| Central - GLA |
| McDade | ’s maw, Trisha. She’s sitt |
| Central - GLA |
| McDade | looks at me an ah nod ma heid |
| Central - GLA |
| McDade | ’s took his cap aff an is tr |
| Central - GLA |
| McDade | ’s closin the gap doon, his |
| Central - GLA |
| McDade | leans in an whispers in ma ea |
| Central - GLA |
| McDade | passes the lassies their drin |
| Central - GLA |
| McDade | wis eyeballin me. ‘Here, ur |
| Central - GLA |
| McDade | drags me tae ma feet, ‘Mone |
| Central - GLA |
| McDade | ’s loiterin at the door ay t |
| Central - GLA |
| McDade | emerges fae the folk that ur |
| Central - GLA |
| McDade | ’s curled up in the foetal p |
| Central - GLA |
| McDade | bends doon an tails it, ‘Mo |
| Central - GLA |
| McDade | came later. Wan day oer in th |
| Central - GLA |
| McDade | looks at me, his stupit grin |
| Central - GLA |
| McDade | stoaps in his tracks, turnin |
| Central - GLA |
ingly, the gear’s finished ( | McDade | hud insisted oan victory line |
| Central - GLA |
‘Granda, ye awright? Here, | McDade | , Pearcey! Gies a fuckin haun, |
| Central - GLA |
ay wan such exam fur English, | McDade | an Pearcey hud been oan at me |
| Central - GLA |
se calm veneer ay the lochan, | McDade | dived in, swam beneath an pul |
| Central - GLA |
‘Get it doon, | McDade | ! That wis ma Granny’s.’ D |
| Central - GLA |
ans were we won the argument, | McDade | an cunts like him sleep sound |
| Central - GLA |
e ever been tae see the cunt, | McDade | ’s maw still seared in ma mi |
| Central - GLA |
le. Scanlon’s cousin an aw, | McDade | . He wis aff his tits, that da |
| Central - GLA |
here, man.’ the other boay, | McDade | sais, ‘ . . . aw these wee |
| Central - GLA |
ore lookin up tae the windae. | McDade | an the lassies ur awready wal |
| Central - GLA |
k it oot him mare than wance. | McDade | was resolute though, cos me a |
| Central - GLA |
a look as we exit the booth. | McDade | deflects his curiosity by tel |
| Central - GLA |
ah’ve witnessed tae masel. | McDade | will only say somethin stupit |
| Central - GLA |
mehin aboot just restin them. | McDade | ’s openin a boatle ay Bud Ic |
| Central - GLA |
him he’s finished wae him. | McDade | ’s maw is greetin, mascara r |
| Central - GLA |
iss the commotion at the van. | McDade | ’s oot, swingin a sweepin br |
| Central - GLA |
s they appear oan the landin. | McDade | ’s wearin a bran new green a |
| Central - GLA |
tae it noo. This is happenin. | McDade | an Pearcey charge efter him a |
| Central - GLA |
nna as we spill oot the door. | McDade | crashes intae the boay wae th |
| Central - GLA |
gh the room. Palpable, it is. | McDade | bounds away fae the table tae |
| Central - GLA |
h oan tae. ‘How ur you Mrs. | McDade | ? How’s Ronnie gettin oan?†|
| Central - GLA |
nin roon an raisin his gless. | McDade | looks at me, bemused. |
| Central - GLA |
‘Aye, that’s right. | McDade | . . . ah mean, Paul, pult me o |
| Central - GLA |
din’t ah? Nae party like a | McDade | party man. Fuckin party ay th |
| Central - GLA |
core Une Fais by Sash. Trisha | McDade | waves oer at us fae the midst |
| Central - GLA |
little consequence, as Trisha | McDade | phoned a few days efter we go |
| Central - GLA |
uv ye furgoat that!’ Trisha | McDade | sais. |
| Central - GLA |
tae huv just aboot convinced | McDade | tae get back in the van. ‘H |
| Central - GLA |
hine as ah wis, ah’d joined | McDade | an Pearcey in a flirtation wa |
| Central - GLA |
hes, insteid drawin blood fae | McDade | ’s beak wae a retaliatory bl |
| Central - GLA |
id ducks an wriggles free fae | McDade | ’s grip at the same time. †|
| Central - GLA |
been oan it right through fae | McDade | ’s birthday. Ah’d managed |
| Central - GLA |
s, laughin an wipin sweat fae | McDade | ’s brow, flickin the perspir |
| Central - GLA |
so ah dae!’ Donna sais, tae | McDade | ’s immediate, an obvious dis |
| Central - GLA |
Ah shake ma heid an look tae | McDade | who shrugs his shoulders an h |
| Central - GLA |
n.’ ah sais, catchin up tae | McDade | an pullin him back by his sho |
| Central - GLA |
if ah wis you.’ ah sais tae | McDade | , comin back tae ma senses. |
| Central - GLA |
a few digs an offerin it tae | McDade | who uncharacteristically, kno |
| Central - GLA |
up. It fails in any case wae | McDade | seemingly resolutely snorin l |
| Central - GLA |
in an ah’m jumpin aboot wae | McDade | an Pearcey’s bouncin aboot |
| Central - GLA |
ce the trip tae the bothy wae | McDade | an Pearcey, an the incident. |
| Central - GLA |
eyes fae the daylight an see | McDade | , wan airm roon Pearcey, the o |
| Central - GLA |
?’ they laugh an ah kin see | McDade | tensin up, hauns clenched, th |
| Central - GLA |
ok oot fur each other oan the | McDade | — an it’s affshoots — f |
| Central - GLA |
’s three generations ay the | McDade | clan an their affiliates gaun |
| Central - GLA |
Aw kiddin aside, Ronnie | McDade | ’s a fuckin screwball so the |
| Central - GLA |
ot intae the car park. Ronnie | McDade | ’s takin his jaiket aff an b |
| Central - GLA |
‘Fuck sake | McDade | , don’t keep us in suspense |
| Central - GLA |
ble trannie next tae us while | McDade | gets the drinks in. He’s be |
| Central - GLA |
rds the Broomloan Rear, where | McDade | sais we’re sittin. ‘That |
| Central - GLA |
me tae the Masonic Hall where | McDade | ’s twinty-first party’s be |
| Central - GLA |
‘Here | McDade | , huv ye seen Pearcey yet? He |
| Central - GLA |
es alang, rattlin away, afore | McDade | ’s heel intervenes an crushe |
| Central - GLA |
an alang the path a bit afore | McDade | decides tae skin up while weâ |
| Central - GLA |
€˜This place is somethin else | McDade | . How’d ye find oot aboot it |
| Central - GLA |
te ma Granda gied us an watch | McDade | as he strides back tae the ta |
| Central - GLA |
Ah want tae speak, tae thank | McDade | but ma senses ur still numb. |
| Central - GLA |
just be the gear but ah think | McDade | ’s maw wis makin eyes at me |
| Central - GLA |
‘Paul | McDade | !’ Donna sais, in mock outra |
| Central - GLA |
anny. . . Danny Coyle, ah’m | McDade | ’s mate.’ |
| Central - GLA |
uum in their Vauxhall Nova an | McDade | ’s glarin at thum, his stare |
| Central - GLA |
ae coal an log cuttins. Me an | McDade | huddle roon it, nestled in a |
| Central - GLA |
ay pre-rollers each an me an | McDade | grab another few boatles. Ah |
| Central - GLA |
It culminated in me an | McDade | huvin a square go ootside the |
| Central - GLA |
tae the toilet, leavin me an | McDade | , ‘Ah cannae settle doon her |
| Central - GLA |
inducin strides leavin me an | McDade | tae walk in silence, the crun |
| Central - GLA |
bolt alang the Clyde path an | McDade | launches the blade intae the |
| Central - GLA |
aff again when we get back an | McDade | ’s buzzin aboot the table, c |
| Central - GLA |
square go aboot a year ago an | McDade | punched his cunt in, ever sin |
| Central - GLA |
oan the wee interior light an | McDade | opens another couple ay beers |
| Central - GLA |
, right-haun side – the wan | McDade | sais is McNulty’s. |
| Central - GLA |
lk alang tae the phoneboax an | McDade | phones Johnny Scanlon tae see |
| Central - GLA |
oot the irony tae Pearcey an | McDade | but couldnae be bothered wae |
| Central - GLA |
pended in the sky. ‘Ye seen | McDade | ?’ Pearcey sais tae me, walk |
| Central - GLA |
e other side ay the Ben. When | McDade | sais we didnae huv tae go up |
| Central - GLA |
n, unwillin tae leave it when | McDade | rushes in fae naewhere an dig |
| Central - GLA |
Masons. Broke his heart when | McDade | announced his allegiance tae |
| Central - GLA |
anymare. Scanlon’s oer gien | McDade | ’s da whit fur, callin him f |
| Central - GLA |
rin their colours - includin | McDade | , who’d took aff ma jayket a |
| Central - GLA |
an takin several gulps. Seein | McDade | ’s face drap at ma greedy en |
| Central - GLA |
whilst simultaneously ensurin | McDade | ’s lauded as some sort ay ne |
| Central - GLA |
t them in.’ ah sais, leavin | McDade | tae suffer the verbal onslaug |
| Central - GLA |
stically puttin his airm roon | McDade | who’s come back doon slight |
| Central - GLA |
happens tae be walkin by. Oer | McDade | ’s shoulder Stevie McShane m |
| Central - GLA |
edged fur understatement, oor | McDade | . |
| Central - GLA |
is an insurmountable task fur | McDade | . Nae danger. |
| Central - GLA |
e Moses partin the Red Sea as | McDade | hauds the tray ay glesses abo |
| Central - GLA |
awl ay his ain fabrication as | McDade | stoats taewards us, drenched |
| Central - GLA |
We come tae a stoap as | McDade | crouches doon an goes intae h |
| Central - GLA |
, no unreasonably, replies as | McDade | sooks the milky hash smoke in |
| Central - GLA |
ahead!’ he sais. He rushes | McDade | wae the blade, drawin his air |
| Central - GLA |
me wan night efter work, sais | McDade | wanted us tae go oan a wee tr |
| Central - GLA |
ay the overworked barmaid is | McDade | ’s cousin, Johnny Scanlon an |
| Central - GLA |
Where, exactly ur ye takin us | McDade | ?’ ah sais, still no privy t |
| Central - GLA |
ur us tae foallie. Ah look at | McDade | an mooth the words, ‘whit t |
| Central - GLA |
in.’ Donna sais, pointin at | McDade | , afore lightin a fag she pull |
| Central - GLA |
din ay him talkin aboot it at | McDade | ’s party. |
| Central - GLA |
e main room where ah’d left | McDade | an Pearcey. They’re still o |
| Central - GLA |
‘Leave it | McDade | . It’s no his fault.’ ah s |
| Central - GLA |
wry smile as ah consider whit | McDade | would make ay it. ‘Danny bo |
| Central - GLA |
it remains ay the soggy joint | McDade | gied me, ah stare intently - |
| Central - GLA |
cunt. Say whit ye want aboot | McDade | but he’s goat that look doo |
| Central - GLA |
‘Leave it oot | McDade | . He’s fucked up. We done hi |
| Central - GLA |
Ah’d huv | McDade | tae listen tae fur a start, t |
| Central - GLA |
consoled by her pals. ‘Hoaw | McDade | , whit the fuck wis aw that ab |
| Central - GLA |
did he go?’ The absence ay | McDade | leaves me in nae doubt who th |
| Central - LAL |
r Kellyann McArthur, or Emily | McDade | , |
| Central - GLA |
d, it’d be purely tae annoy | McDade | an given he’s leased his so |
| Central - GLA |
‘ | McDade | ’s goat us tickets fur the g |
| Central - GLA |
situation fae gaun south. ‘ | McDade | , forget aboot it. These thing |
| Central - GLA |
you fuckin start ya prick!’ | McDade | snaps back. |
| Central - GLA |
AASSSSS! FUCKIN BRATTBAKK!’ | McDade | shouts, clampin ma heid betwe |
| Central - GLA |
, FUCKIN SHOT MATE! BINGO!’ | McDade | shouts, approachin the poor c |
| Central - GLA |
t. We’re no gien up noo!’ | McDade | sais, his internal charlie ra |
| Central - GLA |
just wearin a trackie tap!’ | McDade | sais, his intolerance fur him |
| Central - GLA |
man, Danny. Fuckin belter!’ | McDade | sais, slappin ma back an putt |
| Central - GLA |
n us. ‘Fuckin arseholes!’ | McDade | sais, makin sure they heard h |
| Central - GLA |
mone then! Shetto Tigers!’ | McDade | wails intae the cunt’s bloo |
| Central - GLA |
oot tae us. ‘Gies that!’ | McDade | sais, snatchin it aff him. |
| Central - GLA |
TTIN IT YA JUNKIE BASTART!’ | McDade | screams, boundin alang in pur |
| Central - GLA |
R ME IN THE PARK THAT DAY!’ | McDade | shouts efter me, an ah feel e |
| Central - GLA |
n skelp this cunt Pearcey!’ | McDade | ’s pleadin, the deceptively |
| Central - GLA |
at them the day Danny boy!’ | McDade | sais, hoarsely. ‘Ye gettin |
| Central - GLA |
starts! Tiocfaidh ár lá!’ | McDade | sais, gien thum the “wanker |
| Central - GLA |
flat, ‘Right! Oan three,’ | McDade | sais, ‘ . . . lift the arse |
| Central - GLA |
the fuckin wan Daniel San,’ | McDade | sais, ‘How did ah no think |
| Central - GLA |
man, yer no dain it right,’ | McDade | sais, ‘ . . . ye need mare |
| Central - GLA |
ot. ‘There it’s there.’ | McDade | sais pointin alang the glen w |
| Central - GLA |
them, thirty-first minute.’ | McDade | sais, ‘MONE TAE FUCK CELLIC |
| Central - GLA |
e were a fuckin screwball.’ | McDade | sais, proppin himsel up oan m |
| Central - GLA |
name it. Ma da knows him.’ | McDade | sais oot the side ay his moot |
| Central - GLA |
ace fur bringin up a wean.’ | McDade | sais. |
| Central - GLA |
evie. Bran new. Sound man.’ | McDade | sais. |
| Central - GLA |
man, ma nerves ur janglin.’ | McDade | sais, ‘Fancy a wee livener |
| Central - GLA |
oot. Na man, no happenin.’ | McDade | sais, resolutely. |
| Central - GLA |
fur any cunt tae staiy in.’ | McDade | sais, sagely, enjoyin his pos |
| Central - GLA |
cShane sais tae come doon.’ | McDade | sais tae him, ‘ . . . sais |
| Central - GLA |
fur this. We need tae go.’ | McDade | sais, grabbin them by the air |
| Central - GLA |
ien a fuck whit age ye ur.’ | McDade | replies, wae some authority a |
| Central - GLA |
e, there a box ay matches.’ | McDade | sais pickin them up fae the m |
| Central - GLA |
n’t fuckin believe this.’ | McDade | sais, suddenly animated. |
| Central - GLA |
‘Aye it fuckin is.’ | McDade | sais. |
| Central - GLA |
‘Mare ur less.’ | McDade | shrugs, pullin oot a bottle a |
| Central - GLA |
iy doon. ‘Piece ay piss.’ | McDade | sais, edgin forward, keepin h |
| Central - GLA |
aws if ye’ve loast that.’ | McDade | spits, nonchalantly. Ah leave |
| Central - GLA |
‘Aye we’ve goat it.’ | McDade | sais, nudgin me. |
| Central - GLA |
he watter an pult him oot.’ | McDade | blurts oot. |
| Central - GLA |
‘Fuckin bran new.’ | McDade | sais, ‘Fuckin Colin McRae i |
| Central - GLA |
'See?’ | McDade | sais, haudin the money oot in |
| Central - GLA |
– ah mean, Harry there?’ | McDade | sais, ‘ . . . we’re wanti |
| Central - GLA |
‘Where ye fae mate?’ | McDade | sais tae him but the cunt din |
| Central - GLA |
‘Ye awright there mate?’ | McDade | sais tae the couch as we sque |
| Central - GLA |
˜So, same again then, aye?’ | McDade | sais, ignorin her, ‘ . . . |
| Central - GLA |
the state ay his dial man?’ | McDade | sais, breathlessly as we slow |
| Central - GLA |
back, okay ma wee pumpkin?’ | McDade | sais tae Donna, an pinches he |
| Central - GLA |
s this fuckin cunt wantin?’ | McDade | sais. |
| Central - GLA |
‘Did ye fuckin see that?’ | McDade | sais, excitedly. |
| Central - GLA |
ver goat it fae me, right?’ | McDade | sais, slidin his haun conceal |
| Central - GLA |
oot the middle man, know?’ | McDade | sais. |