During May a few unsettled times were endured, but by the middle of the month there were several nights where the enemy hadn’t flown over and disturbed the British people. Coventry took a deep breath, vowing to double its production of wartime supplies to support the defence. Factories whirred out sounds of reassurance that things were moving forward. People worked longer hours with a stubborn determination. A lesson had been learned, and one was to be taught. Coventry would not bend to the will of the enemy. Ruby’s household held the same view.
Beatty, now settled and recovering, busied herself each day with running the home. She’d shush Ruby when she told her to sit and let her take a turn, and barked out instructions to Fred to remove his boots and leave them by the door. A limited sense of normality returned for Ruby, giving her a sense of place. She was nearing seventeen, and still wondering where life would lead her.
Life in Garden Cottage slowly took on a routine and when the weather changed for the better they planned to enjoy the evenings outside in the hope the sky above would be free from those driven to bring them to their knees.
After flicking through a magazine gift from Helen, Ruby had taken to wearing her hair rolled in a more adult way. The new style and interest in what colours suited her made Ruby the butt of Fred’s teasing that they were for a certain soldier. Ruby enjoyed the banter, but sometimes he earned a well-humoured clipped ear from Beatty.
Since meeting John, Ruby noticed she drew attention to herself more, and her sensitivity to her limp was no longer an issue. Beatty declared Ruby to be a blossoming woman, and it described how Ruby felt. She experienced her first whistle from a group of soldiers brought in to assist with restoring the city. Ruby caught the eye of one of them and when he winked at her her stomach fluttered and she giggled. Something changed for her that day, and she looked at the world through fresh eyes. She wanted to be part of it, and to contribute to its future. To feel more alive than she’d done for months. So, when Helen mentioned that a girl, Katie, from her office had asked if Ruby would like to attend a local dance, Ruby accepted.
31st May 1941
Scrubbing the dirt from her hands, Ruby turned them over. Chipped nails and scuffed skin were not the markings of feminine hands shown in the fashion magazines. With a sigh, she scrubbed them again. Red raw was not a great look either.
‘I’ll have to wear gloves,’ she said to no one in particular. Fred was with the chickens, and Beatty sat rewinding wool from a jumper too small for her. Her skill would produce another for Ruby from the rewound skein.
‘I’d knit you a pair, but I’m afraid they won’t be ready for this evening,’ she said and laughed.
Normally, Beatty’s laugh was infectious, but today nothing made Ruby smile. Although keen to experience her first dance, nerves overpowered the excitement.
Katie had proved herself to be a good friend when she’d arrived with a dress for Ruby to wear. Helen had guessed Ruby’s wardrobe was limited to basic wear, and Katie volunteered a dress in emerald green with a full skirt, which Ruby enjoyed showing off when she gave Fred and Beatty a twirl. It was complemented by a small bolero-style cardigan gifted by Helen.
The dance was still another two hours away and Ruby ached. A busy day volunteering on the park allotments and digging out new ones in Radford was not ideal before an evening out.
‘Maybe I’ll send a message to Katie and go another time. Give my hands a chance to look less like a farmer’s,’ she moaned to Beatty.
Beatty laid down her knitting and gave such a loud sigh Ruby jumped. ‘No more excuses. You’ve seen how short life is just lately. Those service men hoping to catch a glimpse of a pretty girl are not unsavoury types – not all of them. Some are scared young men who are convinced today is their last day. And you stand there and complain about your hands?’
With a harrumph sound, Beatty left the room and went to join Fred. Ruby watched as the pair settled into a conversation, and she guessed it would be about her.
By the time they came in from the garden, Ruby was ready to meet Katie outside the aerospace factory hosting the dance.
‘Ah, changed your mind? I will say you make a pretty picture. Looks lovely, doesn’t she, Fred?’ Beatty said.
‘Scrubs up nicely,’ Fred said with a nod of agreement.
Ruby, embarrassed by the attention, fidgeted with her gloves. ‘These are no good. They make my hands itch.’
‘Then don’t wear them, but for goodness’ sake cheer up. At least look like a girl who is going to her first dance. I remember my first. I –’
Not wishing to delay meeting Katie by hearing the long version of one of Beatty’s stories of her younger years, Ruby gave them both a peck on the cheek. ‘I’ll see you in an hour,’ she said.
‘I’ll bet more on two or three,’ Beatty replied.
‘Before midnight, Cinderella,’ Fred called out.
Katie waved at Ruby and Ruby forced a smile and waved back. Halfway to the factory she’d debated returning home, but curiosity got the better of her and she decided to at least see what a wartime dance felt like. The dab of lipstick on her lips felt sticky and annoyed her, but she resisted the temptation of wiping it away.
‘Oh, Ruby, you look so pretty in that dress,’ Katie exclaimed. ‘I just knew it was the right colour and style for you.’
‘And you look like a film star!’ Ruby replied, not exaggerating.
Katie had a beauty about her which, although Ruby could see she wore a lot of make-up, gave a natural glow.
‘Come on, let’s get inside. I’m dying to show you off,’ Katie said.
Ruby shuddered at the thought; to be paraded around was not her idea of fun. Drinking a lemonade in the corner, watching the dancing, was more her style. Dancing. How she wished she’d learned to dance. Her days with her parents had been filled with many things, but dancing had not been one of them. Ruby didn’t know if she could dance in a formal way, due to her leg.
Music blasted out the moment they opened the doors – or, rather, a stern-faced man opened it for them.
‘Evening,’ he said.
Katie gave a side flick of her head in acknowledgement. Ruby copied and hoped she looked just as calm and sophisticated.
‘Isn’t it wonderful?’ Katie said and pulled Ruby closer to her side.
Whether she heard Ruby’s reply of, ‘Yes,’ or not, Ruby never found out. Katie moved across the dance floor towards a group of young women and beckoned Ruby to follow. Introductions made, Katie then headed to the table, where a display of drinks were on offer. They took lemonades and found a table on one side of the room. Katie barely got chance to sit before a man in khaki whisked her onto the dance floor. Ruby watched Katie offering up half-hearted protestations and finally sank into the arms of the soldier as they waltzed around the room. Katie returned to the table for a sip of her drink and no sooner had she placed her glass on the table, she was whisked off again. Ruby’s foot tapped out the tune as she watched. Four times she witnessed the same, but each time the man asking Katie for a dance was a different one.
A youth with a face attempting to grow hair asked Ruby to dance, but the halitosis with a hint of alcohol, and his inability to stand without swaying, put her off. She apologised and pleaded a sore foot. No one else asked. After an hour and a half she was bored and wanted nothing more but to get home to her book and relax. Preening and pampering herself was not a pleasure for Ruby; it was a chore, and not one she wanted to repeat. When Katie returned to the table, Ruby pleaded a headache and gave Katie a hug. Katie, in turn, gave her a peck on the cheek and moved deftly into another dance.
On her way out, Ruby turned back to look into the room and knew she’d done the right thing by leaving Katie to her attentive admirers. The noise and crush of bodies was too much for Ruby to bear and she slipped out of the door into the street, enjoying the rush of cool air on her body.
Once back home she went to her room and took off the dress and placed it onto its hanger. A tap on the door alerted her t
o Beatty’s keenness to find out how much she’d enjoyed herself. Slipping on her comfortable dressing gown, she shoved her feet into her slippers and picked up her book.
‘Didn’t expect you back so soon, duck. Have fun?’ Beatty asked as Ruby stepped out into the landing.
‘Happier here with this,’ Ruby said and waved her book in front of her. ‘It was exciting, but not somewhere I’d go again. Katie’s still there. She loves dancing, but her feet will hurt in the morning. I saw a few boots step on her toes.’
‘Shame you didn’t enjoy yourself, Ruby. Maybe when things are settled more, or you are older,’ Beatty said.
‘Or maybe not. I loved the music, but it was too loud. I wonder if my ears have become over-sensitive due to the noises from the bombs. Or I just like softer music. I didn’t feel calm as I do when I listen to the radio,’ Ruby said and walked down the stairs. ‘A good book and cocoa. Good company and a comfy seat. That’s all I need.’
Beatty gave a laugh. ‘Well, don’t look for it in Fred. He’s soundo on the sofa. I’ll make us cocoa and maybe you can tell me about some of the dresses you saw. Clothes rationing is due soon and I suspect some of those dresses will be altered, passed around and lent out until they fall apart.’
Ruby settled into her chair and hoped the sigh she held inside didn’t escape. The last thing she wanted was to talk about dresses. She wanted to escape into the world of Jane Eyre, but Beatty deserved her attention and it would have been mean of Ruby to plead tiredness and go to bed.
Another hour of chatter finally brought the first of the yawns from both her and Beatty, and Ruby grabbed the opportunity to say goodnight and settle in her room. She lay on the bed and pulled up her covers. It was too late to read, and she pondered over Katie’s companions. Each one had looked at Katie with adoration. The hope in their eyes made Ruby wonder whether they’d get the kiss they obviously hankered after, and whether Katie was a girl to give away her kisses. Ruby doubted she’d give her kisses away so easily, although the thought of kissing John Clayton was tempting, and Ruby fell asleep with that thought on her mind.
CHAPTER 15
15th June 1941
Downing tools and waving goodbye at the end of the working day, Ruby headed home. Working on the allotments was satisfying, but she missed working in her own shop. Some days she thought about reopening, but other days she knew she’d never cope with disappointment if it was bombed and taken from her again. Ruby felt there was only so much loss she could take. Voluntary work on the land brought with it a sense of duty to the country, and Ruby convinced herself her decision was the right one.
As she turned into Spon Street, she spotted Tommy sitting outside her home. Perched on large concrete slabs, he looked tiny. He turned her way when she called out to him. ‘Well, look who’s here. We’re honoured.’
‘Rubes!’ He called out her name with a whoop of joy and ran to her, tugging at one side of the handle of her basket.
‘That looks ’eavy. I’ll ’elp,’ he said.
‘Thank you. How are you, Tommy? Was it dreadful in London?’ Ruby asked, and immediately reproached herself for asking such a blunt question.
Tommy scuffed his shoes along the pavement. ‘Mum ’n’ me ’ad to come back ’ere to me auntie. That’s getting ’eavy; give me something and I’ll carry that instead.’
Ruby put down the basket and took out a small box for him to carry. ‘Ah, the reason for the sad face. Auntie giving you a hard time?’
‘Gave me anover brooch, but your shop –’ he said and broke off, looking up into her face. Ruby wanted to reach down and wipe away a smudge of dirt from his cheek. He looked dreadful. A bruised jawline in the last stages of healing looked painful. Another above his eyebrow looked more recent. She crouched down and stroked it, and he winced.
‘I bet that hurt when it first happened,’ she said.
‘Blown up in London for that one.’ He put his hand to the fading bruise. ‘Clumsy me mum said when I fell over the uvva day,’ Tommy replied, and turned away from her touch.
‘Come and see Fred. It’s my birthday today, so come and have a bite to eat. Beatty lives with us now, and she makes enough food to feed an army.’
Ruby was amazed at how well Beatty coped with their rationed food supply.
‘There’ll be enough for a little belly,’ she said.
‘Can’t. Auntie wants money from us and Mum sent me out wiv this.’ He held out a silver picture frame, small and delicate.
Ruby took it from him and turned it around in her hands. Another pretty trinket.
‘I don’t do it any more, Tommy. I don’t have a shop any more; I’m just collecting things Fred can repair at home,’ she said. Her voice ached with the pain of saying the words which hurt her so much. Until she’d seen Tommy sitting waiting for her, she’d felt content with her life. Now she realised she missed saying she was the owner of Shadwell’s.
‘’ow can you just stop? It’s not fair. Wivout your shop, we don’t get money for the rent and stop me auntie from bein’ nasty to me mum,’ Tommy said with the petulance of the child he was. Ruby had to remind herself he wouldn’t understand her thoughts on the matter.
‘It’s hard to explain, Tommy. And I’m sure there are other places you can sell your things. Let’s go inside.’
‘Nah, you’re all right. I’ve gotta find a buyer for this or I’m in bovva – again,’ Tommy said, waving the picture frame, and kicked a stone away. ‘See ya. ’appy birfday.’
With his head down, Tommy walked away from her and Ruby put aside her thoughts that she should help him financially. It wasn’t her trouble, or her job to keep buying his goods. His aunt and mother had a responsibility to the child.
‘Come and see me tomorrow, Tommy,’ she called out. It hurt her when he never turned around.
Ruby pushed open the door and dropped her basket in the hallway. She could hear Helen’s voice in the living room, and Beatty’s laugh booming at something Fred said. She tidied her hair in the hall mirror and stopped when another voice joined the mix. John. He’d kept his promise to visit, and Ruby couldn’t have asked for a better birthday present. She took control of her fluttering emotions and pushed open the door.
‘Well, this is a nice surprise,’ she said and smiled when John stood up. ‘At ease, soldier,’ she teased, and turned to Helen. ‘Hello, is that a new cardigan I see?’
Helen touched the sleeve of the cardigan. ‘It is. I made it from the wool I bought from Shadwell’s before … well, before.’
‘Fred tells me it’s your birthday, Ruby,’ John said, moving the conversation onto a lighter subject, for which Ruby was grateful. The loss of the shop still pained her.
‘Seventeen today,’ Ruby replied.
‘So young.’ Helen and Beatty sighed out their words at the same time. Ruby looked from one to the other and held up her hands as a sign of apology, then followed it up with a giggle.
‘Older in mind than your body though,’ Fred muttered.
‘Fred.’ Beatty gave him a withering look. Ruby knew behind his words were a hidden warning.
‘And you are older in mind than in body, Fred. We make a good team.’ Ruby went to him and kissed his cheek.
‘Careful, girl. It’ll be your turn before you know it. Age has a way of sneaking up on you.’ Fred responded with a pat of her hand.
‘I’ve a lot to learn, see and do before age catches up with me.’
Ruby looked at John.
‘Visiting gardens in Canada might be something I’ll achieve after the war. Or playing on a Cornish beach, or riding a camel in the desert. Or I’ll simply remain here and help rebuild this city. And, as exciting as those first things sound, I like the thought of remaining here. Who knows what the future will bring?’
Beatty rose from her chair and walked towards the kitchen. ‘It might bring sweet treats. Our friend here –’ she pointed to John ‘– brought us two chocolate bars, and I’ve cut them into slices for us all to enjoy.’
She
returned with a plate of chocolate treats and gasps of delight escaped the lips of all, except John.
‘They threaten rationing in my home, but it hasn’t reached my mom’s ears yet and she sends food parcels so often I’d be greedy not to share.’
He waved away the plate when Ruby held it out to him. ‘I’ve one left back at my digs. You enjoy them.’
‘It’s kind of you to think of us, John,’ Ruby said and handed the plate to Helen.
‘I always think of you.’ John left a short gap before speaking again, but Ruby understood the message he sent her way. ‘You are now classed as my English friends when I write to my parents. I’ve told them about the way you’ve all come together, and of the bond between you all. I suspect the next parcel to me will include a little extra for you guys.’
Fred tapped his pipe on the fireplace, and John looked over at him. ‘Reminds me of my pops; he’s a pipe smoker. The noise sounds the same. The sound of a man about to enjoy five minutes.’ John laughed, and Fred gave a suck and puff of agreement.
‘How long have you been part of the war, son?’ Fred asked.
John leaned back in his seat and Ruby took pleasure in seeing him relax in her home. He looked as if he belonged amongst them.
‘I joined up the day Prime Minister Mackenzie King announced we were at war with Germany. Seven days after you. Pops is too old, but does his bit at home. My mom didn’t speak to me for days, but soon realised she’d best do so as I wasn’t going to be around for long. I got sent to London in the October.’
‘Any regrets?’ Fred asked.
‘None, sir,’ John said, directing his answer to Ruby.
Helen gave a discreet cough, bringing the attention back to Fred’s conversation.
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