Watch my nose with your elbow, she muttered and half turned her head, her hand also moving away but it resettled on his thigh again.
He placed his right hand on the other side of the pillow, manoeuvering himself to kiss her on the mouth. Vi, you’re really beautiful. I’m no kidding.
Tch, shut up.
Naw, honest. He moved a little away and stared at her. You are. I’m no kidding.
You’ve said that.
I’ve said that?
She shook her head, smiling, moving to kiss him. It’s alright, I dont mind you telling me I’m beautiful.
Christ Vi. He kissed the tip of her nose, shifting his right leg over her left leg, the knee resting between hers, and she put both her arms round his back, raising herself up into him. Soon he was hard and she lay for him to push entry. He whispered, I really love that feeling. She was looking at him and she nodded; her eyelids opened and closed. He was inside her now and stretching, then he lay taking the weight on his elbows. She was looking at him and he smiled and her eyelids shut, and he started the thrust.
When he had come he remained inside her. She kissed him, pulling him down on top of her and she said, Just lie.
I’ll flatten you.
No you’ll no.
You sure?
She smiled, knocking at his arms until he took the weight off his elbows and settled onto her.
I’m squashing you.
You’re no.
Hh.
I like feeling you.
He smiled and altered the way he was lying just sufficient to face into the hollow of her neck and shoulders, the side of his head resting on the pillow.
Mm.
What is it?
This is nice.
Hh, aye.
And soon she was moving, a sort of circular motion, still with him inside her although still soft. She kept the movement going for a while, until he had become semi hard and able to continue alone, and she shut her eyelids and kissed him on the mouth and he stretched, grinning down at her, now kissing her on the forehead, and her intake of breath when he started thrusting a bit more deeply.
It’s nearly eleven!
What . . .
She was reaching across and switching on the bedside lamp. She clambered over him and off the bed onto the floor, and she dressed quickly.
D’you mean in the morning?
It’s no funny. Cathy’ll be wondering if something’s up.
Och naw she’ll no.
She will but you dont know her! Vi was buttoning up her blouse, tucking the hem of it inside her skirt waistband. I’ll need to tell her something . . .
Tell her we’re having a marathon!
It’s no funny I’m saying . . . Vi had walked to the sink and she turned on the tap. Kirsty as well, she’ll be wondering. And sometimes Cathy’s kids pick on her a wee bit . . . She was rubbing her hands on the towel, dropping it onto a dining chair as she passed to the kitchen door. D’you mind getting up?
O aye, sorry.
Naw it’s just . . . Vi paused, she smiled. It’s just Kirsty I suppose I just . . . She smiled again, shrugging.
Of course – sorry.
Naw, tch! She opened the door and went out.
He got up and put his clothes on. Vi had cooked food for them earlier and all the cutlery and crockery and stuff were still lying about the oven and the sink and on the coffee table beside the settee and armchair. He filled a kettle to start the washing up, and he made himself a cup of coffee. He moved quickly about the place, lifting Kirsty’s toys and putting them in one heap beneath her cot.
The washing up was finished and he had switched on the television by the time she came back. Kirsty was in her arms, thumb in the mouth and eyelids flickering but she stared at Tammas when she saw him.
Vi glanced about at everything and smiled at him. No comment, she said and he grinned and offered her a cigarette. Then she frowned: You could at least have told me I’d forgot to put on my tights!
What?
I forgot to put on my bloody tights! she said, mouthing the last part of the sentence.
Hh.
Aye I know, hh!
He was smiling at her. Want a coffee or tea?
Naw, I had to take one in with Cathy.
Did she say anything?
Naw. But she knew.
She knew?
Vi raised her eyebrows at him and started preparing Kirsty for bed. Aye she knew!
What’re you talking about, knew? Knew what!
Vi looked at him and he laughed.
He peered down at her when she spoke; he had his hands beneath his head on the pillow and she with her head on his chest, lying almost on top of him. About the crisps, she said, that first time we met – what was it you said again?
Pardon?
Vi was grinning. You said something when you dished out the crisps, that first time we met, down at Ayr Races. Remember? You went up and bought a round of drinks for everybody and then dished up a pile of crisps. Vi laughed. And you said something – I dont remember. Just the way you said it but. You should’ve seen Charlie’s face.
How what d’you mean?
I dont know, it was just funny.
What I said?
Well aye, and the way Charlie looked. And he made a face behind your back.
What?
Honest! Vi laughed.
Christ. He had shifted to see her more fully: What kind of face?
It was as if he thought you thought you were somebody, because you’d won the money.
Hh! That’s f – that’s terrible.
Vi chuckled.
Naw, Christ, all I did was buy a round up.
I know but it was the way you did it, and all these crisps!
Christ. Tammas shook his head, and he twisted sideways, leaning out the bed to collect the cigarettes and box of matches from the floor.
It’s okay; it was just funny.
She had her hand on his back as he struck the match, keeping the action outside of the bed, and he blew out the flame while lifting the ashtray to dump in the spent match. He lay higher up on the pillow, his head against the headboard. Who is that guy anyway Vi?
Charlie you mean? I dont know really. He’s married to Ann – she’s a good pal of Milly’s.
So he’s no actually mates with Joe?
I’m no sure. How?
He shrugged.
Maybe he is. What do you want to know for?
Naw I was just wondering.
Vi gazed up at him and indicated the cigarette; and he gave her a drag of it, holding it for her.
I was going to ask you, he said, and he sniffed . . . It might sound daft. It was just – see Joe and that? Tammas inhaled on the cigarette; he exhaled and asked, What does he actually do?
Joe?
Aye I mean just how he, I was wondering, how he makes a living and that . . .
Och he does different things.
Tammas nodded.
Vi was lying side on to him once more, her left arm on his chest, looking up at him. He just does different things.
What like but I mean?
Vi chuckled.
Naw I was just wondering . . . He leaned to flick the ash down into the ashtray on the floor.
I dont know.
You dont know what he does?
No really, no.
Honest?
Aye honest, of course honest! Vi slapped him on the chest.
He smiled, holding onto her wrist.
Well – I’ll bloody honest ye!
Sorry!
You should be and all! She slapped him on the chest again.
Ssshh . . . he pointed over to the cot.
And you should be glad anyway, cause he sticks up for you.
Joe?
Aye.
Hh.
He says you’re just young! Vi laughed.
Tammas looked at her.
She slapped him on the chest: Milly doesnt think I should be seeing you. She says you’re a chancer.
What?
Vi laughed.
But he shook his head. That’s terrible. Naw, no kidding ye Vi . . . He shook his head again.
She was still laughing.
Naw, he said, hh, that’s really terrible. I mean she doesnt even know me Christ, that’s no fair. It’s no.
Vi was smiling.
Naw but . . . It’s just no fair.
O come on! dont worry about it – that’s just Milly! Tch! Vi gripped him by the arm; and he leaned to stub the cigarette in the ashtray. She just looks after my interests. She worries about me.
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.
Vi frowned.
Naw, honest, if it wasnt for that. Definitely I mean . . . he shrugged.
Vi glared and slapped him on the chest. You’re no getting away with that! she said. I’m going to get you your trousers!
Tammas laughed.
Mummy! called Kirsty
It’s okay pet it’s okay, I’m getting up in a wee minute!
Tammas waved to her: It’s okay Kirsty! He stubbed the cigarette out in the ashtray and leaned to place it on the floor. And he put his arm round Vi. The two of them lay back down again, her head on his chest. Kirsty was standing up, holding onto the top of the frame and gazing across at them. Tammas winked at her and she frowned, and after a moment she bounced along on the mattress and lifted a toy from the other end. Tammas had increased the pressure of his arm round Vi and she looked up at him. He smiled. And she said, What is it?
Nothing.
Nothing?
Aye, nothing.
Mm. It’s a funny nothing.
He sniffed and shrugged, then suddenly frowned and glanced sideways, he frowned again.
What is it now?
Eh nothing, naw . . . Hh. Christ! He grinned and shook his head.
What is it?
Naw, it’s just – I could actually just go myself. To Peterhead I mean.
Mm.
He grinned. I dont actually need anybody to go with Christ I mean I can just bloody go myself.
A Chancer Page 32
