He nodded but made no other movement.
Eh Tammas?
What about a pint first? he jerked his thumb in the pub’s direction. No a bad lounge. Fancy going over for a minute?
Tch! I’m no going into a pub like this!
You look fine. Honest I mean. .
Julie paused before saying, You dont go into pubs dressed like this but.
It’s a lounge.
Doesnt matter.
It’s quiet; it’s really quiet.
Julie stared down the street without replying.
Could you no go up and get a coat?
She glanced at the close mouth.
Eh Julie?
I dont know.
Just for a pint, come on, I’ll wait for you.
She turned and said: What did you forget your speech for?
I dont know, I just — I forgot.
Julie shook her head.
Honest.
Tch.
Tammas sighed. He smiled. Come on, come on we’ll go.
I’ll need to change first.
I’ll wait for you here.
She nodded quickly and walked into the close, and kept walking along, to the foot of the staircase, where she glanced back over her shoulder. Tammas pointed to where he was standing inside the entrance and whispered loudly: I’ll just be here.
About ten minutes later the door on the first storey opened and footsteps down, but it was Alec who appeared. He stolled out with his hands in his trouser pockets. She told me to tell you no to wait Tammas. She says you’ve to come up the stair, she’ll see you in the house.
Tammas nodded.
You coming?
Eh I’ll be up in a minute. I’ve got a splitting head. Hey, fancy a pint?
Alec frowned. Whereabouts?
Across the road.
Aw naw man they’re too strict in there they’ll no serve me.
You sure?
Aye, fucking, they’re really strict man.
Aw.
A moment later Alec shrugged. Anyway, they’re about to stick the records on. All the Scottish stuff first but they’ll be dancing after that.
Tammas nodded.
It’ll be a good laugh.
Aye. I’ll just have a quick pint.
You’ll come up but?
Aye, course.
Okay. Billy was wondering where you were as well.
I’ll just be a minute tell him.
Okay.
Tammas turned immediately, left the close, crossing in the direction of the pub, but he carried on walking beyond it. A taxi had pulled to a stop at the traffic lights; he rushed up to it and climbed in. The driver was waiting for him to speak. Sorry, he said, Shawfield, Shawfield jimmy.
•••
There had been a slight flurry of snow when they boarded the bus and now, as they alighted, it was coming down quite thickly and beginning to lie. He stepped from the platform first, turning to give Vi his hand; she was holding the wee girl. Along the pavement they walked carefully, the stonework slippery in places. At the close before the corner of her street Vi paused, sheltering while opening her handbag, taking a £5 note from the purse inside. Get us a couple of fish suppers from the chip shop, she said, it’ll save me having to cook.
Sure?
Vi grinned: I’ll race you as well. I bet you ten pence I’ve got Kirsty down before you get back!
Ha ha!
I bet you! she cried, and was already out the close and walking in a hurry.
Watch you dont fall!
But Vi continued on without glancing back the way and Tammas laughed and started running over the road towards the chip shop.
By the time he arrived up the stairs Kirsty was in her pyjamas and sitting up in the cot with a picture book on her lap, eating a digestive biscuit. Vi had set out two mugs and was pouring the tea. Her back was to him but she could be heard chuckling. On top of the table were the salt, the vinegar and the tomato sauce, a teaplate of margarined bread.
That bloody queue, he said.
Ha ha.
Naw but no kidding it was right out onto the pavement.
Tch! He cant even admit he’s lost!
Naw but no kidding! Tammas stepped quietly to her and kissed her on the side of the face. He placed the parcel of food on the table, and the change from the £5 on the mantelpiece.
I hope my ten pence is there as well you!
Tell you what, a double or clear.
A double or clear?
Aye, plus the dishes. Whoever eats their grub first wins.
You kidding! A gannet like you! Think I’m daft?
Naw but a fair bet.
A fair bet! some hopes!
He laughed then he rubbed his hands briskly. Christ Vi I’m starving!
You’re always starving — it was the same in the pictures that time; after refusing my mince I had to sit all night listening to your stomach rumble! All through the bloody film as well!
Rubbish, that was yours!
O uh. . She turned to Kirsty: Hear this big liar hen? Wont his nose start to grow!
Tammas was unscrewing the sauce bottle and pouring some onto the edge of his plate, sprinkling the salt then the vinegar. And I’ll tell you something, he said, see when you went to the ladies; I told that auld woman sitting in front that it was you to blame.
Tch.
I did, honest.
Rubbish!
He had taken a mug of tea across to her, laying his own on the tiled fireplace; returned with his fish and chips and the margarined bread. And when he sat down he shook his head and sighed. This is great.
Dont be daft.
Naw, I mean it, honest.
Shut up.
He sniffed. He forked a chip into the sauce. Kirsty was looking at him and he winked at her. She said, Biscuit!
I’ll give her one? he asked.
Vi nodded. He rose, laying his plate near to his tea. The packet of biscuits was in the cupboard. When he held one out to her the girl shook her head slowly, staring at him. He smiled. Okay Kirsty? And set it on the quilt beside her. She looked away from him, her attention reverting to the book.
Vi had been watching. While he collected his plate and sat down she said, Sometimes she can be funny.
He nodded.
But if she is dont take it personally.
Naw.
Okay?
Aye. He smiled at her; he was cutting a piece of the fried haddock, forking it into his mouth. He reached for the mug, sipped at the tea. Vi was also sipping tea and their gazes met.
So the wedding turned out okay after all?
Aye it was fine. Tammas shrugged. Everything just seemed to pass in front of my eyes. One minute I was getting the ring off Rab in the morning; next thing him and Rena were in the taxi and we were waving cheerio. It was a strange feeling.
Even stranger for them. .
Aye, hh — and Rab but he had everything happening at once, rushing back up from Hull on the Friday afternoon and then having to leave first thing on the Sunday morning; plus it’s his birthday next week, he’s twenty.
Vi frowned.
Tammas had sniffed and he looked at the plate, dug the fork into a large chip, dipped it into the sauce.
Vi now smiled. She shook her head and laid her knife and fork on the plate. Aye, she said, I knew it. And yous grew up the gether didnt you?
What?
You and your pal Rab, you’re the same age. Ho, God, I knew it. Milly and Joe were wrong and I was right. So what is he older than you or what?
What?
Your pal Rab, is he older than you?
What d’you mean?
What’re you blushing for Tammas?
What?
Your face — it’s bloody scarlet so it is!
He made no reply. He was balancing the plate on his knees, holding the knife and the fork in either hand. Eventually he gazed at her. Well what would you’ve done if I’d told you the truth? Hh, you wouldnt’ve bloody looked at me.