Goniff perched on the sill of the open window and enjoyed the fresh air and sunshine. The enticing aroma of the flowers blooming in the gardens lifted his spirits almost as much as the guarantee that there would be no mission in the immediate future. The Warden had come down wrong during an exercise out on the obstacle course and his twisted ankle was going to keep them home for a week, maybe even ten days if they were lucky. The little cockney kicked his heels against the wall and listened as music, mixed with birdsong, drifted across the terrace from the family wing of the mansion.
"What's that one, then?" he asked Casino.
The group's safecracker looked up and listened for a moment. "End a Debussy's Arabesque number one….and he's rollin' right int'a number two."
Goniff settled his gaze on the man in the chair and shook his head.
"What?" Casino bristled.
"Still can't get used t' you knowin' that kinda stuff."
"Jeeze! You hear somethin' about a million times and you remember it, okay!" Casino glowered at the little cat burglar for a moment before returning his attention to the book in his lap.
Goniff gave a laugh. He wasn't buying it. Casino was just embarrassed to be caught out knowin' more than he let on, that was all. He hopped off the windowsill and strolled across the room to stand at the back of his friend's chair. He leaned in to look over his shoulder and Casino hunched over and turned to block his vision.
"What cha readin'?" and when the other man straightened a bit to turn and give his answer Goniff's hand shot out and plucked the book out of his hands. He twirled to get away with his prize and Casino bolted after him.
"Give that back you lousy crumb!" Casino made a grab for the book but Goniff was too quick for him. The smaller man skipped out of reach, putting the divan between them.
Goniff pulled the book closed to his chest and grinned. "Now don't go damagin' the merchandise!" he warned as he danced off into a corner. He turned a shoulder on Casino's menacing advance and glanced at the cover of the book. "Shakespeare!" Goniff was stunned. "Blimey! I thought Actor was the only one brainy enough t' understand that kinda stuff."
Casino snorted as he took the book. "It's not that hard. Even you could understand it. It's written in your own language ya know."
Goniff shook his head slowly. "Not in my language it's not," he claimed as he handed the book over.
Casino thumbed through the pages at the beginning of the book and held it out. "Here. Here's one you could manage…."
Goniff rolled his eyes and took the book. He ran his finger over the words on the page and mumbled them to himself. When he looked up he had a slightly defeated expression. "Don't understand a word, mate."
"Well, here." Casino lifted the book out of his friends hands. "I'll read a little bit to you t' get you started."
Goniff brightened but put his hand up. "Bed time story?" He hadn't had anyone read to him since Eddie left to go live with the Marley's and he kinda missed it.
Casino groaned but couldn't bring himself to crush that hopeful look; still he cringed at the thought that Actor might be in there listening too. "Sure," he agreed eventually. "Why not."
"Great!" Goniff started backing towards the door. "I'll see if I can sweet talk Winnie in t' makin' up some treats for us. An' I'll make sure Chiefy'll be in there t' hear too. Say! Maybe you an' Actor can go it in turns…" and he turned to get out of the room before Casino could lay his hands on him but ran his forehead right into the edge of the open door.
"Ow!" Goniff clamped his hand over his forehead. After a moment he carefully probed the new lump and then checked his fingers for any sign of blood.
"You alright?" Casino asked with a laugh.
"Yeah." Goniff rubbed gingerly at his brow again as he wandered off towards the kitchen. "Blimey! I think the Warden's rubbin' off on me."