Naw.
Hh, he’s not told me anything either.
Tammas nodded, then he grunted: He’s no even fucking spoke to me.
Ach. Donnie shook his head. We could be doing with you too, that number 6 we’ve got’s a fucking dumpling.
Tammas sniffed.
I dont really know the guy well enough to eh. . to say anything. What like is it watching?
Ha ha. Tammas turned and spat onto the pitch.
Donnie chuckled.
The referee was returning to the centre circle; he paused on the way to uplift the ball.
That fucking rain better stay off, muttered Tammas.
The teams were now returning and the referee had placed the ball on the spot and was checking his watch. When Donnie had gone Tammas strolled down the touchline, passing the man in charge of the team, to stand some twenty yards away from him. But less than ten minutes later he walked back to him and said, Listen eh I want to go to the dressing room a minute. I’ve left something there and that and eh. . Is the door locked or what?
The man nodded, his attention on the game.
After a few moments Tammas asked: Will I be allowed in okay?
What? What’s that? The man frowned.
Have you got the key? to the dressing room?
To the dressing room! Naw, naw son you’ve got to see the caretaker.
Aw aye. Tammas sniffed. He continued standing watching the game. The winger of the opposing team had the ball and was cutting in towards the corner of the 18 yard line; a player came to meet him and the ball eventually ran loose and was collected by the keeper who kicked it high, and the wind carried it and it bounced out for another throw-in from the touchline opposite. He turned away and blew his nose through his fingers, wiping his nostrils on his wrist; he headed off to the dressing room.
•••
Simpson’s Bar was crowded. Moving between the bodies he ordered a pint of heavy and carried it to a group seated at the far side. Donnie was standing next to the table, nearby the darts’ board and when he saw his approach he roared: Look who’s here! The famous vanishing substitute!
Tammas grinned; he sat down on the fringe of the company.
So he isnt skint after all! laughed Billy.
Detained in a betting shop! laughed somebody else.
Ah shite, said Tammas.
A mixture of jeers and laughter greeted this. It was followed almost immediately by a loud roar from the darts game; a match had just ended. One of the guys at the board there shouted the initials of the next player. And while he was rising and crossing the floor the person in question pounded the air with his right fist.
Tammas drank a mouthful of beer and asked, What’s happening?
Rab replied, Happening? What d’you mean happening — nothing’s happening apart from a chinky, we’re all going for a chinky.
I mean the arrangements man, Blackpool.
Hey Donnie will you listen to the boy here! Stoating in at 9 o’clock and he’s wanting to know about arrangements! Arrangements by fuck!
Donnie shouted: We’re going for a chinky!
O Christ! Tammas shook his head and raised his beer glass.
See what I mean? Rab laughed. You’re too late man — everybody’s steamboats.
John leaned over the table: We’ve booked in bed and breakfast Tammas. Seven pound a night and we’re lucky to get it. Usually well booked up before the end of August according to the woman, the landlady. That’s how it’s so dear.
Aye, said Rab, nudging Tammas, there’s a guy in John’s work could’ve got us a place at half the price.
All I’m saying’s what he told me.
Aye well you fucking tell him to give us the address man and then we’ll see.
What is it yous’re paying? somebody asked.
Seven notes.
And that’s just for bed and breakfast, added John. On top of that we’ll have our dinner and tea to pay.
Billy sniffed. That’s right enough. And then we’ve got snacks and bevy on top of that again.
Aye and our fucking travelling expenses, called Donnie.
True. Plus if we back a few losers and all that I mean who the fuck’s going to pay that!
John shook his head. You cant get fucking talking in this place.
It’s only because you talk so much shite John. . muttered Rab.
Aye do I!
Aye, laughed Billy.
Tammas had opened a new packet of cigarettes and he offered them about the company. He said to Rab: Saw the result in the paper man — great stuff. Is that yous through to the next round then?
Quarter finals. . Rab shrugged. And he added, What about the eh. . you wanting to give us a few quid or what?
A tenner, aye. Tammas withdrew the money and handed it to him. Is that okay?
Well it’s up to you man but you’re still a wee bit behind. Rab folded the notes and put it into his hip pocket. He had a notebook in his inside jacket pocket and he flipped through the pages, entered in the details, and added, Even Billy stuck in a score!
The others laughed.
Billy called: What d’you mean ya bastard ye!
Nothing, nothing. . As Rab was returning the notebook into his pocket he said quietly to Tammas, You alright man?
What. . aye, Christ — I just want to have it all in front of me at the time and that, see how I’m fixed for everything man, see what’s what.
Rab nodded.
Some choice. .
What?
Naw I mean the chinky and that, a Saturday night.
Billy called: A couple of the boys are going up the dancing.
Aye, said Donnie, if you’d been in earlier ya cunt we might’ve got something organised.
Organised! We can fucking do it the now.
Naw we cant, too late.
Tammas shook his head. Think I’ll start going back to Shawfield.
You kidding!
Naw, this Saturday night routine man it’s fucking murder.
Aye okay but the dogs! Jesus Christ! You must’ve a short memory man!
Cause you go to the dogs doesnt mean you have to have a bet Donnie. Plenty of people go there just to watch the actual racing.
Aw aye! Donnie laughed and reached for his beer.
Rab said, Bad enough going to the dump but what like would it be without having a punt? Naw no me Tammas I’d rather have a few jars. And I mean imagine being over the night!
I know, cried Donnie, it’s fucking pissing down out there. You wind up going skint man and having to hoof it back up the road cause you’ve no got the price of a fucking bus ticket!
Tammas was grinning. Hey wait a minute Donnie they give you credit fares remember!
No for Shawfield punters they dont! That’s fucking all stopped!
Lying bastard.
The others laughed. Rab said: It’ll no affect Tammas anyway. He’s just wanting to go and watch!
Aye well it’s better than fucking sitting here all night!
I agree, called John.
Nobody’s forcing you, Rab answered. He sniffed and lifted his beer, sipped at it while gazing in the direction of the darts’ match.
Donnie agreed. We’re fighting again, he muttered. Then he rose and added, I’m away for a pish out the road!
There was a brief silence. John turned to Tammas: Ever thought about emigrating?
Emigrating? Course.
Whereabouts?
Any fucking place!
Naw it’s just. . John shrugged. An auld guy in the work, he was saying you dont need to pay if you’re under 21 years of age.
John! Billy was shaking his head at him: I keep telling you man that’s a load of fucking rubbish.
How do you know?
How do I know!
For one thing, said Rab, Donnie would’ve told us, cause his da would’ve fucking found out right at the beginning.
Aye but you’re talking about New Zealand.
Australia or New Zealand ya cunt it doesnt matter.
Doesnt matter! Australia or New Zealand!