Intro:
My worn out oxfords' trudged through the puddles of rain that had fallen on the ground. I loved Liverpool's rainy days. Even though there was perfect weather, something was making me a bit chilly. In a few moments, I would be entering the Cavern Club.
A week ago, I announced to my family that I would be applying at the Cavern club as a hat-check girl. They're reaction was not what I expected.
"I'd like to make an announcement everyone." I said, after my father said his prayers at dinner. Everyone turned to look at me.
"I haven't been helping as much as I could with our family's position. So, I've thought long about it, and I've decided I'm going to apply for a job. I'm nineteen now, and soon I'll be out of the house. I need to start supporting myself." I announced, with much more courage than I thought I would've had.
The room went silent for awhile. Then my two younger brothers, Jim and John, burst out laughing. My mother turned her strict stare towards them, and snapped. Finally, my father's brown-eyed gaze met mine.
"Is Mr. Joe still going to be helping around?" He asked, with a "I-hope-you-know-what-you're-doing" voice.
"Well… if I get the job, then no. He's done enough for us. Besides, he's leaving for college next Monday. All the way in London." I said, remembering the saddening news.
"Will you be going with him? Oh, I hope there is a wedding!" My younger sister Eloise, squealed.
"Eloise! We're not getting married! I'm staying here with you all." I yelped, slightly embarrassed.
Eloise was 10 years old, and didn't understand love at all. In fact, I wasn't even sure if me and my boyfriend, Joe could be counted as "in love". We had been together for three years, and our families were nothing alike. I had three brothers and two sisters, while Joe only had a brother who was two years older than him.
Joe's parents were wealthy professors who didn't smoke, and made sure their sons had the best education possible. My mother was a mid-wife, while my father was a war veteran, who was still slightly injured and had stopped working five years ago. Both of my parents dropped out of school at the age of 15 to support their family, and they were both heavy smokers and drinkers. I decided I wouldn't be attending college to help my family, while Joe decided he would attend Oxford University in London after he took a gap year.
Our family was what you called complete opposites. For the past year, Joe had taken his gap year just to help out my family. He would give us 5 pounds each week for groceries, and he took care of my father while he was still tipsy after his Friday ale nights. He truly was a sweetheart, but lately we had grown apart. He took more care of my family more than I did, and he always seemed irritated because of that.
Now that Joe would not be available, I decided I should step up. Since every Winter was especially hard for us, I really needed to do something. In the Liverpool City Centre, the Cavern Club was a popular area for people my age to hang out. It seemed like an easy job, and not bad pay was included. I didn't even have to travel that far to get there.
My parents were not too happy about me applying for a job at a pub, but we needed the money. The next day, they agreed that they wouldn't stop me from earning them money. Four days later, I decided I would approach the man that owned the pub.
So, here I was walking into the Cavern Club on Mathew Street applying for a job. When I first entered the club, a musky smell hit me in the face. I supposed it was just the smell of sweat coming from the people inside. After I got past the bouncer, and descended the steep stairs to the basement, I saw the inside.
The Cavern club was about the size of a small one bedroom flat, and was filled to the rim with loud teens. Rock n' Roll music filled my ears, and made my feet immediately start dancing. Even though the attitude was fun and loud, the pub itself was a bit dark.
I made my way towards the bar, and plopped down onto a squeaky stool. I waited awhile till the bartender made his way over to me. He was an average sized man, with no hair, and gangly limbs. The man was polishing glasses, and filling them up with various ales and beers.
"What's your specialty m'am?" The man asked, grabbing a clean glass from the small stack on his left.
I'm fine, thank you. Actually, I'm here to apply for a job. Is anything open?" I asked, as politely as I could.
"Well…you're looking for a job are yeh?" He asked, grinning at me. "I'll be happy to tell you, we're gladly accepting any offers to work."
"Thank you so much! My family needs this quite badly, sir! I'd be happy enough to become your hat check girl!" I said, enthusiastically.
"Ah, hat-check girl, eh?" He asked, staring at me. "It'll work perfectly. Cilla works part-time here just in the morning. She just left to work her other job at the Zodiac coffee lounge."
"Oh, okay. Are you sure I won't be interfering with her shift?" I asked, wondering who Cilla was.
"No, no' at all! You can work lunchtime, and late night. You'll get a two hour break from 3 to 5." He said, nicely.
"Sounds brilliant!" I said, smiling. "By the way, I'm Lori Pierce. Oh, and I'm nineteen."
"Wonderful!" He said, smiling. " Cilla is eighteen. Say, where ya from?"
"I'm from Everton." I said, avoiding his gaze.
"Your father wouldn't happen to be Jimmy Pierce?" He asked, noticing my embarassment.
"Actually, yes. You wouldn't happen to know him would you?" I asked, curiously.
"Ah, yes. We went to school together back in the day!" He said, chuckling to him self.
