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They went down and handed the plates and silverware to the kitchen, then he took the drinkware back to the bar.
It wasn’t as busy now, and Elsie afforded him a smile. “You boys looking after yourselves, I hope,” she said.
“As best we can,” Albie said with a smile.
“Good,” she replied. She picked up a cup and polished it clean with her cloth. “Don’t turn around,” she whispered, looking at her polishing. “McAllister and his men are here.”
Albie bristled but didn’t turn around.
She murmured so no one else could hear, “They’ve already opened the rum so it might be best if you lot just stay upstairs.”
Albie hated that it came to this. “That was our plan anyway. Robert’s with us and he can’t handle the lure of the drink, so we thought we’d stay in and play cards.”
She smiled at him. “You’re a good one, Albie Bramwell.”
She got called away, but before they could turn and walk out, they were spotted. “Young Bramwell,” McAllister’s voice rang out.
A hush fell over the saloon. When McAllister spoke, people listened. And they all smiled whether they liked what he said or not, just to keep in his good graces.
It wasn’t really Albie’s style, but he wasn’t a fool.
Albie turned to face him. He sat at some joined tables by the fire. There were five of them, Fitzgerald amongst them. Albie wondered where Williams was. They were clearly drinking. Maybe not fully drunk but well on their way.
Regardless, Albie took his hat off, something his father had always taught him to do. “Mr McAllister. It’s good to see you again.” He met the smug gazes of all the men. “Gentlemen.”
He began to turn around to leave but McAllister raised his hand. “I believe you received my letter.”
Blast.
He gave him a nod. “Yes, sir. I intended to reply when we returned.”
“Tell me now, boy. What say we have a deal.”
Albie took a breath to calm his nerves and to cool his temper. He noticed a few of them glanced at Percy who stood behind him, and Albie was grateful he was there.
Then he remembered how Percy had said he should reply to that letter, to give him a polite and respectful grown-up response, not an angry remark of a child.
Albie looked McAllister right in the eye. “Thank you for the offer. It’s very generous of you, Mr McAllister. As was the advice you gave to make my father proud. A comfort during this difficult time, thank you.” That was total horseshit, but this public pissing contest was a game two could play. He raised his chin a little. “But I believe the best way to honour my father is to prove I am the man he raised.”
McAllister smiled but his jaw ticked. He knew this was a game and he knew Albie had played it well. In public, showed manners and respect. Anything that McAllister said now would only make him look bad.
“Don’t let your pride get you killed, boy,” Fitzgerald mumbled.
Albie bristled again but Percy mumbled behind him. Not a word exactly, just a reminder. Don’t give him a reaction.
So instead, Albie gave them a tight smile. “Good day, gentlemen.”
They turned and walked out then, and Albie knew every pair of eyes were on them. They walked past the kitchen to go back upstairs when they heard a commotion.
“You can’t be in here,” Clara said. “Please don’t.”
Albie raced in to find a man trying to accost Clara, trying to hold her, grope her. She struggled and was clearly upset, scared.
“Come on,” he said. “You know you want it.”
“You there!” Albie yelled.
He turned around... and it was none other than Williams. He knew he’d have to be around here somewhere.
