Free An Old Pub Near the Angel by James Kelman Page A

bothered arguing with you.’
    ‘Cause you’re wrong.’
    ‘Up your arse.’
    ‘Ah well never mind.’ John handed him a whisky, and a beer.
    ‘Good luck son you have my sympathy.’ Mick gulped two-thirds of the whisky down. Then went on, ‘Listen why don’t you get off your mark. Get the first train to London in the morning before you start seeing ghosts with her and her mother? Cause I’m telling you man that’s what’ll happen.’
    ‘You really talk some piss at times.’
    ‘You don’t believe me?’
    John did not reply. He leaned across and topped up his guest’s whisky.
    ‘If I had your chance,’ continued Mick, ‘I’d be off in a flash – bags packed and offski.’
    ‘Have I got to listen to this.’ He groaned staring at the ceiling, then said, ‘Anyway you could still do it for God sake. Why don’t you instead of telling me?’
    ‘Well the kid . . .’
    ‘Ach you’re always telling me he’s up at your mother-in-law’s with Betty all the time!’
    ‘Yeah,’ he said thoughtfully, ‘You know something? I’ve thought about it a few times – but taking them with me, not just myself. Get away from old greeting face,’ he paused, ‘and Betty’ll end up the same way if she carries on the way she’s going.’
    ‘How d’you mean?’
    ‘Oh cause I can’t get a job and that,’ he lit a cigarette. ‘Every time I see the old bag she’s on at me about it. Really gets on my nerves, and Betty as well. I know she’s thinking the same thing nowadays. In fact I was up with them a month ago, atBearsden and her maw started on. I sat watching the box not saying a word then Betty says there’s a lot of truth in what she’s saying. Jesus Christ!’ Mick laughed loudly. ‘I grabbed a nicker out her purse and went down the Black Bull, met a guy I knew and ended up at a party. Didn’t go home until the next morning.’
    ‘What happened?’
    ‘Her and the kid were still at Bearsden. Stayed the night, maw told her I was probably gone for good and good riddance. One miserable nicker! Not even enough for a taxi to Central Station! Jesus Christ.’ He looked so disgusted John could not help laughing. ‘All right for you with a job and that – not seen a fiver for months. Had four quid tonight. Most I’ve had since I’ve been on the broo!’
    ‘How’d you get it?’
    ‘Birthday! Aye!’ he laughed. ‘Betty’s maw – would you believe it? Gave her three quid for me, told her to buy me something cause I’d only fritter it away.’
    ‘After what you’ve been saying about her too.’
    ‘Ach she’s loaded. Should see her house man, like Elder’s Furniture Shop inside. Three quid! Gives her milk boy a bigger tip at Christmas. She really hates me.’
    ‘Why d’you see her then?’
    ‘Don’t know. Suppose if I had a job I wouldn’t go but she’s not bad in ways – buys the kid stuff and drops Betty now and then. Extra couple of quid comes in handy.’
    ‘Wouldn’t be me.’
    ‘What you talking about?’ Mick sneered. ‘Pride or something?’
    ‘For a couple of quid,’ replied John quietly. ‘I wouldn’t take it.’
    ‘Try living on a tenner a week then come and tell me!’
    ‘Why don’t you go south? Said you were thinking about it.’
    ‘Well why should I man, I mean I’m from Glasgow. Why the hell should I go down there to live?’
    ‘Work! I mean you liked it down there before you got married.’
    ‘Well five years married! I’ve changed. It’s not too bad, me and Betty get on okay together apart from her mother. Anyway . . .’ he grinned, ‘. . . I like it on the broo. Plenty of time to read and that, it’s not a bad life.’
    ‘Never have a penny.’
    ‘Don’t need it. Hardly bothers me at all now. Really!’
    ‘You’re a liar.’
    Mick laughed. ‘I’m telling you man. Don’t need any. Take a pound a week to myself and Betty buys me the tobacco. Tell me what I need money for?’
    ‘That’s no way to live.’
    ‘Suits me.’
    ‘What about the