A finger pressed against her lips. John’s dark eyes gazed into hers. ‘Ruby, stop talking – thinking too hard. Why would I feel sorry for you? I admire you. I don’t know what you are expecting of me, or what you want from me, but I know this much. I have to live each day meeting fear, to photograph fear, and to face fear, and yet the only time I’ve felt truly afraid is now, standing in front of you, listening to you sending me away. Like you, I’ve imagined, thought and hoped, and now you’ve asked me to walk away and simply remember you. Well, I’ve also heard an expression: love conquers all. Let’s speak to Beatty and Fred about how we feel.’
Ruby turned her head away from his gaze. ‘I can’t,’ she whispered.
John went to her and tilted her head upwards to his. ‘Can’t talk to them, or love me?’
‘Both.’ As Ruby said the word, she walked to the door and pointed down the stairs.
‘I can’t because that is my life, down there, with people who come together because of me. I realise now, I’ve given them hope of a fresh start. A simple thing, but I did it, and made it my responsibility. Coventry is where I have to stay. My heart won’t let me leave here … with you. Besides, we barely know each other.’
John sat down on the chair Ruby had vacated, and she watched him reach inside a chest pocket and he pulled out a photograph. ‘Then let’s learn more. These are the most important people in my life. My parents. My sister.’ He held out the picture and Ruby took it from him. She moved to a chair beside him, and lowered herself down.
‘You have your mother’s eyes, and your father’s height. Your sister looks like you too. I wish I could show you mine.’
For another hour she listened to him relay the life of Jean-Paul Senior, his bank manager father, and his mother, Ida. According to John, his mother made the best cakes and bread. John had no pets, but longed for a dog. They were just establishing that John’s photographic career stemmed from joining his father whenever he recorded architecture or the beauty of High Park, when a sharp rap at the door interrupted him.
‘Ruby! Ruby, are you in there?’ Beatty and Fred’s voices called out.
Pulling her clothing in tidy order, Ruby looked to John for guidance. ‘They’re worried; I didn’t realise we’ve been here so long.’
‘Go to them. I’ll be right behind you. We’ll face this together.’
Beatty beat Fred through the door.
‘Thank goodness. I was worried sick. Oh, I see you’ve got company. Look who is here, Fred.’ Beatty stepped to one side and let Fred through the doorway.
‘John … I thought you’d left the country,’ Fred said, and pulled his cap from his head.
‘I was – am. I’m back just for a couple of days, and chose to spend my time checking on Ruby. I heard about the break-in.’
Ruby couldn’t believe she’d heard John lie about knowing about the burglary, but was grateful he gave a valid reason for being in the shop.
‘It was selfish of me, you two. I should have told John to come back to ours with me, and not sit chatting here forgetting you’d be worried. I’m so sorry,’ Ruby gushed out her apology. She felt guilty about two things but could, and would, only apologise for one.
‘I think we’ll leave it that you’re safe, and say no more about it,’ Beatty said.
‘And will you be back, John, or have you seen enough of Coventry?’ Fred asked, then looked at Ruby. She felt a giveaway blush but, before either Fred or Beatty made the situation more awkward with questions, Ruby offered up a snippet to show them John and she had exchanged personal information.
‘John has entertained me with his life in Canada. His father works in banking, and his mother, Ida, is a homemaker.’
Beatty huffed. ‘Rich folk then.’
Ruby watched her friend hitch her bosom over folded arms, wrapping them across her expanding waistline. She adored the protective side of her, and knew Beatty was teasing John, but his expression showed he’d not worked it out yet. Sweat beaded across his top lip, and he fidgeted from one foot to the other. She knew how he felt, and also wanted to get away.
‘Comfortable. They live a comfortable life. My father lost a lot of money during the depression, especially in twenty-nine. He’s worked hard and only really got back on his feet around four years ago. He’s a proud man, and works hard.’
Now standing with her legs astride, looking every part the formidable parent, Beatty nodded her approval. ‘Hard times. Well, I’m glad he reaped the rewards of his hard work.’
‘Ruby? Are you in there?’
Beatty’s voice cut into the dark dreams, and Ruby roused from semi-nightmares with gratitude. She pulled the eiderdown away from her, and registered the sweat-drenched clothing sticking to her body.
‘I am. Come in.’
Bustling inside and drawing back the curtain to let in a stream of fading light, Beatty tutted when she turned and saw Ruby. ‘The state of you. You look dreadful.’
‘Thanks,’ Ruby replied in a dull voice loaded with sarcasm.
‘I take it your friend has gone?’ Beatty stood over Ruby with her hands on her hips.
‘He has. He left me a gift.’ Ruby held out the necklace.
‘Unusual,’ Beatty said as she turned the tiny camera around in her fingers.
‘I found it in my pocket after he’d gone.’ Ruby pulled herself upright and swung her legs over the side of the bed.
‘I’m so confused with how I feel. He said to talk to you – for us both to talk with you about our feelings for each other, but I didn’t want to, and now I do. I think I love him, but it’s a different kind of love than I felt for Mum and Dad, or I feel for you and Fred. It’s like an ache which won’t go away. I thought love was supposed to make you happy.’ Ruby’s words came in a rush, and she slumped forward after sharing her confusion.
Beatty sat down beside her and placed an arm around Ruby’s shoulder. ‘Love never gives us a day or time when it comes knocking. It’s a confusing thing to deal with. We love to love, and love to hate. Love comes to us, and we walk away. Sometimes, it comes when we are at our most vulnerable. Even though you’re a young woman, you have feelings. I’m inclined to think you’re too young to fall so deeply, but who am I to judge how another loves? My concern is for you. John is only a few years older, twenty-two I think he said, but he is from another country, and will want to return when the war is over – can you leave here to be with him? You have to decide which path to tread. If you want to carry on chasing around with the boy then do so, but be aware of the consequences. Understand?’
Beatty’s red face and twisting hands told Ruby she was talking about what she always referred to as the birds and the bees, and Ruby nodded she understood.
‘It’s too late to talk about it, Beatty. I know all about it – everything.’ Ruby emphasised the last word and Beatty sat up straight.
‘I see.’
Rising to her feet, Ruby peered into the mirror.
‘And has he said he intends to come back to Coventry?’ Beatty asked.
‘He said he’d be back to see me as soon as he’s back in England. I don’t know when it will be, or where he is, and it’s frightening.’
‘Frightening for many reasons. Let’s see what happens next,’ Beatty said and got up from the bed. ‘This war has a lot to answer for,’ she muttered as she made her way downstairs.
Ruby heard mutterings between Beatty and Fred, and knew Fred was fed just enough information to stop him feeling left out of Ruby’s care. She was grateful she’d such thoughtful friends in her life. They would need her in their old age and, in the silence of her room, Ruby’s future was decided.
CHAPTER 29
1st May 1942
The long snowy days of winter were long forgotten, and spring wavered on the edge of summer’s rising. Radio news kept the household up to date with the horrors of the war still raging, and informed them of another city bombed the previous day. York had experienced the wrath of the enemy, and Beatty, Fred and Ruby stood in
silence, remembering their own day of death and destruction, and all three hoping Helen was safe.
Ruby had worked through into another phase of her life. She’d received a letter from the council informing her the landlord was retaining the Eagle Street plot and, once rebuilt, he’d give consideration to renting it to her when she was of age. She wrote back and informed them she would not live there alone, and the tenant named on the documents would be either Fred or Beatty. She put the idea from her mind as she focused upon her new position within the local Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment. The shop kept Beatty, Fred and the many women who gathered there busy, and they ran it like clockwork. Ruby’s job was reduced to the book-keeping, and when she’d spoken about getting involved in more war work they’d agreed a change would be good for her. Earl and Tommy no longer visited and life was calmer for them all, and Ruby needed to train her mind not to think of the danger John was in every day.
Standing rolling a bandage, Ruby looked around at the small group of VAD females she worked with; some were Beatty’s age, others were much younger. Ruby worked alongside three the same age as herself and marvelled at their ability to present themselves more and more glamorously each day. Compared to some, Ruby thought she looked an old maid.
‘Pat, how do you get your hair to stay in the curls around your cap?’ she asked the girl working opposite her.
‘I can show you later, if you like. Mind you, if I had pretty hair like yours, I’d leave it alone. You just need a bit of mascara on your eyelashes, and a bit of lippy. Red is in. What do you reckon, Dolly?’
The plumper girl of the two looked up from her task. She gave a shy smile. ‘You worked wonders with me,’ she said.
‘I’ll have a think about it, but I’ve a feeling Fred will have something to say.’ Ruby laughed.
‘Him? He’s nobody. You’re a free agent. If I had your luck, I’d –’
Ruby didn’t remain in the room to hear what Pat would do. Her leg ached, her job bored her rigid and the company of some of the girls made her enjoy her own more and more. Pat’s statement that Fred was nobody to her, and the thoughtless comment about her being a free agent and lucky, caught her unawares. She’d stood listening to mindless gossip and endless chatter about boys and their wandering hands for weeks, but could no longer bear the humdrum of every day. Guilty feelings of walking away from a worthwhile position would come later, but for now Ruby stomped off her anger with a walk to the shop. As she passed her supervisor she told her she had severe pains in her leg from standing too long, and was allowed a two-hour break.
‘And they let you leave? Just like that?’
‘It’s my leg, Fred. I can’t stand or keep up with the others.’
‘Never held you back before.’
‘It held me back at school. It made me different – stand out from the rest. You only knew the after-Blitz me.’ Ruby snapped out words she’d said several times over as many days. She was beyond sighing, huffing and explaining why she’d left the VAD. Beatty said she found it hard to understand, and expressed her concerns about Ruby having no friends her age. No matter how many times she tried to tell them she didn’t need them, she was shot down with reasons as to why she did. Dancing and letting her hair down didn’t count in Ruby’s world, but Beatty and Fred pushed their individual reasons as to why they should.
With an iron will, Ruby decided it all had to end that day. The hope of returning to some form of normality appeared to be drowning under an avalanche of repeated conversations. She took a deep breath.
‘I’m going to Yorkshire. To see Helen.’
Fred stopped polishing his shoes, and Beatty stood open-mouthed. Both spoke at the same time.
‘Alone?’
‘I won’t be alone. I’ll be with Helen.’
‘The journey … I mean the journey.’ Beatty’s voice was filled with anxiety.
‘I forbid it.’
Ruby jumped as Fred’s voice rang out loud and clear. It was firm and decisive. Beatty reached out her hand to him and they stood together, facing her.
‘You can’t stop me.’
The moment the words left her lips, Ruby regretted them. They sounded childish, and her aim was to show them she was adult enough to take the trip.
‘I’m … we’re your guardians. It’s not safe for you and we’d be wrong to agree for you to travel alone. Maybe Beatty can come with you – stay overnight in a guest house and bring you home the next day, after you’ve seen Helen. What do you say?’
Ruby didn’t want to say anything. Disappointment crowded her thoughts, and she shrugged. Losing her parents had given her a freedom she’d never considered before their deaths, until Pat had mentioned it. Now, she had two people reeling her in, and taking on the role for themselves. She scrambled through her thoughts for the word which represented how she felt. Resentment. Ruby resented their decision to make up their minds for her, but accepted the time had come to give up her freedom. When she turned twenty-one, no one would make decisions on her behalf but, until then, Ruby knew she had little choice in the matter.
‘You’re right; I’m being hasty. I’ll wait. In the meantime, I will be patient and focus on the business. You two take tomorrow off and visit your cousin again, Beatty. I appreciate all you do, but have lapsed into leaning on you far too much. I’ll cope.’
‘At least we’ll know where you are,’ muttered Fred, and earned himself a gentle cuff from Beatty.
‘That will be nice. We enjoyed our last visit. I know you’re frustrated with life, and your leg, Ruby, but all will settle into place one day. You’ll see.’
The next morning dragged into midday, as Ruby sorted her way through a batch of tatty magazines and comics. She’d reached the final pile when the bell Fred had attached to the door gave a ping and announced a customer’s arrival. Stretching herself from her kneeling position, Ruby stood upright and faced a well-dressed middle-aged woman.
‘Can I help you?’ she asked the woman.
‘Na. But you can ’elp me.’ Tommy’s face peered round from behind the woman.
‘Tommy! How are you?’
A clean Tommy stepped out into the room. He had dark rings under his eyes, and still looked underfed, but his smile hadn’t altered. ‘Betta.’
‘Better? Have you been ill?’
Ruby looked to the woman, who’d yet to speak.
‘It appears Tommy has not been well for some months. He claims you know him, and I assume you are Miss Shadwell – Ruby.’ The woman’s voice was clear and educated, and Ruby doubted they were related.
‘I am, and I do. I’ve not seen him for some time, not since his uncle Earl took him back to London.’
Something in Tommy’s face made Ruby stop talking. Fear. It was definitely fear.
‘Evelyn Pearce.’ The woman held out her hand, and Ruby shook it.
‘Is there an adult I can speak with, with regard to this young man?’
‘I’m sorry; my guardians are out of town. Can I offer you a cup of tea, and a seat? I assume you’ve travelled from London?’ Ruby beckoned her to follow.
‘Leamington Spa, actually. A tea would be most welcome, thank you.’ The woman followed on into the quiet community room.
‘Blimey, where’s the crowd?’ Tommy asked.
‘A lot of the ladies have received their call-up papers, Tommy. Those who haven’t, have got jobs in the factories to cover the lack of men. Working flat-out, day and night. I only open this part two days a week now, for the knitters and fundraisers.’
She placed a cup and saucer in front of the woman, and sat down at the table. Tommy sat in one corner with a glass of milk and Ruby hunted out his treasured plane.
‘I kept it back, in case you came to visit,’ Ruby said as he yelled his delight at seeing it again. ‘Keep the noise down while we talk.’
‘I’m here to ask your guardian – your grandfather, as I understand it from Tommy, if they would consider giving him a temporary home. We have no room; the orphanage is full to
overflowing, as you can imagine.’ The woman gave an exaggerated sigh. ‘It would be until we can find a permanent place for him within one of the evacuee communities.’
Tommy stopped roaring out aeroplane noises, and Ruby replaced her cup into its saucer.
‘I’m sorry … a home? His mother, uncle … Are they –’ Not wishing ill of the dead, Ruby truly hoped something dreadful had happened to Earl. She found it hard to forgive him for many reasons.
She watched as Tommy over-exaggerated his concentration on the plane.
‘Tommy is an orphan, Miss Shadwell. Sadly, the man claiming to be his uncle is in fact a rogue. An abuser. He is no relation. Tommy ran away from an orphanage when he was barely five. Originally from London, he fell into the clutches of a crook, and the man kept him on a tight leash in Leamington Spa. He taught Tommy to steal and then sell the items on.’
‘Oh, Tommy, you should have trusted us enough to say! You must have been petrified. I can’t believe you were so close, and not in London. I thought you’d gone back there with Earl, but it all makes sense now.’
Tommy looked up at her, and the love she felt for him came rushing back. Tommy was more than a child she wanted to watch over; he was a little boy sent to comfort her, and she to comfort him. Ruby went to him and knelt down beside him, stroking his head.
‘Na. I didn’t know ’oo ta trust. You wus kind, but ’e’d been kind at the start.’
Ruffling his hair, Ruby rose to her feet. She went back to the table. ‘I know we’ll give him a roof over his head; I own the house. My guardians love Tommy as much as I do, but I’m worried about the man he called his uncle. You gave the impression he is still around, and we can’t have him making life any more difficult than it already is – you understand?’
Evelyn Pearce pulled out papers from her attaché case. ‘He was arrested and is behind bars, and will be for a very long time. Tommy wasn’t the only child he had locked away in his house. They were found when a bomb hit the house next door and it exposed a wall.’
The Orphan Thief Page 21