Nothing, I’m just considering it.
Tammas glanced at him: I never heard.
That’s no surprising, replied Billy. We never fucking see you!
Nah, went on John, I’m just fucking fed up with it here. A guy in work was telling me the nightlife’s brilliant down there. And the money as well, it’s supposed to be brilliant too. Big big wages he says.
Great — when you going!
Soon, dont fucking worry.
Look John if Manchester’s as good as all that then how come that cunt in your work isnt down there right fucking now I mean. .? Eh! that’s what I like about these bastards, tell you all sorts of rubbish!
He spent years in Manchester.
Well what did he come fucking back for?
I dont know, a change I think — he’s married.
He’s married! What the fuck’s that got to do with it? Billy laughed.
Aw shut up.
Tammas said, Aye come on, give the boy a break. Let’s play dominoes.
Billy was last to lift his six pieces: He turned to Tammas: That big 20/1 shot winner man did you see it? This afternoon? This wee fellow, comes stoating into the shop the back of 2 o’clock. .
Less speech play! called Donnie.
I’m telling the boy something.
I’m no interested anyway. The last thing I want to hear about’s big fucking 20/1 winners!
Billy grinned.
Aye, said John, come on.
When Billy placed his first domino on the board Donnie jeered: Hey Tammas that’s us won. Look what the daft cunt’s played!
Ah fuck off, replied Billy. Me and my mate’ll win this no danger, no danger — eh John?
Load of shite, said Tammas. Easy money Donnie easy money!
John frowned. Here, nobody says we were playing for money!
Aw Christ. . Donnie laid his dominoes face down on the board, he clutched his forehead. Where am I? Hey Tammas, where are we? I could’ve swore we were sitting in Simpson’s!
All I’m saying is if you’re going to play for money you want to tell people first, no wait till you’re halfway through the bloody game.
Billy grinned. Dont worry John, we’re certainties anyway.
Aye but that’s no the point. I mean I’m no caring one way or the other. I just like to know what’s happening.
Aw John. . Donnie put his hand back onto his forehead again. I’ve had a hard day — eh? going to fucking give us a bit of peace? Eh? Please?
Aye but all I’m saying. .
Shut your fucking mouth!
John looked at him.
Donnie smiled in reply.
When he entered the close he paused to position himself in the middle of the way, then continued, walking in a straight line. Going up the stairs he canoned off the wall and halted, steadied himself.
Margaret came from the living room. You wanting a sandwich?
Aye. Hh. . he smiled at her, carried on down to the bathroom. After urinating he filled the washhand basin and dunked his head in it twice, the second time keeping it submerged for a count of ten seconds.
A slice of square sausage was sizzling in the frying pan, the kettle of water almost boiling. Margaret had put it on for him. He got a slice of bread from the bin, spread the margarine on.
In the front room Robert was on his armchair and Margaret was on the settee. Tammas closed the door, carried his tea and the teaplate to sit down next to her. He had the sandwich in his mouth and he bit a big chunk off before taking it out. Anything good been on? he asked.
Earlier. A play, quite good — wasnt it Bob?
Robert did not respond. He had the newspaper on his lap.
Tammas moved his head a little and grinned, covering his face with his hand.
Margaret said, Did you go to the job centre?
No, I was a bit late.
Late?
Aye, I was a bit late. Hell of a long walk.
You’re a lazy bugger!
Robert grunted something.
Tammas paused before saying: I’ll go the morrow, I’ll be fine the morrow. Aye, different story then, get the giro and that, be able to take a bus.
Okay! Robert had swivelled round on his seat to gaze at him. What is it? If you’ve got something to say say it!
Tammas sniffed. I’ve no got anything to say.
Bloody liar — he tried to tap me for a pound on Tuesday morning Margaret. You were wondering what was up with me, mind? Right? That’s what was up with me. He tried to tap me for a pound and I wasnt having any. That’s it Tammas eh!
No.
Ah ya liar ye! Robert sat back forwards again, the newspaper falling from his lap.
These things dont bother me.
Robert glared round at him but said nothing for a few moments. No, he went on, these things dont worry you — wee things, like money, they dont bother you, Only when you come trying to tap me or your sister.
I wish you’d get your facts straight Robert. I think about once in the past two years or something, that’s the number of times I’ve tried to tap you.
Listen son. .
Margaret interrupted. Why dont the two of you stop it! I wish you would just stop it.
Well, cried Robert, I dont know how many times he’s taken it from you!
That’s rent money, said Tammas.
Rent money!
He always pays it back, said Margaret.
Robert was saying: What d’you mean rent money? It’s our money, it belongs to me and your sister. So never mind what the hell you call it. And as far as I’m concerned when you dont come up with that on a Friday night then it’s a hell of a sight worse than borrowing. And what about that bloody meter bowl? Never a bloody tosser in it once you get through with it. You couldnt care less whether we’ve got enough electricity or no. O naw, nothing like that bothers you. Just wee minor details!
Aye. Tammas leaned to lay the unfinished sandwich on the teaplate, and he looked about for his cigarettes and matches. He saw the packet beneath the corner of the settee and soon was smoking; he exhaled at the ceiling. It’s all coming out the night, he said.
Aye and high time too if you ask me. . Robert shook his head at Margaret: Look at the state of him! He tries to tap me for a pound and then he can still come marching in here half drunk and looking for you to make his bloody supper!
I didnt look for Margaret to make my supper at all.
Ah!
Tammas inhaled deeply and he exhaled before continuing. And if you’re wanting to know about the money, somebody gave me it — no loaned me it, gave me it — and I never asked, never bloody asked, he just gave me it.
O goody, it’s always nice to know people who give you their money. I’ve always thought that myself — eh Margaret? Nice that isnt it! People who go about dishing out their money every time you’re skint. Wish to heaven he’d stick down their names and addresses so we could get paying off the mortage on this bloody house!
Margaret was staring at the television.
After a moment Tammas said: People like him dont give money to anybody Robert; sometimes they dont even speak to people.
Ah. . fine. . Robert was silent. Eventually he nodded. Well Margaret, I think he must be talking about the big timers. Eh son? Is that who you’re talking about? The big timers?
Exactly. Aye — he used to be. Won and done more cash than you’ll ever see anyhow!
Right then that’s enought! cried Margaret.
Naw it’s alright. Robert had raised his hand and he smiled. I want to hear about the people that give away their money.
I’m talking about auld Phil over the road in the betting shop. He doesnt have to work in there you know he just likes to do it, to keep in touch with the game.
O, I see.
Aye, he doesnt need to work.
Mm, just like you. . Robert frowned and he shifted round on his seat to be facing away from him. Away and grow up son.
I might and I might no — have to watch it in case I turn out like you.