One of the women in the company grinned: Well done son.
You backed Rimini? said Erskine.
Aye.
Hh!
Form horse.
Form horse! Erskine laughed and shook his head.
The other man was returning from the bar with the drinks on a tray. Tammas rose from his chair. There were three women in the company, the one who had spoken plus another of a similar age; the third was much younger, probably in her early twenties. I better go and collect, he said to Erskine.
By the time he had been to the last bookie betting on the following race was well under way but Tammas was leaving it alone. A novice chase; the favourite would be backed odds on. Not a race to bet on at all. When he returned to the bar most of the customers had gone. Erskine’s table was empty. Tammas bought a packet of nuts & raisins to accompany the bottle of beer, and he spread the Sporting Life on the table. Eventually he heard the roars, heralding the start of the race, but he continued to sit there, sipping the beer, smoking a cigarette. He checked through the wad of notes he had, went up to the bar for another packet of nuts & raisins. Hardly anyone was about.
Erskine was one of the first to arrive. The race had not finished. I dont know what the punters’re still hanging about for! The favourite’s gubbed. Down the field. Three fences to go and it’s got no chance, no chance at all.
Hh.
Odds on too and you want to have seen it jumping! Hardly looks as if it’s ever been schooled.
Bad race.
Aye you’re no kidding. What about yourself, d’you no have a bet?
Naw. Want a drink?
Eh aye, okay son I’ll have a wee brandy. By the way, my name’s Joe.
Joe. I’m Tammas.
Right son, fine. A wee drop of water in the brandy.
Tammas moved to the bar quickly as more customers began arriving. Soon it was as busy as before and Joe’s company had returned led by Charlie, who seemed angrier now. When Tammas put the glasses on the table he was grumbling about the favourite; it had finally finished 2nd after the horse that had been leading fell at the last fence. Tammas waited a moment, not sitting down, and he asked, Anybody want a drink?
One of the women began declining but Joe grinned: It’s alright, he’s winning a fortune!
Charlie muttered. Dont tell me he backed that bloody winner as well.
I didnt have a bet.
Joe was still grinning: He says it was a bad race Charlie.
They’re all bad races, replied the woman.
Charlie looked at her. The woman’s name was Ann; the other woman of the same age was called Milly and the youngest of the three was known as Vi. The third man in the group sat beside her; he did not speak, his name was Stan.
Sure yous dont want a drink? asked Tammas.
Ah go on then, said Milly.
Joe laughed: three bacardis and coke, and two whiskies.
That’s no fair! Ann said, Are you sure it’s okay son?
Tammas nodded and shrugged. Up at the bar he bought another beer for himself; as an afterthought he bought four packets of potato crisps. When he was taking the things from the tray and laying them out he put the crisps into the centre of the table and muttered, Crisps if anybody wants them. . And he sat down and took out his cigarettes.
Charlie was looking at him. You trying to tell me you thought Rimini was form horse?
Tammas sniffed.
Granted it had a chance but God sake, if you’re going to try and tell me it had the beating of the favourite on the book then ha ha, I dont know, I just dont know. . He shook his head; he put a cigarette in his mouth and craned his neck, to take a light for it from Stan.
Is it okay if. .? The youngest of the women, Vi, was speaking to Tammas. She pointed at the crisps.
Aye, Christ. .
I mean it was never form horse!
Och! Tammas shrugged. Vi was looking at him. Aye, he said, it depends.
Depends! Charlie took a mouthful of the brandy.
I mean I mind him winning a 3 mile handicap hurdle at the end of last season — Haydock or someplace. Good class it was as well.
Last season but, aye.
And look who they’ve stuck on him the day, that amateur — 7lb he’s claiming. And he’s no bad I mean he’s won a couple of hard yins I’ve seen on the telly.
Aye but you’re still no going to tell me that makes it form horse I mean fuck sake son! Charlie turned to Joe and frowned.
Come on you less of that language, muttered Ann. She turned to Milly and shook her head. If he doesnt back a winner quick it’s going to be terrible listening to him.
Charlie glared at her.
Well you’re a crabbit so and so, she said, you’re picking on the boy just because he’s winning and you’re no.
What! He glared at her again. What you talking about? I’m just bloody asking him a bloody question, what you on about?
Tch! Ann shifted on her chair, to be facing Vi. And I’m freezing as well! Standing about watching these bloody stupid horses — we’d have been better off going to the bingo.
Hey Ann! Joe smiled at her. This is supposed to be a happy day out among friends. Come on!
Well Joe look at him, look at his face. . Ann turned and shook her head at Charlie. Make you greet to see him so it would.
Make you greet! I’ll bloody make you greet! Charlie got up from his chair and he strode off and out the bar.
After a moment Ann shrugged.
Then Joe began whistling. He stopped and smiled. I better go and see if I can catch him!
Leave him go!
Think we should?
Och, tch, I dont care. Ann rose from her chair. I’m going to the Ladies.
Milly also rose: I’ll come with you.
When they had gone Joe glanced at Vi and the man with her. He grinned: Some day out eh!
The man shrugged.
Charlie’s awful bad tempered, said Vi.
Aye but do you no think she’s needling him too much?
I dont, said Vi and she added: Not really. She sniffed very slightly and opened her handbag, brought out a paper tissue and dabbed round her nose. And she’s dead right about it being freezing.
Well we’re going for a meal in a minute — eh Stan?
Suits me.
Vi was gazing about her. The bar was still crowded with folk discussing the last race and the one to come. She said to Joe: Even a bit of music would liven the place up. I mean it’s so boring.
Joe glanced at Tammas and raised his eyebrows.
I saw you, she said, reaching for another packet of crisps.
Apologies. Apologies. Joe smiled.
But everybody here’s only really come for the horses anyway, said Tammas, I mean they’re no really bothering about other stuff.
She looked at him.
Joe was nodding. He lifted his tumbler, swallowed all of the brandy that was left. I’m going to find Charlie, he added.
Tammas continued to sit there. He drank his beer steadily. Soon the bar was becoming less busy and he stood up, nodding in the direction of the exit. . Going to see the race.
The horse he fancied finished third. He was watching the race from the side of the stand and he could see Joe and Charlie about 30 yards away. During the race, especially towards the closing stages, Charlie’s voice had increased in volume as he roared on his selection and it sounded as if he had backed the winner, but he had not, he had backed the second. Tammas arrived at the foot of the steps ahead of them and he shrugged. Beat!
And us, said Joe.
Charlie muttered, Fucking favourites; you never learn at this place, I’m no coming fucking back.
Joe chuckled.
They continued on through to the bar and along to their table. Joe was about to order a round of drinks but Milly said, To be honest Joe, I think we’re really feeling like going into Glasgow now.