A Chancer (37 page)

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Vi was not in. She would be out at her work. She worked during the day. There had only been a very slight chance that she would have been in. He flapped the letterbox and rang
the doorbell again. Nothing. And it was black inside. Vi always closed the kitchen door and the lavatory door so that nobody could see anything by looking through the letterbox.

Tammas was smoking. He took one more drag on the cigarette and then nipped it and stuck the dowp back in the packet, and stepped to the staircase but turned and crossed the landing and chapped
Cathy’s door.

It’s you! she said. Vi’s at her work.

Aye. I thought she would be. Will she be back later?

Yeh, come in.

He shrugged.

Come on in, she said, opening the door more widely for him.

Ah well, if it’s okay.

Of course.

Kirsty was in the kitchen; she was sitting in one of the armchairs with a pile of toys. Cathy’s own baby was asleep on the bed in the recess, lying on top of the cover with a patchwork
type of blanket tucked about it.

He waved to the girl: Hullo Kirsty! How’s it going? He smiled and took a packet of sweeties out his pocket. This is for you, he said.

She gazed at him.

D’you want them?

She glanced at Cathy then back to him.

Cathy whispered, She wont go near a man hardly – even George; and she knows him well. If he tries to lift her!

Tammas nodded.

Cathy smiled and waved him onto the settee: Sit down, sit down! Tea or coffee?

Thanks.

Tea or coffee!

O aye eh whatever you’re having yourself.

Tch!

Well eh . . .

Coffee?

Aye, coffee’d be great . . . He winked at Kirsty who had glanced across at him, and he said: Hey Cathy I thought you had two weans?

I have, the girl’s at school.

School?

Cathy grinned: I know, I was married young! Pregnant at 16 married at 17; I thought I was going to be dead at 18!

He laughed.

I’m no kidding ye! And she’s just turned 6, the lassie, I’m no that old!

O I know, I know I mean it just seems funny, having a wean at school.

Seems funny to me as well. But never mind.

I meant to ask you, did you wind up getting drunk at Hogmany after all?

Cathy made a face. No, no really, it wouldnt have been appreciated. That family of George’s! what a shower. Over they come every New Year and all they do is sit there moaning and talking
behind each other’s backs. It’s his fault but – George; he’s too soft. God, I cant stand them – sometimes I think you’re better off without relations all the
gether! Cathy shook her head and grinned: It’s mutual right enough, ever since we met. Because I was too young for George. The wee girl they called me! George’s wee girl. Even in front
of my face! Does George’s wee girl want another cake. Is the wee girl wanting another cup of tea.

Hh!

It was to each other they said it. Anyway, it was my own fault. I let them get away with it. I shouldnt have. I should just have told them straight out from the beginning. Tch, who cares!

Cathy gave her attention to the coffee, making it in two large mugs which she carried and placed on a coffee-table with a glass top. It was between the settee and the other armchair and it was
on the other armchair she sat down herself. She was wearing jeans and a jersey and she sat with her legs tucked beneath her. Do you go up the dancing much? she asked.

Naw no that much. Sometimes.

She nodded. It’s eighteen month since I’ve been there. It was a staff dance. I never went to the last yin because of the baby; I was like the side of a house. They’d all have
been looking at me, them in George’s work – a bunch of right toffee noses so they are.

Okay if . . .

It’s because they work in an office Tammas. They think they are something.

He nodded. Hey is it okay if eh . . .? He had the cigarettes in his hand.

Of course. It’s about time for Kirsty’s nap anyway. Isnt it Kirsty! Kirsty! You ready for your nap? Cathy winked at Tammas and went on: Yes now time for your nap Kirsty, a wee baby
sleep; you going into the pram?

Kirsty was smiling at her.

I’m going to put you into the pram! And David can stay on the bed. Or will I give him your cot? Eh will I give him your cot? and you can have his pram? Eh? Will I? Cathy had moved from the
armchair onto her feet and she was crouching as though about to spring at the girl who laughed aloud and moved back the way in anticipation and then Cathy lunged forwards and grabbed her up,
tickling her and making her laugh loudly. And she held her out to Tammas. A kiss for Uncle Tammas?

Kirsty jerked her head away, to peer back over her shoulder.

Come on now Kirsty!

Tammas said, It’s alright Cathy.

Tch! Come on now Kirsty, a kiss for Uncle Tammas! She held the girl out to him and he touched her on the cheek with his nose.

That’s a nose kiss! he said.

A nose kiss! Cathy shook her head.

Kirsty was gazing at him and he winked and pointed at the sweeties on the mantelpiece. They’re for you!

Tch, you’ll spoil her! And as she walked to the door she called, Come on, you bring him!

What?

Cathy paused by the door, jerking her head at the bed: The baby!

Me bring him you mean?

Cathy grinned at Kirsty: Silly man! Isnt he? a big silly man!

Naw but you want me to bring him ben like? he said, half rising from the settee.

Of course.

He continued on across to the bed. The baby was lying on its side, the head at an angle as though looking up the way, and the left arm was up to the face, the fist clenched. Hh! Tammas glanced
at Cathy and smiled. What do I do?

What does he do!

Naw eh . . . He grinned, rubbed behind his ear. Do I just actually lift him up?

Yeh, of course, but just mind his head and neck, just put your hand under his head, to support it. He’ll no wake up anyway as it happens – he’s like his father, he’ll
sleep forever!

Tammas hesitated a moment. He reached down and laid his right hand behind the baby’s head and neck and his left hand onto the shoulder, and lifted him straight up, with the blanket
hanging. What about this blanket? he asked.

Just leave it.

He moved the baby out from him and the blanket dropped onto the bed. The baby’s eyelids flickered open. He stared at the face; he was still holding the baby with his right hand behind the
head and neck and the left hand balancing at the shoulder.

The door had opened. Cathy was standing in the doorway with her back to it. Come on, she said.

He turned and watched in front of his feet as he followed her out and ben the lobby and into the front room, and he waited while Cathy prepared Kirsty in the cot. So it’s two rooms
you’ve got? he asked.

Yeh, and a shower. George put it in two years ago. It adds on to the value if we want to sell it.

It’s a single-end Vi has . . . Tammas stared at the baby’s face while speaking.

I know. We’re keeping our eyes open but. Course she’s rented you know Tammas and she was lucky to get it – it was him spoke for her, Milly’s man, what do you call
him?

Joe?

That’s right. She was really desperate at the time because of Wylie. He was going to get her. He told everybody he was going to break out and come looking. She was terrified. Terrified!
Hh! Vi. You know what like Vi is. Imagine her being terrified!

Cathy had lain Kirsty in the cot and tucked the blankets about her and she laid her hand flatly on the girl’s forehead, keeping it there as she said quietly, A nutcase he was. The whole
family. Bloody guns and knives and . . . She shook her head. All nutcases.

Tammas sniffed. Cathy was gazing at Kirsty who was not returning the gaze although her eyes were open; but she was almost sleeping; and now her lids closed over. Cathy turned and took the baby
from him and she stepped over to put him down into the pram.

Nothing more was said until they had returned to the kitchen. Tammas sat down on the settee. What about that guy Stan? he asked. I mean he seems to do alright by her and that I mean he doesnt
seem anything – no anything bad I mean.

He just fancies her Tammas.

What?

He does, yeh. Anyway, she has to keep on his right side.

Hh.

Cathy glanced at him. What is it?

He shook his head. Nothing . . . After a few moments he reached for his cigarettes again.

You smoke an awful lot.

Och, no that much.

How many a day?

Depends. He struck a match, inhaled and exhaled. Sometimes I dont smoke any.

Honest?

Aye, when I’m skint!

Aw, tch! Cathy laughed. She leaned over to punch him on the shoulder. That’s because you’re a gambler! Vi told me.

She seems to tell you a lot!

She doesnt; no really, just sometimes, sometimes she talks about what like Wylie was.

Mm.

Cathy smiled. And Stan, hanging about her like a big sheepdog! She gets them so she does!

Hh, thanks a lot.

No I dont mean you, just these Wylies. But Stan’s different anyway, he’s no like his brother at all. In fact he might no even be his brother, he might be his cousin or something.

After a moment Tammas said, How d’you mean? did Vi say that?

No, I just think it myself.

He nodded.

You never know what Vi’s thinking anyway. Even what she tells you. And it’s like trying to get blood out a stone. Honest, if you’ve ever got a secret go and tell her because
she’ll never let it out.

Mm. Cathy . . . he dragged on the cigarette before asking, What did you mean when you said she has to keep on that guy Stan’s right side?

No I just meant that in case he told him where she is, Wylie I mean.

In case Stan told Wylie?

Yeh.

D’you think he would?

I dont know, I dont think so, he doesnt seem like that. You’ve met him but what do you think?

Hh, I dont know . . . Tammas had been resting back on the settee; now he leaned forwards, his elbows on his knees, gazing into the electric fire.

Cathy stood up from the armchair. I’ll no be long, she said, walking to the door and leaving, shutting it behind herself. Tammas glanced at his watch. There was a stack of magazines on the
shelf beneath the glass top of the coffee table and he lifted a few out. They were mainly for women and he leafed through them quickly, pausing to read a couple of pages with letters on personal
problems. Then he discovered one which had an article on the wives and girlfriends of National Hunt jockeys. He was still reading it when Cathy came back in. They’re both sound asleep, she
said as she closed the door. She had changed out of the jeans and jersey and now had on a skirt and a sort of blouse. She shrugged: When you’re stuck in the house all day you just end up
wearing anything. I feel as if I’ve been living in these jeans!

He nodded.

It’s this weather; you feel as if it’s going to last forever.

Ach it’ll be spring soon now Cathy, and you’ll be out and about. There’s that big park up the road.

Mm . . . She glanced at her mug of coffee and lifting it to show him she said, Cold as usual look! She walked to the sink and refilled the electric kettle: Want another yin?

Eh . . .

I’m making it for myself.

Okay, he smiled, passed her his mug.

Those presents you got Vi and Kirsty at Christmas, they were lovely so they were.

Ah!

No, honest, and that bracelet!

Hh – she never wears it!

Because she’s scared of losing it; she’s accident prone – or so she says. It must’ve cost a fortune though!

Och!

Cathy left the sink, returning to the armchair; but after a moment she got up and picked the cushion off, putting it on the carpet, and sitting down there, arranging the cushion between her back
and the front of the chair. She sighed, kicking off her shoes. It’s good to relax at times.

Aye.

With the kids you dont always get the chance.

He nodded. When the kettle of water began boiling he rose: I’ll do it . . . D’you take sugar?

No just milk.

She had already put the coffee into the mugs and he poured on the boiling water, the milk; the sugar into his own. Then he handed hers down, carefully, leaning over the top of the settee. As he
sat back on the settee with his own mug he said, Were you wearing that skirt at the New Year?

The skirt?

Aye, I seem to remember it.

No. Cathy smiled. I wore a dress. She looked at her skirt and smoothed it out. I’ve had this yin for ages.

I thought you were wearing it.

No, definitely, I wasnt. I know the dress I was wearing, it’s one I dont wear very often.

Mm.

I keep it for best really.

Aw aye. Tammas grinned, And you didnt even end up getting drunk either eh!

I didnt, no.

Ah you let me down – Hogmanay!

Hogmanay, yeh, and you let me down!

Tammas smiled then added: How d’you mean? let you down?

Well, you said you were going to come back!

O aye – and I would’ve!

No you wouldnt’ve!

I would’ve, honest!

Cathy laughed.

Tammas nodded. If I hadnt’ve found Milly’s place. Honest, honest Cathy, I would’ve.

You wouldnt even take a drink!

What!

Well you wouldnt! I offered you one and you wouldnt take it.

Naw, because I didnt want to get involved in the company. You know how it is.

Cathy looked at him. I’ll believe you this time!

Well it’s true. He grinned: And you were calling me Thomas.

I thought that was your name though.

Did you . . .

Yeh.

Honest?

Yeh, of course, what d’you think?

I dont know what to think!

Cathy frowned then grinned.

Tammas laughed and lifted his coffee from the table. Cathy lifted hers from the floor. She shivered suddenly, replaced the mug where it had been; she stretched forwards a little, to put her
hands closer to the fire, and she switched on the other electric bar.

It’ll be too hot, he said.