The McCoys no longer posed a threat, they would keep well clear of him and the Gorbals from now on. A few hurdles gone, a few to go! He walked down the tenement stairs and there was a strong smell of shite and piss. On the first floor landing he saw a drunk man lying there covered in vomit clutching an empty bottle of Four Crown wine. He shouted, “Hey pal wake up, ye cannae lie about here in that state. You’re pished out your brain.”
The drunk opened his eyes,“What the fuck has it got tae dae wi’ you. Dae ye want trouble pal?” Johnny did not feel afraid but said meekly, “Nah mister ah’ve had enough trouble for one day.” The drunk man went back to sleep snoring loudly.
When he got to the bottom of the close he bumped into an old lady who he recognised as one of his mother’s long standing bingo pals. She said to him, “Is it you Johnny? You’ve certainly grown up. Ah remember you when you were just a wee boy at primary school. A right wee bugger you were.”
“It’s me right enough Mrs Dalglish. Everything awright?
She shrugged her shoulders, “Ach could be better, ah’m no so good on ma feet nowadays. Ah wonder if ye could dae me a favour?”
“What’s that?”
“Could you go to the wee dairy across the street and get me half a dozen eggs and half a pound of bacon son?”
She pulled out a handful of coins from her purse but he replied, “Put your money away Mrs Dalglish, ah’ll get it.” He walked into the small dairy across the road and said to the woman behind the counter “Six eggs and half a pound of bacon missus”
“Ayrshire or Irish bacon” she asked.
“Better make it Irish ‘cause they saved ma bacon today,” he chuckled as he handed over the money to the bemused woman.
Chapter 39
Goo Goo
He was aware that young Goo Goo was increasing his power base. Goo Goo was now the undisputed leader of the 100 strong Tiny Cumbie, all young guys varying in ages from as young as 12 to 18. When they got older they would graduate to Johnny’s mob, the YYC. Goo Goo was walking along Crown Street in the direction of the city centre accompanied by around twenty of his gang when they bumped into Johnny, “Where are you guys off tae?” he said to the young mob. The first thing the noticed was how handsome Goo Goo looked, smart Tony Curtis haircut, tailored shirt and trousers with a sharp crease in them. Goo Goo also accentuated his gallusness by wearing a pair of tartan braces, “We’re off to the city centre to see if any other gangs want to go ahead.”
Johnny gave the young team some advice, “Be careful what you do. A number of different gangs are hanging about the toon, including the Govan Team, The Crew, The Fleet and The Hutchie. They are all cunning bastards, never underestimate them. The city centre is different from the Gorbals. With so many gangs roaming about the toon it can make the Wild West look mild by comparison.”
Goo Goo and his team laughed, “The Wild West will be wilder when we arrive!”
They made off towards St Enoch Square and were a formidable sight. The tartan braces had impressed Johnny, he might even consider wearing them in the future.
He was unsure Goo Goo’s junior division had planned properly, had thought the battle through carefully enough. He did not think Goo Goo had taken enough troops. Twenty odd was a fair enough number but if they were going into a territory that had numerous gangs there, double that figure should have been the minimum.
But Goo Goo was a young commander who was entitled to make his own mistakes. Sure, he would learn by these mistakes, but mistakes in gang warfare could be fatal
Johnny went into the Hampden bar in Ballater Street and it was quite empty apart from a few old guys playing dominoes. He was asked to join them “for a game of doms.” He liked the odd game of dominoes, sitting with the old guys exchanging patter. The older generation took the game very seriously. It wasn’t an intellectual game like chess, but it needed a degree of cunning and skill.
He had often seen fights break out between old men who had argued about a shilling’s winnings. He enjoyed the older raconteurs as they launched into their stories. Many of them, in their younger, days, had been gang leaders who had gone into battle to defend the notorious reputation of the Gorbals. One of the old men said to him, “Saw the young team heading up the toon. Are they off tae battle?”
“Aye,” Johnny replied, “That young Goo Goo is leading them aff. Ah told him tae be careful.” The old fellow, wearing a soiled looking bunnet, smiled, showing his rotten black teeth, “He’ll have it coming tae him, if his battle plan isnae right. The city centre can be a dangerous place. Too many young gang bampots up for a fight.” He nodded in agreement as he respected the old man’s advice. The aged domino player had been the leader of the Bee Hive gang in the 1930s, and during one battle in Argyle Street he had been slashed and the scar on his left cheek was still visible after all these years.
He pointed to the scar and said to Johnny, “Ah got this 40 years ago and ah’m still looking for the bastard who did it. Somebody told me he emigrated tae Australia. If ah found oot where he was, ah would raise the money somehow, go over there and chib the bastard!” He was impressed, 40 years on and the old guy was still up for a battle.
After losing several games of dominoes and hearing more 1930s gang warfare stories, he decided to venture elsewhere. When he got outside, police cars with sirens blazing were heading in the direction of St Enoch Square. There must have been a big battle. Johnny speculated on how Goo Goo and his team had got on. Later on in the day the question was answered for him. The Glasgow Evening Times had the headline: THIRTY INJURED IN CITY CENTRE GANGFIGHT. The report said,”Police and ambulances rushed to the city centre of Glasgow earlier today after reports of a massive gang fight. Police sources say the skirmish took place between teenage members of several gangs. During the battle, nine gang members were either stabbed or slashed. They were rushed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary for emergency treatment.
“A police spokesman said, ‘It appears the young division of various Glasgow gangs clashed in St Enoch Square. There were nine casualties and 20 arrests.”
The report continued, “Glasgow police have been clamping down on such incidents over the years and were quick to quell the latest outbreak of mindless violence. The arrested alleged gang members will appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court in the morning.”
Johnny later heard through the grapevine that Goo Goo himself had been slashed with an open razor requiring 22 stitches. He went to the Sheriff Court the next day. In the dock there were 20 young guys some from the Cumbie and the rest from other gangs.
One by one all of them pleaded not guilty to mobbing and rioting. All were released on bail. There was no sign of Goo Goo, presumably he was recovering in hospital after having stitches. That day, he had been stitched up in more ways than one.
Johnny met some of the young Cumbie mob outside the courtroom and asked what happened. One of them said, “You were right Johnny, there were too many different gang guys wanting tae battle. We took a real beating and got lifted as well. It just wisnae oor day.”
Johnny nodded, “What happened with Goo Goo?”
The teenager replied, “He’s still in hospital being patched up. But the good thing is the polis didnae charge him wi’ anything. He told them he was an innocent bystander who had just been passing through the city centre to meet up wi his auntie.”
“The stupid bastard should have listened tae me,” Johnny said. “If he had taken ma advice his face widnae have been turned intae a jigsaw puzzle.”
They both agreed that Goo Goo was the kind of obstinate guy who would not listen to advice and Johnny said if the lad was in hospital longer than a week he would go up and visit him with the customary grapes and bottle of Lucozade. The next day he bumped into Goo Goo’s father, an Irish labourer, at Gorbals Cross. “How’s your boy, Goo Goo doing?” he asked him
He replied in an aggressive tone. “For fuck’s sake call him by his real name, George. I hate that Goo Goo nickname. He’s discharged himself fae hospital and he’
s in the house now. But he’s got a massive Mars Bar (scar) on his right cheek, He used tae be a good looking boy as well. Before aw this palaver.”
Johnny headed for Goo Goo’s tenement building in Thistle Street and knocked on the door. It was answered by the boy’s mother, “Aye, what is it?” she said glumly. She looked as if she had been crying. “Is Goo…I mean George in?” “Who will ah say wants him?” “Johnny.” She shouted, “George, there’s a fella at the door called Johnny, he says he want to see you.”
Goo Goo came to the door. Johnny was shocked at his appearance. He had a massive scar which stretched all the way from the top of his right cheek right down to his jawbone. Goo Goo, or George, looked fucked. “What happened, man?” Johnny asked him. “Just as you predicted, we got ambushed in St Enoch Square. Some bastard came from behind me and ah got slashed,” he said pointing to the unsightly scar. Johnny thought the scar was horrendous and felt sick inside. He told a lie, “It’s no’ that bad, it’ll heal up soon enough and aw the birds will be after you.” The young man was unconvinced, “Johnny ah’m daft but no’ that daft, dae ye really think any bird would go oot wi’ me looking like this?”
“Of course they will,” Johnny replied in the most confident voice he could muster, “The scar shows you are a real hardman and it turns some women on.”
The boy suddenly cheered up and shook Johnny’s hand. “Thanks for coming tae see me, much appreciated man. Ah should have listened tae ye and kept well clear of the toon.” Johnny made his way back down the tenement stairs and thought about the reality of the young man’s future.
Goo Goo would never get a job with that massive scar. He would find himself a woman though. But she would be low class who thought that going out with a scarred man was some kind of social prestige in the Gorbals. It was undoubtedly clear that Goo Goo was destined to be the leader of the Cumbie gang. Unable to get a job, he would have a life of crime and violence and perhaps extreme drunkenness.
Maybe, just maybe, he would live long enough to sit with other old scarred guys, have a game of dominoes and tell tales of his lurid past.
Chapter 40
SURPRISE
Johnny and Malky were sitting in Cha Pa Pa’s fish and chip shop having a bit of banter and putting the world to rights. It was late afternoon and the place was quite busy. Because the Gorbals had a high Catholic population there was a great demand for fish on a Friday.
It was the one day of the week when Catholics, as a penance, would not eat meat. Indeed, it was quite easy to spot the Protestant contingent because they were the ones with steak pie suppers while the Catholics had fish suppers. Johnny and Malky both ordered two fish teas - fish chips, bread and butter, and a cup of tea. Malky was rabbiting on about Lorraine. He certainly did not know that she was pregnant and had no idea that Johnny had impregnated her behind the Railway Club.
Johnny had to play this game like a poker player keeping his cards close to his chest. In many ways he adored Malky but thought he would come in useful if he got involved with Lorraine. “So, do you think ah’ve got a chance wi’ that Lorraine bird?” he asked Johnny.
Johnny was quick to reply, “Of course ye have but it’s got tae be a case of slowly, slowly catch the monkey.” Malky looked extremely cheerful hearing this advice, “So how dae ye think ah should play it? I mean do you think a lovely looking bird like Lorraine would fancy an ugly looking bastard like me?” Malky had low self-esteem with the opposite sex but he had certain qualities that many women looked for. He was smartly dressed, intelligent with a fast line in patter. Although he was not as good looking as Johnny, he had attractive qualities that set him aside from ordinary blokes. He was sincere and had what many guys in the Gorbals lacked – a certain amount of emotional intelligence.
Johnny was secretly playing a pass the hot potato game with his pal. If he got them together it would be one less hurdle he would have to face. It would clear the way for him to be with Cathy, undoubtedly the love of his life. He instinctively felt that Malky would marry Lorraine even if she was pregnant with another man’s baby. He was that sort of guy, although he was tough and gallus, he had a naivety about him. If Malky did get together with the pregnant Lorraine, he would have to ensure that Malky would never know that he was the father.
He decided to play his best pal along, “She fancies you but she’s disappointed you hivnae made a move tae chat her up. Fortune favours the bold man!” Malky contemplated the false words of wisdom, “Too right, what do they say? Faint heart never won fair maiden.” Johnny nodded his head in agreement, “Ah’ll have a wee word wi’ her, give her the patter saying you fancy her like mad, that should dae the trick.”
Malky looked impressed as he tucked into his fish supper. He felt a great deal of warmth towards his pal, who he treated as a brother. Indeed, in certain situations he would have died for him, “You’re a great pal Johnny, would you really dae that for me, fix me up wi’ the beautiful Lorraine?” Johnny felt ashamed that he was conning his best pal into a relationship but kept up his façade, “As good as done pal, just leave it tae me.” They shook hands on the dubious romantic deal.
A few minutes later they were joined by wee Alex who looked as manic as usual and was sporting a large black eye. He shouted to the fish fryer Cha Pa Pa, “Steak pie and chips and throw in a big fucking sausage.” There was no doubting he was a Protestant.
Alex sat down with his pals. “How the fuck did ye get that black eye Alex?” Malky said. Johnny was also curious, “You been fighting again wee man?” Alex smiled, “Aye it’s a cracker of a black eye but ah didnae get it fighting. It’s a bit embarrassing. Ma mother found me taking money fae her purse and beat me up.”
Johnny and Malky laughed. Johnny said, “Only you could get beat up by your old maw. She’s given you a cracker of a keeker.” Alex chuckled, “She went a bit mental when she found oot ah wis stealing her bingo winnings. Battered me wi’ a big rolling pin. But ah still got away wi’ enough dough tae buy ma dinner here.” There was no doubt that Alex was crazy, but it was a craziness mixed with humour. The boys were about to finish eating when Johnny heard a voice saying, “How do you do, little boy blue?”
He looked around and his face drained of blood, as if he had seen a ghost. Well in a way he had, it was Cathy’s father Bobby standing there as smart as usual in a three piece suit. He was certainly very much alive and kicking. Johnny gasped, “What the fuck, I thought you were dead.”
Bobby smiled and shrugged his shoulders, “That’s what a lot of people thought when ah disappeared. But ah’ve been hiding out in Dublin.” He sat down to join them. Both Alex and Malky looked gobsmacked. They had also heard he had been “done in” by Glasgow’s Godfather Big Arthur after a dispute over money. Johnny asked him,”We heard you were in a concrete overcoat. Bloody hell what a comeback! So, what happened tae you? Why did ye disappear?”
Bobby ordered his Catholic fish and chips and explained, “I did have a dispute wi’ Arthur over money but it was only a few hundred quid. He widnae have done me in over that. The polis were trying tae pin some money lending charges against me, could have led tae five years in the nick. So, ah decided tae vamoose and live for a while in Ireland. At one point even the polis thought ah wis dead.” Johnny was still shaken at seeing him in the flesh, it really was a bolt out of the blue, “So, what’s the score now?” he asked. Bobby gave a grin, “Well it’s all squared up. While ah was on ma wee holiday in Ireland ah had a team of lawyers on it. The polis have dropped all charges and the taxman has been given a few bob. Once ah heard the coast was clear, ah knew it was time tae fuck off fae Ireland and get back tae the Gorbals.”
“So did ye square it up wi’ Arthur as well?” Johnny asked, still barely believing he was very much alive. Bobby replied, “Yeah, it’s aw squared up. It was a wee misunderstanding. In fact, he’s put me in charge of a new project which could be very lucrative.” The boys did not ask him what the lucrative project was but they had an idea. It would not have been polite to have pu
rsued the matter. They were silent for a few minutes then suddenly Alex said, “Can ah ask ye something about Ireland?” Bobby looked bemused, “Aye, certainly, fire away.” Suddenly Alex looked deadly serious, “Did ye see any leprechauns when you were there?”
Bobby smiled, “Hundreds of them. In fact, ah ended up drinking Guinness wi’ them. They’ve got great patter.” He understood that Alex was not exactly the sharpest tool in the box and treated him like a child. Suddenly, Bobby’s mood changed. His eyes became more psychotic. “Right boys, if ye don’t mind ah’d like tae have a wee word wi’ Johnny in private.” Alex and Malky left, leaving Johnny and Bobby alone. “So, what’s your plans for you and ma daughter?” Bobby said.
Johnny felt nervous. Not only was he dealing with perhaps his future father in law but a gangster and murderer to boot. “Ah love Cathy and we’ll get married as soon as possible. We’ll have tae find a flat in the Gorbals and settle down.”
Bobby nodded in agreement, “That’s just what ah wanted tae hear son. Between us we’ll fix a date for the wedding and I’ll pull some strings wi the Corporation tae get the two of you a flat, easy peasy.” They shook hands on the deal. Johnny said, “Now that ah’m gonnae be a married man, ah’d better find a full time job tae support them.” Bobby shrugged, “Ah widnae bother about that, you can always come and work for me. Good money and it can be a wee bit dangerous now and again. But you’re a big boy and you’ll be able tae handle it. Besides, you are family now.”
Johnny knew that Cathy’s father was more or less inviting him to join his money lending business and other rackets. But he would have to think very carefully about the offer. It could either make him, or break him.
Chapter 41
PROBLEMS
Although there were certain problems disappearing there were some that remained and were perfectly tangible. There was no doubt that Johnny and Cathy were destined to be together, but what about Lorraine? It was a massive problem that would have to be handled with care and a degree of diplomacy, albeit Gorbals diplomacy. He headed to the bank up the town and checked his balance. It was comparatively healthy, £1,500 and a few odd pence. He walked up to the counter and said, “I’d like to take out 500 quid please.” The pin-striped man behind the counter grimaced the way that bankers do when someone is extracting money from them.
The Incredible Rise of a Gorbals Gangster Page 22