‘D‘Do
you really think we could? Get away with
it, I mean?’
That’s
Jane all over. Pretty as. Gorgeous. No, exquisite. But so naive! Big brown eyes almost popping out on her
cheeks, she opens them so wide! Boys
trip over themselves trying like mad not to be obvious. Leaning forward. And
she doesn't see it hardly.
‘She
sucked you right in that time, Jane.’
‘No,
Beth.’ Ingrid turned on me. Her eye’s
grabbed mine. Give her an extra pair of arms and she could model for an Indian
temple statue. Always one for a dare. Grins, rolls those eyes, one eyebrow
cocked. ‘I really mean it. I reckon we could do it. Not easy getting the act
all together, but we could. That’s the fun part — rise to the challenge, like.
Yeah, I reckon we really could. Turns me on just the thought of it. Wow!’
‘You’re
crazy, Inge. Absolutely crazy! Stark
raving! Steal a ruby ring! Thomas’s isn’t a supermarket with everything
out in the open and lots people milling around. Everything’s locked away under
a centimetre of glass or more. What happens if we get caught?’
‘Yeah,
sounds pretty scary to me,’ Gen piped in. Ever cautious.
‘That’s
heavy. Trick is not to get caught. That’s the other half of the fun. I reckon
I’ve thought of a way, though. There are four of us. I reckon we can do it.
Just have to set up a distraction. Not too obvious. There’s hardly ever more
than two people serving, so it should be easy. We just have to target both of
them.’
‘But
what about the video?’ I asked.
‘Yeah,
that’s a bit of a worry. We’ll just have to disguise or hide our faces a little
bit. Not too much, mind, so we put them on their guard — just enough to make it
hard for them as they look back over it.’
‘How
wpould you manage that?’
‘Pity
veils aren’t the go these days. I suppose a couple of us could wear a wide hat
for starters. Those cameras are always near the ceiling.’
‘We
could use long hair or wigs,’ chimed in Jane.
‘And
glasses.’ Surprise, surprise, Gen!
‘How
do we get the tray of rings out of the glass counter?’ My two bob’s worth.
‘Got
to make as though to buy one!’
‘What
if they only take out one ring at a time?’
‘Too
bad! Could try asking to look at two or
three, I suppose. Here’s the general idea. Ask to look at a ring. Try it on.
When someone else sets up a bit of a disturbance, pinch one of the other rings
from the tray. Once that’s over, hem and hah a bit and decide against the purchase.
Take it off. Give it back. Smile sweetly and go.’
‘What’ll
you do with the stolen one?’ Jane this
time.
‘Hide
it somewhere. Under the tongue sounds quick.’
‘Won’t
the stone be a bit big? Be hard to talk
normally.’
‘That’s
a thought. What about nicking one with the stone and the diamonds set along the
band instead of across!’
‘Won’t
they miss it. When she puts the tray away, I mean.’
‘That’s
a chance.’
‘What
about a costume ring in its place? A
good one I mean. Lots of new shine and a big splash of red.’ My bit.
‘When
do you think we might do it?’ Jane
again.
‘Hadn’t
thought of that. What do you think?’
Gen
piped up. ‘Reckon it’s best to leave it while. Give us time to think of
problems and details. I’m not sure about the whole thing.’
‘Yeah,
best give it a few weeks for the idea to settle.’
‘I’d
best get off home now. See youse!’ I put
in.
We
all picked up our bags and strolled off.
On
Monday Inge snuck me a look at a ruby ring behind the shelter of her locker
door.
‘Come
here. Take a quick sqiz at this,’ she rattled out beneath her breath.
‘Christ! Christ all-bloody-mighty! You did it!
How! What was it like?’ I whispered. Nearly pissed myself when I saw
it.
‘Did
it with Jack! He wasn’t too keen when I
put it to him. Put my hand on his shirt front, stroked down his chest a bit,
looked him the eyes, and put him on a promise. There were lots of people in the
shop on Saturday so there was plenty of distraction anyway. Walked in there all
lovey dovey and asked about some rings like we were getting engaged. We were so
excited afterwards it took the whole afternoon to settle down. No trouble
keeping to my promise, I can tell you!
Still feel horny just to think about it!
Wow! Rooted ourselves silly! Don’t tell the others any of this, though.
Fewer know about it the better. Mad to tell you even. Hard to keep it in, but!
...
‘Scary,
though, waiting to see if anything happens. Had the runs all yesterday. First I
thought I could take it back later. Tell them the joke was on them. That
doesn’t seem a good idea now though. Could charge me anyway! Have to find some place to hide it. Bury it,
I suppose, somewhere away from home. Reckon I just might have to tumble a lot
more with Jack. Take our minds off it and give ourselves something else to
worry about, eh!’
She
rolled her eyes. That mischievous lift of the brows again. The smile faded. She
looked quite wistful.
‘Never
be quite the same though.’
[MURRAY ALFREDSON]
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