by Jacky Gray
‘You must feel very proud of yourself taking on someone so much older and wiser than you are.’
‘Very funny. She winds me up with all that holier-than-thou turning the other cheek she does. No matter how foul I am to her she just seems to bounce back and keep trying to make friends. It’s not normal.’
‘So you’re nasty to her because she’s nice to you. That makes sense.’
‘It does to me. I didn’t stand a chance of piercing her shiny-happy barrier until you turned up.’ She flicked water at him as she gloated. ‘Now I can break her, thanks to you. When she lied about making out with you ...’
‘So you knew she was lying all along. That we weren’t doing anything wrong.’
‘Of course I did. But it’s too late now.’
Archer was going to say something about what a nasty piece of work she was, but they heard Penny asking Rory to take the cups through to the kitchen. Mandy wound her arms round his head, with a whisper. ‘This is your chance to make her believe it.’ She pressed her lips to his as he heard the door open.
~*~
Friday brought with it bad news, Rory was to spend the next week at Penny’s while Lynette went down to London on a training course. This meant that Archer’s supposed relationship with Mandy would be on show all week, but something really strange happened on the Saturday. The girls went into town as normal, dressed in their outrageous costumes and he did not see them return.
When she came down for the evening meal, Mandy was not the same girl at all; everything had undergone a radical transformation. The pink Mohican was replaced by long golden curls and the extreme make-up had disappeared, it looked as though she wasn’t wearing any at all. A floral skirt swung down past her knees and her blouse was a soft gypsy style which covered the tattooed flesh she liked to expose at her midriff and shoulders.
Archer stood to help her into a seat and she actually blushed as she thanked him, meeting his eyes shyly from under lowered lashes.
‘Why Mandy, how lovely you look. I always knew there was a pretty girl under all that muck. Doesn’t she look lovely, Todd?’ Penny’s comment included Archer and he couldn’t help but nod his agreement as Todd muttered something about hardly recognising her.
‘Thank you, Aunt Penny. I think it’s all down to you really, you have made me so welcome here, all of you.’ In case anyone doubted she was particularly talking about Archer, she put her hand over his where it lay on the table. Normally he would have moved his immediately, but her touch was brief as she continued, ‘I’m really sorry if I’ve been horrid to live with for the past few months, but you are all showing me that people do care about us, even if Mum and Dad don’t.’
Although Kellie hadn’t changed her appearance, she too seemed to be influenced by her sister’s humble manner, adding her appreciation. They were accomplished actresses and Penny and Todd seemed completely taken in by their performances. Tom didn’t pay much attention, apart from a comment that she “cleaned up pretty well.” Archer was sure it was some kind of massive deception. One she seemed intent on maintaining, even when no-one else was around to observe it. ‘Could you help me with some homework Archer? I’ve got a modular exam coming up and I’m hopeless at physics.’
‘Can my ears be deceiving me? You want to study on a Saturday night?’ Penny was astounded.
Mandy’s face was the picture of sincerity as she explained that the careers teacher said she needed to get a good grade in science if she wanted to try nursing.
‘That’s a worthwhile career, but it means a lot of hard work.’
‘I know, but it’s something I have to do. We saw a film on abused children which really affected me. I realised how silly I’d been, feeling sorry for myself when there are babies out there suffering terrible things because their parents are junkies or alcoholics. I can help because I understand how they feel.’
‘It sounds awful, but if it’s made you realise there are people worse off than you, that’s a good thing. I think it’s a noble ambition and I’m sure we’ll all do everything we can to help you succeed, won’t we Archer?’ Penny’s smile warmed the room.
‘Sure. I’d be pleased to help.’ Surprisingly, he meant it.
‘The exam’s not until Friday. My science teacher has given me a revision plan, but I think I’ll need to do more than an hour every night to catch up with everything.’
‘I’m sure Archer will be able to sort you out, he’s good at science.’ Penny nodded toward Archer.
Mandy’s voice sounded sincere as she turned to him. ‘Only if you can spare the time, I know you’ve got your own work to do.’ She seemed to be concerned about someone else apart from herself for the first time since he had met her.
So he came to know a different Mandy, someone with a quick brain and a cynical view of life that made her witty observations on the people around her cruelly accurate. Her desire to study seemed genuine and because many of the topics involved areas of his expertise, they formed a good working relationship. It wasn’t just the change in her appearance or motivation to study, she really did seem to become much nicer in her treatment of Archer, no longer trying to impose herself on him physically. She kept a discrete distance away from him as he helped her to study and the only contact was occasional light, friendly gestures like a brief high five or a punch on the shoulder if he teased her. He found himself teasing her more and more lately as he had in his dealings with Rory.
Rory came on Monday, and if she saw any change in her former tormentor’s behaviour she made no comment about it. Mandy went out of her way to talk to her former victim. ‘Look, I’m sorry if I was rotten to you. There was no excuse really, but I’ve seen the error of my ways and I’m trying to be a better person. I hope you’ll find it within you to forgive me.’ She held out her hand but Rory just raised her eyebrows slightly and walked straight past.
Mandy shrugged. ‘Oh dear, it looks like I hurt her too deeply.’
Archer tried not to show his concern at Rory’s uncharacteristic behaviour. ‘I’m sure she’ll come round. Maybe she just had a bad day.’
‘That’s one of the things I love about you.’ She squeezed his hand demurely. ‘You refuse to see the bad in anyone, even me.’
They jumped as the kitchen door slammed.
23 Is she really going out with him?
‘Rory, you made me jump, slamming the door like that.’
‘Sorry Aunt Penny, the wind must have caught it.’
Penny frowned, none of the doors or windows were open and there was no wind to speak of. She tried her normal remedy for the ills of all children. ‘Help yourself to a flapjack, they’ve got a special little surprise.’
‘Thank you, but I’d like a cup of chocolate please.’
Raising her eyebrows at the unusual request, Penny switched the kettle on. ‘Want to talk about it?’
‘No. Yes. I don’t know. What does she think she’s playing at?’ Rory inspected a flapjack for the surprise.
‘Who dear? Has someone been annoying you at school?’
‘That … Mandy. Who does she think she’s fooling, dressing all Sandra Dee and acting meek and mild?’
‘Dressing all Sandra Dee?’ Penny paused in her search for the chocolate tin. It was on the counter. ‘You mean because she’s not wearing all that war paint and showing off her tattoos?’
‘And why a blonde Cinderella wig? I’d have thought Cruella de Ville was more her style.’
‘All that hair won’t grow back straightaway. Maybe she’s experimenting with different styles until she finds one that suits her.’ Penny poured the boiling water and stirred.
‘In that case, she’d be head-to-toe in black with blood dripping from her teeth and nails.’
‘Eugh, sounds like someone’s been watching too many horror movies.’ Penny was concerned, she had never seen her little charge so negative about anything or anyone. ‘Try not to judge her too harshly my dear, she’s been through a hard time of it lately.’
‘Hard tim
e is what she gives everyone else.’ Rory muttered under her breath.
Penny didn’t hear the words, but the sentiment was obvious from her young charge’s expression. ‘Mandy seems to have turned over a new leaf and is trying really hard. It wouldn’t hurt you to show a little mercy and try to forgive whatever she has done to you.’
Rory took a deep breath to calm herself down and blew on the hot drink before taking a sip. So the witch had Aunt Penny fooled, but hopefully Archer would be able to see through her.
Except that he seemed to be under some kind of spell too. In fact, everyone at the dinner table was completely taken in by her. Mandy was utterly convincing in this new role, going from evil brat monster to caring, considerate geek in a heartbeat. There was none of the attention-seeking attitude she displayed on their previous meal together.
Rory watched her tormentor blend modestly into the background and appear genuinely interested when Uncle Todd talked about an incident at the laboratory where he worked. Mandy listened to his tale without interruption or ridicule and asked intelligent questions about what had happened. He seemed to appreciate her attention, saying more than Rory had ever heard him say at one meal time; usually he seemed miles away, probably still at work inside his head.
It was obvious that Archer’s attitude toward Mandy had changed, he was actually starting to like her. When they last ate together, Rory could tell that Archer was not entirely comfortable with Mandy’s constant stroking and patting, despite his efforts to appear friendly and not to flinch when she touched him. But this time, on the few occasions she accidentally brushed his fingers or knocked his elbow, his body did not cringe away. It was this, finally, which gave Rory her first doubts. Could she be wrong about Mandy? Was it possible that someone with such a black heart could actually turn into a nice person?
It certainly seemed so, if you believed the evidence of your eyes and ears. Gone was the vicious, self-centred flirt who dressed like a tarty punk. In her place was a humble, generous sweetheart whose outfits would not have looked out of place in church. After three days of nothing but sweetness and light, there was no evidence of any cracks in her façade, she seemed able to maintain this gentle persona with no effort. Rory was a little curious where her new wardrobe had come from, but on the fourth day she started to mix and match the new stuff with items from her old wardrobe, using scarves and a prim little cardigan to cover areas of flesh she would previously have flaunted.
The scary thing was, the way she was being nice to Rory. More than just polite, actively taking an interest in her wellbeing. She asked about her day at school, offered to help with her homework and stayed in the kitchen when Rory insisted on doing her share of the chores.
‘It’s all right, you don’t need to help, you did it yesterday.’ The last thing Rory wanted was to be alone with her – change or no change.
‘I know, but it doesn’t seem right somehow, you’re so much younger than everyone else and you’re really still a guest who just happens to be staying a few extra days.’
Rory relented. ‘Well it would be useful, I can’t reach the high cupboard without standing on a stool.’
‘No problem, I’ll get those. You do the plates and cutlery.’
Tom finished washing up and disappeared quickly without rinsing off the pots and pans properly, so Mandy did that while Rory dried the knives and forks. She seemed to want to talk, but her first question was upsetting. ‘How are you holding up without your mum? Penny said she’s never been away this long before.’
‘I’m fine, thank you.’
‘You must be missing her though.’
‘She rings up every night just before I go to bed and tells me about her day and sends me a goodnight kiss.’
‘Ahhh, that’s so sweet. It must be nice to have that kind of relationship with your mum. My mum couldn’t care less about me or Kellie, she never has.’
‘She must have done once, when you were little.’
‘Nope. She was too busy tarting around. She worked as a barmaid and we never saw her in the evenings.’
‘Somebody must have cared about you or you wouldn’t have been educated as well as you are.’
Mandy put the last pan away then stood still as the memories took over. ‘My gran brought us up back then, she was well strict. We hated it at the time, but I guess we’ve got lots to thank her for.’
Rory finished by wiping down the draining board and kitchen table. ‘Thanks for your help.’
‘Don’t mention it. Any time. Do you really think I’m well educated?’
‘Yes. I can tell when you’re talking to Archer that you’re a lot smarter than you make out. I think you could make it into nursing if that’s what you want to do.’
Mandy gave a modest little look. ‘It’s nice of you to say so, but I don’t know if I’m cut out for all that hard work.’ She was almost out of the door when she stopped and turned around. ‘You never talk about your dad. Do you ever get to see him?’
A cloud came over Rory’s face, spoiling the brief camaraderie they had shared. ‘No,’ was all she would say. Mandy took the hint and left.
24 This Kiss
‘Where have you been? I thought we were going to look at those electricity and magnetism questions tonight.’
‘Sorry Archer, I was just giving Rory a hand in the kitchen. Don’t look at me like that, I didn’t think it was fair she should do all the drying up. It was a good job I did, she couldn’t reach up to put the glasses away.’
Archer looked down at the revision guide. He really had heard it all now. Then Rory came out of the kitchen and it was quite obvious she’d been crying. ‘Rory. Are you ok? What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing.’ She ran past them, heading for the stairs.
Dropping the book, he gave Mandy a look which suggested she was responsible and ran after Rory. But when he reached her bedroom, she shut the door. He tapped on it. ‘Rory, it’s Archer, let me in.’
‘Go away.’
He knocked harder. ‘Please Rory. I need to know what happened.’
‘Just leave me alone.’
‘Only if you open the door and show me you’re not hurt.’
After a pause, he heard the bed springs creak and soft footsteps padded to the door. She opened it a little way. ‘I’m not hurt, I’m just missing my mum.’
‘So Mandy didn’t do anything to make you cry?’
‘No, she was being really helpful. Can I go now?’
‘Sure. Sorry, I was a bit worried, that’s all.’ She shut the door as he slowly turned away.
‘Worried that I’d held her arm over the gas flame?’ Mandy’s voice was low and full of sorrow. ‘That’s what happened to one kid on that film they showed us.’
He jumped at her voice; his concern for Rory meant he hadn’t heard her approach. ‘No, I didn’t think that, it’s just that you have been pretty horrible to her in the past.’
‘And a leopard can’t change its spots, right.’
‘I don’t know what you mean.’
‘I mean no matter how much I try to change into the sort of girl you might like, you still think I’m just a nasty bitch who would bully a younger kid.’ Despite the bitterness in her tone, she still had not raised her voice much above a whisper.
‘That’s not true. I know you’ve been trying hard all week to be a nicer person. I can’t believe you were just doing that to impress me. Is that the only reason?’
She looked down at the floor and wouldn’t meet his eyes. As he waited, she shook her head, ever so slightly. He closed the gap between them and lifted her chin until she was looking into his eyes. Unshed tears glittered in the dim hall light. ‘Good, because I really believed that speech when you said about wanting to help abused children. I was really starting to like the new Mandy.’
One of the tears spilled over and rolled down her cheek. He gently smudged it away with his finger, which stayed on her soft cheek for a little longer than it needed to get the job done.
‘Were
you really?’ The light sparkled in her eyes.
‘Yes.’ He looked into them for a while and decided that he liked what he saw there. Somehow, he seemed to have moved closer so her minty breath cooled his face. It was a moment outside of time, there was nothing else, no sights or sounds or smells, just the two of them, swaying slightly. Their lips seemed to be drawn together with an irresistible force like different poles on magnets. Then his lips met hers in a kiss so gentle that he wasn’t actually sure they had touched at all. He over-balanced slightly and put his hand on her arm. She did the same.
When Rory’s door opened, it was a deafening sound, but her tiny gasp was even louder in his ears. The door closed with a very final click.
He shook his head. The moment was everything Mandy had craved. She had made him kiss her like he really meant it, right under Rory’s nose. If it had all been an act, she should have been celebrating her complete and absolute victory over Rory and Archer. But there was none of that. She blushed red and actually looked embarrassed. ‘Oh dear, we shouldn’t be doing that here. We’d better go.’
‘Where to, your room?’
‘No.’
‘Of course not, Kellie will be there. My room then?’
‘No. I … actually, I’m not really that sort of girl at all. It was just a rebellion.’
‘Yeah right. So when you put your hand on my thigh you were just looking for …?
‘Your hand. I wanted to hold your hand.’
‘Right. I believe you. Millions wouldn’t.’
She giggled. ‘You really must stop watching those old re-runs on TV. Your jokes are sooo old.’
