Eric was across at the craps table, leaning his elbows on the rim of it, totally engrossed in the play. Joe was nowhere to be seen.
On his way out Tammas stopped and went into the coffee lounge. A man was sitting at the table he had been at before and was reading the Daily Record. Tammas said, That’s mine — I just left it there.
The man shrugged, he closed it over and passed it up.
I’ve no finished reading it myself. . Tammas sniffed. He rolled it up while heading to the exit.
•••
If I was drawing you, he said, moving his right forefinger down over the bridge of her nose and her lips, and down and along the line of her shoulder to the top of her arm; he tugged the blankets down a little, continuing the line round the curve of her left breast, moving his finger beneath and lifting it slightly, now moving the back of his hand in beneath it and he stared at her until she glanced at him out the corner of her eye. Sometimes eyes look like fish.
O thanks, thanks a lot.
Naw, just from side on like this when you’re looking. . His head was resting on the palm of his left hand, propping himself on the elbow. He withdrew the hand from beneath her breast and she shifted her position a bit, still lying quite straight on her back with her right arm beside him, the hand on his left thigh. He returned his forefinger onto her forehead again, retracing the outline of her profile, this time bringing the tip of his finger round the lines within her left ear.
Watch my nose with your elbow, she muttered and half turned her head, her hand also moving away but it resettled on his thigh again.
He placed his right hand on the other side of the pillow, manoeuvering himself to kiss her on the mouth. Vi, you’re really beautiful. I’m no kidding.
Tch, shut up.
Naw, honest. He moved a little away and stared at her. You are. I’m no kidding.
You’ve said that.
I’ve said that?
She shook her head, smiling, moving to kiss him. It’s alright, I dont mind you telling me I’m beautiful.
Christ Vi. He kissed the tip of her nose, shifting his right leg over her left leg, the knee resting between hers, and she put both her arms round his back, raising herself up into him. Soon he was hard and she lay for him to push entry. He whispered, I really love that feeling. She was looking at him and she nodded; her eyelids opened and closed. He was inside her now and stretching, then he lay taking the weight on his elbows. She was looking at him and he smiled and her eyelids shut, and he started the thrust.
When he had come he remained inside her. She kissed him, pulling him down on top of her and she said, Just lie.
I’ll flatten you.
No you’ll no.
You sure?
She smiled, knocking at his arms until he took the weight off his elbows and settled onto her.
I’m squashing you.
You’re no.
Hh.
I like feeling you.
He smiled and altered the way he was lying just sufficient to face into the hollow of her neck and shoulders, the side of his head resting on the pillow.
Mm.
What is it?
This is nice.
Hh, aye.
And soon she was moving, a sort of circular motion, still with him inside her although still soft. She kept the movement going for a while, until he had become semi hard and able to continue alone, and she shut her eyelids and kissed him on the mouth and he stretched, grinning down at her, now kissing her on the forehead, and her intake of breath when he started thrusting a bit more deeply.
It’s nearly eleven!
What. .
She was reaching across and switching on the bedside lamp. She clambered over him and off the bed onto the floor, and she dressed quickly.
D’you mean in the morning?
It’s no funny. Cathy’ll be wondering if something’s up.
Och naw she’ll no.
She will but you dont know her! Vi was buttoning up her blouse, tucking the hem of it inside her skirt waistband. I’ll need to tell her something. .
Tell her we’re having a marathon!
It’s no funny I’m saying. . Vi had walked to the sink and she turned on the tap. Kirsty as well, she’ll be wondering. And sometimes Cathy’s kids pick on her a wee bit. . She was rubbing her hands on the towel, dropping it onto a dining chair as she passed to the kitchen door. D’you mind getting up?
O aye, sorry.
Naw it’s just. . Vi paused, she smiled. It’s just Kirsty I suppose I just. . She smiled again, shrugging.
Of course — sorry.
Naw, tch! She opened the door and went out.
He got up and put his clothes on. Vi had cooked food for them earlier and all the cutlery and crockery and stuff were still lying about the oven and the sink and on the coffee table beside the settee and armchair. He filled a kettle to start the washing up, and he made himself a cup of coffee. He moved quickly about the place, lifting Kirsty’s toys and putting them in one heap beneath her cot.
The washing up was finished and he had switched on the television by the time she came back. Kirsty was in her arms, thumb in the mouth and eyelids flickering but she stared at Tammas when she saw him.
Vi glanced about at everything and smiled at him. No comment, she said and he grinned and offered her a cigarette. Then she frowned: You could at least have told me I’d forgot to put on my tights!
What?
I forgot to put on my bloody tights! she said, mouthing the last part of the sentence.
Hh.
Aye I know, hh!
He was smiling at her. Want a coffee or tea?
Naw, I had to take one in with Cathy.
Did she say anything?
Naw. But she knew.
She knew?
Vi raised her eyebrows at him and started preparing Kirsty for bed. Aye she knew!