Were you?
Margaret, God sake.
Well if Robert had ever treated me like that!
Like what? I mean Margaret. . He groaned and got up off the settee. Shaking his head he grabbed his cigarettes and matches from the coffee-table and he frowned at her while passing on his way ben the room.
•••
In Simpson’s bar Auld Roper was scowling at McCann. That’s us having to avoid a granny! he said, A granny!
Ach stop your moaning for fuck sake. Shuffle the doms. Anyhow ya silly auld cunt ye, if you hadnt hung on to that double blank we wouldnt fucking be in this fucking position. McCann glared at him and raised his pint glass to his mouth, sipped at the lager. He glanced at Tammas and winked: Eh? Want to swop mates?
Ho!
It’s they auld yins, laughed Billy, they never fucking learn!
Never fucking learn! What you fucking yapping about? Auld Roper shook his head: The luck yous two are carrying! Jesus Christ Almighty I wish yous’d fucking fill in my coupon — eh! Lucky pair of. .! He sniffed and reached for his tumbler.
Skill, said Tammas.
Skill! Skill! That’s a bloody good yin right enough. Eh McCann? D’you hear him? Skill for fuck sake! He wouldnt know what skill was if it jumped up and punched him one on the fucking chin!
The other three laughed.
Come on, shuffle the doms!
It’s your turn, replied McCann.
Auld Roper turned to him: I’m going for a fucking pish — if it’s alright with you that is. . And he moved his chair backwards, rising with the aid of his stick. Tammas also got up and went to the bar to order a round. The argument had resumed by the time he carried the pints across. Auld Roper had also returned; he grinned at him and pointed at McCann. He’s away in the fucking cream puff! Imagine that? At his time of life.
My time of life! Ya auld cunt, what you blethering about!
The elderly man shook his head; he leaned back the way to put his hand into his side pocket and bring out his cigarettes. He took one out, lighted it, put the packet away again. McCann was frowning at him. So generous, he said, so fucking generous.
Well what am I supposed to do! Hand them round the bloody pub!
I’m just after buying you a pint! said Tammas.
Auld Roper looked at him. I said thank you. . His gaze was on the dominoes he had lifted; he was sorting through them, the cigarette in his mouth, his eyelids blinking occasionally to avoid the smoke. Then he muttered, This is a terrible hand this. Ah well McCann, prepare yourself for a granny, we’ve no chance!
Lying auld bastard, said Billy.
I’m no lying son; the worst hand I’ve seen for twenty years — tell you something but, we’ll still fuck yous! Eh McCann?
Shut up and play your doms.
Aw give us peace ya crabbit swine ye!
Billy said to Tammas: Just let them fight among themselves.
Tammas smiled. He had been studying his own dominoes. He laid them on the table and ripped open the cellophane on the new cigarette packet, offered it about. Then the game continued. Towards the close McCann put the two pieces he had left on the edge of the table. He waited a moment before saying, That’s me finito, no fucking point.
You have to play it out, said Tammas.
McCann was staring at Auld Roper: How come you cut the fives? A simple question, there you are. I mean you must’ve fucking known I was holding the double. You must’ve, surely?
Auld Roper drank beer.
A simple question, come on.
Auld Roper looked roundabout and began to whistle quietly between closed teeth, then he studied his own dominos. And Billy said to McCann: You’ve got to finish the game.
I’m giving yous it, I’m surrendering.
Surrendering fuck all! shouted Auld Roper. There’s two of us here! Just play your doms like a man. Come on!
I’m chapping ya fucking pest.
Chapping? Hh. Might’ve known, it’s all you’ve done all morning.
Tammas was next in line and he played a domino, followed by the elderly man then Billy. Back to McCann who banged the board with his fist, causing several pieces to jump out of order. Chapping, he said.
You’ve no even looked, muttered his partner.
I dont have to fucking look, I know what I’ve fucking got.
Ach! Auld Roper shook his head and he threw his dominoes onto the table. I’m no fucking playing!
McCann laughed.
Aye, that’s all you’re good for. You’re a joke ya cunt. First granny I’ve suffered in years and it just had to be with you.
Ho, listen to that! McCann glanced at the other two. The trouble with this auld cunt is he’s fucking senile.
Billy had turned their dominoes face up and he said: Yous were beat anyhow. . He started shuffling them.
Aye, said Tammas, tapping a finger on the edge of the table. And we’re still waiting for our ten pence.
Ten pence! What d’you mean ten pence? That game was a bogey. Pub rules son, if a game doesnt get finished all bets are cancelled. Eh McCann?
Aye, course. Tell you what but we’ll give yous a double or clear.
Aye, said Auld Roper, starting to shuffle the domino pieces. Twenty pence or clear. That’s just fair.
Cheating bastards, said Tammas. He leaned forwards and helped the other shuffle.
But Billy said: I better get going to my work — only half an hour to the 1st race. . He raised the beer to his mouth, glanced at Tammas. You coming with me or what?
Eh. . he shrugged, might as well. Naw, fuck it, on second thoughts.
Wise man, said Auld Roper.
Billy was nodding. He began swallowing down the beer, getting up off his seat.
I’ll see you the night, added Tammas.
•••
He was one of the last to enter the dressing room. He sat down immediately on the end of the bench, just inside from the door. Most of the team had been playing the other time he had come and a couple nodded to him. Donnie was injured and unable to play; but he was assisting the man in charge. The two of them arrived later, carrying in the big travelling bag between them. They distributed the jerseys, stockings and pants to each of the team. Tammas was thrown the number 2. The guy sitting next to him asked: You Donnie’s mate?
Aye.
Paul’s the name.
Tammas.
Tammas?
Aye. . he leaned down to take off his shoes and socks, leaving his cigarette balanced on the edge of the bench. Then dragging deeply on it he stubbed it out and undressed quickly. Members of the team were heading to the door now, laughing at something, the studs on their boots making skliffing sounds across the concrete floor. Somebody pushed the guy in front and he lurched forwards, and Tammas had to jerk sideways to avoid being struck into. One of the team cried: Foul, referee!
Right yous! The man in charge said, No wanting any blooming injuries before we get out onto the park!
The door banged open and shut and open and shut, rocking on its hinges.
Noisy bastards, muttered Paul.
Watch the language! called the man in charge. It’s Mathieson reffing!
A few groans in reply to this.
Tammas waited for Donnie. The two of them followed out the man and just before leaving the building he passed Donnie a cigarette and whispered: Half time. .
Donnie palmed it at once. Then he pointed to Tammas’s right boot. Its lace was trailing.
The wind was quite strong and he knelt on the gravel path. It had been raining earlier, a few puddles had gathered here and there. He knotted the laces and walked after Donnie. He had begun to shiver, and soon his teeth were chattering uncontrollably. He turned side on into the wind as he went, clenching the cuffs of each sleeve in his fists. There was a game of football in progress, the average player seemed about 14 years of age. He hunched his shoulders and folded his arms, watching the play while walking.