17
THE TAKEOVER
“Let’s ‘ave a drink,” Benny said, “for today we’re celebratin’!”
“Let ‘im wait!” Mickey agreed.
Benny attempted a smile that came out as a leer as he nodded towards the barmaid.
“Whiskies!” he said, gesturing to the group around him.
Wordlessly, she lined up the glasses and poured.
They drank all morning.
They laughed and teased, acted as though they didn’t have a care in the world. They had to. This was down time. Like all good soldiers, they made the most of such occasions whenever they presented themselves. This was the time for some rest and recuperation, the calm between the storms.
At noon, on the periphery of their sheltered little gathering, they all heard the church bells tolling the hour. The sound seemed to be the signal Jake had been waiting for. He thr
