James Kelman - A Chancer

Aye. . He took out his cigarettes again, and offered it to her. She shook her head; a moment later she went back to the sofa. Tammas put the cigarette in his mouth, the packet back into his pocket. He brought out the matches and struck one, lighted the cigarette. He stared at the floor, aware of the blood going to his cheeks. His face was getting really red. He unloosened the knot in his tie and opened the top two buttons of the shirt. Then he glanced towards the others and bent forwards a little, leaning his forearms on his knees. There was only a wee drop of beer left in the glass and the bottle of vodka was ben the kitchen; he inhaled on the cigarette, staring at the carpet, at the floral pattern on it; different kinds of flowers with stems and leaves, different thicknesses of stalks but the green colour was the same throughout. He glanced up at the wall again. There did not seem to be any clocks in the room. He shook his head and stood up, and walked to the door and out into the lobby; he pulled the door shut. He stood for a moment. It was much cooler, almost cold. He walked along peering into the rooms there for the bathroom; he found it near the top end. It was large inside and there were magazines on a stool within arms reach of the lavatory seat. He took off his jacket and tugged back his shirt cuffs, and he washed his hands and arms and his face and neck. The towels were thick and quite rough on his skin. He stared at his face in the mirror, patted his hair down at his ears, then wet his hands again and smoothed his hair. He tightened his tie and buttoned the shirt up to the top. Vi was standing in the lobby when he left. Is that you going? she asked.

Aye.

She nodded. I’ll see you to the end of the street.

Nah, he said, dont bother.

No, I will.

Nah it’s okay Vi dont bother.

Yes. . She was nodding as she walked past him, into one of the bedrooms. She came out with her coat over her arm. He entered the kitchen before her. A couple of minutes later and she came in. She had the coat on and she was wearing her shoes. That’s me ready, she said.

He looked at her. Are you coming with me?

What d’you think I’ve got my coat on for?

Aye, I’m no talking about the end of the street but.

Tammas, it’s past three o’clock in the morning.

Christ sake Vi.

She pulled back her sleeve to see her wristwatch. She glanced at him. How did you no get in touch with me?

He was looking at her.

I mean even writing a letter. .

A letter?

Even a letter — yes, aye, that would’ve been better than nothing.

I’m sorry.

Tch. She shook her head, frowning.

After a moment he muttered, Nobody even spoke to me in there. He gestured sideways with his thumb. Made me feel as if. . I dont know. What was it for? I mean how come?

How come?

Aye I mean, Christ, no even saying a word I mean Christ sake — Hogmanay and that and nobody even says a word to you. That’s really out of order. What was it for?

What d’you mean what was it for?

Tammas stared at her until each of them looked away; then he said, Are you coming with me?

No. I’ve just put the coat on cause I was cold.

Christ sake Vi.

Well you’re always asking these stupid bloody questions.

He looked at her.

So you are, stupid bloody questions.

Okay then aye, but all I’m asking is if you’re coming and I’m no talking about the end of the street I mean I’m talking about are you coming with me, if we’re going out away from here, away from this dump of a bloody place, that’s all I’m asking; it’s a straight question.

Dont lose your temper with me!

I’m no losing my temper!

O are you no!

Tammas sniffed. Then he added: Christ sake Vi. He took out his cigarettes and offered her one.

I’ve stopped. Did you no notice?

Naw, Christ — stopped smoking?

A fortnight ago. Sixteen days to be exact.

Christ sake!

Tch. I wish you’d stop saying that all the time.

He reached out and he took her left hand in his, and he stepped in close enough to kiss her; and they kissed each other on the mouth. Come on Vi, he said; come on we’ll go away.

She gazed at him and closed her eyelids and they kissed again for a longer period. He put his arm round her shoulders and cuddled her tightly. Christ, he said, hh. He shook his head. I’m sorry I didnt get in touch Vi.

It’s okay Tammas. I just wish you had though so I knew what was happening — I just didnt know.

He pulled her to him, her head over his shoulder, her body tightly to his. He got an erection and moved away from her. Neither spoke for several moments. Then he lifted his bottle of vodka and inserted it in his side jacket pocket. You ready? he said.

She nodded. Think we’ll get a taxi?

Och aye.

I could phone one from here?

Naw, I’d rather just get out. . She was looking at him and he shrugged: Okay?

She nodded. Then she raised her hand, put it onto his forehead and she rested it there for a few seconds, and she frowned. Do you know that you’ve got a temperature?

A temperature?

I’m no kidding.

Hh. Must’ve been that room in there, I was beginning to get really sweating — like you’re going to faint or something.

She sighed, shook her head. You’re a poor soul. .

He looked at her.

She laughed and strode to the door. You’re a wean! she said. Come on!

Are you no going to say cheerio?

She made no reply. He followed her in silence to the front door and once they were outside she closed it very gently, but still its noise was fairly audible. Tammas laughed and cried: Quick! And he took her hand as they ran down the path to the gate; and out onto the pavement, letting the gate swing back to clatter against its snib lock.

Where’re we going?

I dont know! Tammas was laughing. Somewhere but!

I want a dance!

You’ll get a dance!

I’m no kidding! she cried.

Neither am I!

They carried on running for some forty or so yards until they came to an abrupt halt, both were puffing and panting and Tammas had to hold his sides, gasping in an exaggerated manner.

We’re both crazy! laughed Vi.

He laughed, grabbed her arms and kissed her on the forehead, and they walked on with their arms round each other.

•••

Tammas squinted and moved his head on the pillow. Vi was saying: I’m going for Kirsty now Tammas.

He frowned, raising his head upwards, resting himself on his elbows.

It’s okay, she said, just stay in bed — I’m going to get Kirsty.

Vi had on her coat and she was all set to go out, now lifting her bag from the kitchen table.

When’ll you be back?

Soon! She smiled across at him, then came over.

Soon. . he nodded, sitting up and putting his arm round her waist. She leaned to kiss him and he raised himself up further.

That’s enough, I’ve got to go.

So what time’ll you be back?

Soon I said — and you need a shave, desperately.

Hh! He rubbed his chin, grinned at her. Take a taxi.

A taxi!

Aye, I’m no kidding, both ways as well Vi.

Ha ha. Think I’m made of money! She had walked to the door and she swung her bag in a circular movement.

Naw! Honest! It’s alright Vi — I’ve got it. .

She had opened the kitchen door and she called: I’ll no be long!

Then the outside door opened and shut.

Tammas continued to sit for a time, before lying down, his hands behind his head on the pillow. He stared at the ceiling. The ceiling was greyish. It could have done with a lick of paint. And too above the window and sink and oven, it was a kind of yellowish — plus the woodwork. A fresh white right across the whole lot. The walls themselves needed something. The one where the fire was had been done in a lightish brown and the others had a striped wallpaper while in the recess where the bed was the walls were painted in a blue colour to make it look like a different room. But the blue did not make it look different at all. In fact it did not look very good, it looked wrong — better to have done the whole thing in a fresh white and that would make it nice and airy looking. No venetian blind either. That just stopped the light coming in the window. The whole place could have done with a different arrangement. There was no dressing table. All of Vi’s stuff seemed to be standing along the big old fashioned mantelpiece or jammed together on top of the tallboy. A mirror was there, a small adjustable one and next to it a framed photograph of the wee girl when she was a baby. No other photographs at all. None. The whole room including the ceiling done in a fresh white paint and all the woodwork done in a fresh white gloss; that would be fine, it would make a big difference to the place.