Fresh (9 page)

The foreman squeezed between Sean and the chickens.

Ah’ll handle these wee man. Get down the office and take the call from yer wife.

Sean wandered out of the Junction. By the time he was into Fresh he was walking fast. By the time he was in
the corridor he was running. He barged into the office and stood by the receptionist’s desk.

Ah’ve got a phone call he gasped.

The receptionist put her finger on the chart she was filling in and looked up at Sean.

Your name?

Sean O’Grady.

The receptionist pointed to a desk in the corner and picked up the phone.

Ah’m puttin you through now Mrs O’Grady.

The phone on the desk started to ring. Sean hurried over and picked it up.

Alright hen?

No.

What is it?

Archie’s here.

Sean sat at the desk.

What? Is he in the house?

Aye. He wants to speak to ye.

Sean pulled his cap off.

Put him on.

Ah cannay now, he’s went up to the toilet. He’s lookin for somethin in the cistern.

Tell him Ah’m on the phone.

Sean heard Maggie shouting up the stairs and Archie come down them.

Sean?

Alright Archie?

Where is it?

There’s some of it under the stairs.

How much?

Three hunner.

Where’s the fuckin rest of it?

Ah’ll no be able to get it till Ah finish work.

Ah want it now.

But Ah cannay gie ye it now.

How the fuck no?

Sean looked around the office until his eyes settled on the receptionist.

It’s in the bank.

Oh aye?

Aye. Ah felt a bit paranoid with it all in the house, so Ah thought Ah’d split it.

So ye’ve no drawn it out then?

No yet. Ah’ll get it this afternoon.

Archie laughed a laugh that wasn’t funny.

Ye fuckin better.

Sean heard Archie telling Maggie to make him a cup of tea.

Ye’ve got a lovely lookin wee wife here pal.

The phone went dead. Sean said hello a couple of times but there was nobody there. He shook the phone and said hello again. Then he hung up and tried to phone back. It was engaged. He tried again and it was engaged. He walked to the receptionist’s desk and back again. He tried the phone and it was still engaged. He could picture Archie towering over Maggie and asking questions about Sean’s money situation. The telephone handset lying on its side on the coffee table. Archie pointing at Maggie saying right where is it? And wee Maggie trying to stand up to him but she’d have a quiver in her voice. And Archie would end up –

Sean swallowed a hard lump of saliva and looked around the bright room. His heart pumped and he felt like being sick. The receptionist looked up and asked him if everything was alright. Sean nodded and tried the phone again. It was still engaged. He tried it again. Still engaged.

He stood by the phone and leaned against the wall. It was roasting in the office. He sucked in a long breath and tried to calm the panic that was making his hands clumsy. Then he picked up the phone and dialled his number. It was still engaged. He slammed it down and the receptionist looked up.

Do you need any help?

Sean looked at her for a second.

No, yer alright.

He thought about picking the phone up again but the receptionist was still looking at him. He mumbled thanks at her and left the office. When he got into the corridor he stopped and pulled his gloves on. Then he pulled them off. He walked to the toilet and rolled a smoke. He stood by the wash basins and looked at his reflection. He watched the lit end of the fag glow as he sucked on the roll-up. He grimaced.

Ye’ve done it this time kid.

He was in trouble and he knew it. Archie was on one and there was no telling what he’d do when he found out the money was light. Sean spat on the floor and rubbed it into the tiles with the sole of his welly. He walked back and forward as he puffed on his fag. He blew the smoke through his nose as he sucked in more through his mouth. He finished the fag with a triple
draw and dropped the end into a urinal. Then he went over to the wash basins and took off his cap. He placed it at the side of a sink. He put on the cold tap and let it run for a while. He cupped his hands under the flow and brought a handful of water to his face.

Sean didn’t skip back to the Junction, he dragged his feet through Fresh like they were bags of coal. He walked up to George and grunted. George looked at Sean.

Alright?

Sean grabbed a chicken.

Aye.

George pulled his cap back as he looked at Sean.

Well if there’s anythin Ah can do, gie’s a shout.

Cheers pal.

George stood for a moment longer, then he left the Junction. Albert came over to Sean’s station and patted him on the back.

Everythin alright wee man?

No, is it fuck.

What’s the matter?

Ah’ve just spoke to Archie.

What did he say?

Sean told him. Albert nodded.

So how did he leave it?

He said Ah had a lovely missus then the phone went dead.

Albert’s forehead creased.

What d’ye think he meant by that?

Ah’m tryin no to think about it.

They were silent for a bit. Then Albert’s eyes lit up.

It could’ve been a fault with the line. Did ye try to phone back?

Aye but it was engaged.

Albert looked to the floor.

Oh.

Sean felt crushed. Albert reached his hand out and clasped Sean on the shoulder.

He’ll probably no do anythin till he’s sure the money’s gone.

Sean looked his uncle in the eye.

D’ye think?

Albert’s hand gripped Sean’s shoulder and gave it a little shake.

Course Ah am. He can be a cunt but he’s no stupid. Sean wasn’t convinced.

Aye.

Sean’s station dropped chickens so he picked them up and hung them. They were only little but they felt heavy. They dropped with their wings tucked into their sides, like welchers protecting their kidneys against violent debt collectors. Sean winced as they bounced on the conveyor belt with a sweaty slap. He picked them up with as much tenderness as he could and placed them on hooks that took them out of sight. But they kept falling. There was never a moment free from the wounded chickens. As soon as he hung one and watched it disappear, one or two would drop onto his station,
clutching sides with wings, and sometimes rolling back and forward in agony. He sent hundreds of crippled victims on their way before the last one was dangling on a hook like a prisoner in a mafia film dancing his merry way towards a highly skilled torturer.

George appeared and told Sean and Albert it was time for break. Sean pulled his gloves off and threw them under the conveyor as him and Albert left the Junction for the canteen.

When they got there, the queue stretched all the way to the door and it wasn’t moving very fast. Albert got into the queue and Sean went to the phone. He put his last ten pence in the slot and rung his number. It was engaged. He slammed the phone down. A guy was looking at him.

We’ve all got to use that phone son.

Sean picked the phone up and slammed it back down.

Is it your phone?

The guy looked away.

Sean walked to the canteen queue. He nudged Albert.

It’s still fuckin engaged.

We’ll try again in a wee while.

The queue was getting cramped. Sean could feel people press against his back. The old fucker in front of him even stood on his toes. He felt like hitting some cunt a punch in the snout. He looked at Albert and the old guy smiled.

Ah think ye need a beer wee man.

What are ye, a mind-reader?

Albert looked at his watch.

We’ve got twenty minutes.

Time enough.

C’mon then.

They pushed their way out of the queue. Sean turned to Albert.

And anyway we cannay have a private conversation in amongst that crowd of old women.

They walked out of the factory and into the yard. As they got to the gate the security guard gave them a wink and a smile.

Off out are we?

Albert made a drinking motion as he walked. The secur ity guard winked.

Don’t come back drunk.

Albert turned round and walked backwards.

Ah’ll bring ye back a pint if ye like.

The security guard laughed.

It’s more than my life’s worth to get caught on the piss.

Ah, well, if yer sure.

Albert made a fag as they walked. He pushed it into his mouth and lit it. After a few puffs he turned to Sean.

He’s alright him eh?

He’s a fuckin wanker.

Takes one to know one.

Albert took another puff on his fag. He put his arm round Sean’s shoulder as they walked.

We’ll sort this out son.

Sean rolled a fag, put it in his mouth and lit it. They walked in silence for a while. The pavement narrowed and Sean walked on the road. He looked at Albert and they were the same height. Albert looked at Sean.

Alright wee man?

Sean didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. A lorry came down the street so he got on the pavement behind his uncle. He could see little bits of dandruff stuck to his greasy hair. There was the odd grey one but it would be a few years before he could qualify as a Grecian 2000 merchant. The lorry swished past on the brown slush and Sean got back on the road. It was better walking on the road. Less snow to work through. Albert looked at Sean.

Let’s hope yer auntie’s in.

Aye Ah know.

Ah’m no promisin Ah’ll be able to do anythin.

It’s good of ye to try.

Have ye any other ideas?

Sean sucked air through his teeth. He hesitated and stuttered.

Ah was thinkin of talkin to Gambo.

Albert nodded wisely.

That’s better than nothin.

Thing is with Gambo. He’ll want somethin and ye know what that’ll mean. If Archie finds out he’ll fuckin kill me.

Yer fuckin right he will.

Sean got a whiff of beer and looked up the street. The pub sign swung and the Arab sword blazed as it reflected the sun. Sean put his head down and walked faster. Albert lagged behind. Sean got to the door and pulled it open. He bent like a servant and waved Albert in front of him. Albert dropped his fag and stood on it on the way in. He walked towards the bar.

Go and try the phone. Ah’ll get us a drink. Heavy? Sean nodded.

Have ye got any change?

Albert jingled his pockets and pulled out a handful. Sean picked some ten pences off the pile and went to the phone box in the corridor by the toilets. It rang for ages before Maggie answered. She was panting.

Hello she said.

Maggie, are ye alright?

Aye Ah just ran down the stairs when Ah heard the phone.

What were ye doin up the stairs?

Ah was on the toilet.

Where’s Archie?

He’s went down to Easterhouse.

Ah didnay think he’d want to see Lizzie.

Aye well that pair are well-suited so they are.

So what was he sayin?

What, after he’d searched my house?

Sean looked at the back of his hand.

Aye.

Aye ya prick. What was that money for?

He asked me to watch it while he was in the jail.

And you said aye?

What was Ah supposed to do?

So how come he was aggravated when he left?

Ah’ll tell ye later.

No, ye’ll no. Ye can tell me the now.

Sean rolled his eyes.

Ah’ve no got time. Ah’ll tell ye the night.

If ye willnay tell me –

Sean kicked the wall.

Ye’ll what?

Ah’ll go back to my mammy’s. And Ah’ll take Donna with me.

Calm down for fuck sake. Yer blowin it out of proportion.

How can Ah calm down when that loony’s been stompin all over my house?

The phone was silent for a bit.

What’s goin on? said Maggie.

Sean looked at some guy squeezing past then spoke quieter into the phone.

Ah’ll tell ye the night.

Ye can tell me now.

Sean’s ear felt like it was stuck to the phone. He waited till the guy was out of earshot.

Ah’ve spent some of Archie’s money.

Ye what? How did that happen?

The pips are goin. Ah’ll talk to ye when Ah get home. He cut her off with his finger then put the phone down. He looked up and down the corridor. He straightened himself up and pushed through the corridor door and back into the pub. He walked past the flickering one-armed bandit and under the oak beam. His head was so full of Maggie and Archie he tripped coming down the step and had to run forward to stop himself falling on his face. An old man glanced up from the seat in the corner.

Ye need to watch yer step son.

Thanks for lettin me know.

The old man got back to his paper, his pipe and his
pint. Sean gave him the fingers and stumbled over to the bar.

Sean picked his pint up and wiped the bottom across the towel on the bar. Then he lifted it towards Albert.

Ah fuckin need this.

He had a long swig and smacked his lips like a child. Albert pointed at Sean with his glass.

What’s happenin then?

Sean looked at the barman, who walked up to the end of the bar and started polishing glasses.

Maggie’s lightened up a bit coz Archie’s went to Easterhouse.

Ah didnay think he’d want to go there.

Sean nodded.

Aye well, yer hole’s yer hole for all that.

Right enough.

Ah wouldnay want to be in Lizzie’s shoes though.

Does he know about the wean?

He’ll find out soon enough.

Albert grimaced.

Mind what happened to her the last time?

Sean remembered the guy from Balornock.

Ye should’ve seen what he did to the guy that fucked her.

Batter him did he?

And the fuckin rest.

Serves the cunt right. It’s askin for it, shaggin a guy’s missus while he’s away in the jail.

Aye and her gettin pregnant this time. When he goes round there he’ll see the evidence. It’s only a matter of time before –

Albert had a swallow and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

Ouch.

Sean took a swig.

Best of it is she thinks he might take her and the wean on.

Albert shook his head.

Will she ever learn?

Aye Ah know. She was last in the queue when God was dishin out brains.

Just think. If she had a bit more sense she could’ve been with yer mate Gambo. Livin up the West End. Nice wee motor. Holidays abroad.

Bit different from a two-bedroom flat in Easterhouse. Albert laughed.

Aye no half.

They stared at their pints for a few seconds, then Albert looked at his watch.

Right. Ah’d better go and phone yer auntie Jessie. Sean took his pint over to a corner table next to the window. He sat down and put his beer on a mat. He grabbed another mat and picked at its soggy edges. When he’d made a little pile of torn cardboard, he got his tobacco out. He had the fag rolled and was licking the paper when Albert appeared from the phone.

So?

Aye.

Aye?

That’s what Ah said.

How much?

Five hunner.

Sean picked up his pint and knocked it against Albert’s.

That’s fuckin –

Don’t get too excited, she’s got some conditions.

Sean tried to look adult.

What are they?

She wants ye to pay the money back on a week by week basis.

No problem. Every time Ah pick up my wages, Ah’ll gie ye what ye want towards the loan.

Twenty pound.

Sean looked out the window then back to Albert.

OK. Twenty pound every Friday.

Sean leaned back in his seat and sparked his fag. Albert had another swig on his beer.

There’s more.

Sean sat forward. He tried to look serious.

Oh aye?

She wants ye to tell Maggie.

Sean nodded.

Ah just telt her.

What did she say?

Nothin really. Ah mean, what could she say?

Albert wiped his mouth.

Doesnay sound like Maggie to me.

Sean laughed.

Aye well, we’ll no doubt have a few words when Ah get in from work.

Albert frowned and cleared his throat.

It’s good ye’ve telt her son, coz it’s always better to be honest with yer wife.

Sean picked at the bits of beer mat.

Ah know.

She’ll maybe shout and scream for a coupla days but when the dust settles she’ll respect ye for facin her and tellin the truth.

Sean had a swallow of his pint. He felt a bit awkward.

So when can Ah get the money?

Alright son, Ah’ll shut up now.

They laughed.

We can call into the bank on the way back to work.

Will they gie ye it just like that?

It’s my fuckin money.

Aye right enough.

Albert stood up.

Right c’mon then.

Sean swallowed the rest of his pint and stood up. He picked up the empty glasses and put them on the bar on their way out.

As they walked down the street the cold hit him so he zipped up his jacket.

It’s fuckin freezin.

Albert zipped up his jacket and pulled his cap firmer onto his head.

Ye can say that again wee man.

Sean elbowed Albert.

Colder than a hoor’s legs.

Albert laughed.

Trust you to lower the tone.

Sean laughed.

Colder than the foreman’s wife.

Albert never said anything so Sean shut up. He got his
tobacco out and made a roll-up. As he smoked, he had a look at the town. It was not a bad wee place. One day, if him and Maggie ever got the money together, he’d like to move from Royston and buy a bungalow in a town like this. A man could have a good life here. He could get up about ten for a late breakfast. Some coffee and a couple of slices of toast and marmalade. Then put the clothes on and have a wander up the town. Maybe call into the butcher’s for a half pound of sausages for dinner. Get some potatoes and a paper. Call into the pub for a pint. Put a couple of lines on at the bookie’s. Then wander home and have some sausages and mash, a couple of cans of beer, and a lazy afternoon seeing how the horses done on Channel Four racing. Lovely.

They walked down the tree-lined street until they came to the arcade. Sean touched Albert on the arm. They stopped on the pavement.

Shall Ah wait here for ye?

Ye can come in if ye want.