A Chancer by Kelman James

Author:Kelman, James [Kelman, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780857901446
Publisher: Birlinn

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The Art Gallery & Museum would not be opening for another hour. They walked on round the building and along behind the bowling green, across Kelvin Way and into the park. They walked down by the river. The trees were bare and the river was quite swollen. Keeps the smell down, said Tammas. Gets hell of a pongy in the summer. Hey, come on up the duck pond and I’ll show you the rats!

Vi laughed.

The child’s name was Kirsty. When they arrived at the pond Tammas lifted her down from Vi’s arms and he held her so that she was sitting on the bevelled railing surrounding the bank of the pond. He squatted next to her, pointing at the island: Under the bushes there Kirsty, just watch under the bushes, just at the edge. You as well Vi.

I cant see a thing. Apart from the ducks!

Patience, patience . . . He continued to squat, balancing the girl with one hand while pointing out to the bushes. Then there was movement and he whispered, See it? the bush shaking . . .

Where?

At the edge, just keep watching.

I cant see anything. Eh Kirsty? can you? Can you see anything?

The girl made no response, but she gazed in the direction of the island.

Definitely rats there, said Tammas.

At that moment about half a dozen birds flew down to settle on the pond.

Tammas said, Should’ve brought some bread with us Vi, the wee lassie would’ve liked to feed them. And the ducks as well right enough. Hey . . . Look . . . Now, the bushes.

Vi moved closer to him, her gaze going with the direction he was pointing in. She shook her head.

O Christ, he said, Vi – you cant miss it! Biggest I’ve seen for years! Big grey yin! See it? Look! Kirsty, Kirsty, can you see it? Can you see it? the big rat? O Christ, a beauty.

I cant see a thing . . .

After a moment Tammas said, It’s away. He stood up, lifted the girl from the railing and returned her to Vi.

I think you were seeing things.

Naw, you kidding! You wouldnt’ve missed it either if you’d been looking properly.

What d’you mean looking properly? I was looking properly. I was looking properly for the past ten minutes and I’m bloody freezing!

Ach . . . Doesnt matter. Come on, we’ll go to the swing park – eh Kirsty? want a shot on the swings? He lifted her back from Vi again and attempted to raise her so that she could sit on his shoulders but she kicked with her feet and he had to duck and then land her on the ground.

Vi took the girl by the hand. Sometimes she’s a bit funny. And I dont think she likes being up high either.

Tammas nodded. Okay Kirsty? He winked at her, stepped round the way so that he was walking with the girl inbetween himself and Vi; and gradually he took her by the hand. When they reached the swing park

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