Author's note: I hope this wee tale of teenage exploration will make some of my old fans happy. Maybe this is autobiographical: I'm not telling.
*
He shifted on the tenement steps to see them better. The group of girls stood on the street corner, a few yards away, chatting in the June sunshine. Laurel Bank uniforms, a fee-paying girls' school. What caught his attention was that one of them glanced at him periodically as she talked to her friends. Then they were all looking at him, or at least in his direction. More chat between them, huddled this time, as though it were private. The girls separated, all but one wandering across Byres Road to the University Cafe. He watched their calves and curved arses under school summer dresses as they stood on the traffic island, then crossed to the cafe.
The one he'd noticed first remained on the corner, glancing in his direction coyly, pretending she wasn't looking. Then she took a few steps towards the steps in front of the flat, looking at the dusty pavement.
He put down the novel he'd been reading. She stopped at the foot of the steps and her eyes met his shyly.
- Lovely warm day. Want a beer?
He pointed at the can beside him on the step, a warm grin on his face. He was sure she'd say no, she was in school uniform. She smiled, still shy, but it was a smile:
- Oh! Yes please. I'd... I think I'd like a beer.
She strode up the steps, hesitancy gone, as though she'd made a decision, and sat beside him, neatly folding the dress under her.
- Export or lager, that's the only choice.
- Oh, I don't know. You choose?
- OK, wait a minute, I'll be right back.
He reappeared a moment later, two red cans of McEwan's export in his hands, gave one to the girl:
- Sorry, no glasses, this is a male flat. My mates are a bit uncouth, they have a habit of breaking things.
She took a gulp from the can, tried to conceal a splutter.
- Not used to drinking like this? So, what brings you this way today?
She looked surprised at his directness, then recovered her composure:
- Well, you know how it is... just finished my A levels, not much to do till term finishes...
- Aye, I'm in the same boat: just finished my finals, waiting for the results. Trying not to bite my nails!
She glanced at his nails: neat and clean enough.
- And, ummm....
Her hesitancy excited him. He knew now that she was at least eighteen:
- And...?
She breathed deeply, glanced at him, more assured now:
- Well...someone said that you could get dope at this flat. Am I at the right place?
- You can get dope a lot of places if you know where to look. Some of us smoke sometimes, yes. But we don't deal.
- Deal?
- We don't sell it to anyone. Just for ourselves, and our friends. If you want to buy, I could tell you where to go though?
- Um. I just wanted to try it.
She squirmed, a bit embarrassed. Her hip touched his when she moved, fanning the excitement beginning to course through him at the thought that she wanted to get stoned; what that might mean. He turned to her, their heads close now, so he could see the wee blemishes on her young face:
- Have you tried it before, dope I mean?
- Look -- her face flushed and she sank some beer to cover her embarrassment -- maybe I should just go?
- No rush. So you haven't tried it, and you're curious?
The blush was full now:
- Um, yes, I think so. Err. One of my friends tried it at a party. I'm curious, yes...
- You know what killed the cat! Want to try it now? I wouldn't mind some myself...
- Oh! Could I? Now?
It was a different flush, no longer embarrassment but excitement. He noted the sparkle in her eyes and his blood surged.
- OK, if you want to try it... but the effects can linger, specially the first time. Hope you don't have anything important on later? You'll feel good, but not your normal self.
- Does it show when you've, you know, smoked? No, nothing important on later...
- No, it doesn't show unless you're squiffy. But it's not safe to drive, or ride a bike...
- That's OK, and my folks will be out till late. So: can I try some?
He watched as she drained her can of beer, followed suit:
- Let's go inside.
His room was to the front of the flat, facing onto the sunny street beside the door where they'd been sitting. The sun filtered through the dirt on the Victorian bay window: it had once been quite an upmarket place. He fetched his stash and turned to her. She was studying his books and albums.
- I like someone who keeps their things in order. And I like some of your music. May I put something on?
- Sure, help yourself.
He busied himself with the joint, heard the opening bars of Bitches Brew.
- Wow, didn't expect you to choose Miles!
She smiled at him warmly:
- Not what you'd expect from a Laurel Bank girl, eh? I love jazz. My boyfriend got me Bitches Brew for my birthday, I was glad to see you have it.
He finished rolling the joint, looked her in the eyes as he licked to seal it:
- No, not what I expected from a Laurel Bank girl at all. Your boyfriend has good taste too.
- Ex...
- Sorry, won't probe.
- No, it's, um, it's ok...
She was blushing deeply: there was a story there.