by Weaver, Pam
John seemed genuinely moved. The gift was wrapped in a small piece of blue tissue paper, exactly the same as the tissue paper that covered the brooch her mother had given Ruby. John undid the string holding it together and revealed a pair of cufflinks that had once belonged to Nelson. He had hardly ever worn them, but seeing them again gave Ruby a bit of a jolt. Apart from the watch, she knew that her mother had got rid of everything else Nelson had owned. Percy appeared, fully dressed, in the doorway.
‘They are not new,’ Bea was saying apologetically, ‘but you are welcome.’
John’s hand trembled as he picked them up. ‘Madam, I have never come across such kindness. Thank you, thank you.’
He seized Bea’s hand and kissed it. Ruby saw her brother stiffen.
‘Percy,’ cried Bea, retrieving her hand, ‘you haven’t met our lodger yet, have you? John, this is my son Percy. Percy, this is John Coffey. John is a cobbler and has just started up a business in the old shed outside.’
John rose to his feet and bowed stiffly. ‘I am pleased to meet you,’ he said, holding out his hand towards Percy.
Percy hesitated for a second, but took the proffered hand and shook it. ‘Where are you from?’
‘Germany,’ said John.
‘Germany?’ said Percy.
Ruby held her breath. John nodded.
‘Mosley is very keen on Germany.’ Percy’s face broke into a smile. ‘I am very pleased to meet you.’
Once breakfast was over, Percy decided to go and see some friends, and John went for a walk. That left the kitchen free for Bea and Ruby to get the dinner started.
‘Aren’t you having any breakfast, Mum?’ Ruby asked as she cleared the table.
‘I had mine earlier,’ said Bea.
At ten Aunt Vinny came round with a rather scrawny-looking chicken. ‘The last but one left,’ she said. ‘He’s hardly got a leg to stand on,’ she chuckled, holding one thin leg in the air, ‘but I got him for two bob.’ And they all laughed.
‘Anyway,’ said Bea, ‘I’ve already got a small bacon joint, so we shall be feasting today.’
While Bea put the bacon in the double saucepan, her sister chopped off the chicken’s head and got it ready for the oven. Ruby was already seated at the table, preparing the vegetables.
‘Where’s Cousin Lily?’ Ruby asked. ‘I thought she was coming to help.’
‘She’s out with her young man,’ said Aunt Vinny.
Ruby could barely hide her surprise. ‘So she’s still going out with Hubert Periwinkle?’
‘Hubert Periwinkle!’ said her aunt. ‘Oh no, dear. She packed him up ages ago. Just lately she’s been seeing Albert.’
‘Albert?’ said Ruby.
‘Albert Longman.’
Ruby was aware that her mouth had dropped open. Albert Longman? She could hardly believe her ears. Cousin Lily was stepping out with Albert Longman, with his funny haircut and his smarmy smile. ‘How long has she …?’
‘I thought you knew,’ said Aunt Vinny innocently. ‘They’ve been together ever since that first inquest. He came round that night. Most comforting, he was.’ She gazed into the distance, all starry-eyed. ‘Our Lily is real smitten with him.’
And so are you, by the look of it, Ruby thought darkly. So, within weeks – nay, days – of declaring his undying love to her, Albert was courting Cousin Lily! ‘Are they getting engaged or anything?’
‘Not yet,’ said Aunt Vinny, ‘but she’s confident.’
Her mother had said nothing, but Ruby could see she was just as surprised. So much for Albert’s broken heart!
‘Is Lily spending the day with his family then?’ asked Bea.
‘Oh no, dear,’ said Aunt Vinny. ‘He’s taken her to church, that’s all. They’ll be here in time for lunch.’
Ruby rose quickly from her chair and put the potato peelings into the bucket under the sink. She didn’t want her mother and aunt to see the smirk on her face. Cousin Lily and Albert in church … Now that would be a sight for sore eyes.
She closed the door, shutting out the sound of Christmas carols and people in the street wishing each other a happy Christmas. What did it all mean anyway? Men on camels and a baby lying in a straw bed – she didn’t want peace on earth. All she wanted was her lover back. How could she enjoy herself, when he had been blasted to kingdom come?
She turned the key in the lock so that she wouldn’t be disturbed. She would sit very still and concentrate. Maybe she would hear his voice again. That would be the best Christmas present ever. Her writing pad was in the drawer. She got it out and put it on the table next to her chair. If he spoke to her, she could put it down on paper. That way she could read and reread his words again and again. Picking up her favourite fountain pen, she closed her eyes. A slow smile crept across her lips as she waited.
Cousin Lily stretched luxuriantly and gazed at the man in bed beside her. He was sleeping now, exhausted after their passionate lovemaking. Her body still stung from his penetration and, as she thought about what they had just done, her excitement rose again. She’d fought him off for several weeks, but finally he’d worn her down. They’d planned this day for some time, fooling her mother into believing they were going to church. They’d made a big thing of it being Christmas Day and needing to thank God for his gift, and set off in time for the service. They’d hidden in a nearby twitten, and as soon as her mother had left the house, they had crept back upstairs and into Lily’s room. She had been excited and a bit scared, but Albert was an accomplished lover.
He’d been breathtakingly strong, apologizing and lusting after her all in the same breath, as he undressed her and took her on the bed. She had been thrilled and terrified all at the same time. When it was all over she’d lain still, staring at the ceiling, as his body – empty of all power – sagged on top of her. He’d lifted himself off her, kissed her and rolled over to sleep. Lily had slept a little herself, but then the enormity of what had happened began to sink in. Suppose she got pregnant? Suppose he talked about her in the town? Suppose, now that he’d had his way, he left her and went off with someone else? Suppose her mother found out? He woke to find her tearful and trembling but, with honeyed words, he’d soon made her melt in his arms once more and they’d made love again.
When it was done, he’d whispered, ‘Happy Christmas, darling,’ and Lily knew he would love her forever.
CHAPTER 21
The meal was set for one o’clock and everybody had assembled by twelve-thirty. Jim Searle came bearing gifts, which, despite May’s loud protests, were added to the ones under the Christmas tree to be opened at teatime. Albert and Percy seemed slightly surprised to see each other, but apart from that and the fact that Nelson was missing, it was a normal Christmas Day.
‘Nice to see you again,’ said Albert, shaking Percy’s hand. ‘Where have you been?’
‘To begin with, I was in London,’ Percy explained, ‘and then I moved to York.’
He told them a little about the rallies he’d been to and the training he’d undertaken with the BUF.
Albert shook his head. ‘Each to his own, but that’s not the life for me,’ he said. ‘I’d hate being told what to do all the time.’
The chicken and bacon were a great success (John declined the bacon) and they enjoyed the roast potatoes with cabbage, carrots and parsnips. Bea put the last of a brandy miniature over the pudding and set it alight. Aunt Vinny had brought a tin of sterilized cream that she’d won in a raffle some time ago, which topped it off nicely. When the meal was done, everyone agreed it had been splendid. Normally the men would retire to the front parlour, but now that it was John’s room, they had to make a few changes, and with all the extra chairs in the kitchen there wasn’t a lot of room.
After May had begged to go out in the street with her new skipping rope, Percy decided he needed some exercise on his bicycle and invited Jim to do the same. Unfortunately Jim had come on foot and didn’t think his landlady would want to be disturbed if he went back to his digs
. John suggested that the family needed some time together without him, but Bea wouldn’t hear of it, although she did concede that it would help her if he rested in his room until teatime. Albert, who had spent a good deal of his time watching every move Ruby made, took Cousin Lily out for a walk.
Because Bea had eaten the biggest meal she had had in a long time, she started to feel unwell. Aunt Vinny took her upstairs, which only left Ruby to do the washing up. Jim tugged at a tea towel to dry the dishes.
‘You don’t have to do that,’ she said.
‘I want to,’ said Jim, giving her a quick kiss on the lips. She’d been longing for him to do that ever since he’d arrived.
‘You forgot to tell me what the prize for the photographic competition was,’ she said, smiling up at him. ‘What did you win?’
‘A course,’ he said mysteriously and, seeing Ruby’s puzzled expression, he chuckled. ‘First prize was twenty-five pounds’ worth of the latest photographic equipment and a chance to work with a top fashion photographer.’
Ruby’s mouth dropped open. ‘Twenty-five pounds! But that’s a king’s ransom.’
‘Second prize,’ he said, ‘my prize, is a week with Thomas Kendrick.’
‘Who’s he?’
‘Only just about the best wildlife photographer around,’ laughed Jim. ‘He lives in a small hamlet near Wimborne in Dorset. I get to stay at his home and learn some of his techniques.’
Ruby had mixed feelings, but she beamed and hugged him close. ‘When do you go?’
‘January the twelfth.’
‘That’s marvellous, Jim,’ she said. ‘I am so pleased for you.’
She had wanted to confide in him about her job, or lack of one, but considering what he’d just told her, that would be unfair. She knew him well enough to know that he would postpone his trip to be there to support her. But this was his moment – his opportunity to walk that lesser-known pathway. She couldn’t spoil it for him, and besides it was only for a week. He’d be back in no time.
Job done, they sat beside the fire. ‘Want to go for a walk?’ asked Jim. They were having to whisper because, when she came back downstairs, Aunt Vinny had dropped off to sleep in her chair.
‘Do you?’
‘Not fussed.’
‘Anyway, the others will be back soon,’ she said, sitting down.
Taking an anxious glance at her sleeping aunt, Jim knelt on the rag rug in front of Ruby and took her hands in his. ‘Will you write to me?’
She laughed softly. ‘You’re only going for a week.’
‘I’d still like a letter from my best girl,’ he said earnestly.
‘You’d better tell her then,’ she teased. ‘Of course I’ll write, even though you won’t have time to read it.’
They heard voices and Aunt Vinny stirred, closing her open mouth and opening her sleepy eyes. Jim was back in his chair, his face the picture of innocence, as he sat bolt upright with his hands clasped firmly in his lap. Ruby had her hand over her mouth to stifle the giggle welling up inside her. Aunt Vinny turned her head to look at the clock and, while her back was to him, Jim blew Ruby a kiss.
After a tea that nobody really wanted, they opened the remaining presents. Once she had seen what Jim had given her, Ruby could hardly recall what her other presents were. She loved the Yardley’s powder in a big box, with its own powder puff. It must have cost Jim a fortune. Cousin Lily squealed with delight when Ruby took of the cellophane wrapping and let her smell its perfume. Ruby had given Jim a fountain pen, but it wasn’t a patch on what he’d given her. Lily had given Albert a tie, and he had bought her a book.
‘How lovely!’ she cried. ‘I’ve always wanted to read that one.’
When she saw the expression on Albert’s face, Ruby looked away. Everybody (except Jim) knew that Lily couldn’t read, and she was a past master at hiding the fact, but there was something unkind in his smile.
Christmas Day was almost over and so, to round it off, they got out the dartboard and decided to play: the men against the ladies. May, grumpy and protesting that she wasn’t a bit tired, was packed off to bed. John was about to go back in his room until Jim pointed out that they needed him to make up the team.
The women’s team was at a distinct disadvantage. Half the time Cousin Lily couldn’t even get her darts on the board, although Ruby had a feeling that she was playing up to Albert. They all enjoyed the laugh, anyway.
‘How’s the job going, Albert?’ Percy asked.
‘So-so,’ said Albert, ‘with it being Christmas. I’ve been assigned to nativity plays and children’s parties.’
‘Oh, dear,’ Jim sympathized.
‘It makes a change from missionary teas and WI meetings,’ said Albert drily.
‘My mother has been telling me how well you looked after her and my sisters when my father died,’ said Percy. ‘I want to thank you.’
Albert waved his hand dismissively, but, throwing a glance at Ruby, he said, ‘My pleasure.’
‘I can’t imagine how the accident happened,’ Percy went on.
‘One of the old boys thought you were in the boat with him,’ said Jim. ‘He told the coroner as much, anyway.’ He threw his darts, getting a treble twenty, a double five and a one.
‘I heard that,’ said Percy. ‘Bluey said it was Silas. But I was in London at the time and I can prove it.’
‘Odd, isn’t it?’ Albert remarked. ‘Anyway, not to worry. The coroner didn’t believe it, and that’s all that matters.’
‘Let’s not talk about sad things today,’ said Cousin Lily, getting ready to take her turn at the dartboard. Everyone moved well away from it.
‘You’re right,’ said Bea.
Aiming her dart, Cousin Lily closed one eye and hit the door frame.
The day after Boxing Day, Ruby slipped up the service stairs at the back of Warnes Hotel. She timed it so that Mrs Fosdyke had finished doing her rounds and would be in the office upstairs, with the MD.
She had dressed with care, making herself look as presentable as possible. Her hair was neat and tidy and she was in her Sunday-best clothes, with her shoes highly polished. Ruby looked up and down the corridor to make sure nobody was around. The cleaning trolley was outside room 32. Mrs Harper was in room 36, just a little further along. Ruby walked briskly, her heart already beating faster. She mustn’t get caught and stopped before she could talk to Mrs Harper. She knocked softly on the door. ‘Come in,’ said a quavery voice, and Ruby stepped inside.
Mrs Harper was still in bed. She seemed pale and was clearly not well, but she smiled as Ruby came closer. ‘Hello, dear. How are you?’
‘I’m fine,’ said Ruby. ‘Mrs Harper, I need your help.’
The old lady sat up. ‘Do you, dear?’
‘Do you remember losing your brooch?’ Ruby asked.
‘Did I?’
Ruby chewed her bottom lip anxiously. ‘Yes, you did. I was cleaning in the bathroom, and you were worried that your daughter might be cross.’
There was no reaction. Mrs Harper stared at Ruby with a blank expression.
‘I helped you to look for it,’ Ruby ploughed on. ‘I looked on your coat lapel and we looked in the drawer.’ She expected some kind of response, but there was absolutely nothing. What should she do now? She smiled at the old lady. Mrs Harper smiled back.
‘I’ve got a bit of a cold,’ said Mrs Harper. ‘Did you bring the morning paper with you, dear?’
Ruby knew then that it was hopeless. She turned towards the door. ‘I’ll send somebody up with it,’ she smiled.
‘Do I know you, dear?’ said Mrs Harper.
‘You did,’ said Ruby, swallowing hard, ‘but that was a long time ago. I’m afraid I have to go now. Goodbye.’
‘Goodbye, dear,’ said Mrs Harper, settling back down in the bed.
Ruby closed the door and rested her head on the frame, until she heard another door opening further down the corridor. Instinctively she knew it was Mrs Harper’s daughter. She dared not be caught t
alking again to her mother. Mrs Toynby knew that Ruby had been sacked, and to be found in Mrs Harper’s room again wouldn’t look good. Ruby walked back down the corridor with her head held high and, as she reached the back stairs, she heard Mrs Harper’s door open and her daughter say in a sing-song voice, ‘Time to get up now, Mother. We’re going to see your nice new home today.’
As she fled down the back stairs, Ruby heard somebody coming onto the landing. The sound of a handle hitting the side of a bucket told her it must be either Winnie or Edith. Ruby toyed briefly with the idea of saying hello, but then decided it was better not to let anyone know she was there.
Outside in the cold winter morning, Ruby knew her time at Warnes was well and truly over. It had been a mad idea to try and persuade Mrs Harper that she had made a dreadful mistake. The poor old soul’s mind had finally gone and, with it, any hope of getting her own good name restored, so there was little point in apologizing to Mrs Fosdyke. Ruby desperately wanted her job back, but she knew hell would freeze over before Mrs Fosdyke would give her another chance, and there was no way she was going to grovel. Her next stop would be the domestic employment agency, but she had little hope of getting a placement without a reference.
Percy had spent the morning preparing the boat and the nets, or what was left of them. He’d have to buy some more trammel nets. They were gone, presumably when Nelson went overboard. The lobster pots were still there, and he found a couple of mended nets in the locker. At this time of year he could get some good cod, but it was better to fish at night when the cod came closer to land. He might manage to catch whiting as well, but he wouldn’t make the same mistake as his father and go fishing alone.
Coming back home, he spotted Ruby walking ahead of him and ran to catch her up. ‘Hey up, Sis. Why aren’t you at work?’
At first Ruby didn’t answer, but when Percy grabbed her arm to stop her walking on, she burst into tears. They were fairly near a small cafe in High Street, so he pulled her aside and they went in. The heat and fumes from a paraffin heater hit them as they walked through the door. Ruby opened her coat and took off her scarf and gloves. Percy ordered two teas, and Ruby explained what had happened. Her brother listened with a shocked expression.