You're Not Thick

Mr Davenport said Terry’s got to take the 11 plus and then scholarship to Dartford Grammar School. She said he would sail through it.

Well, isn’t that good for Terry?

I failed it before the war, before we came here. He never stops crowing about it. All the way home from school. Cock-a-doodle-do. I’m best. All my life he’s been the clever one and I’m the thickie.

You’re not thick, Jack, boy. You’re the most unthick boy I’ve ever known. You’re good and you’re brave and -

Jack, you’re not thick. You’ve got a loyal heart.

That makes you tick. That makes you very smart.

Just because you don’t come top at school.

Doesn’t mean that you must be a fool.

There’s no such rule

He beats me at maths, at English, even at science. And I’m four years older. He even beats me at woodwork.

What did your Mum say when you came down here? ‘Look after him, Jack.’ And you did. She didn’t ask him to look after you.

Only because I’m older’n him.

Why did your mum, who knows the both of you,

Put you in charge? Cos you know what to do

You’ve got common sense no ifs no buts

Common sense is way more important than grades. Those boys with tens don’t know what day of the week it is. I’ll tell you what you are, Jack.

Strong and truthful and you’ve got guts

There. I’ve said my piece. Get it?

Got it.

Good.