He nodded.
God sake Tammas.
He nodded again.
I’m sorry, she said, it’s just — Tammas, I dont want my name down on any lists if I can help it.
Hh.
Naw, I mean it, because of him.
Aw.
That’s how.
Aye. . He was silent for a few moments. But they dont hand out names and addresses to anybody that asks.
Mm.
They dont but, surely.
Vi shrugged. She moved off from his chest, saying: Pass me a fag. . And she tugged the sheet up over her breasts, sitting up a bit, her shoulders against the bedhead.
When they were both smoking he said to her: Is it true he’s going to come after you when he gets out?
Vi was staring at the wall opposite. She shrugged. He said he was.
Tammas nodded.
But he’s got a screw loose, you dont always know.
He held the ashtray out for her to tap in cigarette ash: D’you think he will?
I dont know, he might.
Tammas inhaled on his cigarette and he blew smoke sideways, and turned, about to say something; but Vi said: I dont like talking about him with you.
Ah, sorry.
Naw Tammas, I just dont like talking about him with you, cause it’s you.
He sniffed.
She smiled at him. Okay?
Aye, Christ. He cleared his throat and swallowed, inhaled on the cigarette again. Maybe your best bet’s getting out of Glasgow all the gether.
O to Peterhead I suppose!
He grinned and she laughed. And he cleared his throat again, before saying, Naw, actually I’m being serious.
She smiled, shaking her head.
D’you no fancy it like?
Vi shrugged, puffed out a cloud of smoke and tapped ash onto the ashtray.
There’s big money on this job you know — 12 hour shifts they’re working I mean it wouldnt be long till I was able to bring yous up, the two of yous, you and Kirsty.
Mm.
And you wouldnt need to work.
But I like working.
Okay.
I hate being in the house all the time.
Fine I mean. . he shrugged.
God Tammas Wylie never liked me working either. He always thought men were looking at me. Even before we got married he was wanting me to stay at home in my mother’s — imagine! All day — sitting in the bloody house!
Hh.
God.
I wouldnt mind you working at all.
O thanks, I’m very grateful.
He looked at her.
Naw really, I’m very very grateful.
Christ Vi sometimes you take the needle hell of a quick.
I take the needle!
Well so you do, Christ, sometimes I can hardly get talking.
Aye well no bloody wonder. It’s bad when men expect you to stop work just to suit them.
Okay.
I know it’s okay.
Aye well, sorry.
You dont have to be sorry I’m no asking you to be sorry.
He sniffed and dragged on the cigarette.
I just think it’s out of order, the way men expect that. D’you no agree?
He nodded.
Are you sure?
Aye Christ.
Well you dont seem too bloody convinced!
There was a brief silence. Kirsty called, Mummy!
And Vi looked over towards her and waved: It’s okay pet, I’ll be getting up in a wee minute.
Tammas muttered, Sorry.
Tch, I dont want you being sorry, there’s nothing to be sorry about. It’s just. . och. She shook her head and sighed, and motioned for the ashtray, stubbed out the cigarette. I think it’s time for a coffee, she said.
Aye, I’ll make it.
Or would you rather just have a breakfast?
Eh naw, it’s okay, it’s up to you.
Tch come on, you’re always starving.
I’m no always starving.
Aye you are!
I’m no Christ.
Dont go in the huff.
I’m no going in the huff.
You are.
I’m no. He inhaled on the cigarette; and he glanced at her while exhaling. I’m no.
She nodded.
D’you still feel like a coffee?
Aye, thanks.
Aw. Tammas paused. Sorry — you’ll have to do it. . He indicated the cot. I’ve got no clothes on.
Vi frowned.
Naw, honest, if it wasnt for that. Definitely I mean. . he shrugged.
Vi glared and slapped him on the chest. You’re no getting away with that! she said. I’m going to get you your trousers!
Tammas laughed.
Mummy! called Kirsty
It’s okay pet it’s okay, I’m getting up in a wee minute!
Tammas waved to her: It’s okay Kirsty! He stubbed the cigarette out in the ashtray and leaned to place it on the floor. And he put his arm round Vi. The two of them lay back down again, her head on his chest. Kirsty was standing up, holding onto the top of the frame and gazing across at them. Tammas winked at her and she frowned, and after a moment she bounced along on the mattress and lifted a toy from the other end. Tammas had increased the pressure of his arm round Vi and she looked up at him. He smiled. And she said, What is it?
Nothing.
Nothing?
Aye, nothing.
Mm. It’s a funny nothing.
He sniffed and shrugged, then suddenly frowned and glanced sideways, he frowned again.
What is it now?
Eh nothing, naw. . Hh. Christ! He grinned and shook his head.
What is it?
Naw, it’s just — I could actually just go myself. To Peterhead I mean.
Mm.
He grinned. I dont actually need anybody to go with Christ I mean I can just bloody go myself.
You’ve said that.
Hh! He chuckled. Ah! He gazed at the ceiling: Ya beauty! Ya beauty! Then he clenched his right fist and began punching the air and grunting: Pow pow pow, pow pow pow.
Both Kirsty and Vi were watching him. Vi was smiling.
Look Vi, would you really consider coming with me? I mean really — once I’d got settled in and that, once I’d got a place?
Would I consider it?
Aye.
She nodded.
You would consider it?
Aye, okay.
Honest?
Honest — aye, okay.
Christ.
I’m just saying I’d consider it but Tammas, that’s all I’m saying, I would consider it.
Aye, Christ. . he grinned and kissed her on the forehead.
•••
£65 was left in the bank account. He withdrew twenty one of it and stopped in at the newsagent to buy 20 cigarettes; there was a spare Sporting Life on the counter. When he returned upstairs Robert was still in the house, sitting reading a book in the living room. Tammas made a pot of tea and took him ben a cupful. Thanks, he said, barely glancing away from his page.
Tammas nodded. Through in his own room he spread the Life across the bed. He had just lighted a cigarette when Robert could be heard coming out and down the lobby, and chapping the door: Hey Tammas! Can I come in a minute?
Aye.
He remained in the doorway with his hand on the door handle. Naw, he said, just to tell you, that fellow McCann, he was up at the weekend there.
Tammas did not answer.
Saturday it was, just after teatime.
Tammas dragged on the cigarette. He had been lying on his side and now he sat up and swivelled to tap ash into the ashtray on top of the cupboard, facing away from his brother-in-law. And his brother-in-law was yawning and saying, You still thinking in terms of Peterhead?
Aye. Tammas sniffed; he cleared his throat while turning to look at him. Maybe next week; I’m no sure.
Good, good for you; I really think you’re doing the right thing. That’s eh. . I was wanting to say, just that I mean this room and that, it’s yours, if the job maybe doesnt work out, you know, it’s here for you, it’ll be here for you — when you come back and that I mean you knew that anyway I hope.