A Rare Ruby

by Dee Williams

  ‘I don’t know.’

  Suddenly her father began coughing. Ruby looked over at him. Her heart went out to him as he grinned back at her. Her mother must love him very much. She never got cross, nor shouted at him, even though his not working made life so difficult for them all. Ruby didn’t know where she got such patience from.

  The following afternoon Ruby was in the dairy across the road, talking to Milly. Ruby liked Milly even though she was years older than Ruby; Ruby had known Milly all of her life. At one time, before Milly had to help in the dairy, they had played together and Milly would get told off for banging a ball on the wall of the shop. Milly’s parents owned the dairy, but they were getting on now. Most of the time, since her father had been taken ill and couldn’t stand all day, Milly was in the shop alone, although sometimes her mother would come down. Milly was nearly twenty, and knew most of what was going on round about and, despite their age difference, loved talking to Ruby.

  ‘Did you tell your mum about that poor young girl who wants somewhere to stay?’

  ‘Yes, I did, but you know me mum. ’Sides, we ain’t got much room.’

  ‘She’s got this baby.’ As Milly leaned over, her big bosoms rested on the counter. She was the only person Ruby knew who wasn’t skinny. ‘Her baby’s only a few weeks old. I think her old man’s in the Navy so he’s away a lot. She wouldn’t be any trouble.’

  ‘Where’s she staying now?’

  Milly looked up at the door, pulled her cross-over apron tighter round her and leaned forward. She lowered her voice. ‘She’s with that Mrs Mann and her daughter. You know, they live in the next road.’

  Ruby nodded, her dark searching eyes full of expression. ‘They frighten me.’

  ‘They frighten everybody with their ranting and ravings about the Lord coming and taking all the wicked ones.’

  ‘Does this girl come from round here?’

  ‘Don’t think so. I ain’t seen her hereabouts. ’Sides, if she did I reckon she’d be staying with her parents.’

  ‘I’ll ask me mum again. How does she pay her rent?’

  ‘She must get some sort of allowance.’

  ‘Now this weather’s turned Mum might think twice about it. All that washing hanging about - I don’t think it does me dad any good, sitting with all that steam round him.’

  ‘How is your dad?’

  ‘Mum don’t think he’ll ever be any different.’

  ‘Shame. He was such a nice man.’

  Ruby watched as Milly put a dollop of dripping on the scales. She took it off and put it on a sheet of greaseproof paper, then very quickly added another lump. ‘What is it, bread and dripping for tea?’

  Again Ruby nodded.

  ‘That’ll be tuppence,’ said Milly.

  Ruby smiled. ‘Thanks, Milly.’ With the wind and rain beating against her face, Ruby hurried across the road.

  ‘Mum, Milly was telling me about this woman what wants a room. She’s got a baby and her husband’s away, she lives with that Mrs Mann.’

  Mrs Jenkins’s head shot up. ‘Ruby, we’ve only got three rooms and a washhouse, and we was lucky to get this much space. Where would she sleep? And I can’t see Mr Cox being very pleased about it.’

  Ruby knew they could have trouble with him, but her mother needed the money. ‘She could come in with me and Tom. P’r’aps she could bring a mattress. She could sleep next to us.’

  Mary Jenkins picked the iron off the hob and, turning it over, spat on it making it sizzle. ‘I can’t see her paying to sleep on the floor. She must be better off where she is, she must have a room. Why does she want to move?’

  ‘Milly didn’t say.’

  She smiled at her daughter. ‘You’re a good girl. Now you carry on with this while I cut the bread and make a bit of toast for tea.’

  As Ruby moved the iron back and forth over the washing she began to think of ways to help her mother out. She should try to get a job. But what? It couldn’t be for long hours, as she needed to help her mother till Tom was old enough and strong enough to collect and deliver on his own.

  As Ruby made her way to the market the following morning, her heart gave a little leap when she saw Ernie Wallis in front of her. He was pushing a pram piled high with bundles of washing along Rotherhithe New Road. Ruby knew he was fifteen; he was taller but thinner than her. He had a mop of dark hair that fell over his vivid blue eyes: no wonder all the girls at school had been in love with Ernie Wallis. She grinned. He was having a great deal of trouble getting the pram down the kerb as one of the wheels was badly buckled.

  ‘What are you looking at?’ he asked when he caught sight of her.

  ‘You,’ she said confidently.

  ‘Well, don’t.’

  ‘I can look at who I want.’ Although Ruby was shaking in her boots she just had to speak to him - hold his attention. She didn’t want him to ignore her any more. ‘Where are you going with that lot?’

  ‘Mind yer own business.’

  Ruby was interested. He didn’t live round this way. ‘You told our Tom you was going to take some of me mum’s customers away from her.’

  He laughed. ‘That brother of yours can be a right wimp.’

  ‘And that wasn’t very nice telling him he’ll grow up like me dad.’

  ‘Yer. I shouldn’t have said that. I was having a bad day.’

  So he could be nice, thought Ruby. Since she was angry about his remarks she wanted to tell him off, but she also wanted to keep close to him. ‘D’you go to work?’

  ‘Course.’

  ‘Where d’you work?’ she asked as they continued along the road together.

  ‘What’s it to you?’

  ‘Just interested, that’s all.’

  ‘It’s only temporary at the moment. I’m looking for something better.’

  ‘Trouble is so are a lot of men.’

  ‘Know that, don’t I? You gonner follow me?’

  ‘No. I’m going to the market. Where are you going?’

  ‘As I said. Mind yer own business.’ He turned off and went towards Lower Road.

  What was he doing going down there? Ruby wanted to follow him, but she knew he’d be mad at her and she didn’t want to get into his bad books as she still had feelings for him . . . but could it lead anywhere?

  She wandered round the market looking for anything that was cheap or had been thrown away. Her mind was going over what Milly had told her about the woman who wanted a bed. She had to convince her mother that this would be good for them. Perhaps the woman would help her mother, then she could really start looking for work?

  It was late afternoon when Ruby was delivering Mrs Barton’s washing. She was standing on Mrs Barton’s doorstep when Mrs Flynn, the next-door neighbour, came out.

  ‘Been looking out the window waiting for you. Could you do a little job for me?’

  ‘Yes, if I can.’

  ‘I’ll pay yer.’

  Ruby’s eyes lit up. ‘What is it?’

  ‘Could you be a love and take me washing to the bag-wash? Me feet’s playing up something rotten and I can’t be dragging this lot down there.’

  ‘Would you like me mum to do it for you?’

  ‘No, ta all the same. I use the bag-wash off Lower Road. All I have to do is stuff it in a pillowcase and they wash it like that - that way I don’t lose any.’

  ‘You wouldn’t lose any if me mum did it.’

  ‘From what I gather your mum’s got enough on her hands. Besides, they put it in the big dryers afterwards. It comes back just damp and I can manage that.’

  ‘Is it ready?’ asked Ruby.

  ‘I’ll just get it. I’ll give you a couple of pence for your trouble. You’ll have to bring it back tomorrow.’

  Ruby was overjoyed. Was luck on her side? Could she earn a bit more? ‘That’s all right.’ After she’d collected Mrs Barton’s money she loaded the old pram with Mrs Flynn’s dirty washing and made her way to the laundry.

  Ruby stood in front of the impo
sing entrance. Under the large brick arch, which had the name ‘Stone’s’ painted on it, the cobbled path led to a dark, dreary-looking building with small narrow windows. It looked more like the workhouse than a laundry. Gingerly and very carefully, Ruby pushed her pram round the horse dung and past the delivery cart that had ‘Stone’s Laundry’ in large letters on the side. The horse was busy munching on his nosebag; there wasn’t a sign of the driver. Steam hissed and rose from the drains. When she got up to an open door, the noise from machinery took her by surprise.

  ‘Yes?’ said a stern-looking woman coming up to her.

  ‘I’ve brought Mrs Flynn’s bag-wash.’

  ‘Have you now. Has she put her number on it?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ Ruby looked about her in bewilderment. This was the first time she’d ever set foot in a place like this.

  ‘Give us it ’ere.’ With that, the woman lifted the heavy bundle of washing out of the pram as if it weighed just a few pounds. ‘That’s all right,’ she said, looking at a number that was drawn on the bolster case the washing had been stuffed into.

  ‘When will it be ready?’ asked Ruby.

  ‘It’s a bit late today. Call back tomorrow, about midday, we shut at four on Saturdays.’

  ‘How much will it be?’

  The woman threw the bundle on the scales. ‘D’you know if it’s all whites?’

  Ruby nodded. Mrs Flynn had told her that.

  ‘That’ll be sixpence for the washing and tuppence for the drying.’

  Ruby almost gasped at the prices. Her mother didn’t charge that much.

  ‘You pay when you collect.’

  Ruby thanked her and left, but not before she had a quick glance around. Could this be the answer to her prayers? Could she set up some sort of business like collecting and delivering washing? A lot of people didn’t do their own washing and her mother couldn’t really take on any more. Her mind was going over and over as she walked home. Would it be possible for a young girl to start a business? Would people laugh at her? Her mother would tell her not to be silly, but everybody had to start somewhere. Was that what Ernie Wallis did? If so, he wouldn’t want her intruding and taking his customers away. She smiled to herself. But after all, all’s fair in love and war.

  Chapter 2

  That night, as Ruby lay on the thick feather mattress next to her brother, she was still deep in thought. If Ernie Wallis could collect and deliver loads of washing to the laundry, so could she. She didn’t want her mother to take on any more work; this way would be much better. Perhaps if her business grew, she could expand, get another old pram then get Tom to help her. She smiled to herself as Tom turned over and snuggled close to her. Was she being too ambitious? She could only give it a try. She put her arm round Tom. She loved him so much. It would be wonderful if they could really make a go of this. Her father always used to say that you never make a lot of money all the while you work for someone. Tomorrow she’d ask Mrs Flynn if she knew of anyone else who wanted their washing taking to the laundry, then gradually she could build up her reputation. She drifted off, dreaming happy dreams.

  It was well past lunchtime before Ruby managed to get to the laundry. She was worried Mrs Flynn might be waiting for her washing. There wasn’t anybody outside near the big metal scales, so she went in. The room was tall and white with a huge counter, a stack of brown paper and balls of string. She stood and waited for someone to talk to. The door at the side was slightly ajar. Ruby carefully pushed it open. She could see a young girl sorting through a pile of washing.

  Ruby nervously said, ‘Hello.’

  The girl looked up and put her hand on her heart. ‘Bloody ’ell. You frightened the daylights out of me. What d’yer want?’

  ‘Sorry. What’re you doing?’

  ‘The worst bloody job here.’

  Ruby looked about her embarrassed. ‘Why is it?’

  ‘Would you like to sort out blokes’ smelly, shitty pants?’

  ‘No, I suppose not.’

  ‘Well, don’t stand looking at me then. What d’yer want anyway?’

  ‘I’ve come for Mrs Flynn’s washing.’

  ‘Well, you’ve got to go and see Mrs bloody snotty-nosed Watson. She’s the charge hand.’

  ‘Where will I find her?’

  ‘Sniffing round old man Stone, I shouldn’t wonder.’

  ‘Who’s he?’

  ‘The owner. You’re a nosy cow, ain’t yer?’

  Ruby looked down. ‘Sorry.’

  ‘Look out, here she comes.’ The girl put her head down and continued to sort through the dirty washing.

  ‘Yes?’ asked Mrs Watson, coming up to Ruby.

  ‘I’ve come for Mrs Flynn’s bag-wash.’

  ‘Well, you wait out there.’ She pointed to the open door. ‘You shouldn’t be in here.’

  ‘Sorry. I was just looking for someone to ask.’ Ruby grinned at the girl and followed Mrs Watson.

  Ruby was full of expectations when she delivered Mrs Flynn’s washing, but her high hopes were soon dashed when Mrs Flynn told her she hadn’t heard of anyone else who took their washing to the bag-wash, but promised to let her know if she ever did.

  At first Ruby was downcast as she began to walk home, but then she suddenly remembered what her father had told her many years ago. ‘You don’t get nothing for nothing in this world, you’ve got to strive for it.’ With renewed enthusiasm she began to knock on the doors of the big houses.

  The first three were polite and said their maids did their washing. At the next house she was sent down to the basement and the woman told her to bugger off. After a lot more refusals her feet hurt and she was cold and hungry, and she was beginning to lose heart. It was the next house that sent her on her way home with her tail between her legs.

  The woman opened the door. ‘Yes?’

  Ruby gave her the biggest smile she could and said politely, ‘I was wondering if you sent your laundry to the bag-wash and if so would you like me to collect and deliver it for you?’

  The woman looked her up and down. ‘I wouldn’t trust you with my dirty washing. I don’t suppose I’d ever see it again. Now get off of my doorstep before I shout for a policeman. Who would give a scruffy-looking kid like you their dirty washing?’

  With her head down, Ruby turned and walked away.

  She turned the corner and almost bumped into a young woman who yelled at her, ‘’Ere! Watch where you’re going.’

  ‘Sorry.’

  ‘’Ello there. You’re the kid what come to the laundry this morning, ain’t yer?’

  It took a moment or two for Ruby to recognise her. At work her dark hair had been scragged back from her face and covered with a cloth hat. Now she was wearing a wide-brimmed black hat with a floppy rose on the brim, which almost covered her face, and her black coat looked as if it had been made for her as it fitted her well-formed figure perfectly. Ruby half smiled. ‘Yes.’

  ‘You look a bit down in the dumps.’

  ‘I’m all right.’

  ‘What’s up? Your old man bin giving you a pasting?’

  ‘No.’ Ruby went to move on.

  The girl put her hand out. ‘Just a mo’. This morning you was full of questions, so what’s wrong now?’

  How could she tell this stranger that her hopes of having her own business had been dashed? She would think she was daft. ‘I’m all right.’

  ‘I’m just off to the market. Fancy coming along?’

  ‘No. I’ve got to get home.’

  ‘Well p’r’aps another time. By the way, me name’s Elsie, what’s yours?’

  ‘Ruby.’

  ‘Ruby. That’s nice. Might see you at the laundry one day. Bye.’

  ‘Bye,’ said Ruby. She stood and watched Elsie walk away in her good boots, swinging her handbag as if she didn’t have a care in the world. Ruby was letting her thoughts drift. That’s a nice hat and coat she’s got on, must have cost a bit. I wonder how much she earns? Ruby wished she had a job. Did they want any wor
kers at Stone’s laundry? Elsie was now out of sight. Perhaps she could help her get a job? Ruby began to walk in the same direction as Elsie.

  There was the usual hustle and bustle at the market. The stallholders were shouting about their wares. Kids were running around screaming and yelling. One stallholder was hanging on to a young kid and giving him a clip round the ear for pinching things. Ruby could see the boy, who was about six, looked terrified. There was a chill wind, but he didn’t have a coat and the dirty tatty shirt he had on was ripped up the side. His trousers were many sizes too large for him and held up with a length of webbing tied round his waist. Ruby suddenly caught sight of Elsie striding up to the man. Although she was slight and a lot shorter than he was, she pulled him round. Ruby couldn’t hear what she was saying, but the wagging finger and the movement of her head told her he was getting a right mouthful. Ruby smiled. Elsie was very gutsy.

  Elsie put her arm round the young boy’s shoulder and began to walk away. Ruby went up to her. ‘You was very brave standing up to that man.’

  She grinned. ‘Didn’t see you watching.’

  ‘I came to ask you a question.’

  ‘Did you now.’ Elsie still had her arm round the young boy’s shoulders. He looked scared stiff. ‘Can’t bear to see these kids bullied. I know what it’s like to be hungry. ’Ere y’are, lad.’ She opened her bag and gave him a ha’penny - ‘Can’t afford any more’ - then snapped the clasp of her bag shut.

  ‘Cor. Thanks, missus.’ The boy clutched the money and ran off.

  ‘That was very generous of you,’ said Ruby.

  ‘I ’ave me moments. Now, what was it you wanted to ask me?’

  ‘I was wondering if there’s any jobs going at Stone’s?’

  ‘Dunno. Wouldn’t like to say. Mr Stone don’t always tell me his business.’

  ‘You talk to Mr Stone?’ asked Ruby, wide-eyed.

  ‘No, course not, you silly cow. I was just pulling your leg.’