He went through the gate after them, pushing Rab on to stop him paying the entrance money. I told you, he said, I’m getting it.
Dont be daft man.
Naw, replied Tammas. He passed the money across the counter to the man and received the four programmes in return.
In the upstairs lounge bar overlooking the track they managed to squeeze in at a table close by the tote grid. He handed £2 to Betty. This is to have a go — you and Rena.
I’ve got my own money! answered Rena. She grinned pointing at Rab: His!
Well I’m no putting two pound on a dog! Betty said, Definitely not!
Tammas smiled. It’s to last you the whole bloody night!
Heh. I thought we were only staying till the 5th race? Rab was frowning.
We are. Tammas sniffed; he brought out his cigarettes, lighted one.
I would stay later, said Rena after a moment.
Naw, said Tammas, I’m no bothering.
Rab shook his head: Christ I’m no bothering either man, whatever you like. .
Tammas grinned. Probably be skint by then anyhow!
It was not until the 4th race that he left the lounge. He had been betting in small amounts only, and doing it via the tote. But he had one he quite fancied now and he wanted to see how it figured in the ring. While he stood watching the bookmakers as they watched the punters and each other he suddenly spotted Deefy, the worker from the club; he was wearing the fedora hat, standing amongst the crowd below the row. And then he strode away to the side, to the second last bookmaker, and he handed him what looked like a thick wad. And the bookmaker accepted it without returning Deefy a receipt, and scored out the 5/1 price of the 2 dog. The other bookmakers were offering 4/1. But instead of marking up 4/1 the fellow left it blank, and then marked in 3/1. Immediately Tammas trotted up to the nearest bookmaker and backed the 2 dog at 4/1.
The dogs were being loaded into the traps as he left the betting enclosure and he started running up the stairs. In the lounge Rab was standing near to the window to see the race. Tammas joined him.
Then the hooter sounded and the lights round the stadium were extinguished, leaving the track brightly lit. When the hare flashed past the traps Tammas said, On you go the 2 dog!
Rab frowned at him. I thought you were backing 5?
Naw.
They watched the race, dog 2 just failing to catch the favourite, the dog coming out of Trap 3. Tammas shook his head and tore his ticket into pieces.
I would probably have backed that! said Rab. But I let you chat me onto the 5 dog!
Tammas shrugged.
At the table Betty was laughing and holding her tote tickets in the air. Tammas! I got it! Number 3!
So she did! laughed Rena.
Hh. . Tammas nodded. Did you back it as well?
No, tch.
What about you Tammas? What did you take?
Eh. . a mule.
A mule!
What yous wanting to drink?
The bar was busy. Once he had shouted his order to one of the barmaids he concentrated on the form given in the Adviser. His nap for the night was going in this the 5th race. He had selected it that morning, as soon as he had seen the Daily Record. When he carried the drinks to the table Betty asked for a loan of the Adviser and she read it for a few moments. Rab grinned at her. You better give Tammas your tip!
Betty laughed. As a matter of fact, she said, I’m going to. Tammas — number 5. Real Sunshine.
Real Sunshine! Rab nodded. That’s what I fancy myself!
What d’you think Tammas? asked Rena.
Eh. . It’s got a chance.
What one do you want to win?
The one I’m backing.
The one you’re backing?
Rab said, In other words he’s no telling you!
O thanks a lot Thomas.
Sorry, naw, it’s nothing personal.
I’m glad to hear it!
Tammas lifted his glass and sipped at the beer, then inhaled on the cigarette he was smoking and muttered: Actually I’m going to back the 1 dog.
Honest?
Aye.
Well well well, the 1 dog eh. . Rab gazed at the race in his Adviser.
Can I do yours with mine? asked Betty.
Course.
Aw good. Betty took the purse out of her handbag and gave him 40 pence. Can you do it for me?
Course, aye, 5 and 1 you want — fine, I’ll reverse it too.
Betty looked at him.
The forecast, I’ll reverse it for you. . Tammas had got up from the chair and he indicated Rab: He’ll tell you what I mean. I’ve got to go down and eh. . He sniffed; he walked away quickly but Rab came after him. And once they were outside he muttered, Hey Tammas you okay?
What, aye, what d’you mean?
I dont know, you seem to be fucking — a bad mood or something.
Och naw it’s no that. While they continued on downstairs he added, To be honest with you Rab I’m just eh. . Betty and that. . He shook his head. I dont know man I’m just eh. . My leg’s a bit sore as well.
Aw aye. .
Tammas glanced at him. Then he gave him the 40 pence: You stick it on for me eh? I want to punt 1 dog with the bookie.
He left Rab outside a tote window, and moving in towards the centre of the crowd grouped beneath the row of bookmakers he gripped the notes he had left and stood waiting. The odds against his nap winning the race were 5/2. Then he saw one of the bookies mark it out to 3/1. But he continued to stand there. Gradually the crowd thinned as the time of the race approached. He turned and left the enclosure, the money still in his pocket.
The hooter sounded while he was climbing the stand steps to the lounge bar.
He stopped, halfway up; and he nodded as he watched the dog he had napped win comfortably. He lighted a cigarette. Out on the track beneath the big totalisator board the handlers were catching the dogs to take them back to the kennels. The punters surrounding him were discussing the result and how the race had been run. He nodded slightly, and walked downstairs and along, and into the bar beneath the stand. He ordered a bottle of beer, stood there drinking it steadily.
Rab was at the tote pay-out window when he returned upstairs to the lounge. Your woman’s caught the forecast! he called, grinning. Well done man! Good nap!
Tammas nodded. He carried on across to the table and sat down, giving his attention to the Adviser. Betty and Rena were smiling at him. Aye, he said, eventually. Well done Betty! Good forecast.
Ninety three pence.
Great.
Did you win much?
Eh. .
Rab was approaching.
. . aye.
Aw good, replied Betty.
And it won so easy, said Rena.
Tammas smiled, getting up from the chair, folding the Adviser and sticking it into the side pocket of his jacket. Anyway, he said, time we were heading off.
We’ll stay if you like.
Naw, I’m no bothering, let’s go.
Rab looked at him.
While we’re ahead. .
They went to a lounge bar in the centre of the city where a band performed but it was packed and the amplifiers seemed to be full on. At Tammas’s suggestion they left for a quieter place.
When the last bell had gone the two couples shared a taxi as far as Betty’s close and she and Tammas got out, waved to the other two as the taxi moved off. There was a bit of fog around and when they breathed out it came as steam. Betty linked arms with him. You should be wearing a coat, she said.