Try a Little Tenderness

by Joan Jonker

  ‘She’s quite a nice lady, actually,’ Gary said, ‘keeps her house like a little palace. And she dotes on Charlie, waits on him hand and foot. But unless she’s blind, she must know what he’s like for the ladies. Everyone else does, he’s got quite a reputation.’

  ‘I’d go with yer to see her, Mam,’ Laura said, ‘if yer wanted.’

  Stan brushed the offer aside. ‘This will take some working out, so yer grandad doesn’t know anything about it until it’s over.’ He glanced at Mary. ‘Yer did say that none of the women in the street liked Celia, didn’t yer?’

  Mary nodded. ‘They can’t stand the sight of her. Especially the near neighbours, who were me mam’s friends. I know they wouldn’t need asking twice if we wanted them to help. But what they could do, I don’t know.’

  ‘I do,’ said her husband, ‘but we need to work from two sides. Someone, who they won’t know from Adam, has to go and see Charlie’s mother with the news that she’s to become a grandmother. And at the same time – and this is the tricky part – we need to get Celia out of that house for good. That’s where I think yer mam’s old neighbours would come in – they could drive her out.’ He saw the look on Mary’s face and reached for her hand. ‘Strong measures are needed, love, to keep her away from yer dad. Otherwise she’ll be pestering him for money and we don’t want that. It has to be a clean break. And if she knows the neighbours are gunning for her, and that they mean business, she’ll think twice about setting foot in the street again.’

  There was a look of concern on Laura’s face. ‘Dad, she’ll know something’s up with me and Gary not being at the dance. Whatever ye’re thinking of doing, it’ll have to be soon.’

  Mary conjured up her father’s face to give her the strength she needed. ‘We’ll do it tomorrow and get it over with. Laura, you take a day off work and come with me. If she sees us together, she’ll know her little game hasn’t worked.’

  Stan raised his brows. ‘Who’s going to see to Charlie and his mother?’

  ‘Just leave it to me, Stan. I’ll get Amy and Molly over first thing and I’ll enlist their help. They’re me best mates, and I know they’ll get stuck in and help because they think the world of me dad. If we’re going to do it, let’s do it properly, with our own army.’ Mary jerked her head and rolled her eyes. ‘I’ll never hear the last of it off Amy, ’cos she didn’t believe it was me dad’s baby from the start.’

  All eyes turned to the door when Jenny walked in with Mick. And Mary was quick to note that for the second time that night, one of her daughters had come in holding the hand of a boy.

  Jenny was all smiles. ‘We’ve made it up, Mam, and Mick’s come to ask if he can start taking me out. And me dad, of course, he’ll have to ask me dad. I’m going to be his girlfriend and I’m very happy about that.’

  For the first time that night, there was laughter in the room. But the tears that rolled down Mary’s face weren’t all from laughter. They were emotional and sentimental. ‘Oh sunshine, that’s the second surprise we’ve had tonight.’ She smiled across at Gary. ‘And both pleasant surprises.’

  Mick’s grin couldn’t be wider. ‘Is it all right then, Mr and Mrs Nightingale, if I come courting yer daughter? I know I’m older than her, but that doesn’t matter, because I’m young for me age and Jenny’s old for hers. And yer know I’ll always look after her and she’ll not come to any harm from me.’

  ‘I know that, sunshine, and I couldn’t be happier.’ Mary turned to her husband. ‘They’ve got my permission, have they got yours?’

  ‘If I don’t give it, I won’t get invited to any parties over there. And the Moynihans give the best parties in Liverpool. So, permission granted.’ Stan suddenly remembered his manners. ‘Oh, this is Gary, a friend of Laura’s. I’m afraid I don’t know yer second name, son.’

  ‘It’s Stevens, Mr Nightingale.’ Gary stood up to shake Mick’s hand. ‘It’s nice to meet yer, Mick, and I think yer’ve got a very pretty girlfriend.’

  The two boys liked each other on sight. ‘Ay, keep yer eyes off her, Gary, I’ve only just got her – she’s brand new. If I ever get tired of her, I’ll give yer a shout.’

  ‘You won’t ever get tired of me, I won’t let yer.’ Jenny leaned against him as she grinned at her mother. ‘And guess what, Mam? Janet’s going to be John’s girlfriend. She’s absolutely over the moon. Mind you, I’m not quite sure that John knows it yet.’

  ‘Oh, he knows it all right,’ Mick said. ‘It started to dawn on him a few weeks back. He wouldn’t have it though, when I told him.’

  Mary’s heart felt lighter than it had done in days. ‘So the four mates have become two two’s eh? I’m delighted for yer.’ Her attention was caught by Laura pulling on Gary’s arm. And she saw her daughter mouth the words, ‘Go on!’

  Gary cleared his throat. ‘I’m the new boy in the camp and I’m embarrassed and blushing like mad. But have I your permission, Mr and Mrs Nightingale, to call for Laura tomorrow night? And the next night, and every other night after that?’

  Mary saw the way her daughter was looking up at this handsome blond boy, and knew he was the one for her. She also knew he’d keep her on the straight and narrow. ‘As long as yer promise to look after Laura, like Mick did over Jenny. Yer see, me and Stan, we love both our daughters dearly.’

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  ‘Don’t get yerself involved in any fighting, d’yer hear?’ Stan looked up at his wife as he pulled his cap lower on his forehead. ‘Any sign of trouble and you get out of there quick.’

  ‘Don’t worry, love, I won’t be on me own. Anyway, last night was such a lovely night I’m convinced everything is going to go fine for us from now on. I’m made up over Mick, I really am, he’s a smashing lad. And although it was the first time I’d clapped eyes on Gary, I can feel it in me bones that he’s going to be good for Laura.’ Mary unfolded her arms and shooed him away. ‘If yer don’t hurry, yer’ll be late clocking in.’

  ‘Will yer be here when I get home?’

  ‘I don’t know, love, we’ll have to take things as they come. I’m hoping for big things, all in one day, and perhaps I’m hoping for too much. If all me dreaming and scheming comes true, I’ll be the happiest woman in Liverpool and I’ll greet yer with a smile on me face. But anyway, if I’m a bit late, Jenny will do yer beans on toast or something – it won’t kill yer to do without a cooked dinner for one day.’ Once again she shooed him away. ‘Get going, love, ’cos I can’t afford to stand gossiping, I’ve got a busy day ahead of me.’

  Mary closed the door and paused in the hallway for a while when she heard her daughters talking. It was a sound seldom heard and was like music to her ears. It was with hope in her heart she entered the room. ‘Laura, will you see to the beds while I tidy up in here? I don’t want it looking like a muck-midden when Amy and Molly come. As soon as I think Seamus and Ben have gone to work I’m going to give them a knock.’

  Amy opened the door rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. ‘Christ, girl, fancy calling on anyone at this ungodly hour! The bleedin’ streets haven’t been aired off yet.’

  ‘It’s an emergency, sunshine – I need yer help.’

  The hour was early, but not too early for Amy’s brain to look for humour in any situation. ‘Ay, girl, ye’re not going into labour, are yer?’

  Mary tutted. What would you do with her? ‘Me dad’s in trouble and I want yer in our house in half an hour – fully awake.’

  Amy’s face showed concern. ‘Serious, is it, girl?’

  Mary nodded. ‘Very.’

  ‘Right, half an hour it is.’

  When Molly opened her door, she agreed without question. Except to ask, ‘D’yer need me to bring anything, me darlin’?’

  ‘Only yerself, Molly, thanks.’ Mary hurried across the cobbles to make sure the house was tidy. She didn’t worry about Amy because her best mate didn’t give a continental what her place looked like. But Molly was a different kettle of fish. As soon as her husband and Mick left f
or work, she got stuck in and the whole house was spick and span by nine o’clock. That’s unless it was the day for changing bedclothes, then she finished a little later.

  ‘Laura, yer’ve got five minutes to get yerself washed, then I can get to the sink.’ Mary caught her daughter’s arm as she passed. ‘There’s no need to come out with the whole story. Yer just went to a dance and Celia happened to be there. Yer met Gary, fell for him and started going to the dance every week. From that point, we tell the truth. Okay, sunshine?’

  Laura felt choked. Her mam and dad had been great, and she knew it was more than she deserved. She gave Mary a big hug. ‘Thanks, Mam, for everything.’

  Jenny popped the last piece of toast in her mouth and stood up to take her plate out. ‘I was saying to Laura, Mam, that she’s got a good-looking boyfriend. And he seems to be nice inside as well as out.’ Her body still feeling the effects of the excitement of last night, and her heart singing with happiness, she laughed. ‘Mind yer, he’s not as handsome as my Mick – no one is.’ Then she added, ‘Except for me grandad – he’s the most handsome man in the whole wide world.’

  After Jenny had left for work, mother and daughter rushed around like mad to get everything done before Amy and Molly arrived. And Laura had just finished the last job of wiping the hearth over when the knock came.

  ‘This emergency had better be good, girl.’ Amy waddled in, followed closely by Molly. ‘Every bleedin’ bone in me body is complaining about the way it’s been rushed this morning. Me face doesn’t even know it’s been washed yet.’ Her brow rose when Laura walked in from the kitchen. ‘What are you doing at home this time of the day? Did yer sleep in?’

  ‘No, she didn’t, I kept her off work.’ Mary pulled the chairs from under the table. ‘Thanks for coming over this time of the morning, both of yer. Sit yerselves down and when yer’ve heard what I’ve got to say, I’m hoping yer’ll help me out. It’s about me dad.’

  ‘I’ll make meself scarce, Mam,’ Laura said, knowing she’d be embarrassed to listen to them talking about someone having a baby, especially her grandad. ‘I’ll go upstairs and dust the bedrooms, shall I?’

  ‘You do that, sunshine, there’s a good girl.’ Mary understood and was relieved because she didn’t think it was a fit subject for young girls. ‘It’ll save me having to do them tomorrow.’ She waited until her daughter was out of the way, then with her head bent and a finger running along the plush of the chenille tablecloth, she began to speak.

  Amy opened her mouth several times, her face red with anger and disgust, but Mary silenced her with a shake of her head. However, keeping silent didn’t sit well with the big woman and she could be heard muttering under her breath, ‘The bleedin’ bitch, she deserves to be skinned alive.’

  Molly, who didn’t know anything about a baby, listened with mounting horror. And when Mary had finished, the Irishwoman made the sign of the cross and said, ‘In the name of God, what sort of a person is she?’

  ‘A very wicked woman, Molly.’

  Amy had so much to say she spluttered. ‘What did I tell yer, girl? Didn’t I say it might not be yer dad’s baby? It was the first thing I thought of when yer told me. But yer wouldn’t have it, would yer?’

  ‘Me dad didn’t give a hint that it wasn’t his, so why would I think different? He probably thought it was the easiest way out. But that bitch has ruined his life. He didn’t look his age until she got her claws into him, now he’s old and haggard. He looks so unhappy, as if he’s got the troubles of the world on his shoulders.’

  ‘So he doesn’t know what yer’ve found out?’ Amy asked. And when Mary shook her head, her neighbour tutted. ‘What are yer going to do about it? If I was in your shoes, and it was my dad, I’d break her bleedin’ neck for her.’

  ‘Stan thinks we should get her out of me dad’s house without him knowing anything about it until it’s all over. So I’ve got a plan in me head, which might work, but I’d need the help of me friends. That’s why I asked yer over.’

  Amy lifted her ample bosom and laid it on the table so she could lean forward. ‘If yer want someone to kick her out, I’ll be more than willing to do the job. It’s what yer dad should have done ages ago, when he first found out what she was really like.’

  ‘Me dad hasn’t got the strength to argue, never mind throw her out. But I’ll do that, with the help of me mam’s old neighbours. That’s why I kept Laura off, for some moral support. What I’m short of, is someone who’ll go and see Charlie’s mother and tell her she’s going to be a grandmother. Her son’s got this girl in the family way, her parents are throwing her out and she’s nowhere to go. Under no circumstances is me dad’s name to be mentioned, or our real names.’

  ‘I’ll do that,’ Amy said, with a look of relish. ‘I’m good at that sort of thing. What did yer say her name was, Hettie Owens? Well, I’m sure me and Hettie will get on like a house on fire. I’ll have her feeling heartily sorry for the girl and the unborn baby what her son is the father of. What I won’t tell her, is that the girl in question is the devil in disguise.’

  ‘Yer’d have to be diplomatic, Amy. She wouldn’t have to know who yer are in case it gets back to me dad. He’d never show his face around here again if he thought everyone knew his business.’

  Molly read the misgiving on Mary’s face and was quick to reassure her. ‘Don’t you worry, me darlin’, I’ll go with Amy and we’ll be discretion itself.’

  Amy’s eyes flew sideways. ‘What did yer say we’ll be, Molly?’

  ‘Discreet, me darlin’. We’ll be careful what we say.’

  ‘Oh aye, we’ll be that. I’m good at being careful, I am.’

  Mary wrote the address down and they discussed how the two women should go about it. Then she told them of her plans to get her mam’s old friends to rally round and help her put the frighteners on Celia. ‘I know things don’t always go to plan, but I hope these do. I said so many prayers last night, God must surely have heard them.’

  ‘When we’ve done our bit, d’yer want us to go up to yer dad’s?’ Amy asked. ‘To let yer know how we got on?’

  ‘Call in to Monica Platt’s first, see how the land lies. Celia isn’t going to take this without putting up a fight, I can tell yer.’

  ‘Yer’ll have Laura with yer, so it’s two against one.’ Amy showed her serious side. ‘Just keep thinking of yer dad and what she’s done to him. And what she’s done to the home yer mam was so proud of. That should give yer enough courage to belt merry hell out of her.’

  Molly pushed her chair back. ‘Let’s go and get dressed properly, Amy, and make a start. We need to get there early before the woman goes to the shops.’

  Mary waved them off, then called Laura. ‘Ten minutes, sunshine, then we’re on our way.’

  Amy put on her brightest smile when the door opened. ‘Hello, are you Hettie Owens?’

  The woman smiled back. She was quite tall, ramrod straight, with steel-grey hair plaited into a bun at the nape of her neck. ‘That’s me, queen, can I help yer?’

  ‘We’d like a word with yer, if yer don’t mind. It’s about your Charlie.’

  The door was opened wider and the woman stepped back. ‘Come in.’

  The hallway and living room were spotlessly clean. Furniture highly polished, grate rubbed until you could see your face in it, and the brass companion set gleaming. ‘Yer’ve got a nice house, Mrs Owens,’ Molly said, trying to hide her Irish accent which would be a dead giveaway. ‘It’s a credit to yer.’

  ‘Thank yer, queen. And the name’s Hettie, that’s what everybody calls me.’ Hettie gestured towards the couch. ‘Sit down and take the weight off yer feet.’ She sat in a rocking chair at the side of the fireplace. ‘Did yer want to leave a message for Charlie?’

  ‘Well, no, not really.’ Amy pulled a face. ‘I don’t know whether this will be good news for yer, or bad. But your Charlie’s been a naughty boy, and he’s put a girl in the family way. Well, she’s not a girl really, she’s in her th
irties. But her family are up in arms about it and they’re going to throw her out. She’ll be on the streets today, with nowhere to go. Being a mother meself, I didn’t think yer’d want that to happen, not when your Charlie has admitted to everyone that he’s the father.’

  The rocking chair stopped and Hettie looked shocked to the core. ‘I don’t know nothing about this, Charlie hasn’t said a word. Does he know this woman’s being thrown out?’

  ‘That I couldn’t tell yer, Hettie. It’s just that I know the family and they’re very religious. They’re mortified with the shame their daughter’s brought on the house. So I just thought yer should know, seeing as the baby will be your grandchild. If it was me, I’d take the girl in, rather than see her roaming the streets looking for somewhere to lay her head. I’d feel it was my Christian duty.’

  ‘What’s this girl’s name?’ Hettie asked, some colour returning to her cheeks. ‘And where does she live?’

  ‘Her name’s Celia, but that’s all I’m going to tell yer. After all, it’s got nothing to do with me, except I couldn’t live with meself if I hadn’t tried to do something. I’m not so worried about the girl, it’s the baby I’m thinking of. And I can tell just by looking at yer, Hettie, that yer’ve got a kind heart. So ask Charlie when he comes in, he’ll tell yer all yer want to know.’ It took three attempts before Amy could push herself up off the low couch. ‘I know yer’ll see yer son does the right thing and I’m glad me and – er – and Margaret came. My name’s Olive, by the way.’

  Hettie looked shell-shocked as she followed them down the hall. ‘How can I get in touch with yer, if I need to?’

  ‘I’ve done what I thought I had to, Hettie. I don’t want to get involved any more. Have a word with yer son ’cos, after all, it is his baby.’

  Amy linked her arm through Molly’s and the two women set off down the street, leaving Charlie’s mother with very unChristian feelings towards her son. But as the day wore on, and the shock wore off, she began to think it might be nice to be a grandmother. A baby would certainly put a halt to her son’s gallivanting. It was about time he settled down.