James Kelman - A Chancer

The wee man with the spectacles was standing below him, puffing on a roll-up, listening to a guy beside him while studying the Adviser. Tammas reached to tap him on the shoulder: What’s the dangers Shuggie?

The bottom.

I’ve backed it, said Tammas.

Have you Tam aye it’s the worry, the worry.

D’you no fancy 2?

Aye — strong! Fucking flying machine Tam, if it gets the luck — see it on Tuesday night! Fuck sake! it walks out the boxes and it’s beat a short head! Fucking hell! I couldnt believe my eyes! No kidding ye!

Have you bet it yourself?

Nah I’m on the 4 Tam, if it beats 5 round the 1st it’s a fucking stonewall.

Tammas nodded, stepping back up, taking the Adviser back out of his pocket for another look. But the lights had dimmed and the hooter was sounding and Tammas was rapidly extracting a cigarette from the packet and getting it alight and exhaling as the traps opened and 5 had missed the break. Somebody nearby cried: 5’s fucked!

But Tammas roared: You’re still a good thing 5! On ye goooooo. . Eeeassayyyy, eeeaaasssayyyy the 5 — ah bastard! look at 2, look at 2, 2’s a fucking. . ah! bastard! bastard. . Tammas nodded.

Below him Shuggie was shaking his head and turning to exclaim: I thought you were a fucking certainty there Tam! The way 5 shook off the 4 coming round the 1st — I mean that 4! Fucking favourite! He’s shot the boxes and still got beat! Hh! Fucking hell! I’m sick backing the bastard — owes me a fucking fortune so it does!

Aye.

And that 2 dog too d’you see the way it finished? Eh? Fuck! No kidding ye Tam that’s a fucking flying machine so it is.

Tammas nodded. After a moment he stuck the Adviser into the inside pocket of his jacket and started walking down the steps.

As he crossed out through the parking area he chipped away his cigarette, checked the change he had in his trouser pocket, before heading along and up towards Bridgeton Cross.

•••

An old woman walked past him, round the corner and along to the grocer’s shop, and when she came back she stared at him. This was the second time she had been out to the shop since he had been standing there, almost half an hour. It was after 6 p.m. and Vi was late. When a bus stopped to let off passengers at the stop nearby he was unable to see who was there until after it had moved away. And when Vi appeared at last he hurried out of view, dashing through the next close and across the backcourt and into the close next to her own. He keeked out, seeing her turning the corner, carrying the big cardboard box, the top of a cornflakes packet showing. He waited until she was passing the close and he stepped out immediately behind her, going on her outside. Hullo, he said.

Tammas! She stopped walking. What you doing here?

Eh. . he sniffed and put his hand to her elbow. Can I carry your messages?

No, it’s alright, I can manage. She frowned: What you doing here?

Nothing. I was wanting to see you again.

You must be winning then. Or losing. . I can never work it out. . Vi started walking away and he walked after her.

You sure I cant help with the box?

I can manage.

It looks heavy.

That’s because it is heavy. She stopped just inside her close and she frowned again. I’m just going up the stair Tammas I’m in a bit of a rush.

I was wanting to see you.

What about?

Can I no come up, and tell you inside?

No.

Aw, hh. He nodded.

I’m in a rush. I’ve got to get Kirsty fed and then take her over to my mother’s.

Mm.

Vi had been standing side on to him; now she turned a little to look straight at him. You were up yesterday. Did you no know I would be at my work?

Ah I just took a notion, just in the off chance. . He sniffed, gestured at the box of messages: Let us hold it for you a minute Vi.

I’m going up the stair.

Aye but I want to see you.

What about?

A couple of things. I’ll no keep you back.

You’ll no keep me anything Tammas I just dont have the time, I’ve got to get ready and I’ve got to get Kirsty fed and everything. Honest I really dont have the time.

He smiled. What’re you going out with somebody?

Yes.

Aw. He looked at her.

I’m going out with Stan. And I dont know why I’m even bothering to tell you. Look, I’ve got to go up and get ready.

I thought you didnt like going out with him?

I’m no even going to answer that.

Cathy says he fancies you.

Well Cathy’s got no right saying that cause she doesnt bloody know!

He continued to gaze at her for a moment, then took out his cigarettes, offered her one which she declined, and lighted one for himself. You still off the smoking? he asked.

Is it anything special you want to see me about?

I’m going up to Peterhead.

What?

Peterhead, I’m going up to Peterhead, to work.

O.

He nodded, gazing at her. Eventually she changed her stance, adjusting the cardboard box, and he moved to her. Eh Vi let us hold it a minute. .

What’re you going to work at?

It’s a guy I know that’s fixing me up, he’s a spark — an electrician — he’s going to get me in labouring to him. He glanced along the close in the direction of the staircase; a door had opened and banged shut somewhere above. Eh Vi can I tell you up in the house?

She made no answer. A person was coming down the stairs, a woman; she came walking through, head bowed, muttering, Hullo Violet.

Hullo.

When the woman had gone Tammas pointed at the cardboard box but Vi shook her head, leant her shoulder against the wall, readjusting the weight distribution. And she said, When you coming back?

I dont know. No that long I dont think — it depends.

She nodded; and sighed.

If it’s rubbish I’ll no stay.

Is it the North Sea?

Naw, it’s just a building site — a big yin right enough. I’m no sure what it’s for.

Maybe it’s another prison.

Hh.

And do you want to go?

He shrugged.

Is the money good?

Supposed to be, aye. He sniffed. D’you have to meet Stan?

He’s expecting me.

Could you no phone him or something?

No, no really.

Aw. . he moved a step to her, put his hand up to her face, curved onto her cheek; when she looked at him he bent to kiss her on the lips. Soon she broke from him.

O Tammas. She closed her eyelids, shaking her head slightly.

He glanced away, inhaled on the cigarette.

When is it you’re leaving?

I’m no sure. Soon.

How soon?

I dont know — just depends. The guy. . He glanced at her: What time’ll you be back at? The night I mean.

Vi did not respond for a while, then she sighed and looked out the close

I could come back later.

No.

Hh; Vi. . He shook his head and he moved to her again, putting his right arm round her shoulder, standing side on to her, and then leaning to put his cheek to hers. She made no movement, still looking in the direction of the street. You smell great. . he whispered.

Vi began to say something but did not.

Have you got to go out with him?

She nodded.

Could you no phone him?

No.

You sure?

Honest Tammas.

Okay. He raised the cigarette to his mouth and dragged deeply, and as he exhaled he moved away from her. She shifted the weight of her body onto the other foot, adjusting the cardboard box in her arms. And she said, I better go up.

What about the morrow night then?

Okay.

Okay?

Aye.

Hh. He grinned. The morrow night?

Okay, She nodded, smiling.

The morrow night? It’s a Saturday remember!

Aye, okay.

Hh. He grinned, shaking his head.

What time?

What time? Eh. .

I’ll be home about sevenish.