Try a Little Tenderness

by Joan Jonker

  ‘Don’t be a misery guts, Gary.’ There was a warning in Celia’s eyes as she blew out the match which was threatening to burn her fingers. If she could hook Laura on to smoking, it was another thing to add to her list. ‘Leave the girl alone and go and amuse yerself elsewhere.’

  Gary nodded curtly. ‘I’ll go to the gents, but I’ll be back for the first dance, babe.’

  Celia struck another match. ‘Gary’s right, just a little puff to begin with.’

  Laura coughed when the smoke hit the back of her throat and wafted into her eyes, making them water. ‘Ooh, I don’t like it.’

  ‘Yer haven’t given it a chance, kid! Leave it for a minute and then have another go,’ Celia coaxed. ‘The first cigarette always makes yer feel like that. I remember going down an entry to have my first, with one of me mates. We were only fourteen and we’d bought a packet of five Woodies between us. We had to smoke the five because neither of us would take them home with us in case our mothers found them. I remember we both staggered out of that entry and our faces were green. But next time we tried, it was all right. I don’t know about me mate, Sally Greenfield, but I’ve been smoking ever since. I think a girl looks sophisticated with a cigarette in her hand, particularly if it’s in a holder. I’ve got a long ebony holder and I feel like the pig’s ear when I use it.’ A sneer crossed her face. ‘Mind you, if I used it here they wouldn’t know what it was. They haven’t a clue about fashion, or how to look glamorous.’

  Laura held the cigarette upright between finger and thumb and watched the smoke spiralling upwards. What harm would it do? Most of the women in work smoked, and her dad did too! And after all, she didn’t need to have another one after this, not if she didn’t want to. So she lifted the cigarette to her lips, but was careful this time not to inhale the smoke. ‘I’ve been thinking, Celia, it’s daft you leaving early every week because of me. I’ll get Cynthia to come with me next week and we can go home together.’

  ‘No, you mustn’t do that!’ The words shot from Celia’s lips. ‘If she lets slip that yer meet me here, yer mam will find out and the sparks will fly. She’ll know yer’ve been telling lies about everything and yer’ll land yerself in a load of trouble. So forget the idea, kid, ’cos I don’t want to find myself in the middle of a family row.’

  Laura was taken aback. ‘But Cynthia wouldn’t say anything, she’s me best mate! And we could always say we’d met yer here by chance.’

  ‘I said nothing doing, kid. You bring yer mate here and I’ll find another dance to go to. And Charlie and Gary will come with me.’

  Laura was about to blurt out that it wasn’t fair! If Cynthia wanted to come here, no one had the right to stop her. But one look at Celia’s angry face told her the older woman meant every word she said. And that in turn meant she wouldn’t see Gary again. She couldn’t care less about Charlie, she’d never exchanged more than a dozen words with him and she didn’t like the man anyway. But she did care about Gary. And although she couldn’t fathom out why he should do as Celia told him, she knew without doubt that he would. The same as she was going to do. It seemed as though Celia had a hold on each of them. ‘Okay, I won’t mention it to Cynthia just in case.’

  ‘That’s a good girl.’ Celia’s face relaxed into a smile. ‘Yer see, it wouldn’t only be you in trouble, but me as well. I don’t tell yer grandad about our Thursday nights, and he’d be mad if he found me out in a lie.’

  Laura turned her head away. There were a few things her grandad would go mad about, and Charlie was one of them. There was something fishy going on there, but she was best not to get involved. It wouldn’t do to cross swords with the woman her grandad had married.

  The band were tuning up for a slow foxtrot when Gary reappeared. He held his hand out to Laura. ‘Come on, babe, let’s be first on the floor.’

  ‘Ooh, I’m not that good yet, I’ll make a holy show of meself.’

  Celia put a hand in the middle of Laura’s back and pushed her forward. ‘Go on, kid, ye’re as good as most, so get up and enjoy yerself. Ye’re prettier than any of them, too.’

  As they dipped and twirled, Laura was thinking how suited her and Gary were as dancing partners. They got on so well together on the dance floor, yet she didn’t know a thing about him. He didn’t mention his family, where he worked, or where he lived. And he knew as little about her because he never asked questions.

  Laura was the first to break the silence. ‘It’s only four weeks to Christmas. Are yer looking forward to it?’

  Gary looked down at her and pulled a face. ‘Nah, I think it’s boring. It’s all right for kids, but there’s nothing to do for grown-ups. This place doesn’t open Christmas week, none of the dance halls do, so it’s a case of lounging around the house for two days.’

  Laura tried to draw him out. ‘I love it. The tree with the surprise presents underneath, and lots to eat. Me mam has a party on Christmas night and invites some of the neighbours. We have a whale of a time. I’m surprised that you don’t have any parties to go to.’

  ‘Oh, there’s parties I could go to, but I’m not interested.’

  Laura took the plunge. ‘I’ll ask me mam if yer can come to ours, if yer like?’

  ‘I’d rather not, babe, but thanks all the same. I’m not one for mixing with strangers – I never know what to talk about.’

  ‘Yer could talk to me, I’m not a stranger.’

  Gary averted his eyes so she wouldn’t see the wistful expression in them. ‘No, honestly, babe, I’d rather not.’

  Laura felt herself blush with shame. She’d practically asked him for a date and he’d turned her down. But why? If he wasn’t interested in her, why did he dance every dance with her? Why was he always holding her hand and calling her ‘babe’? Then she felt a ray of hope surface. Perhaps he was shy. Yes, that would explain everything. She shouldn’t have mentioned the party, she’d jumped the gun. She should have waited until he’d asked her for a date, because he would ask her, she was sure of that. She crossed her fingers, hoping tonight would be the night.

  But Laura’s heart was heavy when Celia said it was time to go, and the tall blond boy she’d fallen for just squeezed her hand and said, ‘I’ll see yer next week, babe.’

  ‘Go on, I dare yer,’ John said, leaning against the street-lamp almost outside Miss Marshall’s house. ‘You’re the one that suggested it, so go on, show how brave yer are.’

  ‘Ay, pal, I didn’t suggest no such thing.’ Mick’s hands were dug in his pockets and the collar of his coat turned up to keep the icy wind from numbing his ears. ‘All I said was, that I’d seen Jenny and Janet going into Miss Marshall’s, that’s all. I never mentioned doing nothing that would earn me a medal for bravery.’

  ‘Don’t yer want to see Jenny, then?’

  ‘Of course I do. And don’t forget Janet.’ Mick grinned at what he was about to say. ‘She’s a nice girl is Janet, and anyone can see she’s got her eye on yer. She’ll make yer a good wife one day, you lucky man.’

  ‘I’ll give yer a thick lip if yer keep saying things like that.’ John kicked the lamp-post to show he was in earnest. ‘And if yer ever say it in front of her, I’ll give yer a cauliflower ear to go with yer thick lip.’

  ‘Generous, aren’t yer, mate? And what am I going to be doing while ye’re bashing me about? Twiddling me ruddy thumbs?’

  ‘We’re wasting time here,’ John said. ‘It’ll soon be too late to knock on an old lady’s door to ask how she is.’

  ‘Particularly as we know she’s been up and about for two weeks now. And more particularly since we asked her the same question last night, and the night before. She’d be telling us to change our tune if she wasn’t so polite.’

  ‘I know what we’ll do, we’ll toss a penny. If it comes down heads, you knock on the door; tails, I knock.’

  ‘I keep telling yer I wasn’t born yesterday, why don’t yer believe me?’ Mick thrust his face nearer until their noses were only an inch apart. ‘Have yer forgotten yer s
howed me the two-headed penny yer had in yer pocket last week?’

  John looked equally as fierce. ‘So yer think I’m a cheat, eh? Use one of yer own flaming pennies then, if yer don’t trust me.’

  Inside Miss Marshall’s house she was being entertained by Jenny, who was doing a very good impersonation of the woman who came round the factory morning and afternoon, with the tea urn. Suddenly the old lady cocked an ear. ‘Shush.’ With a finger to her lips, she crossed over to the window and peeped through the side of the drawn curtains. ‘Just come and listen to this, but don’t let them see yer.’

  Jenny stood on tiptoe, looking over the old woman’s shoulder, while Janet crouched down to see through the crook of her arm. Jenny suppressed a giggle when she saw the stance of the two boys. ‘Yer wouldn’t believe they were best mates, would yer? Anyone would think they’re about to knock spots off each other.’

  ‘It’s very naughty of us to eavesdrop on them,’ said Lizzie, with a twinkle in her eye, ‘but I’d never sleep tonight if I didn’t know the outcome. So let’s listen and watch.’

  John pushed Mick away. ‘Come on, mate, get yer penny out. But I want to inspect it first to make sure it’s not a dud one.’

  ‘Everyone knows their own tricks best, pal.’ Mick fished in his pocket and brought out a penny coin. ‘And in case yer accuse me of cheating, I won’t catch it in me hand, I’ll let it fall on the ground.’

  The coin spun through the air and they heard it hit the ground. ‘Where did it go?’ John asked. ‘I heard it land but didn’t see it.’

  ‘Ye’ve got eyes in yer head, pal, so help me look for it. But whoever finds it, don’t touch it. Let’s keep it all above board so I don’t have to listen to yer moaning.’

  The two boys searched for several minutes, but in the dim light of the gas-lamp it wasn’t easy. So they bent their knees and squatted, searching while keeping an eye on each other.

  ‘It’s like looking for a needle in a blinking haystack,’ Mick growled. ‘If it wasn’t my penny, I’d let yer get on with it.’

  John gave a cry of excitement. ‘I can see it – it rolled in the gutter.’

  ‘Leave it! I wouldn’t trust you as far as I could throw yer.’

  They stood looking down at the coin which was now half-covered by a piece of paper, blown there by the breeze. ‘I can’t see properly,’ John said. ‘Is it heads or tails?’

  ‘I’m blowed if I know, mate.’ Mick stuck his hands back in his pockets. ‘But seeing as it’s my penny, I think it only fair that I win.’

  ‘Yeah, okay, I’ll let you win.’ John chuckled, ‘I’ll let you knock at the door.’

  ‘You can go and take a running jump, mate. That wasn’t the bet, and well you know it.’ Mick took his hands from his pockets and hunched his shoulders, ready for action. ‘The one to pick it up is the winner.’ He was off the mark before John had time to think. Holding the penny aloft, he chuckled, ‘Behold the winner.’

  ‘Behold the cheat, yer mean. That was below the belt, Mick Moynihan, and I’m surprised at yer. Like kicking a man when he’s down, that was.’

  ‘Yeah, it wasn’t fair,’ Mick agreed. And without further ado, he lifted the knocker.

  Jenny wiped her eyes before opening the door. ‘Lost the toss, did yer, Mick?’

  Both boys stood with their mouths gaping. Mick couldn’t think straight because the sight of Jenny, her pretty face alive with humour, chased everything else from his mind. The older she got, the more beautiful she became, and he’d move heaven and earth to win her hand. ‘We were only acting daft, Jenny, that’s all.’

  ‘Yeah, yer know what we’re like,’ John said, his thoughts going down the same path as his mate’s. ‘At least, yer should know by now.’

  Jenny opened the door wider and jerked her head. ‘Come on in, Auntie Lizzie is expecting yer.’

  ‘Auntie Lizzie!’ The boys echoed. ‘Since when has she been yer auntie?’

  ‘Since the last half-hour.’ Jenny waited until they were squeezed into the tiny hall, then said, ‘I can’t call her Lizzie, that wouldn’t be respectful, and I can’t keep on calling her Miss Marshall, it doesn’t sound friendly. So she said she’d be thrilled to bits if we call her Auntie Lizzie. Me and Janet are made up.’

  The old lady was grinning when they entered the room. ‘The same goes for you two, if yer want to.’

  ‘Ooh, yeah, that would be great!’ Mick’s dimples deepened as his grin spread from ear to ear. ‘How are yer today, Auntie Lizzie?’

  ‘I’m fine, thank you. And all the better for seeing my two handsome boyfriends.’

  ‘I’m glad to hear ye’re fine, Auntie Lizzie.’ John elbowed Mick out of the way, thinking he’d hogged the limelight long enough. ‘And it is my sincere wish that you continue to be fine.’

  ‘How come yer never ask me how I am?’ Jenny asked.

  ‘We can see how you are, Jenny,’ Mick wished he could say what he really thought. ‘Ye’re always in tip-top form.’

  ‘Yeah.’ John was going weak at the knees just looking at her. ‘Prettier than a fiddle, but as fit as one.’

  Janet coughed. ‘Excuse me, but in case yer hadn’t noticed, I’m here.’

  Mick lifted his hands in mock surprise. ‘Ah, Miss Porter! As lovely as ever, I see.’

  John decided to go one better. ‘It’s a delight to see you, Miss Porter. And a sight for sore eyes, as usual.’

  Janet’s face glowed with pleasure. She was betwixt and between with the two boys. One night she favoured Mick, the next it was John. Perhaps she should wait for her birthday before making up her mind. Her mam had told her she’d have more sense when she was fifteen.

  Lizzie gestured to the chairs around the table. ‘Sit yerselves down and tell us what yer were up to, out there.’

  As they were pulling the chairs out, John and Mick grinned at each other. What excuse were they going to come up with this time? John ran his hands through his hair and pulled a Stan Laurel face. ‘Another fine mess yer’ve got me into, Ollie.’

  When the hoots of laughter had died down, Mick said, ‘Listen who’s talking? You were the one with the bright idea of tossing a coin.’ He smiled across at Lizzie. ‘Neither of us liked knocking on yer door in case yer were fed up with us, so we dared each other. As yer must have seen, we both ended up on our hands and knees, all over a ruddy penny. Mind you, it was my penny and it had come from a good home.’

  ‘I told yer they were as mad as hatters, didn’t I, Auntie Lizzie?’ Jenny winked at her. ‘One on their own is bad enough, but two together is a recipe for trouble.’

  ‘Well, they don’t ever have to worry about knocking on my door – all four of yer will always get a welcome. I’ve slept soundly every night since yer’ve been coming and keeping me company, and that’s something that never happened before. I used to toss and turn for hours before I could drop off.’ Lizzie shook her head to dismiss the memories of all those lonely nights, lonely days, and lonely years. ‘Anyway, instead of crawling on the ground in the cold, yer should have come straight in and yer’d have seen Jenny amusing us. She takes after her mam for impersonations, and she had us in stitches.’

  Mick leaned back on the wooden chair. ‘Come on, Jenny, me and John could do with cheering up.’

  ‘Promise yer won’t make fun of me?’

  ‘He won’t make fun of yer, Jenny, I won’t let him.’ John was chuckling inside. ‘If he does, I’ll break his nose, to go with his thick lip and cauliflower ear. He wouldn’t be a pretty sight when I’d finished with him.’

  ‘Oh, aye!’ Mick pretended to be angry. ‘You and whose army, mate?’

  ‘See what I mean, Auntie Lizzie? They can’t be quiet for one minute.’

  ‘I’ll be as good as gold,’ Mick told her, while John promised to be as quiet as a mouse.

  Jenny stood up for effect. ‘Well, there’s this woman who works in the factory as a cleaner, and she also makes tea for the workers in the morning and afternoon. She comes around with a big tea
urn on a trolley and fills the men’s mugs. Now if I describe her to yer, it’ll give yer an idea of why I think she’s so funny.’ Jenny brought the actions into play now. Holding her hands out in front of her chest, she said, ‘She’s out here on top, and her backside’s as big as the back of a tram. Her hair is dyed and it’s a horrible orange colour. She doesn’t talk, she bawls, and she’s always got a cigarette dangling out of the side of her mouth. That cigarette is never taken out until it starts to burn her lips, and then she lights another one from it. Sometimes the ash on it is inches long and we all wait with bated breath to see where it lands. Usually it’s in the tea urn or in the men’s mugs. Honestly, she’s like a gangster’s moll. The men are terrified of her because she’s built like a house and could pick any of them up with one hand.’

  Jenny stopped to take a deep breath. ‘Have yer all got the idea of what she’s like?’

  John nodded. ‘I can see her as plain as if she was standing next to yer.’

  ‘I’m glad I’m not standing next to her,’ Mick said, trying to look solemn. ‘She sounds a right nasty piece of work.’

  ‘Why don’t the bosses sack her?’ Lizzie asked. ‘They don’t have to put up with that, there’s plenty of women who’d be glad of the job.’

  ‘None of them have got the guts.’ Jenny laughed at the idea. ‘Anyway, I’m coming to that. One day, her whole cigarette fell into one of the men’s mugs. She didn’t pass him any compliment, just stood there and brazenly lit another one before carrying on to the next man. The poor bloke stood staring down at the cigarette floating on top of his tea, and when she was well out of sight, he called the floorwalker over. “I’m not putting up with this, it’s bloody ridiculous. She should have been kicked out on her backside long ago.” The floorwalker is a small, slightly built man, and he asked, “Would you like to have the honour of sacking her, Nobby?”’ Jenny bent double as she pictured the scene. ‘Nobby’s face was a picture. “I don’t get paid to sack people, that’s your job.” The floorwalker thought for a minute then took Nobby’s mug from him. “I don’t get paid that much, Nobby, but I know a man who does”.’