Try a Little Tenderness

by Joan Jonker

  ‘Laura’s told me about her Auntie Amy, and I can’t wait to meet her. She sounds like a barrel of fun.’

  Stan grinned. ‘She’s the funniest thing on two legs, son, and as sound as a pound.’ He’d only just finished speaking when there was a knock on the window that had the pane of glass quivering in its frame. ‘Yer didn’t have to wait long, this is her.’

  ‘Oh Lord, look at the state of the place.’ Mary tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. ‘Dirty dishes still on the table and me without the energy to move.’

  ‘I’ll clear the table, Mam.’ Jenny was already collecting the plates. ‘Laura can open the front door.’

  Amy waddled in, followed by Molly. ‘Is your Laura stuck to that feller? Silly buggers, they shouldn’t mess around with glue, their hands are stuck together now. We had to flamingwell squeeze past them.’

  ‘This is me boyfriend, Auntie Amy,’ Laura looked so proud as she said it, ‘and his name’s Gary. I told him all about yer and he said he was dying to meet yer.’

  Amy stretched to her full height, which was up to Gary’s chest. ‘Me reputation has gone before me, has it? Anyway, lad, it’s nice to meet yer.’ Amy pumped his hand before saying, ‘This is me partner in crime, Molly Moynihan.’

  Molly held out her hand. ‘It’s a pleasure, so it is. Mary has told us about yer.’

  ‘Will yer all sit down,’ Mary said, ‘yer make the place look untidy.’ She noticed Laura was still gripping Gary’s hand. ‘If ye’re not going to let go, you two had better sit on the couch.’

  Amy gave Stan a dig in the arm before plonking herself on one of the wooden chairs. ‘Eh, Stan, have yer heard I’ve added another string to me bow? I’m in the acting lark now, and if I do say so meself, Ethel Barrymore’s got nothing on me.’ She leaned forward to seek confirmation from Molly, and being top heavy, nearly overbalanced. Everyone held their breath as she steadied herself, and laughed when she muttered, ‘God strewth, I nearly went arse over elbow.’ She covered them all with her cheeky grin. ‘Anyway, Molly, me darlin’, am I right about me acting, or am I right?’

  ‘Yer were so convincing, me darlin’, didn’t meself get carried along? I felt so sorry for the pregnant girl who was being thrown out by her family, I only just stopped meself in time from saying I had a spare room she could have. And didn’t poor Hettie Owens look as though she’d been struck by lightning?’

  ‘Amy has that effect on people, Molly,’ Mary said. ‘I often feel I’ve been struck by a thunderbolt.’

  ‘It’s what yer need, girl.’ Amy’s chins did a quickstep as she nodded her head. ‘Ye’re that bleedin’ slow on the uptake, sometimes I feel like sticking a firework up a certain part of yer – er – yer atemy.’

  ‘The word is anatomy, Amy,’ Mary told her, biting on the inside of her cheek to keep a smile at bay, ‘and I’d prefer yer not to mention my unmentionables in mixed company, if yer don’t mind.’

  The chair seat was hidden under Amy’s rather large bottom, but it creaked its protest when she shook with laughter. ‘Ay, girl, if I had to go through life without mentioning the unmentionables, I’d never open me bleedin’ gob! And, anyway, God gave us everything we’ve got, and He wouldn’t have done if we couldn’t mention them.’ There was more than a hint of mischief in the look she gave Mary. ‘Or make good use of them. I can’t speak for you lot, but me and Ben make good use of what the Lord gave us.’

  Mary capitulated and chuckled when she said, ‘This is only the second time Gary’s been in this house, and the poor lad must be wondering what sort of family and friends Laura’s got. I only hope he knows that ye’re just a one-off, there’s no more like you.’

  Gary was in a state of bliss. Holding the hand of the girl he was head over heels in love with, and being made welcome in a home full of warmth and friendliness – well, his cup of happiness was overflowing. ‘I’m not easily offended, Mrs Nightingale, and I’m really enjoying meself. I just wish me mam was here, she’d be in her apple-cart.’

  ‘You bring her to me, son,’ Amy said, ‘I’ll teach her a thing or two.’

  Gary burst out laughing. ‘Yer don’t know me mam – there’s not much she doesn’t know. In fact, she could probably teach you a thing or two.’

  Amy studied him for a while before turning to Mary. ‘Ay, girl, he’s all right. Your Laura has her Auntie Amy’s permission to court him.’

  Laura finally let go of Gary’s hand and jumped up. She gave Amy a big hug and said, ‘I’m glad ye’re me auntie.’ Then she turned to her mother. ‘Me and Gary will wash the dishes, Mam, and I can tell him what we did today. Then I want to take him to meet Cynthia.’

  ‘Is it all right if I go and get changed, Mam?’ Jenny asked. ‘I’m going down to Auntie Lizzie’s with Mick.’

  ‘Yes, to both of yer. But remember, Grandad’s business is his own and that’s the way it stays. It is not a subject for discussion.’ She gazed at her two daughters who seemed to have changed overnight from young girls to young ladies. ‘Anyway, I’m sure yer’ve got more important things to talk about.’

  Cynthia weighed Gary up as they shook hands. He was certainly everything that Laura had said he was. ‘Well, we meet at last. I was beginning to think yer were a figment of me mate’s imagination.’

  ‘No, I am real, I can assure yer. And I hope we’ll be seeing a lot of each other from now on. Laura tells me yer’ve been friends since yer started school.’

  ‘Yeah, a real pair of horrors we were. Anyway, come and meet me mam and dad. I’m expecting Bill any minute – perhaps we can go for a walk and get to know each other?’

  ‘Ooh, yeah, I’d like that,’ Laura said. ‘I want us all to be friends. Is that all right with you, Gary?’

  ‘Anything you want, babe, suits me. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.’

  Cynthia’s parents made him welcome and were soon engaged in an easygoing conversation. Fanny Pennington was finding a peace in her home she had not experienced since her daughter was old enough to know she could get her own way if she played up to her father. But those bad days were behind them now, never to return. Her husband treated her with affection and respect, and her daughter with a love that grew stronger every day.

  When Bill arrived, Gary noticed he greeted Cynthia with a kiss, and he promised himself he’d do the same next time he called for Laura. After all, he was nearly nineteen; he wasn’t a kid.

  ‘D’yer feel like a walk, Bill?’ Cynthia asked, after introductions were made. ‘Just for an hour or so.’

  ‘Yeah, that’s fine.’

  ‘I’ll go up and get me coat, then. Come up with me, Laura – I’ve got something I want to show yer.’

  Cynthia closed the bedroom door behind her and leaned back against it. ‘Well, did yer do it, kid?’

  Laura nodded. ‘Celia’s out of me dad’s house now, and although we’re not sure, we think she may have gone to Charlie’s. Gary will find out ’cos he knows people who know Charlie and his mam. I haven’t got time to tell yer now ’cos it would take too long. I’ll come down tomorrow afternoon and we can have a good chinwag. But it would never have happened if you hadn’t told me straight what a bitch I’ve been.’

  ‘We’ve both been, kid, not just you. Anyway, I’m happy for yer mam and yer grandad. And I’ve got to say, I think Gary’s smashing. We’ve both done well – better, I suppose, than we deserve. I for one know how lucky I am, with Bill.’

  ‘Me too! I love the bones of Gary, and me mam, dad and Jenny. They’ve been really brilliant with me. I’m going to make it up to them, I’ve promised meself that.’

  ‘Going out with Gary will help yer. When yer love someone, it doesn’t half change yer. I was as hard as nails before Bill came along, now I’m as sentimental as anyone can get.’

  Laura smiled. ‘I know, don’t tell me: “Try a little tenderness”.’

  ‘That’s it, kiddo! Keep singing the song.’ Cynthia opened the wardrobe and took out her best coat. ‘Wouldn’t it be smashing if we both
got engaged on the same day?’

  ‘It would be more than smashing, it would be heaven.’

  ‘Janet’s late,’ Jenny said as they sat in Lizzie’s. ‘Didn’t she say she’d meet us here, John?’

  John looked at the clock and nodded. ‘I think I’ll take a walk round there, see what’s keeping her. I won’t be long.’

  ‘If Mrs Porter opens the door, and she’s got a rolling pin in her hand, run like hell.’ Mick chortled. ‘I’ve heard she’s got a good aim.’ As John was opening the front door, his mate yelled, ‘Ay, yer didn’t kiss Janet good-night last night, did yer? If yer did, then I’d start running now if I were you.’

  John set off with a grin on his face. He’d only ever kissed Janet on the cheek – surely that didn’t warrant a bash on the head? As he turned into the side street, he told himself it didn’t seem the same in Auntie Lizzie’s without her.

  Martha Porter opened the door. ‘Come in, son, she’s upstairs putting the finishing touches to herself. She’s been that long getting ready, anyone would think she was going to a ball.’

  ‘I heard that, Mam.’ Janet came slowly down the stairs. ‘I haven’t been that long, only an hour.’ When she reached the bottom stair, she patted her hair, which was a mass of shining curls. ‘Me mam bought me some curling tongs and it took me ages to get the hang of them. I hope I look all right.’ She stared at John. ‘Well, John Hanley, have I made a mess of meself?’

  With her mother looking on, John blushed. ‘No, it looks great.’

  ‘Right, then, we’ll be off. I won’t be late, Mam.’

  They reached the top of her street and when she hadn’t spoken one word, John asked, ‘It’s not like you to be so quiet, curly top. What’s wrong?’

  ‘I was thinking. In fact, John, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking these last few days. The last few months, really, but it’s only the last few days that are important.’

  ‘That’s a lot of thinking for you, Jan, what’s on yer mind?’

  Janet sighed. ‘Can we stand here, on the corner, while I tell yer? I don’t want to say anything in front of the others.’

  John cupped her elbow and led her to stand against a high wall. ‘Don’t look so serious, curly top, I don’t like to see yer with a frown on yer face. So come on, get whatever it is off yer chest.’

  ‘Well, I know you and Mick both wanted Jenny to be yer girlfriend, I’ve always known it. And now she’s definitely promised to be Mick’s, I don’t want yer to say yer’ll be me boyfriend just because of that. Yer see, I’d be second choice then, and I don’t want to be yer second choice, John.’

  John closed his eyes and let his head drop back for a second. ‘I wouldn’t do that to yer, Janet. I wouldn’t want to spend me life with someone who was me second choice.’ His forehead creased as he sought the right words. ‘I’ve lived next door to Jenny since she was born and she’s always been special to me – always will be. And she was twelve and a half when Mick told me he was waiting for her to grow up, then he’d ask her to be his girl. He said he’d loved her since he was six years of age and she was a toddler. I was jealous and told him to get in the queue. And over the years, we’ve acted out the part of rivals. We’ve had a lot of fun doing it, ’cos he is me best mate and we like to clown around. I’ve gone along with it without really giving it any thought.’ He reached for Janet’s hand. ‘Then you came on the scene and it was nice being with yer ’cos yer made me laugh.’

  ‘Yer mean yer thought I was daft.’

  ‘Yes, to be honest, I did! But I know now there’s nothing daft about yer. Yer’ve wormed yer way into my affections, and woven a spell around me heart. I didn’t know this was happening until the night of yer birthday party. And even then I wouldn’t believe it because me and Mick were still acting as rivals and it had become a habit. The test came the other night when Mick said Jenny had agreed to be his girlfriend. I expected to feel angry, or sad, but I didn’t. It was the end of a chapter in me life, but not the end of the story. I love Mick as much as I love Jenny, and nothing will ever change that.’

  ‘Ye’re talking a lot, John Hanley, but yer not saying what I want to hear. So will yer get on with it, please?’

  John grinned, thinking life would never be dull with her. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he bent to put his face on a level with hers. ‘If I’d had any doubts, they disappeared when I was sitting waiting for yer in Auntie Lizzie’s. It wasn’t the same without yer, and I got this terrible thought that yer might have dumped me. Because if yer won’t be me girlfriend I don’t know what I’ll do – probably join the Foreign Legion.’

  ‘Then for heaven’s sake, ask me!’

  ‘Janet, curly top, darling, will yer be me girlfriend?’

  ‘Yes, John Hanley, I will.’ There was a twinkle in her eyes. ‘If I remember rightly, Jenny got a kiss from Mick.’

  John feigned a look of horror. ‘Oh no, not without asking yer mam first!’

  ‘I don’t tell me mam everything.’

  ‘Yer mean right here on the street?’

  Janet pulled his head down, and when their lips met John didn’t see the woman who nearly walked into a lamp-post because she was watching them instead of where she was going. And all thoughts of rolling pins fled. He was experiencing a sensation he’d never felt before, and loving it. ‘Wow! Even me toes have curled up.’

  ‘Yer can have another one when yer walk me home.’

  ‘Oh no, curly top, not until I’ve asked yer mam and dad if I can start taking yer out.’

  ‘Yer don’t need to do that – I’ll tell them.’

  ‘I’ll do the job properly, so until then, don’t act daft.’

  She pulled on his coat-sleeve as they started to walk. ‘I’m not daft, John Hanley. I’ve got you, and I think that’s very clever of me.’

  ‘Where the heck have yer been?’ Jenny asked as she let them in. ‘We were getting very worried about yer.’

  Janet’s face was one big smile. ‘I’m sorry if yer’ve been worried, Auntie Lizzie, but I’ve just been proposed to and had me first kiss.’

  John doubled up, his laughter louder than anyone’s. ‘I haven’t proposed to yer, curly top!’ He spluttered. ‘Yer only do that when yer want to get engaged or married.’

  But Janet had her own ideas on that. ‘Yer can’t get engaged or married without courting first, can yer? I mean, yer’ve got to start somewhere, and you’ve just proposed that I be yer girlfriend. If yer hadn’t done that, we’d never be able to get engaged or married ’cos I’d be a stranger to yer.’

  Jenny hugged her friend. ‘There’s logic in there somewhere, Jan, and when I’m in bed tonight I’ll try and figure it out.’

  Lizzie wiped her eyes. ‘Oh dear, you’ll never know what joy you children have brought me. In all me eighty odd years I’ve never laughed as much as I have since I fell off the front step. It was the best thing I ever did.’

  Mick said, ‘She’s got me thinking now. I think I’d better go over it all again ’cos I’d hate it if I could never get engaged or married to yer, Jenny.’ He went down on one knee and took her hand. ‘Jenny Nightingale, will yer be my girlfriend?’

  Jenny’s infectious giggle rang out and her pretty face was a joy to behold. ‘Yes I will, Mick Moynihan, with the greatest of pleasure.’

  Lizzie was saying a little prayer, asking God to leave her on this earth long enough to see these two couples happily married and settled down.

  Mick and Jenny stood with their arms around each other’s waists and watched their best friends walking down the street. Janet had a habit of moving her head when she spoke, so they knew she was talking fifteen to the dozen. Then they saw John pull her to him as his laughter filled the night air.

  ‘They were made for each other, them two,’ Mick said. ‘I’ve been telling him for ages that she was the one for him, but he wouldn’t have it.’ He gave a quick glance around before planting a kiss on her cheek. ‘Just like we were made for each other.’

  They were
so engrossed in their own little world, high on excitement and emotion, they didn’t see the courting couple until they nearly stumbled over them.

  ‘Sorry, pal,’ Mick said. ‘We weren’t looking where we were going.’

  Laura and Gary broke apart, but it was with reluctance. ‘I’m afraid we weren’t looking either,’ Gary laughed. ‘We were otherwise engaged.’

  ‘Ay, our kid, I’m older than you so I’m pulling rank on yer.’ Laura’s white teeth flashed when she smiled. ‘This is our spot.’

  Mick didn’t like the sound of that. ‘And I suppose yer’ll be seeing each other every night, will yer?’

  Laura put her arms around Gary’s waist and her voice was husky. ‘Every night, even Sunday.’

  ‘Then we’ll have to come to some arrangement,’ Mick said. ‘You stay this side of the window, and me and Jenny will take the other. And they’ll be reserved places.’

  ‘Suits me fine.’ Gary moved Laura the yard needed to make it fair. ‘It’s best we know where we stand.’

  ‘Right, pal.’ Mick pulled Jenny into his arms, then looked across at the other couple. ‘And no peeking, right?’

  It was Jenny’s giggle which alerted Mary. She left her chair and crossed to the window. Moving the draw curtain just a little, she looked out and smiled. Both her daughters were in safe hands, they’d never come to any harm from the boys they had chosen.

  ‘Ay, Stan, come and see this. Things have moved faster this week than I thought. Yer two daughters are standing outside, in their boyfriends’ arms being kissed very soundly.’

  Stan joined her at the window. ‘We shouldn’t be doing this, yer know – they’d go mad if they knew.’ But wrong or not, he couldn’t resist a peep. ‘It takes yer back, doesn’t it, love? Twenty years ago, we were doing the same thing.’ He took her hand from the curtain and let it fall back into place. ‘I don’t see why they should have all the fun. We’re not too old to enjoy a kiss and a cuddle.’

  Mary walked into his arms, tilted her head back and waited for the kiss that could still send tingles down her spine. ‘This has got to be the happiest day of my life, Stan Nightingale.’