The Camden Tales

45 - Yellow

-=₪ October 1929 ₪=-

The Mansion / Margate / 1.14pm

"Alfie, Malka, this is him."

Over the previous two days Louis had spoken continually in the evenings about a new Jewish boxer he had met. He was sixteen years young from Amsterdam but already an Olympian, reaching the quarterfinals in flyweight for the Netherlands at the Amsterdam Olympics the previous year.

"Let's get a look at ya then." said Alfie with a groan as he rose from his chaise longue.

He lumbered to the lads in the doorway, hunched with rolled shoulders like a bear on hind legs. Most young men found Alfie's dominating posture intimidating, but not the smiling, dark haired boxer who offered his hand to the menacing looking grizzly.

"Ben Bril." the boy said in his thick Dutch accent.

Malka remained in her seat and watched with welcoming words while little Alfred had paused his drawing on the floor to twist round on the spot and observe the greetings and chatter with curiosity. His mother took a moment to remove a blue crayon from his drooling mouth.

"You are little ain't ya?" Alfie pointed out.

The boy was dwarfed by Louis, but admittedly, Louis was a large lad, wide as he was tall with muscles like mountains. It often appeared like footballs had been shoved up his shirt and down his trouser legs for all the protruding mounds that stretched the fabric of his clothes.

"I am seventeen in--." he stopped.

English wasn't his first language and he didn't know it as well as he desired, but he was keen to learn.

"July." added Louis.

"So, what made you get into boxing? Must have started really small to of got this far already?" Alfie asked curiously, wondering if Ben had a promoter similar to that of Alfie, with similar motivations and inclinations for creative routes and solutions.

"My... familie are large, I am... one of seven. Poor, no lavatory, bucket I carry to street from... high floor each day. My bed made from stro... straw. Children fight on street, so I join club. Found self... found self...." he looked to the Giant Goliath beside him.

"Self-esteem." added Louis.

"Yes, and courage." said the boy puffing up his chest.

Alfie smiled; he liked the cut of the boy's jib.

"Like me, eh?" grinned Louis to Alfie, "Kept me off the streets and gave me stamina, quick reactions and technical skills. Apparently, his job between fights and training is at a butcher shop. Chops the meat with his left hand to strengthen his left jab even though he is right-handed."

Alfie, and Malka, raised their brows impressed by Ben's dedication. He then noticed Louis get a little coy.

"I was thinking I might...."

Louis' voice trailed off as Ben looked up to his newfound friend and gave him a nudge with his elbow.

"Travel to Amsterdam with Ben, stay there for a week or so. He has a fight I'd like to attend and maybe meet some new fighters, see the venues, they sound great. Seems they have some exciting talent there; I might be able to spread word about our club a bit and--."

"Yeah alright." said Alfie with mild agitation, "What ya asking me for? You're a grown man mate."

"When Louis?" Malka asked, seeing Louis looking unsure of Alfie's reaction and deciding that the large boxer apparently needed, or at least wanted, some form of parental permission or approval.