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‘Bit presumptuous?’ I’m not even half joking.
‘Just taking precautions.’ His dimple twitches and I resist smiling back. How is he right cute and annoying at the same time?
Iain comes back with the drinks just as Aiden appears, the smell of outside clinging to his oversized hoody. Iain makes a play of looking at his watch.
‘Aw, no-one’s buying burgers. They’re all in here the now,’ Aiden snaps.
‘I’m joshing you, laddie. Here, get yourself sorted and come join us.’ Iain hands Aiden a tenner.
Danny slaps Iain on the shoulder on his way past. ‘Och, it’s lucky the question won’t be won on a pool game, or the Nays would have it here!’
Iain looks over to Sheila, leaning smug on her cue. ‘Aye, you’ll need to up your game, mannie.’
‘So, you’re pretty much a hardcore nationalist, is it?’ Gethin leans towards Iain.
‘You English may think it’s a thistles and shortbread Bonnie Prince Charlie re-run. But it’s more about being governed by people we’ve voted for than some misty-eyed nationalism.’
‘Yes, I don’t blame you, as in getting shot of the Tories? But you’ll be landing us poor English with them forever.’ Gethin takes a slug of his beer.
‘Nobody’s forcing you bastards to vote for them,’ Iain says. ‘But you’ll see it all over, like a Scottish awakening. Community buy-ups of land or buildings – employing local people and ploughing back the profits to improve their lives.’
‘Social enterprise, is it?’ Gethin’s all knowing. ‘There’s this awesome café in Inverness that does that kind of thing, like training up local kids, a homeless drop in…?’
‘Aye, devolution has helped a lot of that, with the Land Reform Act and community right to buy. There’s an unstoppable momentum the now.’
Aiden comes back with a pint and chaser to match ours.
‘It’s what I keep telling our young friend from Cowdenbeath here. We have a chance to make a difference,’ Iain carries on.
‘So, has he convinced you to register, Aiden?’ Gethin asks.
Aiden shrugs. ‘Wearing me down maybe?’
‘Aye, I hope so. Look at how the Scottish government have started with reducing the homelessness,’ Iain says.
‘Can’t say I’ve noticed,’ Aiden sounds weary, sups his beer.
‘Och, you’ll no’ engage, that’s why. With our own government and full control of the finance, think how much more could be done.’
‘They’d send me back to me da, I’m no’ eighteen yet.’
‘No’ if you don’t want that. They’re giving you the vote, aren’t they?’
‘Makes sense, you’ve got to admit?’ Gethin joins in. ‘As in if you don’t vote you can’t complain.’
‘Awright, awright!’ Aiden holds his hands up. ‘I came in for a break!’
‘Fair enough, laddie,’ Iain nods.
‘Too fucking right,’ I say.
Gethin positions his glass dead centre on his beer mat. ‘I have to say all this makes me proud to be half Scottish?’ His very best superior tone.
Aiden smirks into his beer. I bite my lip to stop me laughing out loud.
‘OK, I’m guessing it’d take a while to be accepted as a Scot round here,’ Gethin adds. Bit more sheepish.
‘Och, you’re all strangers to the Highland way of thinking,’ Iain says.
