Strange Loyalties by William McIlvanney Page A

were watching something. And for some reason Scott threw a heavy crystal vase at the TV. It sent a certain frisson through the party, you might say. Didn’t do the telly a lot of good either. Or the vase. Still, they were replaceable. Could’ve been somebody’s head. Anna had to get Scott out of there. I think she was afraid he might set fire to the curtains next. He was wild that night. But then I think he usually was towards the end.’
    â€˜The television. You wouldn’t know what was on at the time?’
    He looked at me and his expression distanced itself from the remark. He seemed measuring me for a strait-jacket. It did sound like a ridiculous question, I had to admit to myself, and his eyes, taking on a sheen of amusement, confirmed my feeling.
    â€˜You know,’ he said. ‘That’s something I neglected to find out. That’s a bit remiss of me. But maybe that’s it. You think that might explain it? Scott was just practising to be a television critic?’
    The comforting cosiness of his presence had changed suddenly. In a few sentences he had turned the mood of the conversation from warm to cold. I saw how much he disliked me. In my modesty, I wondered why. Quite often, I don’t like me either. But I couldn’t see what I had done to earn such quick contempt – unless I was encroaching where I shouldn’t. So I encroached further.
    â€˜You don’t see the point of the question?’
    â€˜Well,’ he said. He sipped his brandy. ‘It does seem about as relevant as asking what colour of tie he was wearing.’
    â€˜Not really. The people I know don’t usually go to parties to watch television.’
    â€˜I have big parties. Very big parties. The house is populated like a village. There are people doing lots of things. Maybe we don’t go to the same kind of parties.’
    â€˜I just wondered if there was any special reason for them to be watching television. If maybe the programme had special associations for the people at the party. Including Scott.’
    â€˜I really wouldn’t know. In the mayhem after it, nobody thought to check the TV Times .’
    He sighed. He took some brandy. He glanced across to where his friends were sitting. He was effortlessly making me look silly. I had given him a lot of help. I gave him some more. If he thought my last question was a weird one, wait till he heard these.
    â€˜Do you know Fast Frankie White?’
    â€˜I beg your pardon?’
    â€˜Fast Frankie White. Do you know him?’
    He put his hand to his head.
    â€˜What is this? Am I appearing on “Mastermind”? Specialising in the works of Damon Runyon?’
    I waited.
    â€˜I do not think I’ve ever had that pleasure,’ he said.
    â€˜Where’s Anna?’ I said.
    â€˜She’s not in Graithnock now?’
    â€˜No. She’s selling the house.’
    â€˜Maybe she’s trying to avoid answering your questions.’
    â€˜Maybe she is.’
    â€˜I honestly don’t know. Perhaps she went home. She comes from the Borders, too, doesn’t she?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Why don’t you try there?’
    â€˜Do you know who the man in the green coat is?’ I said. His head was cupped in his left hand by now. He was talking to the table, presumably since it seemed more sane than I was.
    â€˜I imagine he could be quite a lot of people,’ he said. ‘I also imagine that, if you keep on talking the way you’re talking, he may enter this room at any moment in search of you. With a very large net.’
    â€˜Before he does,’ I said. ‘Have you ever had a beard?’
    His hand came down over his nose and he looked up at me, seeming genuinely alarmed. He laughed briefly and stood up. He didn’t offer to shake my hand. Interview over.
    â€˜Well, Mr Laidlaw,’ he said. ‘It’s been interesting meeting you. I hope the pills work soon.’
    I stood