – Mr. York; Christopher York.' he said.

“That's all I need.'

With that he shook Murdoch's hand and headed for the door.

“How is Finbar, by the way?'

“He's grand' said Patrick.

“Recovered from his chicken pox?'

“I should hope so' said Patrick “that was years ago.'

“Are you interested in a pair of shoes?

“Interested?' he said “Yes! But they're out of my league.'

When he went to Mr. York's house an old lady answered the door. She told Patrick that her son was, indeed, a Scoutmaster of the local scout troop. She also told him where to go to enrol Finbar and it was just the other side of Moseley Road, about a quarter of a mile south, in Tindal Street School. 'You need to be there at six thirty' she said 'every Tuesday.'

The following Tuesday, Patrick and Finbar set off to Tindal Street School. It was easy to find, once you found the school, as there was a hub-bub from a room along a corridor, and inside were various groups mingling and chatting. One of the adults turned out to be Mr. York and Finbar identified him to Patrick. As they approached, York saw them coming “Hello Finbar' he said “Come to join us?'

“We hope so' said Patrick.

“What does Finbar say about that?'

“I should imagine he'll agree with me' said Patrick.

“Is that right, Finbar?'

“Yes' said Finbar.

“Good.' said York.

“But my dad already told you' said Finbar.

The one thing about Finbar is that he may have been small, but he wasn't shy, and wasn't intimidated by York at all.

He was told he could wander around and speak to any of the boys and then, when the activities started, he could observe.

Patrick said he would go for a walk and ascertained what time the session finished before wandering off.

There was a boy from his class at school, Alan Pitt, who looked smart in his uniform, in fact Finbar hardly recognised him, and he spoke with such authority; “Hi ya Finbar' he said “Did you bring your mouth organ?'

“Of course I did' said Finbar “Have you ever known me to be without it?'

“Suppose not.' said Alan.

Then someone tapped Finbar on the shoulder and when he turned around the big kid was his former nemesis from the piano lessons. “Remember me?' he said.

“I do.' said Finbar.

“I was an awful shite to you, wasn't I?'

“I think you were.'

“I'm sorry.'

“I don't even know your name.' said Finbar.

“Dan' he said “Danny. And you're Finbar. Do they call you Fin?'

“No they don't – they call me sir.'

“What?'

Finbar laughed.

“I heard that in a film.'

“Well can I call you Fin?'

“I don't mind – nobody else does.'

“Well I won't – how's that?'

“That's good.'

“And I'll fight anybody who does.'

“Oh no – it's okay . .'

“ . . I heard that in a film too.'

They both laughed but the pair of them remembered the thumps and the bumps and the bullying from years ago - and also Mr. Ferris.

“Did you hear about Mr. Ferris?' said Dan.

“Yes, I did; he had a fit when I was there once.'

“Yes – when I was there too. I robbed him. Took all the money out of his pockets.'

“You didn't did you?'

“Of course not.' then he tapped Finbar on the shoulder “Tigg – you're 'it' ' and ran.

Finbar ran after him and made a flying tackle around his neck and they both fell on the floor.

“Now – you're it.'

“Okay- okay' said Dan.

A whistle sounded and the boys formed in to groups.

Finbar loved the evening and when his dad came to pick him up he didn't stop talking about it all the way, on their walk back home, to his mother and even when he got to bed.

“Good night, little man' said his mother as she kissed him on the forehead.

“Night night mammy' said Finbar as he settled down.

Chapter 21

Woodwork.