The Burnley Boys

by Drew Black

  14

  The taxi pulled up in front of Jack's house at two minutes to eight, by which time his mood had lifted considerably. Now that the evening was actually upon him, he found himself quite looking forward to it. He had no idea what the plan was only that it involved a meal. Well he hoped it did anyway because he was absolutely starving.

  The taxi honked twice just as Jack emerged from his house. The air was chilly, and he could feel light rain against his face. The taxi's engine idled, Jack seeing that Tom was occupying the front seat opened the back door. He peered in and saw Jane, she looked absolutely stunning. His heart picked up a pace. "Hi everyone." he said as he got in and sat down.

  "Ay-ah buddy, are you up for it? Tom said turning around from his position in the front seat.

  "Up for what?" Jack asked feeling a little confused.

  "A good boogie, what did you think I meant?"

  Helen cast Tom a stern glance to which he raised his eyebrows as if to say; what have I done now?

  "I thought we were going for a meal." Jack replied his stomach churning at the prospect of no food and a shed load of alcohol.

  "We are going for a meal Jack." Helen said. "Take no notice of him."

  "Thank God for that, I haven't eaten all day." Jack's stomach settled back down. He could smell perfume; it was quite intoxicating.

  "We're going to Ray's place." Jane said, "You know Ray Strong, don't you Jack."

  "Yeah, I've been meaning to go there for ages, he's had it about twelve months now, hasn't he?"

  "Two years in February." Tom said. " He asks about you every time I go in."

  "I like Ray." Jack said remembering the long hot summers when he was a kid, when they'd all played football together at the reck.

  "Yeah, he's doing alright for himself, it's always busy." Tom said.

  Jane was elated that Jack had decided to come. She hadn't been short of offers since she'd returned home, but he was the one she wanted. She supposed she always had. If things had turned out differently, they may've been married, with a couple of kids by now. Instead she was destined never to have children on account of what that butcher had done to her when she wasn't much more than a child herself. She felt a tear well, and quickly pushed the incident to the back of her mind. She was out with her friends tonight; her true friends and she was determined to enjoy herself. She was home now, Burnley may be a sleepy little town in comparison to London, but the people were a lot friendlier and the streets were a lot safer - or so she thought enroute to one of the best evenings of her life.

  The taxi pulled into the kerb outside Ray's Restaurant and Wine Bar. "That'll be just ten bob guv." the driver said in an amenable tone.

  "Here you are mate, keep the change." Tom said handing the cabbie a pound note.

  "Gee, thanks very much governor, you can ride with us again." the cabbie said handing Tom one of his cards. To the cabbie's surprise Tom ignored the taxi firm's details and flipped the card straight over. Tom found a message written there in black felt-tipped pen; "We're watching you shit-face." it read. He slipped the card into his pocket. "You all go in." he said "I might just have a bit of business I can put K-cab's way."

  "Aw, come on Tom we're on a night out." Helen called back to him as she and Jane hurried to get out of the rain. "He’s always wheeling and dealing," Helen said to Jane in a dismayed tone, "he can't even give it a rest for one night."

  Jack held back; "Everything alright Tom?"

  "Yeah sure buddy, we're thinking of changing our cab firm at work, that's all. You go in you're going to get soaked. I'll be right with you."

  Jack went inside but stopped in the foyer and looked back out through the restaurant's glass doors. It all seemed quite amicable, so he went inside and ordered a round of drinks at the bar.

  "Okay, shit-face, what is all this about?" Tom said fishing the business card out of his pocket.

  "I don't know anything about it, governor, honest. The card was just clipped to my work sheets with a message saying give it to a Mr Tom Ford. It's absolutely nothing to do with me, I swear."

  Tom looked at the driver and said, "smile at me, and pretend we're shooting the breeze. My friend's watching me, so if you value your shitty little life, you'll do as I say."

  The cabbie immediately smiled and pretended to make chit-chat. He just hoped this goon thought it was convincing enough, that's all.

  "Just because you've put a dampener on my night, I'll be damned if you are going to ruin it for my friends."

  The cabbie rambled on until Tom stopped him. "That's enough." he said. "I've got a message of my own for you to deliver back shit-face." Tom paused and smiled to allow a couple to go into the restaurant. He quickly glanced round to make sure no-one was watching them, then grabbed the driver by the scruff of the neck and smashed his face against the steering wheel.

  The cabbie let out an anguished scream that was partly muffled by the sound of the tax's horn. "You’ve broke my Phuckin' nothes." He squealed collecting blood in his hand.

  "What a shame shit-face, that'll teach you to do other people's dirty work for them. Now, if you know what's good for you, you'll get your fat ass out of here as fast as you can and trust me; if I ever see your ugly mug round here again, I'll do a lot more than; break your phuckin' nothes. Do I make myself clear?"

  "Yeth, yeth, cwistal cweer."

  After waving the taxi driver off, Tom checked his clothes and his reflection in the restaurants doors to see if any of the cabbies’ blood had spattered on him, it hadn't. He entered the restaurant whistling the tune to; 'Be My Baby."

  15

  Inside the restaurant Jack was talking to Ray Strong, and sipping his pint, the girls were deep in conversation.

  "Ay-ah buddy." Tom said approaching the bar.

  "Hi Tom." Ray said with a beaming smile on his face.

  Tom offered his hand and Ray shook it, making a sandwich out of it with both of his own, a gesture that Tom detested, but he liked Ray, so he let it slide.

  "God, four old school friends in one night, that can't be bad." Ray said slapping his hands together.

  As Ray engaged in conversation with Helen and Jane Tom couldn't help noticing the way his old mate was eyeing up his sister. Tom smiled to himself as he took a swallow from his pint. Of course, thinking about it, Ray had always had a thing for Jane, even when he'd been dating that tasty red-headed piece, who's name escaped him--Gill, Gill Buckley. God, he wondered what had happened to her, and why the hell hadn't Ray gotten with her, or someone like her instead of that bitch he was currently hooked up with?

  "Enjoy your meal guys, I'll catch you in a bit." Ray said before heading into the restaurant.

  "See you Ray." they all replied in unison.

  A pretty young girl approached them and asked Jack if they were ready to take their seats.

  "I'm ready if everyone else is?" Jack said addressing the others but Jane in particular. Christ, she did look hot, he thought, she was wearing a black sleeveless dress with a high neckline. Her hair had grown another inch, and it looked silky soft, her eyes appeared to be glittering. Suddenly he had the strangest feeling; it was as if Jane was somehow getting younger, reverting to the girl he'd fallen in love with all those years ago.

  "Yes." everyone agreed they were ready to go and eat.

  The young waitress smiled politely and escorted them through to the restaurant.

  The restaurant was much larger than what Jack had imagined it would be, and he couldn't believe how busy it was. Good old Ray, Jack thought as the waitress showed them to their table.

  "How's the house going Jack?" Helen asked once they were all seated.

  "It's going great, thanks sis, although I must admit I didn't realise just how much housework there was to do, what with washing, ironing, cooking and cleaning. It never ends."

  "Tell me about it." Helen said giving Tom a wistful look.

  "Don't give me one of your accusing looks Helen Ford." Tom said jokingly, "I must work sixty hours a week, I'm
most certainly not going to come home after that lot and get the ironing board out."

  "Do you miss home then?" Jane asked Jack.

  Jack and Helen exchanged a wry look. "In a way I suppose I do." he said philosophically, “but then again, I've got no regrets about moving out, it's just great to come home and do as you please. How are you getting on back at home, anyway?

  "Oh, not too bad, it's a bit strange after all that time living on my own, but I'm getting used to it. Besides, I'm really grateful to mum for having me."

  "We're glad to have you back Jane." Tom said tapping the side of her glass with his own.

  "Yes," Jack agreed, "it is nice to have you back Jane."

  "Thanks Jack, thanks to everyone for making me feel so welcome.

  Helen felt a pang of guilt, but gave Jane a warm smile, and it was genuine.

  "That was a great meal." Tom said patting his stomach and relaxing back in his chair.

  Jack agreed, it had been a truly wonderful meal, and his stomach felt at peace again. Let's say we skip coffee and head off to 'Sounds' instead Tom suggested.

  "I'm game if everyone else is, how about you?" Jack asked Jane.

  "Yes, I'd love to go."

  "Right that's settled then. Garcon!" Tom called out.

  Helen covered her eyes with her hand.

  Jack laughed along with the rest of them, but his mind was fixed solely on Jane, maybe he was ready for a relationship after all.

  The waiter came over, and Tom asked him for the bill.

  "There's no charge sir, Mr Strong says you are his guests."

  The two girls looked at one another.

  "That's very kind of him." Tom said, "Tell him thank you very much. However, I insist that you accept this small token of our appreciation for giving us such wonderful service this evening, we've thoroughly enjoyed ourselves."

  Everyone voiced their agreement.

  Tom took a roll of money from his pocket, peeled off two one-pound notes, and handed them to the waiter.

  "Thank you very much sir."

  "Everyone ready then?" Tom asked clapping his hands together.

  In the foyer Jack helped Jane on with her coat.

  Helen looked at Tom and sighed, "Remember when you used to do things like that for me." she said.

  "Sorry love, I just thought I saw someone I recognised, that's all." Tom said taking her coat and holding it out for her. The person in question had disappeared into the toilets.

  The club which had opened about six months earlier was less than half a mile away, and seeing as though it had stopped raining, they decided to walk there. The girls linked the men's arms as they walked. They hurried because the air had turned cold. It was nice to be close to him, Jane thought, he felt so warm which was comforting because she was absolutely freezing.

  In no time at all they had reached the club’s entrance, which was flanked by two hefty looking bouncers, both of whom were stuffed into matching suits. In the foyer Jack insisted on paying the entrance fee. Tom didn't argue, but he wouldn't have thought twice about paying it himself either.

  The club was nothing like anything Jack had ever seen before - all plush upholstery and glass mirrors. He looked around whilst he was waiting to be served, he could barely take it all in. God, this is some place Tom." he said.

  "Yeah, they must make a mint here, but we'll get our cut of it Jackie-boy, don't you worry about that. Jessop's already done the deal with the owner, and if he reneges on it, this place will go up like a puff of smoke. Why do you think Ray fawns all over me every time I go in there?"

  "Yeah, but Ray pays, he has done since he opened, according to the books."

  "Yeah, and he could be paying a damn site more though, especially if I report back to Jessop just how well that joints doing. He knows that, hence the schmoozing and the free grub."

  Jack smiled. "Two pints of Smiths, a gin and tonic and a white wine please." he said as the waitress approached them.

  "No problem sir would that be medium or dry white wine.

  Jack looked at Tom.

  "Medium please."

  "I'm glad you knew that because I certainly didn’t."

  "I didn't either mate, but I wasn't going to venture into the khazi to ask her, were you?"

  Jack laughed.

  "It's about time this town got a decent place like this." Tom said admiring a couple of girls on the dance floor and drawing deeply on his cigarette.

  "Watch where you're blowing that mate, you know it annoys me."

  Tom mimicked Jack before turning and looking in the direction of the toilets. The girls seemed to be taking a long time, or was he just imagining it.

  "So, what's the situation with you and Jack then?" Helen asked examining her hair in the mirror. She was sure it was going a lighter shade of brown, but maybe it was because she was stood next to Jane whose hair was a much darker brown than hers.

  "I'm not sure there is a situation Helen."

  Helen turned to look at Jane, "Well, he came out tonight, didn't he?"

  Jane pursed her lips having just re-applied her lipstick. "Yeah, I know, and he's been really nice, but he blows hot and cold. To be honest I have no idea where I stand with him. I don't think he's ever forgiven me for moving down to London."

  "Well in fairness to Jack, it was pretty sudden, and I know he thought the world of you back then."

  The door opened and a girl in a psychedelic dress walked in, smiled at Jane and went into one of the cubicles.

  "I know he did, but things were different back then. I do like him though Helen, and I swear I wouldn't mess him around.”

  Helen looked at Jane's face, she did have lovely eyes, she thought, and she could tell from her expression that she meant what she said.

  "I know you wouldn't."

  "I just wish he'd hurry up, that's all because I haven't had any sex in over six months."

  Both girls looked at each, neither of them really believing what Jane had just said. Then all of a sudden, they both burst out laughing.

  A man walked into the loo; "Oh, My God, I'm sorry ladies - Wow, I'm impressed though these are well-posh bogs."

  The girls both pointed to the door.

  The guy held his hands up; "Don't worry I'm going." he said backing up towards the door.

  When he'd gone the girls erupted again. Psychedelic girl came out of her cubicle and went and washed her hands.

  "Come on." Helen said dabbing her eyes with a tissue and checking the mirror to make sure her eye-liner hadn't smudged.

  As the girls returned to the bar Helen noticed that, even in the ten minutes or so that her and Jane had been in the loos, the place had got a lot busier.

  "Can I get you a drink darlin'?" A guy who was sat with a mate on one of the half-moon seats called out to Helen. "I'm okay thanks, but I'm sure my husband would love one, he's stood at the bar."

  The guy looked over to the bar, and then quickly looked away. The girls laughed. Nevertheless, Helen still felt quite flattered.

  "You've been a long time," Tom said, "who's that you were talking to?"

  "Oh, just a couple of our admirers." Helen said looking at Jane. "Oh, I love this one Jane, do you want to dance?"

  Jane looked over at Jack; "Do you mind?" she asked.

  "Of course not."

  "We won't be long." Jane said giving him a lovely smile before hurrying after Helen.

  "That means two fuckin' hours." Tom said before draining his drink. "Do you fancy another one?"

  "Yeah, go on then." Jack said finishing off his own drink.

  "Two pints of Smiths when you're ready mate." Tom said to one of the bar staff who duly nodded and took two fresh glasses down from the shelf above him.

  "Do you think he'll invite you back for a drink?" Helen asked Jane on the dance floor.

  Jane just shrugged her shoulders.

  "Would you go if he did?"

  "No, to be honest Helen, I've just come out to enjoy myself, besides, there's no point me going back wi
th him, it's my time of the month."

  Helen looked at Jane with a shocked expression.

  "I'm only kidding." Jane said taking hold of Helen's arms and laughing. "You should've seen your face; it was a real picture." Jane managed to say through her laughter.

  "You sod." Helen said, "I was going to say something like, oh, okay then."

  The girls embraced one another. "I bet you a shilling he asks you back." Helen whispered in Jane's ear.

  "Okay, you're on." Jane replied. She wished he would. She imagined him touching her and then stopped herself. "Do you think we should re-join the lads?" Jane asked as The Temptations faded away.

  Helen shook her head; "No, there okay, just look at them.

  Jane looked over to the bar and saw Jack gesticulating to Tom. "Okay." she said.

  "Don't look now but I think we've got company." Helen said out of the corner of her mouth.

  Jane immediately turned to look, and Helen raised her eyes in dismay. Jane saw the men in question, just as the hollies started into 'Sugar and Spice.' There not bad Jane thought turning back to Helen, who was obviously thinking the same thing.

  "Would you ladies like to dance? the taller of the two men asked.

  "Yes, if you like, as long as it doesn't bother you that our two partners are stood over there at the bar." Helen said getting hold of the lad’s shoulders and turning him in Tom and Jack's direction.

  Tom raise a hand and waggled his fingers.

  "Oh right, I see. It's a pity though I really fancied you." the taller guy said before disappearing with his mate back into the throng.

  "How do you do it Helen? Men just seem to fall all over you."

  "And you Jane, you’re stunning. Honestly, I've always thought so."

  Jane could feel her cheeks getting warm; "Thanks." she said a little self-consciously.

  "It's just that all the gobby types go for me that's all." Helen said glancing in Tom's direction. Jane looked over at her brother, who by the look of him was giving Jack's earholes a right bashing.

  "I rest my case." Helen said with a combination of happiness and dismay etched on her face. Both girls laughed and embraced one another again.

  Jane couldn't remember the last time she'd enjoyed herself as much. On their return from the dance floor the boys managed to somehow accost a table for them, and Jane was grateful for it because she was desperate to sit down. She sipped at her drink content to just listen to the conversation for a while. Suddenly she had a flashback of London but quickly dispelled it from her mind. She was back home now, and she knew as she relaxed back in her seat that she would never move away again.