Alec took out the Daily Record and began reading immediately. Fat Stanley and Victor glanced about. Oanny grinned, They dont bite.
What? said Fat Stanley.
Oanny was still grinning; he nodded at the girls.
Aw naw, said Fat Stanley. I wasnt. .
Although the girls wore long evening gowns they obviously worked for the casino. Their dresses were low cut at the front and the back and they had long slits up the sides. They carried trays of cups and saucers and plates and also of glasses. Oanny cleared his throat, about to say something but Alec shut the newspaper abruptly and got to his feet, he palmed a few notes to Oanny and murmured, See yous later.
The three nodded.
I’ll eh. . Alec paused, smiling at a man who was standing over by the door into the casino, and he strolled across, folding the newspaper and sticking it into his coat pocket. The man wore an evening suit and he smiled at Alec and shook him by the hand.
Oanny squinted over and waved: Tell big James I was asking for him!
Right you are Oanny, said the man.
Oanny glanced sideways at Fat Stanley and Victor, he whispered: That’s wee James, his boy. He raised his eyebrows and slapped his hands together and winked: What d’yous want to drink then?
Fat Stanley smiled.
I’m serious. Oanny indicated the tiny enclosed bar. What d’yous want?
Eh. . a bottle of beer maybe? if eh. .
Fine. Oanny sniffed. Victor?
Eh a pint of lager?
Oanny nodded and called to one of the girls. Hey miss; could I have a pint of lager and two bottles of beer, and a wee vodka and lemonade. He grinned and added: I’ve got to take that vodka otherwise the lemonade goes to my head!
The girl’s smile became apologetic. You need to get a meal before you can get a drink, she said.
Aw good, good. Oanny rubbed his hands together and said to Fat Stanley: Okay big yin, steak, egg and chips eh? Fancy it?
The girl was apologetic again. I think they’ve stopped serving now. It’s past 4 o’clock.
Aw God.
I’ll go and see but. The girl smiled.
Aye hen we’d appreciate that. Oanny sighed, shaking his head, gazing after the girl in an absent-minded manner.
Nice place, said Fat Stanley. The decor and that, it’s nice.
Aye, said Victor.
Fat Stanley nodded. After a moment he said to Oanny, Is it a while since you’ve been here?
Ages. It’s all changed.
Some money around though eh!
I dont know so much, said Oanny, some of the cunts sitting ben there’ll hang about all night just playing that roulette for pennies.
Victor shrugged.
Fair enough, said Oanny, I’m no saying there’s no money about, I’m just saying it might surprise you, that’s all, that’s all I’m saying. I mind once me and Alec landed in London — we’d been down at Goodwood with a couple of the boys. . He paused as the girl appeared. She was still looking apologetic.
I’m sorry, she said then she pointed to an alcove nearby the cloakroom. You can get sandwiches in there.
Eh. . Oanny tapped the girl on the elbow as she turned to leave. Can we still get something to drink?
Well, tea or coffee.
Aw aye. What is there no chance of eh a wee half or something?
The girl hesitated for a second; she shook her head, and added, Okay?
Fat Stanley smiled at her.
But if you just go over there somebody’ll see to you for sandwiches.
Once she had gone Oanny sniffed and muttered, Those and such as those.
Och naw, said Fat Stanley, I dont think so Oanny.
Aye you better fucking believe it big yin!
Victor shook his head slightly.
You kidding? frowned Oanny.
It’s no up to her, said Victor.
I’m no saying it is up to her. She could’ve put the word in but, that’s what I’m saying.
Fat Stanley nodded. He smiled. Being honest, I dont really feel like a drink anyway.
That’s no the point.
A coffee would do me, said Victor.
Aye plus the lassie was saying about sandwiches, added Fat Stanley. Eh Oanny? Is that no what she said, about sandwiches?
Oanny looked at him then he looked away.
Then Victor rose and muttered about needing a pish and went off to find the gents toilet.
Oanny sighed and patted the pockets of his jacket and coat but the halfbottle had been finished before leaving the club. He opened his cigarettes, took one out and left one beside where Victor was sitting, then said to Fat Stanley, Do you want one?
Naw.
Oanny nodded and got up. He lighted the cigarette while strolling to the alcove at the far end of the room, stuck the packet into his pocket. Another girl was behind the counter, reading a book with hard covers. She continued reading as Oanny stood there. He grinned eventually. That must be a good book! he said.
Oh, sorry.
Naw, it’s alright!
Are you wanting something? The girl got up from the seat.
A wee niece of mine, he said, she was like you — nose always stuck inside a book!
The girl smiled.
What kind of sandwiches have you got then?
Well, there’s only lettuce and tomato left now.
Lettuce and tomato. .
We had roast beef and gammon earlier on.
Oanny shrugged. The lettuce and tomato’ll do fine hen. It’s for three. Plus two coffees and a tea — have you got tea?
Yes.
Thank God for that!
She returned with the stuff on a tray and Oanny applied the milk and sugar from the jug and bowl on the counter. He pulled out the small wad of notes.
There’s no charge, said the girl.
What?
For a meal you would have to pay but sandwiches and coffee come free of charge.
Aw aye, I see. Thanks hen. . Oanny started separating the saucers and putting the cups onto them, then he manoeuvered things about on the tray.
Can you manage? she asked.
Aye — I’m no decrepit altogether!
I wasnt meaning that. It’s just that if you leave the saucers the way they were then everything’ll fit till you get to the table.
Of course, aye. Oanny took the cups back off the saucers and returned the things back onto the tray. He nodded. He noticed a medium-sized bowl to the side of the counter. There was quite a lot of money inside it. Before lifting the tray he peeled two singles from the small wad and he put them in beside the rest. It was probably tips people left because the sandwiches came free. He hummed a tune while carrying the tray back to the table. The lassie was nice. But so bloody young! She hardly seemed old enough to be out at this time never mind working in a bloody casino. And these dresses they were wearing, hers was too tight, and the tops of her tits could actually be seen. It was a wonder the punters ever remembered to pick up their winnings! Not that there would be much winnings in a place like this. Take away the lassies and what did you have, one big con from top to bottom.
What you laughing at?
What?
Fat Stanley grinned whilst in the middle of munching a sandwich, a sliver of lettuce at the corner of his mouth.
Just thinking about something, replied Oanny. He gestured at the sandwich. No kidding ye but that’s what Ellen should be doing I mean a lot of cunts dont fancy a bowl of fucking soup but give them a sandwich and a cup of tea and that. . He shrugged.