James Kelman - A Chancer

Fine. He made himself one and returned to the front room, sitting down on the settee. There was a news programme showing. He watched it for a few minutes. Then he said, O by the way, that guy McCann I told you about, him that drinks in Simpson’s , he was saying the Peterhead job’s going to be starting quite soon. A couple of months at the most.

O. Margaret nodded.

He thinks there’ll be no problem, getting a start and that. He’s an electrician and he says he’ll get me labouring to him. Big wages. Bonus it is they’re on.

That’s nice, said Robert.

Tammas paused. He looked at the floor to where his cigarette packet and matches were lying. Aye, he said, eh, the. . He rubbed his eyelids before continuing. A place near the site, where you sleep and that.

A hostel.

Naw, it’s no a hostel I dont think I think it’s a eh. .

A hotel? Five star probably. . Robert had turned his head to look at Tammas while speaking to him.

Tammas sniffed. He collected his cigarettes and matches, lifted the coffee from the arm of the settee. He walked to the door. Margaret was staring at the television screen while Robert had opened the pages of a paperback. Just as he clicked open the door Margaret shifted round on the settee. She said: I thought Billy’s dad was going to speak for you in the copper place, the factory?

Aye, he’s getting me the application form.

Well then. .

Tammas shrugged.

D’you no want a job there?

Eh, no really.

O.

Robert’s head was bent over the book he was reading.

I just think I’d prefer something in the open air.

Margaret nodded. She shifted back round on the settee again, facing the television screen. After a few moments Tammas opened the door and stepped out into the lobby.

During the night he kept wakening, his body sweating; the bed seemed to be confining him far too much. It was far too narrow a bed and there always seemed to be too many quilts and blankets stifling him. His forehead felt damp and cool. He was shivering again. There was a dream he had been having. More of a nightmare maybe. He turned onto his side, tugging the bedclothes to his chin, and then over his head; but eventually he got up and searched about in the cupboard drawers, till he found his pyjamas. Throughout the night he kept dozing, and in the morning he wrote a short note to Vi which he posted in the pillarbox along at the street corner. He returned upstairs and went back to bed.

•••

He was off the platform and running before the bus had stopped and he was still running when he arrived inside her close; he walked up the stairs two and three at a time and he chapped her door then flapped the letterbox. And when he heard the kitchen door open he bent to shout through the gap: It’s me.

Tammas! She laughed, unlocking the main door.

Inside the lobby he clasped his arms round her; her head on his shoulder. Is it okay to come in? he said.

She slapped his chest and he picked her up off the floor, she was laughing, carrying her into the kitchen. Put me down ya idiot! Then she whispered, Tammas, you’ll frighten her.

He let her down, kissed her on the mouth. He winked across to Kirsty who was sitting on the floor near the fire surround.

Are you hungry? There’s still some mince in the pot.

Tammas grinned.

D’you want some?

Naw, I’m full up.

You’re the man that’s always starving! Come on!

Honest Vi.

Honest Vi! She smiled, shook her head at him.

I’d take a coffee right enough.

O would you!

Tammas was smiling at her. It’s really great to see you Vi. All the way here I was thinking she’ll no be here she’ll no be here! And then — Christ!

Sit down.

He laughed, stepped round to sit on the edge of the settee, glancing back at her, then at Kirsty, winking at her again.

Take off your jacket. . As she spoke Vi had crossed to the sink and she filled the kettle, prepared two cups of coffee.

It’s a jerkin, he said while unzipping it; he took the cigarettes and matches from the pocket.

How’s your cold now?

Okay. Actually it was the flu I think.

O, pardon me!

He grinned. Kirsty was watching him. She rose from the floor, facing down the way and pushing herself up with both hands. She toddled to the cot and stood there, holding onto the bars. When she glanced at him he winked again. Hullo Kirsty! She turned away. And he opened his cigarettes. He said to Vi: You still no smoking?

I’m still no smoking.

That’s good.

Bloody awful! Vi was leaning with the small of her back against the sink, her arms folded; she was smiling. She turned and lifted the kettle, set it back down again.

Tammas inhaled on the cigarette, flicked the flame out of the match, dropping it onto the ashtray. He said: It’s really great to see you.

She smiled. You’ve said that already.

Naw but. .

Hey! Tammas! Vi clapped her hands and came forwards, bent to lean her elbows on the top frame of the settee, grinning at him, her face less than 12 inches from his: he moved to kiss her. Will you take me to the pictures?

What?

Eh? D’you no fancy it? She kissed the tip of his nose.

The pictures?

Please, eh? Come on. . She was gazing right into his eyes, very close to him, now smiling. Eh?

The pictures?

She laughed and stood up. The bloody pictures! And she was returning to the draining board and the two cups, reaching for the bottle of milk. I’ve no been for ages. Honest Tammas, I cant remember the last time. I’ve even stopped reading the entertainments’ page in the papers. I used to ask Milly if she would go but she was never interested. Vi paused to look across. D’you no fancy it?

What about Kirsty?

Aw Cathy’ll babysit, no bother. I mean it’s no as if we’ll be late back either — I’ll go and tell her eh?

He shrugged slightly. Vi was already walking to the kitchen door. He smiled at Kirsty who had been watching him but she cried out and rushed to the door after Vi.

Soon Cathy’s door was opening and shutting. Tammas got up, he walked to get one of the coffees. He peered out the window, down into the backcourt. When he heard Cathy’s door open he returned to the settee immediately.

Vi had Kirsty in her arms and she put her onto the floor, saying: Get your dolls now Kirsty. . And she added: Tammas, you’ve no even looked at the paper.

The paper?

The paper! Vi marched to beside the television where a copy of the Evening Times was lying, and she gave it to him: You look while I’m getting her ready.

He nodded.

God you’re no very enthusiastic.

Enthusiastic?

Aye I mean. . tch. She shook her head, opening it at the entertainments’ page, handing it over to him. She went to the cupboard and tugged out a drawer, collected a packet of paper nappies. Then she smiled and muttered, You dont really want to go do you!

What?

D’you just no fancy it?

The pictures?

Vi glanced at Kirsty who was kneeling at the foot of the bed where a toy pram lay. She turned back to Tammas. We dont have to go.

After a moment he said, It’s just I’m skint Vi.

Aw God.

I only had the busfare and the ten fags. Had to tap the sister for it.

Tch, Tammas. Vi marched to him and put her arms round him and they kissed. She clung into him. He moved a little away from her, but she pulled back into him; they were still kissing. We’ll be early home, she whispered.

•••

It was no longer pitchblack when he wakened. Vi’s arm lay over his shoulder, and he lifted it, laid it on the pillow. He manoeuvered himself to the edge of the bed, sliding out from the blankets carefully. The alarm clock was on the mantelpiece. Vi kept it there so she would always have to get out of bed to switch off the alarm. Ten minutes to 6 am. Another hour and she would be rising for work.