When the opportunity arose he threw in £5 and it lost on the first round. The next in line put in £2 for the bank and Tammas threw in £5 alongside it. It lost. He had suspected he would lose that one too but all he needed was one winning bank. One winning bank would return him the losses plus a fair profit. In fact, he could afford to lose seven straight £5 bets with the bank and still be £40 ahead on one winning 4 timer.
By the time the bank had travelled round the table and arrived back with him he had £10 left in his pocket; he leaned across and put in on the baize. He lost again. Soon afterwards he was walking home.
•••
Rab’s younger brother opened the door. What happened to you? he asked. You’re hell of a late.
I got detained. Tammas grinned as he stepped inside.
That lassie’s here — Betty — are yous two winching?
Naw, we’re just good friends.
Rubbish! Yous going to get engaged as well?
Tammas looked at him. How’s the party?
Och it’s no really a party man they’re all just sitting about — except my maw and Uncle Gus. They’re steamboats. So’s the auld man — he’s in the kitchen giving Rab a lecture!
Tammas grinned. He took the bottle of vodka from the carrier bag and held it in his left hand so that it would be partly concealed when entering the room.
Alec whispered, Tammas, going to bring us ben a couple of cans of lager? I’m in the bedroom with a couple of the mates and that.
You’re too young to drink.
Fuck off.
It’ll cost you — fifty p. each.
Away you go!
Tammas punched him lightly on the shoulder then clicked open the living room door, edged his way inside, shutting the door quietly behind himself. The folk were arranged in semi circle round the fireplace. Rab, Rena and Betty were not among them. A man of about 40 years of age was singing a country and western song. This was Rab’s Uncle Gus. He sat on a wooden dining chair, his eyelids were closed and he was holding his head raised, his face almost parallel to the ceiling; his adam’s apple was very prominent, jutting backwards and forwards as he sang.
To his left, Rab’s maw was kneeling on a cushion on the floor. Her eyelids were also closed and she held a wine-glass to her lips which were moving very slightly.
Tammas waited a moment before lifting an empty tumbler from the top of the glass display cabinet. He knelt slowly down, unscrewed the cap on the bottle and poured a small vodka, leaving the bottle on the floor in beneath the wall next to the cabinet. Then he stood up, got some lemonade to mix in.
The song ended and a little round of applause greeted it. Rab’s maw was saying: That was smashing Gus smashing, it was, smashing.
What about an encore? asked an elderly woman who was sitting on an armchair close to the corner of the fire.
Uncle Gus shook his head. We’ll spin the bottle missis, everybody’s to get a shot.
No me! laughed the elderly woman. She folded her arms and nodded to another elderly woman. Are you Jessie? Are you going to sing!
Tch!
Aye yous are! cried Uncle Gus. Then he noticed Tammas and he called: There’s a boy can sing!
Rab’s maw got onto her feet and was saying to someone, It’s Tammas — he’s been Rab’s pal since they were wee boys the gether. Come on over son, bring your drink with you.
And one for me while you’re at it! cried Uncle Gus. I’m bloody well dying of thirst!
He grinned when Uncle Gus rose to meet him and they shook hands.
Where you been hiding yourself Tammas?
Ach around, around. He turned to Rab’s maw and they kissed each other on the cheek. Hello Mrs McCorquodale.
She gripped him by the elbow and guided him to the end of the settee opposite where they were standing. A middle aged couple was sitting looking at him. This is Tammas, she said to them. And to Tammas she said: This is Rena’s mum and dad.
Aw! Tammas nodded and smiled. Hello. And he shook hands with them.
You’re awful late! called Uncle Gus from across at the glass cabinet.
I got held up — these buses! Tammas had half turned to reply; then he saw Rena who had just appeared in the doorway. She was smiling at him. He winked. Then Betty appeared behind her. He nodded to her.
I know your name said Rena’s dad. Tammas, eh? I heard Rab mention you.
Aye, continued Mrs McCorquodale. She glanced at the slight space between the couple and quickly they parted for her to sit down. Yes, she said, I’ve known the boy all his life. We were neighbours before we flitted to here. Werent we Tammas?
Aye.
Mrs McCorquodale had turned to Rena’s mum: Me and his grannie were good friends.
Rena and Betty were standing across at the glass cabinet. Rena was holding a can of beer and pointing at it. Tammas said, Eh I’ll see you in a minute Mrs McCorquodale, I’m just eh. . He stepped over her feet and made his way round between the settee and the fireplace, gesturing to Uncle Gus as he passed: Just going for a can of beer. .
Right you are son. Uncle Gus winked at him, indicating the one he was holding. And he patted the top pocket of his jacket; some cigars were standing upright inside: You want one of these?
Aye I’ll eh just get a drink and that. .
No bother. Heh you! he said to a young woman seated behind the company on a dining chair. It’s your turn for a song! Come on! On your feet!
Hh! She looked away, grinned at a man who was standing nearby. The man raised his eyebrows, tilted his head and swallowed a mouthful of beer.
Tammas laid his tumbler on the cabinet and took Rena by the sides of her arms and kissed her briefly on the mouth. Congratulations, he said.
Thanks Tammas. And thanks for coming. And thanks as well for the records. They’re great; we’re playing them all the time.
Ah!
No, honest, they’re terrific! She kissed him on the cheek then raised her hand suddenly: The ring! You’ve no even seen it yet! My ring — Betty! He’s no even seen it yet!
Betty laughed.
Tammas smiled. He stared at the ring for several seconds. Aye, he said, it’s a beauty right enough. Sparkling stones eh!
Rena nodded.
It really is beautiful, said Betty.
Rena made a face and murmured, Cost a fortune! I told him not to. Men!
Tammas grinned.
How come you were so late? asked Betty.
Buses.
O.
Tammas pulled out the ring-opener on the can and he swigged a mouthful of beer.
Tch! Rena gave him a glass. While he poured the beer into it Rena said, Tammas, would you do me a favour? would you go ben the kitchen and get Rab away from his dad.
Tammas groaned.
Honestly, the two of them have been in there for ages. I dont want them fighting Tammas, not the night.
Aye, Christ.
Rena sighed. She glanced generally at the others in the room and whispered: They need livening up. Maybe get them dancing or something. Rab should be here.
Tammas nodded. The other people in the room were now talking in different groupings, or sitting in silence. Uncle Gus was chatting to the elderly woman next to the fire. Tammas nodded to Rena, he lifted the bottle of vodka from the floor and he chuckled: I’ll take this with me!
Mr McCorquodale was seated on a high stool at the breakfast counter. He was speaking, using his whisky tumbler to emphasise a point. Rab stood quite close to him, his head inclined as he listened, a beer can in one hand and the other in his trouser pocket. Tammas! he cried.
Well well well, said Mr McCorquodale.
Better late than never! Tammas grinned, walking forwards and shaking hands with the man. He nodded to Rab: Well done.
What d’you mean well done!
Getting engaged and all that!
Aw aye.
Mr McCorquodale was gazing at Tammas and he reached out to shake hands with him once more. So how’s life on the broo? he asked, and he maintained the grip on Tammas’ right hand, firmly but without increasing the pressure.