The Dwarfs (14 page)

Twenty-eight

- Virginia?

- Hello?

- Mark.

- Hello.

- I got your card.

- Good.

- I was going to phone you anyway.

- Were you?

- What are you doing?

- Nothing.

- I’m at home.

- I’ll come round.

- Now?

- Yes.

- Right. See you.

- Well, what’s all this? Mark smiled, as they sat down.

The room was quiet. She crossed her legs.

- All what?

- Pete.

- There’s nothing to it, she said. It’s finished.

- Just like that?

- There’s nothing else to say.

- Nothing?

- No.

She opened her bag and took out a packet of cigarettes. Mark stood up and, bending over her chair, struck a match. She sat back in the armchair. He sat down.

- So there’s nothing else to say, eh?

- It couldn’t go on any longer. Have you got an ashtray?

- Put it in the grate.

She flicked ash into the grate and smoothed her hair over her ear.

- Tch, tch, she smiled. Do you keep this place in order?

- Not me. A charlady.

- What about the washing up?

- I do that.

- Have you done it today?

- Today? No.

- Shall I do it?

- No.

She stretched her legs on the carpet and blew smoke.

- I’ve washed up in your kitchen before.

- I know.

He coughed and banged his chest.

- Bad, she said.

- Well look here. You’re not going back to Pete?

- No. Do you take anything for that cough?

- No.

He cleared his throat.

- I hear you’ve been gadding about.

- You could call it that.

- You could, eh?

- I’ve been going about with a man called Tucker.

- From the West Country?

- He’s a Red Indian.

- So am I.

- No you’re not.

- What am I?

She flicked ash into the grate.

- Tucker, eh?

- Tucker. There’s nothing else to say.

- Well, there must be something to say about something, Mark said.

- I suppose so.

- Give me your fag. You’ll burn your fingers.

He took it from her hand, stubbed it out and sat down again.

- How’s school?

- We’re on holiday, she said.

- Oh yes, of course.

- So are you.

- Yes, you’re right.

- A long one.

- Quite long, he said.

- When are you going to do some work?

- I’ll have to soon.

- Where?

- Anywhere.

She opened her bag.

- Have another one.

- No. Have one of mine.

Bending over her, he lit her cigarette.

- Thanks.

- That’s a lovely dress, he said, sitting down.

- Thank you.

- Not at all.

Mark looked at her across the room.

- Why are you looking at me?

- The same reason I always looked at you.

- You’re making me blush.

- Why did you send me that card?

- I wanted to see you.

- Why?

- Why did you phone me?

- I told Pete I’d phone you.

- Oh?

- I wanted to speak to you. It’s a long time since we spoke to each other.

- We’ve hardly ever spoken to each other, Virginia said. He stood up and stubbed his cigarette.

- Give me yours, he said, I’ll put it out.

He took it from her hand and stubbed it out. He sat down.

- Tell me.

- Yes? said Virginia.

- Can you run through snow leaving no footprint?

- I think so.

- You must be able to do that, you know.

- I think I could.

- Are you sure?

- Don’t you think I could?

- Yes, I do.

- You knew it all the time.

- I’ve always known it, he said. It’s there, in your eyes.

- Was it always there?

- Always. And in your body.

- Was it always in my body?

- Yes, always.

- And in your body too, she said.

- Really?

- Yes.

- Your body, he said. It’s always been in all of your body.

- Always.

- I’ve never seen your legs above your knees.

- No.

- Lift your skirt up.

- Mmn?

- Lift your skirt up.

- Like this?

- Yes. Go on.

- Like this?

- Leave it.

- Like this?

- Uncross your legs.

- Like this?

- So he thinks I’m a fool?

They lay on the bed.

- He thinks that of everyone.

- But he has said to you that I am a fool?

- He’s said so many things.

- No, but I want to know exactly.

- Why?

- Tell me.

- I’ve told you.

- You’ve heard him say it?

- From all he’s ever said to me about you, she said, I don’t think he respects you.

- He doesn’t respect me and he thinks I’m a fool.

- But can’t you see, she said, he doesn’t respect anyone. He hates everyone.

- All these years, eh?

- Let’s forget him.

Mark sat on the edge of the bed and scratched his head.

- What I can’t understand is, if he thinks I’m a fool, why bother to see me?

- He uses you, and everyone, she said, touching his back. Forget him.

- What sort of game has he been playing?

- Look, it’s all right, she said. What the hell?

- What do you mean?

- He hasn’t harmed me. I’ve survived.

- Yes - you’re all right, but there’s another thing.

- Look at me. Come and lie down.

Mark looked at her.

- Why are you worrying so much about him?

- You don’t understand, he said.

- He doesn’t worry me any more.

- Do you mean to say, do you mean that after all this time with him, the cord just snaps, snap, just like that?

- It was frayed.

She drew him down to her.

- Do you know what I’d like now?

- What?

- I’d like him to walk in and see us, she said. Naked. In each
other’s arms.

- Would you?

She clasped him.

- Look, she whispered, you might as well make the most of me, because we’ll only last about a week.

- What are you talking about? Mark said. You and me?

- Kiss me.

Mark kissed her and sat up.

- I’ll tell you one thing, he said. He’s made a grave error. I’m not a fool.

Twenty-nine

- Hello Mark.

- Hello.

- What are you doing?

- Nothing.

- Going to invite me in?

- Sure.

They walked down the stairs.

- Well, Pete said, what are you doing with yourself?

- When’s that?

- Now.

- Nothing.

- You look as if you’re up to something.

- Don’t believe it.

Mark sat down at the table.

- Len’s in hospital, Pete said.

- Len?

- Yes.

- What’s the matter with him?

- His bowels wouldn’t work. He came a cropper.

- When was this?

- A few days ago, Pete said, sitting down. It’s not serious.

- Hmmn.

Mark looked out of the window at the sky.

- You got a weatherglass in this house? Pete said.

- No.

- They’re very handy.

- Why?

- You can see how the world stands. It’s colder today.

- You know there’s no weatherglass here.

- I knew a bloke once who always carried one with him.

Pocket size. His own invention.

Mark brought a nailfile from his pocket and probed his right ear.

- Well, Pete said, what have you been doing with yourself?

- When?

- Since I saw you.

- This and that.

- This and what?

- That.

- It sticks out a mile.

Mark wiped the file on his thigh.

- What about writing? Done any writing lately?

- No.

- Lost the knack?

- I wouldn’t say that.

- Good, Pete said.

Mark filed his thumbnail.

- Do you want to bowl along and see Len?

- When, now?

- Yes, Pete said. Are you busy?

- No.

- Right.

- All right.

- It’s visiting time.

Mark probed his left ear and flicked wax from the file.

- What’s up?

Mark put the file in his pocket.

- What? he said.

- What’s up with you?

- What do you mean?

- You’re wearing a gasmask.

- Not me.

Pete, smiling, stood up.

- Are you ready?

- Yes.

They left the house. The day was dull. They passed the pond and walked towards the hospital.

- It’s a fine old day, Pete said. A bit chilly.

They walked on.

- The leaves are breaking up. That’s not a bad phrase. What do you think?

- What about?

They crossed the road by the Electricity Company and walked on.

- Old Len got them to phone me at work. Just in time. I gave in my notice yesterday.

- Did you?

They passed the back of the cemetery.

- Eh, how’s your capital? When are you going to do a bit more acting?

- Haven’t thought about it.

They walked by a waste of bombed ground.

- Ah well, Pete said.

A brisk wind rattled the leaves and paperbags. They passed the firestation and approached the hospital.

- Read any good books lately? Pete asked.

- No.

They turned in at the hospital gates.

- Mr Weinstein? Pete said.

- Ward C.

They walked through the building, up the stairs to the first floor, and into the ward. Visitors sat by the beds. A number of patients wore earphones. The nurses collected at the far end, by a tray of flowers. Pete and Mark walked up the ward.

- Don’t think he’d be behind a screen. Do you? Pete said.

- No hawking or canvassing.

They turned.

- Didn’t see you, said Pete.

- It’s not surprising, said Len, lowering the sheet.

They sat on each side of his bed.

- You got here.

- We got here, Mark said.

- Well, what’s all this? said Pete.

- I’m as right as rain, Len said, now. They can’t do enough for me.

- Why?

- Because I’m no trouble. These nurses, they treat me like a king.

The nurses stood talking by the tray of flowers.

- Like a king, Len said.

- Have a fag, said Pete, handing one to Mark.

- It suits me down to the ground, said Len.

- Staying long? Pete asked.

- I’m out in two days. I’m in running order.

Mark turned to look at the nurses.

- They’re a very good lot, Len muttered.

Mark turned back. Smoke slid from his nostrils.

- You look as though you’ve caught a crab, Len said.

- What?

- You looked undernourished.

- Do I?

- Pleasant ward, Pete said.

- It’s ideal.

Mark and Pete looked about the ward.

- Best quality blankets, home cooking, Len said, the lot. Mark looked up at the ceiling.

- Not too low, not too high, Len said, and broke into a fit of coughing. Where’s the gobbing tin?

Mark looked under the bed. Pete lifted the chamberpot and held it up. Len spat into the urine.

- You’re pissing well, Mark said.

- I thought you’d say that.

- I thought you were at death’s door, when they phoned, Pete said. I was going to Petticoat Lane to buy you a secondhand crucifix.

- I told them you were my next of kin.

Pete blew a smokering.

- By the way, Mark, he said, what’s happened to your pipe?

- Nothing’s happened to it.

- Did it work?

- You smoking a pipe? Len asked.

- No.

- Well, Pete said, I chucked my hand in yesterday.

- How? Len said.

- I gave in my notice.

- Why?

- Enough’s enough.

- What are you going to do?

- I’m after something.

- Let’s open a business.

- Well, Len, said Mark, you’re looking very well.

The ward shone. Through the bright window leaves breaking. Mark dropped his cigarette on the floor and ground it out.

- You’ll have me prosecuted, Len said.

By the tray of flowers the nurses talked.

- What’s it like out? Len said.

- Bit chilly, said Pete, today.

- Bound to be.

- The sun’s come out.

- That means rain.

- Does it?

- Well, Mark, said Len, bring off the treble chance this week?

- Not me.

The visitors were moving from the beds. The nurses, dispersing, walked down the ward.

- Who’s driving the tank?

- What? said Pete.

- Who’s driving the tank?

- Don’t ask me. We’ve been walking up the road back to back.

- You’ve what?

Len looked at Mark.

- You’ve been walking up the road back to back?

Pete stubbed his cigarette in a saucer on the bedside table. The nurses moved along the ward.

- You’re not supposed to sit on the bed, Len said. You’re supposed to sit on the chair.

- Well, Pete said, we’ll leave you to it. Knock us up when you get out.

- Yes, Mark said, knock us up.

- How do I know if you’ll be in?

Pete and Mark left the hospital and walked towards the pond. The sun was gone and a light rain slipped.

- Horizontal personalities, those places, Pete said. You’re the only vertical. Makes you feel dizzy.

Mark turned his collar up. They passed the firestation.

- You ever been inside one of those places? Pete asked.

- I’m not sure. I can’t remember.

- Right, Pete said. Bollocks.

He turned his collar up. They passed the bombed site.

- All right, Mark said, scowling in the rain.

They walked on over the broken leaves.

- Why do you knock on my door?

- What?

- Come on. Why do you knock on my door?

- What are you talking about?

They passed the back of the cemetery.

- It’s a straight question.

- I call to see you, mate.

- Why?

- Tired of my own company.

- But what do you want with me? Why come and see me?

- Why?

- Either you know what you’re doing or you don’t know what you’re doing. Either way I don’t like the smell.

- Take it easy Mark.

- But I think you know bloodywell what you’re doing. I think you’ve been playing a double game for years, as far as I’m concerned, as far as everybody’s concerned.

- Don’t push me, mate.

They crossed the road by the Electricity Company and continued towards the pond.

- You’ve been using me as you use every bugger. In actual fact you don’t give a fuck for any of us.

- You’ve started something you might regret, Pete said. But all right. Go on. Get down to brass tacks.

In heavier rain they approached the pond, the water spitting and breaking about the islands.

- You’re twofaced, Mark said. You’ve treated me as one thing to my face and behind my back it’s been quite a different matter.

- Behind your back? This is infantile. Who’s been pouring the poison?

They stopped at the corner of the pond.

- You’ve been stringing me along, Mark said. You’ve been giving me the grapes for years.

- Someone’s been doing a bit of graft here, Pete said. You’re dropping a big clangor. But who’s told you what? Look, it’s wet. Come and have a drink.

They walked across the road and into a pub. Mark sat down. Pete went to the counter and returned with two beers.

- Drink up. I think you’ve got one or two things somewhat alltoballsed, he said.

- Your behaviour to Virginia, Mark said, leaning across the table, has been criminal for years.

- Watch yourself, Pete said. You’re out of your depth already.

- It’s been criminal from all angles. And I’ll tell you another thing, Mark said, for nothing. I slept with her last night.

The room stopped. Then Pete heard the chink in the echo of glass. Now standing, he looked down at Mark.

- It’s finished, he spat, and left the pub.