"Arthur’s First Day"

Arthur smiled cheerfully and waved as Colin drove up to the garage. He’d been waiting outside the office for nearly half an hour – not wanting to be late on his first day on the job. It had been 3 weeks since his initial interview and he was now completely moved out from his parents’ home in Swanbourne and set up at the boarding house. He had hoped to start work at the garage much sooner, but Colin had suggested that he go ahead and wait until after the holidays. Great idea, that, since he would be able to spend it with his family before the move.

Now all that was left was getting settled here at work and saving up enough money for his own flat.

"Why, good morning to you, Mr. O’Brien," Arthur said, as Colin walked up to the office and opened the door with his keys.

"G’day, Arthur," Colin replied, motioning for Arthur to walk into the office in front of him. "All settled into the boarding house, are you?"

Arthur smiled and nodded, as he walked into the office. "Yes, thank-you, sir. Millie and Steve have been very kind. Mum was a bit upset when I told her I was moving out, but she’s come ‘round now. Hasn’t cried much at all in the last couple of days when I’ve talked to her."

Colin stifled a chuckle, then walked around to the desk and turned on the lights in the garage bay. "Alright then, Arthur," he said, picking up a clip board and handing it to the young man. "These are the work orders we have so far for today. Not much to do for now...mainly just man the phone lines. The books here are up-to-date, thanks to Kate, as well as I can tell," Colin told him, handing Arthur the thin black record book. "You might just go through and double check against these receipts here, though."

"Yes, sir. Right away sir," Arthur replied, eagerly taking the record book and stack of receipts from Colin’s hand.

"Oh, and one last thing, Arthur, before we can get started," Colin told him.

"Anything, Mr. O’Brien, sir," he replied, taking out his small notebook and pencil, ready to jot down notes.

"Please don’t keep calling me Mr. O’Brien or sir," he grinned. "Name’s Colin, remember?"

Arthur smiled, sheepishly. "Yes, sir, er...I mean, Colin."

Collin chuckled. "Thanks, Mate. Now, let’s get to work."

TBC....