sea2

You dont know who it was that harped on about the dignity of physical labour but the chances are that they never raised a shovel in anger in the middle of Winter.
The winds coming down off the Pennines and cutting you in half. Still, youre in a decent mood. Just a day and a bit till you go to Glasgow. Something to look forward to. Everyone needs something to keep them going, to think about, to take their mind off all the shit. And theres the trip to St Pats to think about as well. Itll be different if nothing else.
You try and remember the names of the blokes your Dad stood and drank with. It didnt help matters that about half of them were called Pat. You remember a Denis. Maybe a Michael. Theyd be older now of course.
Johnny, sorry to hear about your Grandma. Old Man Nolan.
What?
Your Grandma.
Youre thinking on your feet. Joe must have said something had happened to your Gran. You didnt even have a Gran.
Oh, right, yes. Thanks.
He starts laughing.
What? Your face speaks of hurt mixed with shock.
Joe told me you had bellyache. But I knew his was he was full of shit. That poor lad cant lie to save his life.
Oh.
Ring me yourself next time youre having a day off. And dont bullshit me.
Right. Youre not mad then?
I was young once myself, believe it or not, Johnny. I hope she was worth it.
Who.
Whoever it was that kept you so busy filling holes that you forgot to come and dig them for me.
Oh, yes. A bird. She was lovely.
Good lad. Now fucking get on with it.
Old Man Nolan was an incurable romantic.