James Kelman - A Chancer

Betty laughed. As a matter of fact, she said, I’m going to. Tammas — number 5. Real Sunshine.

Real Sunshine! Rab nodded. That’s what I fancy myself!

What d’you think Tammas? asked Rena.

Eh. . It’s got a chance.

What one do you want to win?

The one I’m backing.

The one you’re backing?

Rab said, In other words he’s no telling you!

O thanks a lot Thomas.

Sorry, naw, it’s nothing personal.

I’m glad to hear it!

Tammas lifted his glass and sipped at the beer, then inhaled on the cigarette he was smoking and muttered: Actually I’m going to back the 1 dog.

Honest?

Aye.

Well well well, the 1 dog eh. . Rab gazed at the race in his Adviser .

Can I do yours with mine? asked Betty.

Course.

Aw good. Betty took the purse out of her handbag and gave him 40 pence. Can you do it for me?

Course, aye, 5 and 1 you want — fine, I’ll reverse it too.

Betty looked at him.

The forecast, I’ll reverse it for you. . Tammas had got up from the chair and he indicated Rab: He’ll tell you what I mean. I’ve got to go down and eh. . He sniffed; he walked away quickly but Rab came after him. And once they were outside he muttered, Hey Tammas you okay?

What, aye, what d’you mean?

I dont know, you seem to be fucking — a bad mood or something.

Och naw it’s no that. While they continued on downstairs he added, To be honest with you Rab I’m just eh. . Betty and that. . He shook his head. I dont know man I’m just eh. . My leg’s a bit sore as well.

Aw aye. .

Tammas glanced at him. Then he gave him the 40 pence: You stick it on for me eh? I want to punt 1 dog with the bookie.

He left Rab outside a tote window, and moving in towards the centre of the crowd grouped beneath the row of bookmakers he gripped the notes he had left and stood waiting. The odds against his nap winning the race were 5/2. Then he saw one of the bookies mark it out to 3/1. But he continued to stand there. Gradually the crowd thinned as the time of the race approached. He turned and left the enclosure, the money still in his pocket.

The hooter sounded while he was climbing the stand steps to the lounge bar.

He stopped, halfway up; and he nodded as he watched the dog he had napped win comfortably. He lighted a cigarette. Out on the track beneath the big totalisator board the handlers were catching the dogs to take them back to the kennels. The punters surrounding him were discussing the result and how the race had been run. He nodded slightly, and walked downstairs and along, and into the bar beneath the stand. He ordered a bottle of beer, stood there drinking it steadily.

Rab was at the tote pay-out window when he returned upstairs to the lounge. Your woman’s caught the forecast! he called, grinning. Well done man! Good nap!

Tammas nodded. He carried on across to the table and sat down, giving his attention to the Adviser . Betty and Rena were smiling at him. Aye, he said, eventually. Well done Betty! Good forecast.

Ninety three pence.

Great.

Did you win much?

Eh. .

Rab was approaching.

. . aye.

Aw good, replied Betty.

And it won so easy, said Rena.

Tammas smiled, getting up from the chair, folding the Adviser and sticking it into the side pocket of his jacket. Anyway, he said, time we were heading off.

We’ll stay if you like.

Naw, I’m no bothering, let’s go.

Rab looked at him.

While we’re ahead. .

They went to a lounge bar in the centre of the city where a band performed but it was packed and the amplifiers seemed to be full on. At Tammas’s suggestion they left for a quieter place.

When the last bell had gone the two couples shared a taxi as far as Betty’s close and she and Tammas got out, waved to the other two as the taxi moved off. There was a bit of fog around and when they breathed out it came as steam. Betty linked arms with him. You should be wearing a coat, she said.

Ah I’m okay. . he hunched his shoulders, keeping his hands in his trouser pockets. Through the close they walked, the glare of the light reflecting the heavy condensation on the walls.

I enjoyed the night, Betty said.

Did you.

An experience. Quite exciting.

On the first landing she lagged behind, gazing out the window, over the backcourt which was in total darkness. It’s really quiet, she murmured.

He nodded, he put his arm round her shoulder and she turned immediately, and they kissed. When they broke it off Betty was shivering and he drew her in closer. You cold? he said.

She nodded.

Never mind, a nice hot fire up the stair!

She nodded again.

Okay?

Yes.

He stepped back from her, gazed at her eyes, taking out his cigarettes at the same time, and he lighted one.

I wish you could come in the house, she said.

Och.

No I mean Tammas if I could I would, it’s just my mum and dad — they dont, well, they’re not getting on. Sometimes I wish I was away from here altogether.

Torquay.

Just to get away from them, all of them.

Ah! I dont know Betty at least you’ve got company. Half the time I dont see anybody. The sister and brother-in-law — I dont always like to sit in with them you know? give them a bit of privacy and that.

O aye.

He shrugged.

Betty sighed.

Come on. He put his arm round her shoulders. They started to walk towards the next flight of stairs.

•••

The crash of the plug and chain of the toilet cistern awakened him. It was just on 9.30 am. He got out of bed and pulled on his jeans and his socks, and a tee shirt. Robert was supposed to be on a mid shift, beginning at 2 pm. But he would be starting early, doing some overtime. He was drinking tea at the kitchen table when Tammas entered. Cold yin this morning Robert, eh? He rubbed his hands.

Aye. Tea in the pot by the way. Might still be hot enough.

Cheers. . Tammas felt the sides then poured a cupful, gestured with the pot towards Robert’s cup.

Naw no me, I better be shoving off.

Tammas nodded. He sat down facing him. Overtime?

Aye.

Good. Handy. . Tammas sipped at the tea but it was lukewarm only; he drank it all in a oner and made to rise, but he did not; instead he asked, Eh Robert, I was wondering, any chance of a pound till the giro comes?

What?

A pound, any chance of loaning me a pound; just till I get the giro on Friday morning.

You must be joking.

Tammas looked at him.

The way you’ve been carrying on! Hh! Think I dont know the score or something!

What d’you mean?

You know fine well what I mean. You must think I’m a right bloody monkey.

Aw please yourself then.

Aye you’re bloody right I’ll please myself. Working all sorts of hours to try and save a few quid while you’re out wining and dining! Eh? You must think I’m a bloody idiot!

For Christ sake! Tammas sat back on his chair, folded his arms.

You listen son. . Robert stood up, one hand on the edge of the table and pointing at Tammas with the other. You want to go and ask that sister of yours how much I take to myself out the bloody wages!

What you on about? I’m no interested in your bloody pocket money. All I did was ask you for a loan of a pound, that’s all. If you dont have it then fine, fine — but what you handing me all this stuff for? Jesus Christ!

I’ll Jesus Christ you! Dont you use that kind of language in this house!

Tammas got up off the chair and for a second they stood glowering at each other, then he strode out and ben the room where he sat down on the bed. Not many more minutes and the outside door banged shut. Tammas sat on, staring at the wall.

Around 1 pm he was sitting in the living room with the radio playing, drinking coffee. He had checked through every pocket in his bedroom. He considered trying the pawn with his old suit — the new one had gone back in a couple of days ago. But there was no chance of them taking the old one. The radio was the only true possibility; aside from the watch Margaret had given him as a birthday present some months ago. He rarely wore the thing anyway. Usually it lay on top of his bedroom cupboard. In fact he had no real need of a watch. But the problem was she would notice its disappearance.