Billy. I’m no really sure if I know him Tammas.
O aye. Tammas returned the cigarettes to his pocket; he fingered the lapels of the dress jacket. Have to change out of this stuff. I better eh. . this blooming bowtie!
I think it looks nice.
The bowtie? Tammas frowned at her. It feels like a windmill or something. And the trousers they gave me; could hardly get my legs into them they were that tight!
But it’ll be nice for the photographs.
Aye, I suppose so. Listen Betty I’ll see you later on and then — maybe have a dance if it’s okay. He frowned. I’m supposed to look after the best maid.
Betty nodded. Wee Julie, she looks awful thin in the dress. It’s nice right enough but she was really shivering for the photographs.
Aye. . Tammas took out his cigarette again. After a moment he touched her on the side of the arm and said, I’ll see you later Betty.
A large walk-in press was being used as a cloakroom. There was no snib on the door and he had to grip the handle while changing trousers. When he had his own suit on and the dress one on the hanger, he pushed open the door and peered out. A group of kids was clustered by the bathroom door; also a young woman with a baby in her arms. She glanced at him as he passed along, and he nodded to her, before opening the front door and stepping out.
There was a pub about two hundred yards down the street and he sat in the bar for more than forty minutes, sipping at a pint of heavy, watching television.
The guests were queuing for food when he arrived back, a line of them filing along the lobby and in through the kitchen doorway, passing the tables where all the bowls and plates of things were heaped. Folk were either serving themselves or being given selections by two middle aged women. John was near the head of the queue and he waved to Tammas. Tammas returned the wave but continued along the lobby. In the front room different groups had formed, people chatting together while eating or drinking. Over near the bow windows Rab and Rena had been surrounded, mainly by younger folk, including both Betty and Julie. Behind them Tammas could see Billy listening to something Mrs McCorquodale was saying.
And Uncle Gus was gesticulating at him from the side of the room and calling, Hey. . psst — Tammas.
He was standing next to a display cabinet. A bottle of sherry and a half bottle of whisky plus a few empty tumblers were on top of it, also a big plate in use as an ashtray. Uncle Gus was pointing at the sherry: Hope you can drink this cause the whisky’s done and I dont see much else.
There’s a boozer down the street, said Tammas. Nick out for a pint; that’s what I’ve just done. They’ve got an off-sales as well.
An off sales. . mm, aye. Uncle Gus nodded. Seems a bit out of order but: bringing a carry out to a wedding! Still, a bottle of bloody sherry’ll no go very far.
Biblethumpers, muttered Mr McCorquodale, appearing suddenly. What else d’you expect?
Hey Boab, he’s saying there’s a boozer just down the street a bit.
Good. Mr McCorquodale glanced at Tammas: Son, d’you know what a biblethumper is?
Sssshh Boab. .
And by the bye, you should have been getting things organised, no skipping out for pints. Mr McCorquodale poured himself a sherry then topped up Uncle Gus’s tumbler.
Tammas nodded.
And did you just forget it or what? the speech. . Mr McCorquodale was returning the bottle to the display cabinet.
I didnt really have it worked out properly.
Ah well you should have shouldnt you.
Leave the boy alone, said Uncle Gus, I’ve done the same myself.
Have you? When was that?
Och! Uncle Gus shook his head, pursed his lips and drank some sherry. Plenty of times.
Plenty of times?
Och aye, Christ.
Hh! Mind you. . Mr McCorquodale smiled, It probably saved us getting a bloody sermon, if the speeches had all carried on.
Tammas glanced at him: Did they no?
Naw. Ended up everybody thought they were just to start eating! Mr McCorquodale shook his head.
It’s no your fault, said Uncle Gus.
Whose fault is it then? Mr McCorquodale asked.
No his anyway, one of them could’ve said something.
Aw aye, I see.
Well they bloody could’ve. Uncle Gus frowned and swallowed his sherry in a gulp.
Cheers to you too, said Mr McCorquodale and did likewise then reached for the bottle again. It’s hell of a sweet this stuff isnt it? Effing syrup it tastes like!
Ssh.
Sssh yourself. Mr McCorquodale topped up his tumbler and then he glanced at Tammas and offered him one.
Naw no thanks.
Wise man.
Tammas smiled; he brought out his cigarettes, but paused: along at the group where Rab and Rena were, Julie was standing to the side and looking down towards him. She raised her left hand and touched herself at the back of the neck, seeming to smile at something one of the group was saying. Then she looked back along at Tammas again.
He’s no listening to you, said Mr McCorquodale, he’s watching that wee lassie.
I dont blame him.
Ah well it’s better than watching you right enough I’ll give him that.
Tammas sniffed, he cleared his throat and opened the cigarette packet.
I’m saying is there any jobs on the horizon son. .? Uncle Gus smiled.
Eh naw, no really, I’m thinking of maybe going away.
Going away?
I’m no sure.
What’re you fed up?
Aye, a bit.
Mr McCorquodale was nodding. If you ask me you were a wee bit previous jumping on the broo when you did.
Probably.
Probably!
Aw Boab give the boy a break!
Mr McCorquodale pursed his lips and winked at Tammas: I’ve to give you a break!
Tammas smiled.
Well you’re picking on him.
I’m no picking on him.
You are.
Tch, Christ. Mr McCorquodale shook his head. Am I picking on you Tammas?
Tammas smiled. Actually, he said, I better go. . He turned from them and stepped towards the doorway.
Julie was coming in the same direction. He paused to strike a match, lighted a cigarette, and followed the girl out into the lobby. She led him into the doorway of the end bedroom. Thank God, he said, getting me away from Rab’s auld man!
Julie nodded.
Naw, I’m no kidding ye!
It’s cause Rab told me to. Did you no notice the time? I was trying to tell you when we were in there — it’s half six.
O Christ that’s right, the taxi.
You’ve to get it as soon as you can. As soon as the coast’s clear they want to skip away.
As soon as the coast’s clear?
Aye.
What d’you mean?
Pardon?
What coast you talking about?
Julie breathed in deeply and frowned, and Tammas grinned. She turned her head from him. . You were supposed to toast me you know. I waited all week for it.
I’m sorry.
Mrs McCorquodale says she’s going to give you a doing.
Hh.
She is. . Julie continued to look away from him. She was holding a slice of currant cake in her hand and she broke a piece of it off and put it in her mouth.
Tammas nodded.
But it was nice what you said about Rena.
I should’ve said it to you as well.
Tch, I wasnt meaning that.
Naw but. . he shrugged. I’m sorry.
It doesnt matter. I wasnt meaning that.
Aye but that’s some dress you’re wearing; it’ll look really great in the photographs.
Tch. . Julie shook her head, still looking away from him.
Honest, I’m no kidding ye.
Tch. She shook her head again and began walking off.
Naw, he said and he whispered after her: I mean it Julie.
He waited until she had returned into the main room then walked down the lobby.