A Chancer Read Online Free Page B

a lot. I noticed that this afternoon at the football.
    Ach he was always slow, said Rab. He turned and cleared his throat and spat out into the street.
    Still a good player.
    Aye but too slow, just too fucking slow . . . Rab put his hands into his trouser pockets and stepped sideways, leaning against the shop window with his shoulder.
    After a moment John said: What soup is it?
    What soup is it? How the fuck do I know! Billy grinned and shook his head.
    Well I hope it’s no minestrone. All these wee bits of stuff floating about.
    Rab said, You’re a dickie ya cunt ye!
    Ah well you dont fucking know what you’re eating man that’s what I dont like.
    You’re thinking of curry, said Tammas.
    Thinking of curry! Billy roared.
    Tammas laughed and he made a move as though to punch Billy; then they both crouched to face each other, fists raised.
    Seconds away!
    Tammas and Billy circled each other.
    Hey yous!
    Two policemen were standing on the other side of the street. They stepped off the pavement and strolled across. One of them said to Tammas: What’s up then?
    Eventually Tammas replied, Nothing.
    What d’you mean nothing?
    We were just kidding.
    Just kidding?
    Aye, said Billy, honest.
    Tammas added, We’re waiting on somebody.
    The policeman glanced at his companion: They’re waiting on somebody.
    Mmm . . . The other policeman nodded.
    Honest, said Tammas, he’s just round the corner for a bag of chips man he’ll no be a minute.
    Bag of chips man he’ll no be a minute. The first policeman smiled at Tammas: What is that? a bag of chips man . . . Heh, he said to the other policeman, d’you know what that is? a
bag of chips man. What is it, is it the same as a black pudding?
    The other policeman smiled and then he gazed at the carrier bag, and looked at John. John lifted the carrier bag and handed it over to him. The policeman gazed inside; he moved the cans about.
When he handed it back to John he said, On your way.
    But the mate’ll be here in a minute, replied Tammas.
    On your way I said, move!
    He’s just round the corner in the bloody chip shop! cried Rab.
    What . . . what was that? The first policeman frowned and he stepped closer to Rab. What was that? What d’you say there? I never really heard you right son what was it?
    Rab looked away.
    Naw I thought you might’ve swore there son but I’m no sure. Did you I mean? Did you swear?
    After a moment the other policeman asked: Where d’you stay?
    Just along the road, said Billy.
    I’m no asking you I’m asking him. The policeman pointed to Rab. It’s you I’m asking.
    Rab sniffed. He was standing away from the window now. He replied, Scotstoun.
    Scotstoun. Fine, right, the bus-stop’s over the road.
    Aye but he’s coming up to my house, said Billy.
    Naw he’s no, no the night he’s no, he’s changed his mind, he’s just going home.
    I’m no, said Rab.
    Aye you are, you’ve changed your mind.
    I have not changed my mind.
    The first policeman grinned: He’s steamboats anyhow, look at him, he can hardly stand.
    If you ask me they’re all steamboats . . . The policeman shook his head. He glanced at Rab: What’s wrong? Can you no hold your drink or something?
    Tammas stepped over, nearby Rab, and he said to him: Come on man time we were moving.
    I’ll tell you something, said the policeman, it’s time yous were all moving; and if yous are no out of here in five minutes flat I’ll do the lot of yous. Ye listening now?
D’yous understand?
    After a brief silence the other policeman gestured with his thumb: On your way.
    Move! said the first one. Then his attention was attracted to John who was pointing along the street. Donnie had appeared. He was walking quite quickly, then he slowed. He was holding the bag of
fish and chips in his left hand and in his right he held a chip. He continued on towards them, putting the chip into his mouth.
    John said, It’s the mate.
    Just keep walking, grunted the policeman, just keep walking. And yous go with