Greyhound for Breakfast by James Kelman Read Free Book Online Page B

breakfast. ‘Mrs Grady’s out the now,’ she told him.
    ‘Aw.’
    ‘What was it you were wanting?’
    ‘Eh well it was just I was wondering if there’s a bank near?’
    ‘A bank. Yes, if you go along to Charing Cross. They’re all around there.’
    ‘Oh aye. Right.’ Eddie smiled. ‘It’s funny how you forget wee details like that.’
    ‘Mmhh.’
    ‘Things have really changed as well. The people . . .’ He grinned, shaking his head.
    She frowned. ‘Do you mean Glasgow people?’
    ‘Aye but really I mean I’m talking about people I know, friends and that, people I knew before.’
    ‘Aw, I see.’
    Eddie yawned. He dragged on his cigarette. ‘Another thing I was wanting to ask her, if it’s okay to go into the room, during the day.’
    ‘She prefers you not to, unless you’re on full board.’
    ‘Okay.’
    ‘You can go into the lounge though.’
    He nodded.
    ‘I dont know whether she knew you were staying tonight . . .’
    ‘I am.’
    ‘I’ll tell her.’
    ‘Eh . . .’ Eddie had been about to walk off; he said, ‘Does she do evening meals as well like?’
    ‘She does.’ The girl smiled.
    ‘What’s up?’
    ‘I dont advise it at the moment,’ she said quietly, ‘the real cook’s off sick just now and she’s doing it all herself.’
    ‘Aw aye. Thanks for the warning!’ Eddie dragged on the cigarette again. ‘I smelled a curry there somewhere . . .’
    ‘Yeh, there’s places all around.’
    ‘Great.’
    ‘Dont go to the first one, the one further along’s far better – supposed to be one of the best in Glasgow.’
    ‘Is that right. That’s great. Would you fancy coming at all?’
    ‘Pardon?’
    ‘It would be nice if you came, as well, if you came with me.’ Eddie shrugged. ‘It’d be good.’
    ‘Thanks, but I’m working.’
    ‘Well, I would wait.’
    ‘No, I dont think so.’
    ‘It’s up to you,’ he shrugged, ‘I’d like you to but.’
    ‘Thanks.’
    Eddie nodded. He looked towards the glass-panelled door of the lounge, he patted his inside jacket pocket in an absentminded way. And the girl said, ‘You know if it was a cheque you could
cash it here. Mrs Grady would do it for you.’
    ‘That’s good.’ He pointed at the lounge door. ‘Is that the lounge? Do you think it’d be alright if I maybe had a doze?’
    ‘A doze?’
    ‘I’m really tired. I was travelling a while and hardly got any sleep last night. If I could just stretch out a bit . . .’
    He looked about for an ashtray, there was one on the small half-moon table closeby where he was standing; he stubbed the cigarette out, and yawned suddenly.
    ‘Look,’ said the girl, ‘I’m sure if you went up the stair and lay down for an hour or so; I dont think she would mind.’
    ‘You sure?’
    ‘It’ll be okay.’
    ‘You sure but I mean . . .’
    ‘Yeh.’
    ‘I dont want to cause you any bother.’
    ‘It’s alright.’
    ‘Thanks a lot.’
    ‘Your bag’s still there in your room as well you know.’
    ‘Aye.’
    ‘Will I give you a call? about 5?’
    ‘Aye, fine. 6 would be even better!’
    ‘I’m sorry, it’ll have to be 5 – she’ll be back in the kitchen after that.’
    ‘I was only kidding.’
    ‘If it could be later I’d do it.’
    ‘Naw, honest, I was only kidding.’
    The girl nodded.
    After a moment he walked to the foot of the narrow, carpeted staircase.
    ‘You’ll be wanting a cheque cashed then?’
    ‘Aye, probably.’
    ‘I’ll mention it to her.’
    Up in the room he unzipped his bag but did not take anything out, he sat down on the edge of the bed instead. Then he got up, gave a loud sigh and took off his jacket, draping it over the back
of the bedside chair. He closed the curtains, lay stretched out on top of the bedspread. He breathed in and out deeply, gazing at the ceiling. He felt amazingly tired, how tired he was. He had
never been much of an afternoon drinker and today was just proving the point. He raised himself up to unknot his shoelaces, lay back