The Busconductor Hines by James Kelman Read Free Book Online

they’re like slits so they are . . . He began lathering his face and neck but paused to squint into the mirror again. A grey face. Two slits in a grey face. Even my hair by christ! I’ll need to get to that fucking barber.
    Mmhh.
    Terrible . . . He started shaving. When he had finished and was drying himself he continued, It’s good to know that in a short while from now I’ll be getting transported from point A to point B and charging a price for the privilege. I wonder if the fucking world’ll be standing still for a change. Tell you something Sandra: I’m definitely thinking of looking for another job.
    She made no response.
    Naw but seriously; one is occasionally required to consider the future.
    He felt the teapot and poured himself a cupful, added the milk and sugar. Just got time, he said, and he sat down on the armchair. Heh you wee man! no about time you finished that beautiful dinner your mummy made?
    He’s okay . . .
    Hines glanced at her and winked. He got up and walked to the table and bent over the boy’s shoulder. If you dont eat it I’m going to take it to work with me!
    Paul shifted on the chair.
    Hines pulled a face at Sandra. As he returned to his chair he glanced at the book she was reading. Good story that; quite influential in the formative years . . . He grinned and sat down, then he reached to the mantelpiece for his tin; he sipped at the tea. It was lukewarm; he set the cup onto the mantelpiece and rolled a cigarette. He glanced at the clock. Well . . . I suppose I suppose. He looked to Sandra but she didnt acknowledge him. He lit the cigarette.
    Five to three I thought you reported? Her gaze had remained on the book.
    What? aye. 1457 to be precise. I suppose I can hang on another 10 minutes. A quick coffee maybe.
    Sandra was still gazing at the book but it was now lying on her lap; and her left hand came to the side of her face, shieldingmost of it from him. He stared at the fire-surround for a time, then gradually moved his head so that he could see Paul – he was still attending to the food on his plate.
    Her shoulders quivered and she had brought both hands to her face. Hines cleared his throat quietly and left his chair. And he stood between her and Paul; when he touched her shoulder the quivering halted but then continued.
    He bent to her and put his arms round her and cuddled her very tightly, and made as if to speak but didnt; he cleared his throat again. At last her body stiffened; she allowed her head to rest against his shoulder. Then she moved from him and taking a paper tissue from her sleeve she dabbed at her eyes. O God, she whispered.
    Hines was still holding her; his hands to the tops of her arms; he knelt between her legs.
    I hate Sundays.
    I know.
    She blew her nose.
    He kissed her on the mouth.
    Daddy! Paul twisting on his seat and showing an almost empty plate.
    Right fine okay okay, you can leave it, you can leave it. I’ve nearly ate it all.
    Aye, you’re doing fine.
    Paul was already down off his seat and coming towards them; but he switched on the television and got himself into his usual position a couple of yards from the screen.
    You better go.
    I dont better go at all.
    Of course you do.
    He paused. I can come home during the break.
    Dont be daft.
    I can.
    There’s never enough time on lateshift – you just get here and you’ve got to be leaving again.
    Hines looked at her.
    It’s alright.
    Jesus. He shook his head and rose a little, so that he could lean in more closely to her and they kissed. Paul tugged at him and called: See this!
    He winked at Sandra and turned to see the screen. O aye, christ! He turned back and kissed her again, and when they broke he said: How come I always get kissed like that when I’ve got to walk out the fucking front door!
    She grinned. So you’ll come back.
    Hines laughed. Heh, why dont the two of you go over to your mother’s?
    She shook her head.
    Go to the Drum