Empty Nets and Promises Read Free

protest. Sure, they’re never done marching doon in London. I even hear that women are burning their knickers oot o’ protest.’
    â€˜For any’s sake,’ observed Johnny. ‘Sheer desperation. Mind you, I can think o’ a few lassies, who, if they decided tae set fire tae their undergarments, wid cause a fair conflagration.’
    â€˜They burn their brassieres, no’ their knickers,’ said Hoynes, eyeing Johnny vengefully.
    â€˜No, whoot we need is publicity,’ persisted Hamish. ‘If we march up and doon the Main Street, nae bugger’ll ever hear aboot it – aye, no’ even if we were tae burn oor oilskins. We need something tae attract the attention o’ the papers an’ that.’
    â€˜The pilots are nice blokes,’ said Meenan.
    â€˜How do you know that?’ asked Hoynes.
    â€˜Och, if the weather’s rough – too much wind or rain – they canna fly. They head intae the Douglas Arms for a few drams. Ex-RAF pilots, good lads. No’ slow tae put their hands in their pockets, neither.’
    There was silence for a moment, then Hamish looked around the room with a smile. ‘Wait a minute. In that case, I’ve an idea . . . And all we need’s a right bad day.’

3
    By the time the meeting was over, Hamish and Sandy had consumed more than their fair share of the two shillings a head whisky. They were lighting their pipes outside the hotel, looking absently down Main Street.
    â€˜You’ll come a wee wander wae me o’er tae the hoose, Hamish. There’s nae point in wasting a Saturday night, and I could dae wae a wee alliance against all these clucking women I’ve tae deal wae these days. Forbye, I’ve a fine bottle of malt on the go.’
    â€˜Where did you get that fae? I’ll wager you didna buy it yoursel’.’
    â€˜The new son-in-law to be, anxious tae please, if you know whoot I mean. Like him, it’s fae Skye, but no’ a bad drop for all that.’
    â€˜Could he no’ have bought you a decent bottle fae one o’ oor distilleries?’
    â€˜You know how it is. He’s got tae be seen as being even-handed in his profession. If he was tae buy a bottle fae one, I daresay he’d have tae buy one fae the rest, tae. An expensive exercise, as you can imagine.’
    â€˜But mair whisky for you, Sandy.’
    The old skipper thought for a moment or two, then smiled. ‘You’ve got a keen mind, Hamish. I’m fair lucky tae have such a canny first mate, right enough. Would you look at that,’ he said, momentarily distracted by a young woman in a mini-skirt crossing the road towards them.
    â€˜Any shorter and they’ll no’ need tae bother wae a skirt at all,’ said Hamish, shaking his head.
    â€˜How ye, Hamish, Mr Hoynes,’ shouted the young woman as she approached. ‘A lovely evening.’
    â€˜Nice, right enough,’ said Hamish. ‘Is this you off on a wee night oot, Jenny?’
    â€˜I am that. Getting some practice in for your Maggie’s big wedding, Mr Hoynes.’
    â€˜Well, I widna be setting my sights too high,’ said Hoynes. ‘I daresay we might manage a glass o’ thon Babycham and that. Of course, you canna beat the fish and chips they dae up here for functions. I must say, the County have done us proud.’
    â€˜I’ll have the chips, but I canna have the fish.’ Jenny was standing in front of them now, playing with a strand of her blonde hair.
    â€˜Why ever not?’ enquired Hamish.
    â€˜I’m a vegetarian noo. I started a week past on Thursday. It’s all the rage doon in London.’
    â€˜Och, they say all sorts doon in London. They telt me I’d never had it so good a few years ago, but the bank manager didna seem tae agree.’ Hoynes took a contemplative puff of his pipe. ‘Anyhow, fish isna meat, so you’ll be fine.’
    â€˜Dae you think