Ruby

by Marie Maxwell

  ‘But that can’t be right. I’m just a kid. I’m not even a relation …’ Ruby’s eyes were everywhere, her hands were shaking and she was palpitating. It was all too much for her to take in. She pulled another cigarette out but this time George picked up the lighter. He flicked it once and the flame glowed. As Ruby leaned forward with the cigarette in her mouth for him to light he took the opportunity to continue what he was saying.

  ‘No buts. You have the hotel, Maggie has a trust fund for when she’s twenty-one, and Babs and I have been left some investments and insurances. I hadn’t realised how shrewd my sister was in business. Cleverer than me, that’s certain!’ George laughed. ‘There are stipulations, of course. You can’t sell it for five years, and Babs and I as executors have been asked to oversee everything for those five years to give you a little support.’

  ‘Are you sure you’ve read it right? It should be yours. You’re family, and it was the family house that bought this place, she told me.’

  ‘Yes, but it was hers to do with as she wanted,’ George said quietly. ‘And you are family and you’ve worked hard here. We’re proud of you. You deserve this opportunity, and what would we do with a hotel in Essex? Our lives and the surgery are in Melton, we’re very comfortable, and we’re all used to village life, including Maggie.’

  ‘You could sell it. That’s what I was sure was going to happen. I can’t believe it. The hotel is mine? Really?’ Ruby was excited at the thought of owning the hotel, but her excitement was tempered by the sorrow of how it had come about.

  ‘Yes, really. There is a reserve to go with it for emergencies, but other than that you’re going to have to work like a Trojan to run it, and you’re going to need someone alongside you, as you were for Leonora. We also need to talk about the implications.’

  ‘What implications?’ Ruby asked curiously. Her head was in overdrive but she tried to concentrate.

  ‘First, there’s the commitment of you having to manage Thamesview completely, no easy task for anyone, let alone someone as young as you. Then there’s fortune-hunters. You’re an attractive, single young woman who is now of independent means; a businesswoman, an owner of property. You’re going to have to be very aware because there will doubtless be men who will want to court you for the wrong reasons.’

  ‘Never! It’s a hotel, not the crown jewels,’ she laughed in embarrassment.

  ‘Oh, it’s very likely!’ Babs said firmly. ‘So it may be best if you’re discreet about your inheritance. And talking about young men, are you still seeing the chap that you told us about? Tony?’

  ‘Sort of. But he’s not a fortune-hunter, he’s a solicitor, and I’ve known him for years, ever since I came here.’

  ‘Where does he live?’

  ‘At the family home, just a road back from here. His parents own the café in the parade of shops up the road. They used to live over the shop but they’ve moved to somewhere bigger; they are such nice honest people, though they have spoiled their son.’

  ‘He doesn’t know anything about Maggie, does he?’

  ‘No, of course not. I’m not stupid. No one knows except us and Gracie, and I’d trust her with my life,’ she replied sharply, annoyed that they would even think she’d betray them and Maggie.

  ‘I’m sorry – we’re all being oversensitive at the minute – but you’re going to have to be more aware than ever before. Even with people you know.’ Babs said.

  ‘Tony’s all right. Once he’s more experienced he’ll earn a fortune. He’s ambitious.’ She stopped for a moment. Then: ‘Can I tell Gracie?’

  ‘Not straight away, nor Tony.’ George said. ‘Best not to tell anyone until it’s all formalised. Now we have to leave for the solicitor.’ He looked at his wife. ‘Can you see if Yardley is with the car?’

  As she stood up Babs Wheaton smiled at Ruby. ‘This is going to be a challenge for you, but I know you’re capable and we’ll be there to help.’

  While George, Babs and Ruby had been up in the flat talking through the details of Leonora’s will, Derek Yardley had walked along the seafront, taking in the air and looking for a postbox. When he got back to the hotel he crossed the road, sat on a nearby bench and, almost in a trance, watched the world go by.

  He watched the mix of people walking along the promenade, some with dogs on leads, others with babies in prams, elderly couples arm in arm just taking the sea air. Despite a chill in the air there were children and adults alike paddling in the sea, absolutely caught up in the moment and savouring the freedom from everyday life. It was so peaceful, and he leaned back on the bench and imagined himself living there in the comfort of a seafront property with perfect views and the bustling social life of the town just up the road.

  A picture-postcard place to live.

  And now Miss Ruby Blakeley, the snivelling little evacuee kid, was not only going to live there on Wheaton money, his permanently listening ears told him that she was going to own the whole hotel.

  He wondered how long she had been living there and he also wondered why. Something just wasn’t right about the whole situation, but he couldn’t figure out exactly what it was. He sat there and seethed with resentment and anger. The anger was, however, tempered a little by the knowledge that Ruby Blakeley had a couple of shocks in store.

  Deep in thought and warmed by the sun, he was annoyed when he saw Babs Wheaton appear on the steps and look across at him. As she waved so he stood up, carefully straightened his uniform, fixed a neutral expression on his face and walked back over the road to the hotel where the car was parked.

  Once again he manipulated George Wheaton’s wheelchair into the boot of the car and then followed the directions that took them to the line of shops and offices on Thorpe Bay Broadway. During the short drive he made a point of catching Ruby’s eye in the rear-view mirror as often as he could. His expression was neutral but he made sure she knew he was watching her and he enjoyed the power he could see he had over her.

  On the way back he again looked at Ruby and could almost feel her discomfort, her desire to get away from him. That annoyed him, so as she climbed out of the car back at the hotel he caught her eye once again, gave a sly smile and winked. She pretended not to notice but the tiny action was somehow so sinister it took her breath away.

  ‘Well, we have to go shortly, darling. It’s a long drive, as you know,’ Babs Wheaton smiled as they all went back inside. ‘But I’m pleased Gracie is staying with you. She’s a lovely girl and you’re lucky to have her as a friend. And vice versa, of course.’

  ‘I know. I love her dearly. I don’t know how I’d get on without her, especially without Aunt Leonora.’ Again the tears filled Ruby’s eyes. ‘I never really thanked her for all she did for me …’

  ‘She knew how you felt, and she felt the same about you. The best way to thank her is to take care of her hotel from now on in, to look after her gift to you. Now a quick cuppa and then we’ll be off and we’ll see you on funeral day. George will make all the arrangements but if you have any suggestions then ring us.’

  As they left, Ruby avoided any more contact with Yardley. She was aware of him trying to catch her eye but she was determined not to let it happen again. She wasn’t going to let him overshadow her mourning of Leonora Wheaton.

  Nineteen

  When Ruby opened the curtains on the morning of Leonora’s funeral she was relieved to see a perfect sunny day dawning. There wasn’t a cloud in the bright blue sky, the waters of the Thames Estuary were mill-pond calm, and Leonora’s favourite view was as clear as it could be.

  Purely by chance the high tide peaked as the funeral cortège pulled away from the hotel. Ruby looked out of the car window as the hearse moved slowly along the seafront and smiled sadly, pleased that it was so perfect as Leonora Wheaton left her beloved hotel for the very last time.

  It had been a strange few days as Ruby tried to come to terms with both Leonora’s death and her will. Such extremes of good and bad.

  George and Babs had ha
d to go back to Melton because of both the surgery and Maggie, but Gracie had been staying at the flat with Ruby. They had both been rushed off their feet, which stopped Ruby thinking too much, and it had also made it easier for her to sidetrack all conversation about the future of the hotel. She had nearly given in a few times, but in the end she told no-one, as George and Babs had asked. But she was waiting impatiently for the moment after the funeral and the formal reading of the will when she could. She hated having secrets from Gracie.

  The moving service in the local church and the burial in the pretty churchyard outside passed in a blur, but the saddest moment for Ruby was travelling back to the hotel without Leonora. It didn’t seem right.

  Gracie McCabe had stayed behind and laid out the funeral tea in the dining room at the back of the hotel and, dressed from head to toe in respectful black, was standing waiting at the door as the mourners arrived back, pointing everyone in the right direction. There had been a good turnout at the church and everyone who attended had been invited back to the reception.

  As Ruby went in, Gracie took her hand. ‘How are you?’ she whispered.

  ‘I don’t know really. I need to talk to you after all this. The solicitor will be here soon and then I can tell you everything …’

  ‘So you know what’s going to happen then?’

  ‘Yes, but I can’t say anything until after the formal stuff. I’ll tell you later, I promise!’

  Gracie was doing a good job of co-ordinating the food and also managing the reception desk, while Ruby and the Wheatons circulated amid the sea of black clothes and sad faces. Many were members of the church where Leonora had been a regular on Sundays, along with any of the hotel guests who had wanted to attend the service.

  It was over an hour later, and most of the mourners were still there when Gracie came into the room and whispered to Ruby, ‘There’s a bloke in the lobby asking for you, Ruby. He says he’s—’

  ‘That’ll be the solicitor,’ Ruby interrupted. ‘He’s here for the formal reading of the will.’

  ‘No it isn’t. I think it’s your brother Ray out there. Well, he said he is! What do you want me to do with him?’

  Ruby nearly passed out on the spot.

  ‘Oh dear God! Ray? How do you know it’s Ray? What did he say?’

  ‘Just that his name’s Ray and that he’s your brother. He’s insisting on seeing you. I told him there was a funeral reception going on but he just laughed.’

  Tony had been watching the interchange and, sensing something was up, came straight across the room to stand beside Ruby. Although he hadn’t been at the funeral he had walked along to the reception to pay his respects.

  ‘Problem?’ he asked as he placed a hand in the centre of Ruby’s back protectively.

  ‘Nothing we can’t handle,’ Gracie smiled.

  ‘My brother has turned up out of the blue. He’s in the lobby waiting for me,’ Ruby said.

  ‘I didn’t know you were in contact with your family. Do you want me to turf him out?’ Tony asked.

  ‘I don’t know what to do. How did he find me?’

  ‘You tell me …’ he asked, looking at her suspiciously.

  But as he spoke, so the familiar figure of Ray appeared in the doorway with his hands in his pockets and a huge grin on his face. He was slightly more rounded and his face was puffy and pasty, but there was no denying it was him.

  ‘Hello, Rube. What’s holding you up? Ain’t you pleased to see your big brother?’

  As Ruby looked at him her heart started to beat faster. Ray Blakeley, her brother. So much flashed through her mind in a few seconds that she couldn’t keep track. She guessed that was what it must be like to have your life flash past your eyes.

  His voice was loud enough to stop all conversation in the dining room, but as everyone turned in the direction of the loud voice George wheeled himself over with Babs by his side and a confident smile on his face.

  ‘Well, I never.’ Ray laughed out loud. ‘Uncle George and Aunty Babs, the child stealers! I knew you were behind our Rube disappearing, you lying bastards.’ He shook his head and laughed. ‘Still, I love a family party. Is there a drink for me? I mean, I’m family, aren’t I?’

  ‘This is a private reception. We’ve just come from my sister’s funeral so, I’m sorry, but I have to tell you you’re not welcome.’

  ‘OK, I’ll wait out there in that fancy great armchair and cause a bit of a rumpus. I can always talk to some of the posh bints I’ve seen hanging around looking a bit lost.’

  ‘You have no right to be here, Ray. Now please show some respect. I’ve told you, this is my sister’s funeral.’ George said quietly.

  ‘And I just want to speak to my sister,’ Ray said.

  ‘It’s OK,’ Ruby said quickly, aware of the potential for trouble, ‘I’ll talk to him. I don’t want a scene in front of everyone.’

  ‘I’ll come with you,’ Tony said with a wide fake smile and a very slight flexing of his shoulders that he knew Ray Blakeley would understand. ‘Just to support you.’

  ‘No, Tony, I don’t need any help. I can deal with Ray – he’s my brother.’

  Ruby was in shock but she had no intention of letting anyone know how she was feeling, especially Ray. She couldn’t believe that he had found her, let alone turned up on the day of the funeral, and just before the formal reading of the will. She had to get rid of him before Leonora’s solicitor arrived with all the documents. She could only imagine what would happen if her family found out about her inheritance.

  ‘Come on then, come through to the office,’ she said to Ray. Then she leaned over George’s wheelchair as if to push him. Hardly moving her mouth she whispered, ‘When the solicitor comes take him straight through to the lounge and shut the door. I won’t be long.’

  High heels clacking sharply on the tiled floor, she marched straight across the small lobby to the office, with Ray right behind her, but despite his inimitable swagger he looked unsettled out of his own environment and in his sister’s. The last time they’d been together she had been young, scared, secretly pregnant and about to run away. As she looked at him she realised that for the first time ever she had the upper hand over her brother. She was on home ground whereas he was on unfamiliar territory and among total strangers.

  ‘Take a seat.’ She pointed to a bucket chair near the door and, needing the security of a barrier between them, walked round and sat behind the desk.

  ‘Very important, Rube. I’m impressed,’ Ray smiled.

  ‘What do you want, Ray? I’m not really sure why you’re here.’

  ‘Because you’re my sister. Because you ran off without a word and left Ma and Nan worried sick, not to mention Robbie and Art. Ma thought you’d probably been done in up north; me and the boys thought you were probably on the game somewhere.’ He laughed but she didn’t react. Ruby knew he was only baiting her.

  ‘Not a thought for any of us, had you? And as for Mr and Mrs High and Mighty declaring with a straight face they didn’t have a clue …’

  Ruby smiled. ‘They were helping me, being kind to me. They really cared about me, which is more than can be said for my real family. What a sorry tale you’re telling, but none of you had any thought for me when you were treating me worse than a stray alley cat. Still, that’s in the past. Done. Forgotten. So why are you really here? I don’t understand. How did you know where I was?’

  Ray Blakeley crossed his legs, folded his arms and smiled.

  ‘A little bird told me!’ he said. ‘Now I’m asking how you came to be here. I thought you ran off to be Florence Nightingale and tend to the sick. Now, as far as I can see, you’re a waitress to Lord and Lady Muck out there.’

  Ruby ignored his dig, happy to realise that he no longer had any power or control over her. ‘Are any of the family with you? Is everyone OK?’ Ruby asked.

  ‘Bit late to be asking that, Rube, after all this time not bothering.’ He frowned. ‘But you’re not telling me what all the bloody Wheaton
s are doing here. What are you doing here? They told Ma they didn’t know where you were and now it’s all happy families beside the seaside.’

  ‘It’s their hotel and I work here.’ Ruby lied easily. ‘But now I have to get back to the funeral, so if you’re done …’

  ‘Any messages for anyone?’ he grinned.

  ‘No. I’m sure you’ll tell them everything.’ She stopped. ‘Just remember me to them. I missed Ma and Nan. Is Nan still OK?’

  ‘Same as she was, but older and deafer.’

  As she stood up so did Ray, but the angry attitude she knew so well just wasn’t there in the same way now; he was all bluster. She walked beside him to the doors and then out onto the steps.

  ‘I’ll be back, you know. You don’t escape us that easily.’

  His words were thrown angrily at her, but as he turned away she noticed something in his expression, something she’d never seen before. Ray Blakeley looked vulnerable. She looked at him closely and noticed that his clothes were very well worn, and there was a sad, dishevelled air about him. He looked like a chubby neglected version of the Ray she remembered so well.

  Something had happened to change him.

  She suddenly remembered him sitting on the side of his bed, beaten to a pulp and scared witless by Johnnie Riordan.

  Something was wrong with her brother. He’d given in far too easily. As she watched him make his way down the steps she noticed for the first time that he had a limp.

  ‘Ray, wait!’ she called. He turned on the pavement outside. ‘How did you get here?’

  ‘On the train.’

  ‘Just to come and see me? I’m flattered,’ she smiled.

  ‘Don’t kid yourself. I came with someone else. I’m meeting ’em back in the pub up the road.’

  ‘I have to finish with the funeral, but come back later if you want.’ She looked at her watch. ‘At five o’clock, for some tea before you go home.’

  His eyes narrowed with suspicion. ‘Why?’

  ‘I don’t know. Maybe because a funeral focuses the mind, maybe because you’re family – I don’t know – maybe because I’d like you to. But it’s up to you.’