James Kelman - A Chancer

Tammas exhaled the last puff of smoke and sat back.

It was her got me this place you know. And she’s done other things. She’s been good; a good friend.

Fine, I’m no saying anything. . He lay down with his head on the pillow. He slipped his arm under her neck and she rested her head on his chest, turning side on to him; he took her hand in his.

She helped me out when I was in trouble. And I mean trouble! Vi peered up at him and he nodded.

They were silent for a while. Vi’s eyelids were closed. Tammas had been staring across at the sink; now he shifted position slightly and he murmured, I’m no hurting you?

No.

He cupped his hand in below her left breast and raised it a bit. It’s really soft, he said, and yet it’s heavy at the same time.

Mm.

And these wee kind of bumps round the nipple.

Thanks.

Naw Vi, just the way — just the way. . Hh — even your actual skin feels different.

She nodded.

Naw I mean. . He had his left arm round her back and he started smoothing the palm of his hand up and down her side, between her thigh and shoulder blade and eventually she sighed and yawned. He squinted across at the sink, to where the light had changed at the sides of the venetian blind. Dawn’s coming, he said.

Vi smiled, her eyelids shut.

This room’s different from mine, where it’s facing; you’ll get the sun in the morning, I get it in the afternoon. Sometimes I just lie on my bed looking out, keeping the curtains open to see the sunsets, the way the sky goes, although you cant see the stars properly. But here you’ll get good dawns, sunrises.

He began smoothing her skin again, still gazing across.

•••

Kirsty was rattling the frame of the cot. When he stared at her she looked away but continued pulling and pushing at it. It was just after nine o’clock and the shop round the corner would be selling Sunday papers. But his clothes were lying over the back of the settee and it was not possible to get there without being seen by the wee girl. Single-ends were hopeless. She should at least have had a room and kitchen. Plus that heavy smell of dampness at times, especially over at the corner of the room near the sink — in fact the whole window area. Even a good lick of paint might have helped. And getting rid of the striped wallpaper. A fresh gloss on all the woodwork. There were other ways of brightening the place up. The venetian blind for instance, it only stopped the light coming in.

Kirsty was now rattling the cot frame quite loudly and he whispered, Ssh! But she continued doing it and there was a movement from Vi. She was on her side, facing away from him into the recess wall. He turned over and snuggled up onto her, got an erection and backed off. What time is it? she said.

Mummy!

Shut up Kirsty.

Mummy. And she began rattling the frame even more loudly.

You’re a pest. Shut up.

She’s been awake for ages, whispered Tammas.

She’s a pest.

Kirsty continued rattling the frame till soon Vi sighed and turned, rising halfways up and calling, Shut up. Just shut up. Lie down and read your book.

No.

Just do it when I tell you Kirsty come on now, lie down — eh? Just till Mummy’s ready?

No.

Come on, just for a wee while. . Vi lay back down and Tammas laid his left arm out as she did so; they settled in close together. And he whispered, You could do with an extra room eh?

Mm.

Could you no apply for a council house?

Mm, suppose so.

All you need to do is put your name down, just wait your turn.

Mm.

I mean you’d get a bathroom and that, a separate room for Kirsty.

I know.

Well?

Well what?

You should put your name down.

O, thanks for telling me.

Well you should, you’d get a house sooner or later.

I know I’d get a house sooner or later, God — I know better than you. I mean tch, d’you think I dont know!

He nodded.

God sake Tammas.

He nodded again.

I’m sorry, she said, it’s just — Tammas, I dont want my name down on any lists if I can help it.

Hh.

Naw, I mean it, because of him.

Aw.

That’s how.

Aye. . He was silent for a few moments. But they dont hand out names and addresses to anybody that asks.

Mm.

They dont but, surely.

Vi shrugged. She moved off from his chest, saying: Pass me a fag. . And she tugged the sheet up over her breasts, sitting up a bit, her shoulders against the bedhead.

When they were both smoking he said to her: Is it true he’s going to come after you when he gets out?

Vi was staring at the wall opposite. She shrugged. He said he was.

Tammas nodded.

But he’s got a screw loose, you dont always know.

He held the ashtray out for her to tap in cigarette ash: D’you think he will?

I dont know, he might.

Tammas inhaled on his cigarette and he blew smoke sideways, and turned, about to say something; but Vi said: I dont like talking about him with you.

Ah, sorry.

Naw Tammas, I just dont like talking about him with you, cause it’s you.

He sniffed.

She smiled at him. Okay?

Aye, Christ. He cleared his throat and swallowed, inhaled on the cigarette again. Maybe your best bet’s getting out of Glasgow all the gether.

O to Peterhead I suppose!

He grinned and she laughed. And he cleared his throat again, before saying, Naw, actually I’m being serious.

She smiled, shaking her head.

D’you no fancy it like?

Vi shrugged, puffed out a cloud of smoke and tapped ash onto the ashtray.

There’s big money on this job you know — 12 hour shifts they’re working I mean it wouldnt be long till I was able to bring yous up, the two of yous, you and Kirsty.

Mm.

And you wouldnt need to work.

But I like working.

Okay.

I hate being in the house all the time.

Fine I mean. . he shrugged.

God Tammas Wylie never liked me working either. He always thought men were looking at me. Even before we got married he was wanting me to stay at home in my mother’s — imagine! All day — sitting in the bloody house!

Hh.

God.

I wouldnt mind you working at all.

O thanks, I’m very grateful.

He looked at her.

Naw really, I’m very very grateful.

Christ Vi sometimes you take the needle hell of a quick.

I take the needle!

Well so you do, Christ, sometimes I can hardly get talking.

Aye well no bloody wonder. It’s bad when men expect you to stop work just to suit them.

Okay.

I know it’s okay.

Aye well, sorry.

You dont have to be sorry I’m no asking you to be sorry.

He sniffed and dragged on the cigarette.

I just think it’s out of order, the way men expect that. D’you no agree?

He nodded.

Are you sure?

Aye Christ.

Well you dont seem too bloody convinced!

There was a brief silence. Kirsty called, Mummy!

And Vi looked over towards her and waved: It’s okay pet, I’ll be getting up in a wee minute.

Tammas muttered, Sorry.

Tch, I dont want you being sorry, there’s nothing to be sorry about. It’s just. . och. She shook her head and sighed, and motioned for the ashtray, stubbed out the cigarette. I think it’s time for a coffee, she said.

Aye, I’ll make it.

Or would you rather just have a breakfast?

Eh naw, it’s okay, it’s up to you.

Tch come on, you’re always starving.

I’m no always starving.

Aye you are!

I’m no Christ.

Dont go in the huff.

I’m no going in the huff.

You are.

I’m no. He inhaled on the cigarette; and he glanced at her while exhaling. I’m no.

She nodded.

D’you still feel like a coffee?

Aye, thanks.

Aw. Tammas paused. Sorry — you’ll have to do it. . He indicated the cot. I’ve got no clothes on.