Fresh (11 page)

Maggie was disgusted with me when she found out. She tipped my dinner onto the kitchen floor and stormed off into the living room. She didnay talk to me for three days. But the last straw was when she came home one night and Ah’d took the telly down the pawn for the Derby. She had her bags packed in fifteen minutes. Wee Donna was screamin that she didnay want
to go but Maggie dragged her out the house and up to her ma’s.

Archie heard about Maggie leavin me from my auntie Jessie. He came round and the house was a shitehole. Chip wrappers and beer cans all over the floor and me lyin on the couch with my face in my hands. He called me all the lazy bastards and gave me a slap round the ear. Made me get a bath and telt me we were goin out. He took me to this house in Springburn, where the debt collectors lived. Turned out he’d met one of them in Barlinnie. The guy didnay want to accept Archie’s offer of lettin me off with the money. What would all his other debtors do if they knew he’d let me off? No cunt would pay up would they? Archie nodded and said he could see his point. What are we goin to do then? Archie said they could gie me a batterin and call it quits at that.

They were talkin away as if Ah wasnay there. Ah shat myself, but what else could Ah do? Archie left the house and said he’d be back in a half-hour. The two guys smiled like fuckin sharks and went about me with punches and kicks till Ah was curled up on the floor. When Ah held my head, they kicked me on the back and guts. When Ah tried to protect my guts, they kicked me in the head. Ah thought it was never goin to end. But it did.

The two guys sat down and ye could see the sweat on their faces. Nothin like a bit of exercise one of them said. The other one laughed. Ah felt like greetin.

Archie came in and said thanks to the guys. They said any time big man. Archie helped me up and wiped the
blood off my face and Ah hobbled down to the motor. On the way home he said Ah needed to remember there was always consequences to our actions. He could’ve got me off without a batterin but with lessons like that Ah’d never learn from my mistakes. He asked me if Ah understood what he was goin on about. Ah nodded. Ah couldnay say much coz my gub was killin me. He took me home and made me a cup of tea. He left me to drink it while he went round for Maggie to tell her what happened. Well he gave her the edited highlights.

It didnay turn out too bad though. Archie was good enough to get the telly out the pawn. The batterin gave Maggie enough sympathy to come home. Ah only needed to visit the dentist three times to get my teeth fixed. And as for the broken nose, my auntie Jessie said it gies a guy character.

Eventually the guy in the suit had a last puff and blew the smoke into the air. He dropped his fag and stood on it. He was walking to the door when he noticed something on his trouser leg. He brushed it with his hand and scraped it with his fingernail. He spat on his thumb and rubbed it in the spot. He pinched the mat erial to have another look. Then he flicked it with the back of his hand, straightened up and walked through the door back into the office. Sammy nodded his head to Sean and they passed by the door and into
another channel between the wall and the fence. They came to another clearing that had a shed in the middle of it. There was steam coming out of a vent in the roof.

Sean looked through the barbed-wire fence and stopped walking. Sammy turned round.

Are ye comin then?

Sean shook his head.

Ah don’t know about this Sammy.

What’s the matter with ye? Are ye bottlin out?

No it’s no that.

Sammy walked towards the hut.

Well come on then. It’s only a game of cards for fuck sake.

Sean stuttered.

Ah’m no goin to do it. Fuck this, Ah’m goin back.

Sean turned round and started walkin. Sammy ran forward and blocked his way.

But Ah’ve set this up for ye.

Sorry Sammy but Ah’ve –

Sammy snarled.

Ye’ve what?

Sean pushed against him.

Ah’ve got to get back.

Sammy grabbed him by the overalls and pulled him close.

What d’ye think yer doin, fuckin me about?

Ah’m no. Ah didnay mean to. Ah’ve just changed my mind.

Sammy shook Sean.

Where’s Archie’s fuckin money?

Sean struggled free.

That’s between him and me.

Sammy pushed him against the wire fence.

He asked me to collect it, so hand it over.

No.

Sammy punched him in the side of the rib cage.

Fuckin hand it over.

Sean ran his head into Sammy and pushed him against the wall. They struggled with each other but Sammy was the better fighter. Sean fell to his knees and tried to hang onto Sammy’s overalls. But he was pushed to the ground. Sammy kneeled on his chest and leaned into his face.

Gie’s the fuckin money.

He ground his knee into Sean’s sternum. Then he let the pressure off. Sean reached into his pocket and pulled the money out. Sammy grabbed it and counted it.

Five hunner? Where’s the rest of it?

Sean couldnay say anything. He just rubbed his chest. Sammy got up and gave him a kick on the thigh.

Ye better have it for the night or yer in for it.

He spat on the ground and walked towards the hut.

Sean felt the pain as he stood up. He looked to the floor and saw his cap there, upside down. He bent down and picked it up and put it on. It was getting on for one o’clock. An hour before the factory closed and he had to go home for more slaps. He turned to face the woods.

Jesus fuckin Christ.

He gripped the rusty wire and leaned into the fence and kicked little crescents into the earth with the toes
of his wellies. He could soon climb over and live in there and have nobody bothering him. It would be easy enough to set up a camp with branches leaning over a tree-trunk. Maybe get some plastic bags on top to make it waterproof. Live off the land on roots and berries. Set some snares for rabbits. Have a wee fire for the cold nights. Totally independent. He’d just come out once a fortnight to pick up the giro and buy supplies.

He straightened up and started walking. His thigh was sore but was eased by the walk. It didn’t take long to get to the fire exit. He went through and clicked the door closed behind him. He looked up and down the corridor and started limping towards the Junction. He rubbed his thigh as he walked. Somebody shouted behind him. He turned round and George was approaching him.

What are you doin away from yer line?

Ah just went to the toilet.

Well ye should have got somebody to cover for ye.

Ah’ve got Albert doin it.

George looked at him closely.

Are ye alright?

Sean had to watch what he said in case he started crying.

Ah’ve fucked up big man.

How, what’ve ye done?

Ah need some money.

One of George’s eyebrows went up.

Oh aye?

Sean fiddled with a button on the front of his overalls.

Ah owe our Archie two hunner pound and Ah need to gie him it the day.

George tutted and gave out a loud sigh.

Ah wish Ah could help ye out son but Ah’ve got a family to feed.

Sean went to walk back to the Junction.

Fair enough. Ah better get back to work.

George grabbed his arm.

Have ye tried the Credit Union?

Sean felt the factory lighten up a bit.

No.

C’mon to the office. They’ve got applications there. It didn’t take them long to walk to the office. The receptionist was typing into a computer. George put his clipboard on the counter.

Alright doll?

She took her eyes off the screen. George leaned over the counter.

Gie’s a loan application.

She reached under her desk and pulled out a sheet of paper. George grabbed it and signed a dotted line at the bottom.

Ah’ve gave ye a reference. Don’t be asking for a million.

Thanks George.

Right. Get that filled in and Ah’ll go and check that

Albert’s alright.

Sean picked it up and turned to the receptionist.

Have ye got a pen?

She gave him one and he sat by the desk and filled it in. Then he went to the counter and handed the
application to her. She took it and put it in a tray. Sean stood by the desk. After she had typed in a few more words on the computer, she turned to him.

Is there anything else?

Ah’m just waitin for my money.

She laughed.

Impatient aren’t you? If you’re going to get it, you’ll get a cheque at the end of the day.

A cheque? Can Ah no get cash?

She wrote something at the bottom of the form.

Come to the office at two o’clock.

Sean winked at her.

What if Ah cannay wait that long?

She laughed and looked at her watch.

Call in at two. You’ve not got long to wait.

Sean left the office and pushed back into the factory corridor. He wasn’t limping anymore. He strode back to Fresh in time to the building rhythm of the poultry moving through the factory. He became worried about Albert and George’s ability to cope so he walked faster. Left right left right left right.

The glorious men of the Royston Rifles marched to relieve the Junction. It was a magnificent sight. Dust trailed for miles behind them into a gigantic triangle high in the blue sky. They passed smoking artillery with dead men strewn all around. A vulture picked at a soldier’s eyes, its claws curled deep in his chest and its wings unfurled ready to fly at the smoke from a gun. They passed villages of broken children being fed on by clouds of flies. They marched past the tiredness and the hunger and the horror. Most regiments would have
rested but not the Royston Rifles. They were disciplined. The men in skirts are brave, they don’t eat a lot, and they’re fuckin good shots.

He jumped up the stairs and into the Junction. Albert was struggling but he was clearing the chickens from his line. Sean tapped George’s shoulder, said cheers mate, and attacked the birds that were falling on his conveyor belt. His timing was brilliant. The factory was reaching its crescendo. Waves of dead birds were attacking his station like suicidal maniacs. Their dead were piling up in front of his guns. Sean moved with calm efficiency and began to extricate legs from the general scrum. As his right hand hung a chicken on a hook, his left hand was searching out another promin ent limb. Meanwhile the machine was trying to distract him with a rapid fire of falling chickens. A lesser man would have given up, thrown his gloves at George, and walked into the desert. Not Sean though. He was made of sterner stuff. The likes of him had fought their way out of worse scrapes than this. They had faced down overwhelming odds with nothing but grim determin ation and sharp bayonets.

Sir, sir.

Yes Dogby.

The chickens are coming sir.

I know Dogby, help me on with my tunic, there’s a good chap.

But they’re closing in Sir. Undreds of em.

Discipline Dogby, one always has to have discipline. Otherwise one is no better than those damn chickens. Don’t worry old chap. God will smile on us this day.

Yes sir.

We will prevail. Hand me my pistol, there’s a good chap.

Sir.

Thanks Dogby. Now get your rifle and show me to the chickens. Where’s Sergeant O’Grady?

On the fire-step sir.

O’Grady don’t shoot until you see the goose bumps on their flesh.

You heard the officer, hold your fire till I give the order.

The Royston Rifles formed a square to defend against the chickens. The ululating heathen disconcerted the men but Sergeant O’Grady ensured discipline was maintained. The enemy erupted from the mountains in a flurry of rifle smoke and orange silk. Their swords curved towards the brave Scottish men. The pounding of their powerful wings became deafening. Sergeant O’Grady told his men to fix bayonets. He waited until the enemy reached the fifty-yard marker and he told his men to fire. They fired. He told his men to load. They loaded. One more volley and the chickens were inside the square. Sergeant O’Grady attacked them like they were bags of straw hung from branches. His rifle soon became sticky with blood. He slipped on the entrails of a screaming soldier. He stabbed and hacked and clubbed and kicked. Smoke and vultures circled overhead.

Sean’s rhythm built from back-twinging jerks to a blurred vision of hands working without being told what to do. He felt his biceps loosen then a low heat took hold that increased till he felt a flush of itchiness
break out across his back. Then, just as he thought the chickens might defeat him, they slowed, and he felt relief was at hand. He was clearing the pile faster than it was being added to. The chickens stopped falling. The conveyor belt was cleared. Sean pushed his hands into his back and stretched. He exhaled in a noisy breath that rose to the ceiling in a smoke-like plume.

Albert hung his last chicken, walked over to the corner and picked up a brush.

Ah suppose we better gie this place a clean. Sean grabbed a brush. They started with the conveyor belt. Giving it a sweep and trying to knock all the bits of fat caught in the framework onto the floor. Albert nudged Sean.

Check that poor wee bastard.

Sean looked down into Fresh and there was a white cap struggling with the last of the chickens. Sean picked up a bit of fat and turned to Albert.

Watch this.

He threw the fat at the white cap. It hit him right on the back. The white cap looked up and around, but Sean and Albert were busy cleaning. Sean waited for a minute then flicked another piece of fat. The white cap looked round quicker, but his line dropped some chickens and he had to hang them on the rack. Sean rubbed his hands together and hunted around for more fat. He found a big piece under the conveyor belt and threw it at the white cap. Bang on the back and the white cap started round while chickens pumped off into his station. He
realised too late that he was overloaded and had to call George to help him. Sean and Albert shook their heads like disappointed fathers. They got back to the cleaning.

After the framework was done, they swept the floor. Sean came up against a stubborn bit of fat. A couple of stiff strokes and it came loose. He brushed it towards a pile they had gathered next to the bin. He went to the corner and placed his broom against the wall. He got the shovel and scooped up the fat and dumped it in the bin. Albert swept the disordered bits of fat back into a mound. When there wasn’t much left, Sean put the shovel in front of the pile and Albert pushed the fat onto it with the brush. Sean dumped this last load into the bin, threw the shovel clanging into the corner and clapped his hands together.

Aye that’ll do.

Albert went to the corner and propped the shovel up. He placed the brush beside it.

Take the bin out son.

Sean picked the bin up and slung it onto his shoulder. He walked out of the Junction and into Fresh. The girls in there were all happy at the thought of a weekend with wages to spend. He walked through them to the skip in the corner. He could see all their mouths opening but it was hard to connect the sounds with the mouths. It reminded him of a wildlife documentary about sea lions.

He dumped the binload into the skip. He thought about telling his uncle about the cards as he climbed the steps back into the Junction, but there was no point. It would only cause more grief and there was enough
of that to go around already. He walked up to the old boy and both of them leaned against a conveyor belt. Albert took his gloves off.

Aye. Another week over. Ah’ll be glad when Ah’m home and bathed.

Ye can say that again.

Then Ah’ll be down the Fiveways for a beer.

Sean smacked his lips.

Ah wish Ah could join ye.

Never mind son. Ye’ll be out there with the best of us soon enough.

Albert pointed into Fresh.

There he is.

Sean looked and George was wandering through. He had a clipboard and a pile of envelopes. He stopped and talked to an old woman. She was bowing away to him as if he was Prince Charles in to do a factory inspection. He walked away from her and headed for the Junction. Sean tutted.

About fuckin time.

George climbed the stairs and came over with their payslips. Sean tucked his into his overalls.

Cheers big man.

George gave Albert his and turned back to Sean.

So how did ye get on down the office?

Ah’ve to call in at the end.

Albert lifted his nose up.

What’s this?

Ah’ve asked the Credit Union for a sub.

We should’ve thought of that earlier.

Aye Ah know.

Albert looked at George.

D’ye think he’ll get it?

No reason why he shouldnay. Been here long enough.

Did ye gie him a reference?

Aye.

He better pay it back then eh?

George laughed.

Got fuck-all to do with me, it’ll come straight out his wages.

He had a look round the Junction and nodded.

If this place is clean boys, yeez might as well fuck off.

He grabbed the handrail of the steps and disappeared down and into Fresh. Albert called after him.

Have a good weekend boss.

And yerself.

They had a quick look to make sure the Junction was in order, then followed George into Fresh. They watched as he walked up to the girls in Fresh and called them for their payslips.

Uncle and nephew walked through Fresh and pushed through the door and into the corridor. They walked in silence. Sean scuffed his feet along the floor. They went into the cloakroom. Sean thought about the long bus ride home. The beer had worked down to his bladder.

Ah think Ah’ll nip in for a piss.

Ah think Ah’ll join ye.

They went into the toilet and stood next to adjacent urinals. Sean finished his before Albert. The old guy talked over his shoulder.

Ah swear as Ah get older my piss gets slower.

Sean pulled his cap off and stuffed it into his pocket. He looked in the mirror as he pulled his hairnet off and dumped it in the bin. He gave his hands a good wash and then his face and a wee bit of water onto his hair. He pulled his fingers through it and when he was happy looked at Albert.

How are ye gettin on there?

Albert looked over his shoulder.

This’ll come to ye. Then ye’ll be sorry.

Take yer time.

Go on ahead if yer in a hurry.

Sean looked at the door.

Aye right enough, Ah better get to the office.

Good luck then wee man.

Ah’ll see ye at the bus stop.

Sean pushed through the toilet door and headed down the corridor towards the office. He hoped he didn’t bump into Sammy. He couldn’t handle any more threats. It didn’t take long and he was in the heat of reception. The same lassie was typing away at her computer. He leaned on the counter and cleared his throat. She looked round and smiled. She wheeled her chair over to the counter and flicked through some files.

Here we are.

She pulled out a piece of paper with a envelope clipped to it. She separated the envelope and handed Sean the paper and a pen.

You need to sign for it.

Sean’s heart pumped.

So Ah’m gettin it?

She nodded.

They’ll take it back at a fiver a week. You’ll not even notice it.

He signed and she handed him the envelope.

Hope it covers you.

Sean fondled the thick envelope.

Oh thanks doll.

Don’t thank me. Ah just hand out the money.

Thanks anyway. This is got me out of some right trouble.

Glad we could help.

Sean turned to leave the office. He folded the envelope in half and tucked it into his back pocket. He couldn’t help but smile. That was the money sorted. Everything should be alright now. He walked down the corridor and whistled.

He got to the main door and stepped outside. There was a gap in the clouds and the sun bounced off the snow and onto his face. He scanned the yard and held his hand over his eyes as he blinked. There was a sea of blue overalls milling around waiting for the buses that would take them home. Sean looked over to the bus stops and saw Albert at one. He was nearly at the head of a queue. Sean paddled through the crowd and joined Albert. Somebody called from behind.

There’s a queue ye know.

Sean turned round. He cupped his hand over his eyes and scanned the horizon.

Where?

The person mumbled so Sean turned back to his uncle.

Alright Albert?

You’re in a good mood.

Aye Ah know. They gave me the money.

That’s magic son. Panic over eh?

A horn sounded and Sean and Albert looked at a car as it came alongside the bus stop. Sammy was driving and as he went past he looked at Sean and drew his finger across his neck. Sean gave him the fingers and the car stopped. The window went down and Sammy looked out.

What was that?

Sean nearly shat himself.

Eh nothin.

Ah didnay think so. See ye the night.

Sammy’s tyres squeaked as he drove off. Albert turned to Sean.

Never mind son, ye’ll have the pair of them out yer hair soon enough.

The bus came and people squeezed and jostled to get on. Sean heard his name being called. He turned round. It was Rab.

There’s the wee boy.

Albert looked back and shouted.

Hurry up wee man.

Rab looked up and smiled. He put on a half-walk, half-jog. He looked tired and his work satchel kept falling off his shoulder and dragging along the ground. Albert looked at Sean and they both smiled and shook their heads. The queue pushed them towards the bus. When they got to the door, they stopped to wait for Rab. Sean shouted over the heads of the queue.

C’mon to fuck son, Ah want to get a seat on the bus.
People behind called for them to hurry up and get on. But they held firm. When Rab caught up, he handed Sean a plastic bag.

Here’s the stuff ye left in my hut.

Sean took it and looked inside.

Cheers pal.

They got on the bus and continued straight up the stairs. They piled to the front seats but two white caps were in them. Sean signalled to them with his thumb.

That’s our seat.

The white caps tutted but got up and moved to the seat behind. Sean slid into the window side. Rab sat next to him and Albert sat on the other side of the gangway. Sean reached into the plastic bag and pulled out the tobacco. He passed Albert his two pouches and a bottle of vodka. Albert nodded as he put them away.

Cheers pal.

Sean put his tobacco in his workbag, wrapped the plastic bag round the vodka and stuffed that in. He put the bag on the floor and leaned back into the seat with his arms crossed over his chest.

The bus swayed from side to side as it filled up. It was noisy in there. Always is on a Friday afternoon. When the driver started up, it was quiet for a minute. He gave it a few revs then they pulled away from the kerb. Everybody started talking again. Sean elbowed Rab in the side.

So who’s the wee bird ye’ll be seein the night?

Nobody ye’ll know.

How d’ye know Ah’ll no know her?

Coz ye’ll no.

Sean never said anything for a bit. But he couldn’t resist it.

No, who is she?

Rab looked ahead and nodded.

That’s for me to know and you to wonder.

Fuck sake Rab ye sound like a wean at the school. Yer makin it up ya wee cunt.

No, am Ah fuck.

What’s her name then? Pamela? Has she got a good grip? Ya fuckin wanker.

Fuck sake shut up.

Sean leaned into Rab and spoke quietly.

No, Ah’m only messin with ye son. Is she nice?

Rab looked around serious. His eyes were soft.

Lovely.

Sean patted his cousin’s knee.

Best of luck to ye wee man.

He waited for a moment before calling his uncle.

Albert?

Albert lifted his head off the window.

What?

D’ye know that bird from Easterhouse? That fat one with the moustache and the glasses? Her that works in Packin?

What about her?

Your Rab’s got her pregnant.

Rab elbowed Sean.

Shut up.

Sean held his side and tried not to laugh.

Fuck off ya cunt. Da, tell him.

Leave the boy alone Sean.

Alright.

Sean watched the edge of the road. The white line flicked back and forward against the grass verge like a bent railway line. He leaned his head against the window and felt his teeth rattle in his head like a train going over points. Archie’s coming home, Archie’s coming home.

Ah’d been for this interview in Aberdeen. Ah was tryin to get a wee job on the rigs. It was supposed to be one of them two-day interviews with a night in a hotel and back home the followin evenin. All expenses, so it wasnay too bad. Thing was, as soon as the first day was over Ah thought this isnay for me. Ah sat on the bed in the hotel for half an hour, then Ah grabbed my bags and headed for the train station. Ah couldnay wait to get back to Royston. When the train pulled into Edinburgh Ah had to change, so Ah thought Ah might as well phone Maggie and she’d be able to get some dinner ready for when Ah got in. Fuck knows why but somethin stopped me. Ah thought Ah’d just surprise her.

As soon as Ah walked off the platform at Queen Street, Ah jumped in a taxi to get me to the house. As Ah humped my bags up the path, Ah heard music from the livin room. Ah thought it was a bit strange coz it was about eleven o’clock. Ah pushed the key into the
lock and got my bags into the lobby. Ah was goin to shout on Maggie but Ah never. Ah just went straight into the livin room. Archie and Maggie were on the couch. He was pushin against her, tryin to kiss her, and he had his hand up her skirt. She was strugglin and Ah heard her tellin him no.

Ah turned the stereo off and shouted what the fuck’s goin on. Archie turned round and said alright wee man. Ah couldnay believe the cheek of the cunt. He was tryin to ride my fuckin wife. Meanwhile she was pullin her skirt back down her legs. He just came round for a drink Sean she said to me. Ah telt them it looked like more than a drink to me.

Archie got up at this point and looked at his watch. Ah need to meet Sammy he said and went to leave. Ah was that angry with him Ah stood in front of him and asked what the fuck was he playin at. We’ve just had a coupla drinks he said. Ah’m sorry Sean it got a bit out of hand but ye know what it’s like. Ah still stood there and looked at them. Ah wasnay sure what to do next. He said get out my way, Ah telt you I was sorry, so fuckin leave it. Ah stepped aside and he pushed past me and out the door.

Maggie sat there and looked at me. Ah checked out the empty beer cans and the upturned ashtray. Look at the state of this place Ah said. She started greetin. Ah’m sorry Sean. Ah saw him down the Co-op earlier and telt him ye were away for the night. She telt me he’d brought round a new steam iron and a bag of lagers. She’d let him in. He’s my brother. She didnay think there was any harm in it. But when she’d had a bit to
drink, he’d asked her for a cuddle. As a sister like, he’d said. She couldnay see any harm in it but as soon as he got his arms round her he started kissin her neck and tellin her he’d always fancied her. And it got worse. If Ah’d no come in, she didnay know what would have happened.