Smokeheads by Doug Johnstone Read Free Book Online

‘Take it up with RBS Mortgage Boy over there.’

    Ethan shook his head, having none of it. ‘You’re joking. I design databases, how the hell is it my fault?’
    ‘Your employers managed to work up twenty-four billion in debt, that’s not a kick in the arse off the Scottish government’s entire budget. White Stone are doing very nicely, thanks, so it’s not our fault, is it? It’s not about avoiding risk and all that safe, steady shite, it’s about knowing which are the right risks to take and taking them.’
    Ethan breathed out. ‘It’s guys like you taking risks and screwing it up that mean we all have to pay in the end.’
    ‘Life’s about risks,’ said Roddy. ‘If you grew up and realised that, maybe you’d be a lot better off than you are now.’
    ‘If you’re so rich, Hedge Fund Henry,’ Ash slurred, ‘why aren’t you at the bar getting the fucking drinks in?’
    ‘On my way,’ said Roddy with a smug smile.
    Ash slid over to Luke.
    ‘So what’s your story, quiet boy?’ she said.
    He examined her with narrow eyes. ‘Musician.’
    ‘What do you play?’
    ‘Bit of everything.’
    ‘Drums?’
    ‘Sometimes.’
    ‘I have a thing for drummers. Strong hands and lots of energy.’
    She stroked his arm. He looked at Roddy at the bar, then at her hand.
    ‘What are you doing?’
    ‘Flirting, what does it look like?’
    ‘You’ve spent all night flirting with Roddy.’
    ‘So what?’

    ‘Not interested.’
    Ash laughed. ‘OK, take it easy, Ringo, just being friendly.’
    Across the table, Ethan got up to help Roddy with the drinks.
    Adam took a deep breath and turned to Molly. Serenity now.
    ‘I couldn’t help noticing you’re not wearing a wedding ring.’
    Molly laughed.
    ‘You couldn’t help noticing?’ she said, a tease in her voice.
    ‘Actually, Roddy noticed at the distillery.’
    ‘I didn’t think I was his type.’
    Adam felt sheepish. ‘He was looking for me.’
    ‘Was he, now?’
    ‘It’s just that you were wearing one last time we met, and you mentioned your husband. Remember, at the Feis Ile?’
    Her smile faded. ‘A lot’s happened since then.’
    Her look made him want to rewind. ‘I’m sorry, it’s none of my business. You obviously don’t want to talk about it.’
    He put his hand on hers on the table. She shook her head with a resigned look. ‘It’s not that, it’s just …’
    ‘Hey,’ shouted Roddy, dumping the drinks and sitting down next to Ash. ‘It’s PC Plod. Evening all.’
    Adam followed Roddy’s gaze and saw the police officer who’d stopped them earlier standing behind him, looming over their table. He was in a dress shirt and leather jacket, still wearing the gold chain. He looked drunk and itching for trouble.
    ‘Oh, shit,’ said Molly, sliding her hand out from under Adam’s.
    ‘This should be good,’ said Ash.
    ‘Aren’t you going to introduce me?’ he said to Molly.
    ‘Fuck off.’

    He grabbed her arm and gripped firmly. ‘I said introduce me.’
    ‘Hey,’ said Adam, seeing the look on Molly’s face.
    She turned to him and sighed deeply.
    ‘Adam, this is my ex-husband, Joe.’

10
     
     
    ‘Maybe I should call it a night,’ said Molly, looking round.
    After some huffing and puffing, Joe had retreated to the other side of the pub where he was chatting to a short weasel with sunken grey eyes and a twitch. Both of them were hammering pints and nips and staring.
    ‘Don’t let those pricks get to you,’ said Ash. ‘They’re just a pair of bullies.’
    ‘Who’s Gollum with the Bill?’ said Roddy loudly.
    ‘Joe’s cousin Grant,’ said Ash. ‘My year at school, total inbred sadsack. Ileach rumour has it that his mum had a thing going with her cousin. She never admitted who his dad was, anyway. Plus, she was on methadone when she had him, and probably shooting up as well. Anywhere else in the country he wouldn’t have enough brain cells to snare a job as a fucking toilet attendant. Here on our wonderful island