Nah. Not for a while. She’s gone up in the world. Typist. Sixty words a minute and that’s just her gob. You been to Kathleen’s?
Why should I go to Kathleen’s?
No reason.
（People were looking at him now.）
Col pulled him a pint. There you go, mate, he said.
Cheers Col, and Ulysses drank. He looked at the parrot and said, I’m surprised he’s still alive, Col.
So am I boy, so am I. Larger the bird, longer the life – that’s what they say. And that parrot’s a fat fuck. I reckon he’s sixty to the day. He’ll bury me.
Don’t he talk no more?
Not after the gasworks went up. Lost his feathers and his voice, just like that. Stress from the explosion. Ugly thing he was. Like a pheasant ready for the oven. Ginny pulled him back from the brink. Healing hands, that girl. I wanted him dead, of course. I’ve always felt he had something to do with Agnes leaving.
Really?
He took sides, Temps. And I can’t forget something like that.
Col released a shot of whisky from the optics and raised his glass. To you, mate, he said. Glad to have you back.
Thanks Col.
You know what’s strange?
Go on.
Last thing that bird said before the great moult: the quality of mercy is not strained. Strained. Strange word for a parrot to use, don’t you think? Where d’you think he got that from?
Shakespeare.
You reckon?
I know.
Huh.
They drank in silence, staring at the bird.
Ulysses looked about. You got rid of the sawdust then?
Yeah, it was time. Brought in the wrong crowd.
Wallpaper the same.
Yep. But you know what they say. If it ain’t broke …
But it was all broke, thought Ulysses. The whole fucking place was broke. The wallpaper curled at the seams and the lights flickered as if a storm was approaching. An effect enhanced by the leaded green windows in the upper bays, bringing a watery glow to the afternoon radiance. And, of course, a parrot that didn’t speak.
Actually, said Col. One change. I’ve diversified. I sell aspirin and stamps now. One-stop shop.
Masterful, Col.
That’s what I thought. You got plans?
Another pint after this, please.
Comin’ up, lad, said Col, over his specs. You look in one piece. You intact?
Ulysses nodded.
There’s always a job here for you, you know that, and he pushed the pint towards him. On the house, he said.
Ulysses lifted the glass.
Oh Jesus, said Col. This is doin’ me head in. You need to go to Kathleen’s. I’m sorry, boy, but—
Ulysses put down the pint and wiped his mouth. Nobody touches that, he said.
Nobody will, mate, said Col, and Ulysses turned and thumped through the door.
He walked down the road. Turned left into the square of gothic villas, then a right. Stood in front of a proud house in a row of struggle.
Kathleen! he shouted and knocked.
Kathleen!
A sturdy redhead of middle years opened the door and said, Well look who’s here.
Col said I have to see you.
She laughed. Course he did!
Where’s Peg?
Not here.
What does that mean?
You wanna come in, sunshine?
I wanna know what’s what.
Six years is what’s what. She weren’t waiting, Tempy.
I never expected her to. We still got the place on the crescent?
Have you hell. The Masons needed that after they were bombed out. Everyone’s on a list.
Jesus, he said quietly.
A small child emerged from Kath’s side. You a granny now?
Not yet, smart-arse.
What’s her name? he said.
Don’t you know?
Yeah, I’m a mind reader too. Tell Peg I’m back, and he began to walk away. Tell her—
The kid’s Peg’s, Temps.
He stopped.
Kath nodded to the kid.
The kid. She’s Peg’s.
I heard.
Can’t you see the likeness? Yankee dad.
Peg all right?
Kathleen shrugged. The kid’s called Alys, she said.
Right.
Five minutes later, the doors of the pub opened and Ulysses reappeared.
Been to Kathleen’s?
I’ve been.
Good lad. So you’ll need a job and somewhere to live, then?
Col pushed his beer across the bar.
No one touched this, right?
No one at all, said Col.
Ulysses drank. He wiped his mouth and adjusted his hat in the mirror.
Nice hat, said Col.
Ulysses took it off and showed him. It’s Italian. See? Anyone round here wears this hat, you know they’ve nicked it. Simple as. This is my hat. No one touches it.
Like no one touches your drink? said Col.