Chapter 58

That sounded like Eddy, and a couple of other voices laughed at his plea. How

many people are inside, for heaven’s sake?

“What’s going

on?” Patrick asked. He was surprised anyone heard him, considering loud

hammering noises inside the shop. But they all did. With eerie co-ordination,

everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to stare at him and Lee. That

was followed by a burst of surprised and delighted chatter.

“How are you,

guys? And what’s that bum-fluff on Lee’s chin?”

“About bloody

time you got here. We’ve missed you, you know.”

“Patrick, how

are you feeling, man?”

“Lee! You look

good, considering—got any bruises to match mine from Saturday’s match?”

Everyone was

smiling and fussing around them. Patrick felt light-headed. All their friends

seemed to be here, including people from the other shops. Phiz was rather

dangerously hopping up and down on a stool outside the shop with a tape measure