James Kelman - Greyhound for Breakfast

‘It was all Sweeney’s fault!’

‘That’s right, blame a guy that cant talk up for himself!’

‘So it was but!’

Eddie smiled. ‘And Dempster, dont forget Dempster!’

‘That’s right,’ said Fisher, turning to Mick, ‘Dempster was into it as well.’

Mick shook his head. Fisher was laughing again, quite loudly.

‘It wasnt as funny as all that,’ said Eddie.

‘You dont think so! Every other cunt does!’

‘Dont believe a word of it,’ Eddie told Mick.

‘And do you still punt?’ Mick asked him.

‘Now and again.’

‘Now and again!’ Fisher laughed.

Eddie smiled.

‘There’s four races on the telly this afternoon,’ said Mick.

‘Aye,’ said Fisher, ‘we were thinking of getting a couple of cans and that. You interested?’

‘Eh, naw, I’m no sure yet, what I’m doing.’

Fisher nodded.

‘It’s just eh. .’

‘Dont worry about it,’ said Fisher, and he drank a mouthful of the vodka.

‘How’s Stevie?’

‘Alright — as far as I know, I dont see him much; he hardly comes out. Once or twice at the weekends, that’s about it.’

‘Aye.’

‘What about yourself, you no married yet?’

‘Eh. .’ Eddie made a gesture with his right hand. ‘Kind of yes and no.’

Fisher jerked his thumb at Mick. ‘He’s married — got one on the way.’

‘Have you? Good, that’s good.’ Eddie raised his tumbler of whisky and saluted him. ‘All the best.’

‘Thanks.’

‘I cant imagine having a kid,’ said Eddie, and to Fisher he said: ‘Can you?’

‘What! I cant even keep myself going never mind a snapper!’

Mick laughed and brought out a 10-pack of cigarettes. Eddie pushed it away when offered. ‘It’s my crash,’ he said.

‘Naw,’ said Mick, ‘you bought the bevy.’

‘I know but. .’ He opened his own packet and handed each of them a cigarette and he said to Fisher: ‘You skint?’

Fisher paused and squinted at him, ‘What do you think?’

‘I think you’re skint.’

‘I’m skint.’

‘It’s a fucking dump of a city this, every cunt’s skint.’

Fisher jerked his thumb at Mick. ‘No him, he’s no skint, a fucking millionaire, eh!’

Mick chuckled, ‘That’ll be fucking right.’

Eddie flicked his lighter and they took a light from him. Fisher said, ‘Nice. .’

Eddie nodded, slipping it back into his pocket.

‘What you up for by the way?’

‘Och, a couple of things.’

‘No going to tell us?’

‘Nothing to tell.’

Fisher winked at Mick: ‘Dont believe a word of it.’

‘It’s gen,’ said Eddie, ‘just the maw and that. Plus I was wanting to see a few of the old faces. A wee while since I’ve been away, three year.’

‘Aye and no even a postcard!’

‘You never sent me one!’

‘Aye but I dont know where the fuck you get to man I mean I fucking thought you were inside!’

‘Tch!’

‘He’s supposed to be my best mate as well Mick, what d’you make of it!’

Mick smiled.

Not too long afterwards Eddie had swallowed the last of his whisky and then the heavy beer. ‘That’s me,’ he said, ‘better hit the road. Aw right Tam! Mick, nice meeting you.’ Eddie shook hands with the two of them again.

Fisher said, ‘No bothering about the racing on the telly then. .’

‘Nah, better no — I’ve got a couple of things to do. The maw as well Tam, I’ve got to see her.’

‘Aye how’s she keeping? I dont see her about much.’

‘Aw she’s fine, keeping fine.’

‘That’s good. Tell her I was asking for her.’

‘Will do. .’ Eddie edged his way out. The elderly man shifted on his chair, made a movement towards the drink he had lying by his hand. Eddie nodded at Mick and said to Fisher, ‘I’ll probably look in later on.’

A couple of faces at the bar seemed familiar but not sufficiently so and he continued on to the exit, strolling, hands in his trouser pockets, the cigarette in the corner of his mouth. Outside on the pavement he glanced from right to left, then the pub door banged behind him. It was Fisher. Eddie looked at him. ‘Naw eh. .’ Fisher sniffed. ‘I was just wondering and that, how you’re fixed, just a couple of quid.’

Eddie sighed, shook his head. ‘Sorry Tam but I’m being honest, I’ve got to hit the bank straight away; I’m totally skint.’

‘Aw. Okay. No problem.’

‘I mean if I had it. . I’m no kidding ye, it’s just I’m skint.’

‘Naw dont worry about it Eddie.’

‘Aye but Christ!’ Eddie held his hands raised, palms upwards. ‘Sorry I mean.’ He hesitated a moment then said, ‘Wait a minute. .’ He dug out a big handful of loose change from his trouser pockets and arranged it into a neat sort of column on his left hand, and presented it to Fisher. ‘Any good?’

Fisher gazed at the money.

‘Take it,’ said Eddie, giving it into his right hand.

‘Ta Eddie. Mick’s been keeping me going in there.’

‘When’s the giro due?’

‘Two more days.’

‘Garbage eh.’ He paused, nodded again and patted Fisher on the side of the shoulder. ‘Right you are then Tam, eh! I’ll see ye!’

‘Aye.’

‘I’ll take a look in later on.’

‘Aye do that Eddie. You’ve actually just caught me at a bad time.’

‘I know the feeling,’ said Eddie and he winked and gave a quick wave. He walked on across the street without looking behind. Farther along he stepped sideways onto the path up by the Art Galleries.

There were a lot of children rushing about, plus women pushing prams. And the bowling greens were busy. Not just pensioners playing either, even young boys were out. Eddie still had the Record rolled in his pocket and he sat down on a bench for a few minutes, glancing back through the pages again, examining what was on at all the cinemas, theatres, seeing the pub entertainment and restaurants advertised.

No wind. Hardly even a breeze. The sun seemed to be beating right down on his head alone. Or else it was the alcohol; he was beginning to feel the effects. If he stayed on the bench he would end up falling asleep. The hotel. He got up, paused to light a cigarette. Along Sauchiehall Street there was a good curry smell coming from somewhere. He was starving. He turned into the entrance to The Green Park, walking up the wee flight of stairs and into the lobby, the reception lounge. Somebody was hoovering carpets. He pressed the buzzer button, pressed it again when there came a break in the noise.

The girl who had brought him breakfast. ‘Mrs Grady’s out the now,’ she told him.

‘Aw.’

‘What was it you were wanting?’

‘Eh well it was just I was wondering if there’s a bank near?’

‘A bank. Yes, if you go along to Charing Cross. They’re all around there.’

‘Oh aye. Right.’ Eddie smiled. ‘It’s funny how you forget wee details like that.’

‘Mmhh.’

‘Things have really changed as well. The people. .’ He grinned, shaking his head.

She frowned. ‘Do you mean Glasgow people?’

‘Aye but really I mean I’m talking about people I know, friends and that, people I knew before.’

‘Aw, I see.’

Eddie yawned. He dragged on his cigarette. ‘Another thing I was wanting to ask her, if it’s okay to go into the room, during the day.’

‘She prefers you not to, unless you’re on full board.’

‘Okay.’

‘You can go into the lounge though.’

He nodded.

‘I dont know whether she knew you were staying tonight. .’

‘I am.’

‘I’ll tell her.’

‘Eh. .’ Eddie had been about to walk off; he said, ‘Does she do evening meals as well like?’