Thongs

— 1-

"Take me to the big house, Hazel."

It was two hours since the police and the ambulances had left. Hazel was sitting staring out of the dirty window at the street. The Gorbals would be quiet for the rest of the day.

"What?"

"I want you to take me to the big house. There's no point in staying on here now."

"Don't be silly, Gertie, I can't just take you there. I have to wait for orders."

"You'll be taking orders from me in future," I said. "Didn't they tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"Oakes is dead. Didn't you know that?"

"Yes, I heard," she said quietly. "And I know more than that. Imagine, some woman is to be Painmistress!"

"What's wrong with that?"

"What's right with it?" Hazel said. "Oh, I could handle Oakes! He liked a bit on the side now and again. I got on well with him, specially since he knew I was with Razor King. He liked the idea of that, having the King's woman, I mean."

She got up.

"Is there a cup of tea, Gertie?"

"I'm the woman, Hazel."

It still didn't seem to register.

"But a woman, imagine that! Probably some old bitch that wants her tits bitten off!"

She had gone over to the fire. She shook the kettle to see if there was water in it.

I took off my skirt.

"Look, Hazel!"

She turned. "What the…" And then she stopped. She was staring at the black cross. "Where did you get that?" she whispered.

"You know what it is?"

"It's the Holy Seal!"

"Yes," I said. "And I am the new Painmistress. Now, will you take me to the big house?"