Try a Little Tenderness

by Joan Jonker

  Lizzie didn’t look too sure. ‘Perhaps I’d be better coming back when yer haven’t got any visitors. I don’t like to intrude.’

  ‘Visitors, did yer say, Lizzie?’ Mary leaned forward and pulled on the old lady’s arm. ‘Come on in and don’t be daft. I haven’t got no visitor, but me lodger’s here.’

  ‘Ay, I heard that, buggerlugs,’ Amy grinned. ‘But I ain’t no lodger, ’cos lodgers have to pay for what they get. I get mine for nowt.’

  ‘Ye’re telling me.’ Mary pulled a chair out for her visitor and saw her settled before going on. ‘Proper skinflint you are, if there ever was one.’

  Amy combined an expression of surprise and hurt. ‘How can yer say that, girl? Have yer forgotten those cream slices already?’

  ‘Oh my God, am I going to get that thrown up at me for the rest of me life?’ Mary winked at Lizzie. ‘She mugs me to a cake once – just the once, mind yer – and never a day goes by that she doesn’t remind me of it.’

  ‘Only ’cos ye’re getting absent-minded, girl.’ Amy shuffled to the edge of her chair, cupped a hand around her mouth and wagged a podgy finger at Lizzie to move nearer. ‘She’s going a bit senile. Terrible thing to happen to a woman of her age, but there yer go, that’s life for yer. So I remind her of me generosity every day, just to keep her mind active.’

  ‘Lizzie, sorry to change the subject, sunshine, but would yer like a cuppa?’

  ‘No, thanks, Mary, I’ve not long had one. I just came over to see how Jenny was. I didn’t think she was herself last night at all. Usually she’s always laughing and joking, but last night she was very quiet.’

  ‘Oh yeah, our John mentioned something like that before he went to work this morning,’ Amy said. ‘In fact, he said every time Mick spoke to her, she nearly bit his head off.’

  ‘That’s not like our Jenny, I’ve never known her be in a temper with anyone. She was quiet this morning before she went out, but that’s all. I’ll have a good talk to her tonight, make sure she’s telling me the truth. I wouldn’t like the girl to go to work if she’s sick, just because she doesn’t want to worry me.’

  ‘I’m going on without yer, Dad,’ Mick said as they came out of work. ‘I want to catch Jenny on her way home, and I can run faster on me own.’

  ‘Is true love not running smoothly, son?’

  ‘No, it’s not, Dad, and I want to find out why. Ask me mam to put me dinner between two plates, will yer?’ With that, Mick took to his heels and ran like the wind. He had to know what was wrong with Jenny, because he didn’t believe it had anything to do with her not feeling well. And he wanted to be alone when he asked her.

  His heart flipped when he saw her walking towards him, shoulders hunched and head down. ‘Jenny,’ he spoke her name softly so as not to startle her, ‘can I have a word with yer, please?’

  ‘Mick, what are you doing here?’

  ‘I want to ask yer what’s happened in the last few days to change yer so much? Yer looked at me last night as though I was something the cat had dragged in. I could tell yer didn’t want to talk to me, or even be in the same room. And I want to know why, Jenny, ’cos I would never do anything to hurt you.’

  ‘There’s nothing wrong, Mick, I just wasn’t feeling well. But now ye’re here, and we’re on our own, I may as well tell yer I’ve been thinking about what yer said about me being yer girlfriend. I don’t think it’s a good idea because I’m too young, really, to start courting proper. I haven’t been anywhere yet, and never met any other boys.’ Jenny saw the hurt on his face and hated herself for putting it there. But she was hurting, too, and it was his fault. She felt like shouting out loud, asking him why he’d kissed her sister. But that would be childish.

  ‘I only asked yer to be me girlfriend, Jenny, I didn’t ask yer to marry me. Yer’d have been free to end it any time yer wanted, if yer met another bloke yer liked better.’ Looking the picture of dejection, Mick dug his hands in his pockets. ‘And where does John fit into your plans?’

  ‘John’s never asked me to be his girlfriend, but if he did, I’d tell him the same as I’m telling you. I want to get out and about on me own for a while, do a little growing up.’

  ‘So me and John are not even on yer list of friends? No more going to the dance, or even a game of cards?’

  Jenny turned her head away from those deep blue eyes that could make her go weak at the knees. ‘Of course we’re still friends, we’ll always be that. It’s just that I don’t want to get serious, that’s all.’

  ‘All right, Jenny, I’ve got the message, I’ll not bother yer any more.’ As he turned away, he said, ‘I’ll tell John so he won’t have to listen to the price yer put on our friendship.’

  ‘I’ll be seeing yer around, like at Auntie Lizzie’s.’

  Mick turned back and looked down at her. ‘Yer intend taking our ten years of being mates and tearing it up into little pieces. But yer want to keep some of the pieces that suit yer. Well, it doesn’t work like that, Jenny. I have loved you for as long as I can remember. I’ve never even tried to find anybody else because I’ve always known you were the one I wanted. But I’ll not hang around just in case I bump into yer, like, as yer said, “at Auntie Lizzie’s”.’

  This time when Mick walked away he kept on walking. Slowing down only long enough to say, ‘Goodbye, Jenny. I hope yer find what ye’re looking for.’

  ‘What’s gone wrong in this house, love?’ Stan asked Mary. ‘We always managed a laugh when we were having our dinner, but lately I can’t even raise a titter. I know what your worries are, and I can understand, but what’s up with the girls? Our Laura looks as though she’s sitting on a time bomb and yer hardly get a word out of Jenny.’

  ‘We’ll start with me, shall we?’ Mary shrugged her shoulders. ‘I’m worried sick about me dad. He didn’t come Sunday and this is the second Wednesday he’s missed. But I can’t bring meself to go to his house ’cos I know once I set eyes on Celia I’d clock her one. I’ll give it until Sunday, and if he doesn’t come then – well, someone will have to go and see what’s wrong.’

  ‘I can take a hint, love – I’ll go. If he doesn’t turn up Sunday, I’ll be there the next night.’

  ‘As for our Laura, I haven’t a clue. She comes and goes as she pleases, as she’s always done. Never a dickie bird out of her. And I’m not going to ask because I wouldn’t believe what she told me anyway.’ Mary sighed as she bent to straighten the rug in front of the hearth. ‘Our Jenny is a little more complicated. For some unknown reason, she’s fallen out with John and Mick. She says she hasn’t, she just doesn’t want to go out with them like courting couples. Janet’s gone to the dance with the boys, but she couldn’t persuade Jenny no matter how hard she tried. Molly was over today and she said Mick is devastated. He can’t understand why they’re the best of mates one day, then out of the blue she told him straight to his face that she wanted to meet other people.’

  ‘What about John?’

  ‘Well, apparently our Jenny, who wouldn’t say boo to a goose, told Mick she felt the same about John and the message was passed on. Something must have happened to make Jenny the way she is; she thought the world of those boys and would never hurt them for no good reason. But whatever the reason is, she’s not saying. Even Lizzie can’t get it out of her.’

  ‘I’m surprised about that,’ Stan said. ‘I always thought she’d end up marrying one of those boys. I’d have bet a pound to a pinch of snuff on it.’

  ‘Oh, I think John’s been out of the race for weeks now,’ Mary smiled. ‘Janet pulled him off the starting line. She set her sights on him from the beginning and yer’ve got to hand it to her, she’s never given up. Amy thinks it’s hilarious. She said the lad doesn’t know he’s been caught yet, but he will when he tries to wriggle out of the fishing net.’ She sat back in her chair and rapped her fingers on the wooden arms. ‘Before me dad hit me with his troubles, I used to often think how nice it would be if the two boy mates married the two girl mates. I’d be
made up to have Mick for me son-in-law.’

  Stan chuckled. ‘How does Amy feel about having Janet as her daughter-in-law? Mind you, it’s Janet we should feel sorry for.’

  ‘Amy seems quite delighted. She said the girl’s either a genius or as thick as two short planks. It doesn’t matter to her which, because she’s a bit of both herself.’

  ‘I’m sorry about Mick, our Jenny couldn’t have got a better bloke,’ Stan said. ‘And we get on well with his family.’

  ‘Yeah, but what we want and what Jenny wants, are two different things. She’s a very level-headed girl and she must know what she’s doing. You and me, sunshine, will just have to stand by and watch, hoping for the best.’

  The card game was over and Fanny Pennington was putting the cards back in the box when Cynthia took hold of Laura’s arm. ‘Come up to me bedroom, I’ve got a new lipstick to show yer.’

  Laura sat on the bed and was surprised when her friend plonked herself down beside her. ‘Where’s the new lipstick?’

  ‘That was only an excuse. I’ve got something to tell yer.’

  ‘I hope it’s something nice,’ Laura said, pulling a face. ‘I’m dreading tomorrow night, I just hope I can go through with it.’

  ‘Of course yer can go through with it, don’t be stupid. Just remember how many people yer’d be letting down if yer didn’t. Particularly yerself, Laura. For once in yer life do something that counts. Neither of us can look back on the good things we did, because there aren’t any. If yer want to make yer family happy, then do this for them. I’ve changed a lot, kid, since I met Bill. He’s been good for me. I told him at the beginning that I’d lost me trust in men, and not to rush me. And I’ll always remember what he said to me: “I’ll try a little tenderness.” Do the same, Laura. Forget the tough girl who lied and cheated, be more caring for those who love yer, and remember – a little tenderness will go a long way.’

  Laura took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. ‘I will, Cynthia, even if it kills me, I’ll do it. And now, what’s this news of yours?’

  Cynthia hugged herself. ‘Bill’s asked me to get engaged on me seventeenth birthday.’

  Laura’s mouth opened wide. ‘Go ’way! Ooh, isn’t that marvellous!’

  ‘I don’t know whether I’m on me head or me heels, I’m that excited. I haven’t told me mam and dad yet, I’ll wait until Bill’s with me and we can do it together. And when we’ve told my parents, we’ll go round and tell his. I think they’ll be pleased because we all get on so well together.’

  ‘I’m going to start being the new me right away,’ Laura decided. ‘No more lies, no more cheating. So I’ll be honest and say that when yer said yer were getting engaged, I was as jealous as hell. But it’s made me more determined to sort meself out, so me and Gary can get engaged. Then he can take me to meet his mam, who he loves the bones of, and he can meet my family.’ Laura closed her eyes. ‘I just hope I don’t make a hash of the whole lot.’

  ‘Ay, look at me, kid. You are not going to make a hash of it, or I personally will kill yer. All yer have to do is tell yer mam and let her take over. But tell her everything, don’t leave a thing out for Celia to latch on to.’ Cynthia gave her a hug. ‘Come down on Friday and let me know how yer got on. If it’s possible, bring Gary with yer. I can’t wait to see this blond’s answer to a maiden’s prayer.’

  Laura stood up. ‘I’d better be going. Are yer seeing Bill tomorrow night?’

  Cynthia’s smile was her answer. ‘He’s the best thing that ever happened to me.’

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Gary was startled when he saw Laura walking towards him, his first thought being that she was in trouble. He ran to meet her and took both of her hands in his. ‘What’s wrong, babe? Has something happened?’

  Laura shook her head. ‘Not yet.’ Her whole body was tingling, as it always did when he touched her. She loved him so much, she’d go through hell, fire and water for him. ‘I came to meet yer ’cos there’s something I want yer to do. Something that will get us out of this mess once and for all.’

  Gary grinned as he squeezed her hands. ‘I’m already out of it, my dearest, darling Laura. I’ve been and gone and done it: I told me mam everything. So Celia can do what the hell she likes, she can’t hurt me now.’

  Laura was dumbstruck. She’d imagined having to talk him into going along with her, and had even prepared herself for him refusing. But here he was, with a big smile and a clear conscience. ‘What did yer mam say?’

  ‘She called me for all the silly buggers under the sun, said I should have told her right from the start and none of this would have happened. If she ever meets Celia, she’ll skin her alive, or so she says.’

  ‘But didn’t Celia say she’d go and tell yer old boss, and the place where yer work now? She could still do that.’

  ‘Me mam’s sorted it all out. She went to see Mr Brown, he’s the owner of the shop, and he was disgusted. Apparently she’d tried it with one of the older workers, but she had the sense to tell her to scram. So she tried me, soft lad, and I fell for it. Anyway, me mam gave Mr Brown five shillings, to help towards what she’d fiddled. He didn’t want to take it but me mam made him. Her motto is, out of debt, out of danger. And guess what? He even offered me a job! I wouldn’t go back, though, even though he’s a smashing feller, because I’m on better wages where I am.’

  Laura thought suddenly of Celia, who would be along this way any minute. She pulled on Gary’s hands. ‘We’d better move. I want yer to come home with me, while I tell me mam and dad. If yer think anything of me, Gary, yer won’t let me down.’

  ‘Think anything of yer! Babe, I love yer and adore yer.’ His laugh rang out. ‘Oh, it feels good to say it at last. I’ll be only too happy to come with yer to hold yer hand and give yer support. And to see that worried look disappear from yer eyes.’

  As they walked arm in arm, Laura said, ‘I’m glad yer’ve told yer mam, and she was all right about it. I hope my parents are the same.’ She glanced up at him and thought how lucky she was to have met him. He wasn’t half handsome, and nice with it. ‘Your mam must have some guts to do what she did.’

  Gary chortled. ‘She’s not the size of sixpenn’orth of copper, but when she gets her dander up, she can be a real spitfire. When she knew what Celia had done to her lovely son, she went haywire. Mind you, I came in for it. She couldn’t believe I’d been stupid enough to let meself be blackmailed without telling her. She knows some choice words, my mam, and I got called every one of them when she was telling me how dumb I’d been. So I’m warning yer what to expect.’

  ‘My Auntie Amy’s like that, she’s always swearing. She once said that if the King came to her house for tea, she’d still tell him to wipe his bleedin’ feet before she’d let him in. And if he pulled a face because his cup had no handle, she’d tell him to bugger off back to his palace.’

  ‘My mam would get on well with your Auntie Amy. The air would be blue if the two of them got together.’

  ‘She’d get on with me mam, as well. Me mam doesn’t swear much, but she’s full of fun and always laughing.’ Laura shuddered. ‘I hope she’s able to laugh after what I’ve got to tell her tonight.’

  They came to the end of her street. ‘Would yer mind waiting outside by the entry, Gary? I think I’d be better doing it on me own; I’d be too embarrassed if you were there. I’ll come for yer when it’s over, if she hasn’t thrown me out before then.’

  ‘Okay, babe. I’ll walk up and down in case someone thinks I’m up to no good and thumps me one.’

  Laura took a deep breath. ‘Here goes.’ Before she had time to change her mind, she covered the few yards with purpose in her step. He’d told her he loved her, and she clung to those words.

  ‘I thought yer were going to the dance?’ Mary looked up in surprise when her daughter walked in. ‘Don’t tell me you’re not feeling well.’

  Laura pulled a chair from the table and sat down next to Jenny, who was reading. ‘I wan
t to have a talk to you and me dad. Ye’re going to be shocked, but I want yer to hear me out before saying anything.’

  Jenny closed her book and stood up. ‘I’ll go upstairs.’

  ‘No, I want yer to stay.’ Laura held on to her arm. ‘Please, Jenny?’

  Jenny pulled her arm free and looked down at her sister. Harsh words were on her lips but there was something in Laura’s eyes that held them back. She put her book on the table and sat down.

  ‘What’s all the mystery?’ Stan asked. ‘Yer sound very melodramatic.’

  Laura’s tongue flicked over her dry lips. She’d have given anything for a drink, but that would take time and she was eager now to get it over with. ‘I haven’t been a good daughter, I know that now. I’ve lied and cheated all me life, and led me mam a merry dance. But lately I’ve been a bigger liar than even you could imagine. I’m not proud of it, and I only hope yer don’t all hate me when I’ve said what I’ve got to say.’

  Mary and Stan looked at each other with apprehension. The last thing they wanted to hear was that their wayward daughter had got herself into trouble. But they stayed silent and listened to the story unfolding. Several times Mary shook her head and closed her eyes, signs of the disgust she felt at the string of lies her eldest daughter had told. But she never spoke until Laura came to the baby Celia was expecting.

  ‘How d’yer know this?’ Mary was red in the face with anger. ‘Did the cheeky bitch tell yer herself?’

  ‘No.’ Laura felt faint with worry. Her family were going to despise her after this. ‘I told yer about the boy I met at the dance, Gary, and the way Celia has been blackmailing him, too. Well, he told me. She doesn’t know I know yet. And Gary also told me something else.’ The tears she could no longer control, started to roll down her cheeks. ‘I know I’ve been bad, and I’m sorry, ’cos I want yer to love me, not hate me. But I’ve got to tell yer what Gary found out. The baby isn’t me grandad’s baby. The father is a bloke called Charlie, and he goes to the dance. I’m pretty sure Celia goes out with him a lot.’