She beckoned him across. Come in a minute, she said, there’s a hell of a draught coming up the stairs.
Nah it’s alright Cathy I’ll just eh. . He raised the packages and the paperbag containing the sweets and the packet of cakes. And he handed them to her. Will you give them in to Vi for me?
Yes. Cathy glanced at them.
Just a couple of presents.
She nodded, and added: Are you leaving a message?
Naw eh I’ll no bother, just — I was here and that. Okay?
Fine.
•••
The grey figures had stopped dancing and singing and the picture of a clock on a church tower flashed onto the screen. As the chimes began Robert, Margaret and Tammas were onto their feet, each with a glass in hand. On the twelfth chime Robert said, That’s it then.
He and Margaret kissed on the lips. The grey figures were now singing Auld Lang Syne with their arms linked. Tammas and Margaret kissed each other on the cheek and then he and Robert shook hands, and they clinked glasses and raised them, made the toast to the new year. Then they drank and Tammas said: Refills! And he took their glasses to the table and poured another one each from a bottle of vodka.
And I’m sticking off that bloody goggle box! cried Robert.
Margaret laughed: He’s away with it already and we’re no even out the house yet!
What d’you mean away with it? Just because I’m turning off the blooming telly! Robert grinned, taking the glass from Tammas.
When Margaret had hers she sniffed it and wrinkled her nose: Vodka!
Aye, said Tammas, you’ve got to take one.
Not me; I’m sticking to the sherry. . She moved towards the table but Tammas stood blocking her way, grinning at her.
Naw, he said, you’ve got to otherwise it’s bad luck!
Robert laughed: Right enough Margaret!
O God. Well. . she shook her head: At least put some lime or orange into it. And I’ll have a bit of shortbread to wash it down.
Soak it up you mean! Robert laughed.
Shortly after 12.30 am they were locking the outside door and stepping downstairs and into the street. Quite a few people were about and music came from different windows up the tenement building. On the pavement opposite a middle aged couple who lived up the next close called: Happy New Year! and each of the three replied with the same call.
The streets were damp though it had not been raining for a while. There was a slight fog about. They walked into George Square for the all-night bus services. Tammas then split from them. See yous the morrow, he said.
Take care, Margaret answered, frowning a little.
Tammas looked at her.
I keep telling her you’re a big boy now Tammas but she’ll no pay any attention! Robert winked.
I know what you mean!
Well, replied Margaret, all I’m saying is take care.
Take care yourself, said Tammas. And he grinned: Have a good night.
And you.
He brandished the vodka bottle, still grinning, before continuing on across the Square to where his own bus would be leaving.
•••
At the foot of the staircase in Vi’s close he uncapped the vodka bottle and swigged a mouthful. How’s it going Vi, he said, I just thought I’d first-foot you! He grinned and capped the bottle, stuck it into his side jacket pocket, brought out his cigarettes and lighted one.
Outside her door he took the bottle out again but then put it back into the pocket; he rang the bell and stood with his eyes closed.
There was loud music coming from somewhere up the stairs. After a moment he rang the bell once more, then bent and lifted the flap. No lights, no sounds. He thudded his fist on the wood. Then he glanced hurriedly about and he rubbed the back of his head. He lowered himself down, sat on his heels, his back to the wall beside the door. He inhaled deeply on the cigarette. He took the bottle from his pocket and stood it on the floor. He stared at its label. A movement from Cathy’s house across the landing. And then a cistern emptying and someone’s footfalls on the floor inside.
He finished the cigarette, stubbed it out on the wall; he rose and stepped to Cathy’s door and chapped it loudly. An elderly man answered. Come on in, he said and he returned inside, leaving the door open. After a moment Tammas followed him, shutting the door quietly behind himself.
Some people, mainly middle aged, were in the front room chatting. They looked at him as he entered.
Happy New Year, he said.
Happy New Year, replied a couple of the people.
And a woman said: What time is it son?
I’m no sure.
It’s nearly bloody half one! muttered a guy who was wearing a tartan bunnet.
Dont be so bad tempered, she told him.
Bad tempered! Hh! The man turned away from her and he glanced over at Tammas.
I was looking for Cathy. .
You’re no the only one!
Sssh, muttered the woman.
Well no wonder.
She’s up the stair with George, the woman said to Tammas. She’ll be down in a minute.
One of the other women pursed her lips and shook her head: They’ve been up for nearly an hour as it is.
Sit down, said a man.
Naw it’s okay thanks. I better just eh go up and have a word. Actually I’m looking for somebody that lives across the landing.
Aw. The man nodded, lifted a tumbler, sipped from it, frowning at the guy with the tartan bunnet. And he said: Give the boy a drink.
The boy can get a drink if he likes.
It’s okay, replied Tammas, going to the door. I better go up the stair.
Remind them there’s visitors down here and they’re having to be going soon, muttered a woman.
Tammas nodded. He went upstairs and chapped on the door of the flat where the music seemed to be coming from. A young girl of about 13 answered and rushed back inside without acknowledgment. Then a woman appeared. I’m looking for Cathy, he said.
Cathy! the woman called down the lobby: Somebody for you!
Cathy appeared, holding a drink in one hand. She frowned at first and then smiled. Thomas! Happy New Year, she said.
Happy New Year. He leaned to her and they kissed on the lips briefly. I’m looking for Vi.
She’s over in Milly’s. Do you know where she lives?
Naw.
Cathy nodded, coming out from the house. Come on, she said, I’ve got the address downstairs.
He waited in the lobby while she went into her kitchen to find it. There seemed to be no one speaking in the front room. When Cathy gave him a slip of paper with the address written on it she smiled and added, You’ve got time for a quick yin first!
Eh naw Cathy naw, I better no.
Och come on!
Naw, honest, I better just eh. . He grinned, patting the neck of his vodka bottle. Got to keep sober! And you’ve got company in there as well Cathy.
Tch! She made a face and whispered: Is that what you call it!
He smiled.
She paused at the door, touching his wrist: Look, see if you dont get a bus or that, if you cant find a taxi — just come back; we’ll be going for a while up the stair. Especially when that mob through there decides to leave!
Great.
Honest, I mean that, just come back. And no too late or I’ll be drunk!
Okay. . he grinned: That’s a promise!
•••
Tammas had been walking for some time. His knowledge of Paisley was limited to the main roads and the driver of the bus had only been able to offer him the general direction of Milly’s street. Since the Glasgow city boundary traffic seemed fewer and not many taxis passed. Two had appeared for hire but they were travelling on the opposite side of the road and did not stop when he hailed them. There were three youths up ahead, younger than him. They watched his approach. One of them said, Hey jimmy you got a light?