by Dee Williams
‘He tried.’
‘I’m sorry. Why didn’t you tell me?’
‘Didn’t think you’d believe me.’
‘I don’t know what we can do. We can’t upset him. This place is all we can afford. It’s going to be hard when Beth moves on.’
‘Is she moving on?’
‘She will one day and it might be sooner than we thought, and us along with her.’ Her mother sat on the stairs. ‘Where will we finish up?’ She looked up at Ruby and the tears ran down her face. ‘If we get thrown out they could take your dad away. We could finish up in the workhouse.’
Ruby sat next to her mother and put her arm round Mary’s thin shoulders. ‘Mum, don’t say that. I’m sure we’ll be able to manage. What was Beth thinking about?’
‘I’m sure it wasn’t really her fault. She’s such a nice girl. Perhaps tomorrow she’ll go up and tell Mr Cox she’s sorry.’
‘I’ll have a word with her and see if she’ll do that.’
‘I’m sure she will. Ruby, if anything happens to me, promise me you’ll look after your dad and Tom. You will, won’t you?’
‘For goodness sake, Mum, nothing’s going to happen to you.’
Mary Jenkins clutched her daughter’s hand. ‘Promise me, Ruby, promise me, please.’
‘Now honestly, do you have to ask?’
Her mother slowly shook her head.
‘Well, come on then. Let’s stop all this silly talk and get to bed. We’ll worry about Mr Cox tomorrow.’
Her mother held Ruby’s face in her thin red hands and kissed her cheek. ‘You’re a good girl, Ruby.’
Ruby watched her mother go into her bedroom. She was looking old and very thin. Many times Ruby had told her that now money was a little easier she didn’t have to work so hard, but she worried it might not last, and if she lost her customers now she wouldn’t get them back.
Beth was flat out on her back snoring. Ruby lay next to Tom. His steady breathing told her he knew nothing of the drama that had been unfolding. Danny was making funny little snuffles. Beth was lucky to have such a lovely son. Ruby knew sleep wasn’t going to come easily. Her mind was going over and over all that had happened. Why wasn’t Beth more diplomatic? She had known how they got these rooms and knew what was at stake. Perhaps tomorrow she would go up and tell Mr Cox she was sorry.
Beth was feeding Danny when Ruby opened her eyes.
‘I bet you’re really angry with me, ain’t you?’
Ruby sat up. ‘What do you think? I’m worried we might get chucked out.’
‘It won’t come to that.’
‘How do you know?’
‘It was the drink talking. ’Sides, he ain’t that daft. He won’t throw you out; he knows he’s on to a good thing. Who else would do his washing and cooking?’
Ruby didn’t reply as she pulled her frock over her head.
‘And I earn my own living, so he can’t hurt me,’ said Beth.
‘What happens when Mrs Moss gets back and you’re out of work?’
‘I’ll cross that bridge if and when I get to it. Something always turns up.’
‘Ruby, what’s the shouting about?’ asked Tom, sitting up.
‘Nothing. Come on, it’s time to get up.’ Ruby gathered up the bedclothes and put them in a pile away from the door.
‘What’s wrong?’ asked Tom looking bewildered. He could see Ruby was angry.
‘I had a little drink last night and me and Mr Cox had words.’ Beth was smiling. ‘Don’t worry about it.’
‘Is Dad all right, Mum?’ Ruby asked when she went into the kitchen.
Her mother gave her a slight smile and nodded. ‘I don’t think he heard the rumpus.’
‘That’s good.’
‘Is she awake?’ Her mother inclined her head towards the door.
‘Yes. I’ve told her to go up and apologise.’
‘D’you think she will? I don’t know what we’ll do if we have to move out.’
‘I told you. I don’t think it’ll come to that.’
‘I hope not. I didn’t sleep a wink last night.’
Ruby looked round the tidy room. On top of the range, which had been black-leaded, the kettle was singing softly, and the hearth had been whitened. ‘What time did you get up?’
‘I couldn’t get back to sleep, so I got up and carried on with me chores. The first lot of washing’s on the line.’
‘Mum, this ain’t going to do you any good, working like this and not getting any sleep.’
Mary Jenkins patted the back of her daughter’s hand. ‘I’ll be all right. Don’t you go worrying about me. You find yourself a nice rich young man then we’ll all be in clover.’
Despite feeling down, Ruby gave a little chuckle. ‘Chance’d be a fine thing.’ The only person she really liked was Ernie Wallis, and he was far from rich.
Chapter 9
The following morning, as soon as Ruby caught sight of Elsie outside the laundry, she ran up to her and without giving Elsie time to take a breath, poured out all her problems. ‘I’m ever so worried, I just had to tell someone.’
Elsie had listened in silence. When Ruby finished, her first words were: ‘The silly little cow. Why did she do that?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Was she drunk?’
‘Didn’t look like it, but she did stink of beer.’
‘I expect working in a pub you must get a few drinks spilt on you. How old is she?’
‘She’s never said, but I reckon she must be about eighteen.’
‘That all? Eighteen and married with a kid, she must be mad. So what are you going to do?’
‘I don’t know. I’m hoping she’s going to go up and apologise. That Mr Cox can be nasty. But it’s Mum I’m worried about. She didn’t get any sleep last night.’
‘You didn’t tell me about Christmas and him wanting to take you up to his place. What’s he like?’
‘Short, fat, smelly and needs a shave.’
‘Nice.’
‘I tried not to think about it. The thought of it makes me shudder.’
‘Me too.’
They slowly walked towards the door, standing to one side when a horse pulling a delivery van trotted past them very close.
‘Watch it,’ shouted Elsie.
‘Sorry, girls,’ yelled the driver, peering round his cab.
‘That’s Ben Stone. He’s a bit of all right. I went out with him once.’
‘You didn’t say. What’s he like?’
‘Very nice.’
‘So why did you stop seeing him? He married as well?’
‘Na. He’s a bit shy and quiet, not like his brother. There’s a few of ’em in there that’d like to get their hands on him though, but he’s not my type. Let’s hope there’s some good-looking blokes at the tea factory.’
Ruby was a little shocked at Elsie’s revelations. All the time they had known each other she had never told her she had been out with both of the boss’s sons. The cobbles felt hard under Ruby’s feet as they got nearer the door and the hooter blew for them to start work.
Ruby held on to Elsie’s arm. ‘I wish you wasn’t leaving on Saturday. I don’t know what I’ll do when you go.’
‘Now come on, don’t go upsetting yourself. I’ll see you later,’ said Elsie, taking Ruby’s arm from hers. ‘I’m sure everything will work out.’
Although Ruby smiled, her heart was heavy. Who would she be able to talk to when Elsie left? All through the day she thought about home. She had told Elsie she would be going home as soon as she could get away. The day dragged; even the women she worked with couldn’t bring a smile to her face with their tales of what they’d be doing over the weekend. Doris would tell them about her husband and how she’d put salt and even pepper in his tea when he was drunk, but according to her he always drank it before falling asleep. Then there was Mrs Ramsey; she would carry on about her two sons who had been caught pinching. As they were only six and seven they got away with just a clip round th
e ear from the copper, but she knew they would finish up in prison just like their father and two older brothers. They were lovely down-to-earth ladies and she enjoyed being with them. They didn’t mind being up to their ankles in water every day, just as long as they earned enough money to put food in their children’s mouths.
Ruby was fed up and couldn’t wait for the end of the day, and then she would know if she still had a home to go to next week.
Ruby rushed down the passage and threw open the kitchen door. ‘Well?’ she shouted.
Tom was sitting at the table and her father in his usual chair. They both looked up.
‘Where’s Mum?’ Ruby asked.
‘I’m here, what on earth are you shouting about?’ Her mother came into the kitchen from the washhouse wiping her hands on her sacking apron. She pushed her hair behind her ears.
Ruby stood and looked at them all in surprise. ‘Did she go up?’
‘Yes,’ said her mother.
‘And?’
‘Don’t worry, it was all a misunderstanding.’
Ruby could have cried with relief, but also with frustration. All day she had been worried sick, and now it was all over and no one else seemed at all concerned. ‘What did she tell him?’
‘I don’t know. I think she took him a bottle of something. Anyway, she said we had nothing to fear.’
‘He didn’t say anything when you took his dinner up to him then?’
‘No, but he’d had a shave.’
‘So how do we know she’s telling the truth?’
Her mother was signalling with her eyes, but it was too late. ‘You don’t,’ said a voice.
Ruby turned. Beth was right behind her.
‘As I told your mother, it’s all right.’
Ruby sank into the chair. ‘I’m sorry. But I was so scared.’ Was it really going to be OK?
‘Ruby, I know you ain’t best pleased with me,’ said Beth that night as she got undressed ready for bed. ‘But I’d had a couple of drinks and me tongue ran away with me.’
Ruby eased herself up on her elbow. ‘You know me mum didn’t get a wink of sleep last night through worrying?’
‘I know, and I’m really sorry about that. I think the world of your mum. You’re very lucky.’
‘Well, it’s a pity you didn’t think about that last night. That’s why we try to keep him upstairs happy.’
‘It won’t happen again, I promise. Ruby, please don’t be cross with me. I’ve said I’m sorry. You’re much too young to worry so much. Look, why don’t we go out one Sunday afternoon now the weather’s getting better?’
‘I’d like that. We could show Danny the ducks.’
‘I might even buy you an ice cream.’
Ruby smiled. ‘That would be really nice. Could we take Tom?’
‘Why not. We can make it a family outing.’
Ruby hadn’t got used to the idea of Elsie leaving and when Saturday arrived she didn’t want to go to the market as they usually did.
‘Now come on, cheer up,’ said Elsie. ‘We’ll go to the café and have a nice cuppa, and then we can make arrangements to go to one of those picture houses again.’
Ruby’s face lit up. ‘D’you mean that?’
Elsie nodded.
‘I really enjoyed meself last time.’
‘Well then, come on, we can talk about it.’ Elsie tucked her arm through Ruby’s and almost marched her down the road.
As they sat drinking tea Ruby’s thoughts were miles away. The very idea of going to see moving pictures again was filling her mind.
‘Ruby,’ said Elsie. ‘I was saying I can come to the laundry next Friday if you like, then I can tell you all about me new job and we can sort out about going to the picture house on Saturday.’
‘Yes, yes. Friday will be fine. Will you have any money? Don’t you have to work a week in hand?’
‘Yes, but me dad’ll see me all right. If any week I can’t come out with you, why don’t you ask that Beth to go with you? She should have more than enough money if she does the odd night in the pub as well as the cleaning.’
‘It wouldn’t be the same as going with you.’
‘I know. But we all have to move on.’
Ruby fiddled with the spoon in the saucer. ‘I suppose I could ask her if you couldn’t make it. Me mum don’t mind looking after Danny. He’s sitting up now. He’s certainly made a difference to me dad; he sits and talks to him. Danny’s such a happy little soul.’
‘Well then, that’s settled.’
But although Ruby liked Beth, it was Elsie who was her best friend. Things wouldn’t be the same.
Ruby spent the whole of the following week looking forward to Friday when hopefully they would be planning to go out together. Ruby rushed through the arch and grinned when she saw Elsie waiting for her.
Ruby listened to Elsie excitedly telling her how much she liked the women she worked with. What with the extra money she would be getting, it was a lot better all round. ‘And there’s some good-looking blokes there as well.’
Ruby had to try hard to conceal her disappointment as she listened to Elsie telling her they wouldn’t be going to the pictures the next day.
‘Now don’t get angry, but me sister wants us all to go tomorrow as it’s me dad’s birthday. We can go another time.’
As they walked along Elsie took Ruby’s arm. Somehow Ruby felt this was a sign she wouldn’t be seeing so much of Elsie now.
On Saturday, despite her disappointment about Elsie, she was almost pleased to be out with Tom.
‘I saw that Alfie Anderson the other day.’
‘You didn’t say. Did he hurt you?’
‘No.’
‘What happened?’
‘Nothing.’
‘Was he on his own?’
‘No. I was very frightened when I saw him and his mates hanging about at the bottom of the stairs in the buildings.’
‘Was Beth with you?’
‘No, I was on me own. I really thought they was going to beat me up.’
‘So what happened?’
‘He just stood to one side and told his mates to step back. I tell you, Ruby, I was up those stairs like a shot and I was terrified to come down, but they just stood and looked at me.’
‘I wonder if any of Mrs Bell’s men friends have warned them off?’
‘I dunno, but it was very strange.’
Ruby ruffled his hair. ‘How d’you fancy coming to the picture house one of these Saturdays?’
‘What? Go with you? D’you really mean it?’ Tom’s eyes were filled with amazement.
‘Why not?’
‘I’d really like that.’
‘That’s settled. Tell you what, it could be your birthday treat.’
‘Can we go next Saturday, on me birthday?’
‘Maybe, or perhaps the week after.’
‘Ruby Jenkins, I want a word with you.’
Ruby’s heart missed a beat when she heard that voice. She turned.
‘I reckon you owe me. I got you that job at Stone’s.’
‘Did you now?’
‘I had a word with that Mrs Watson.’
‘Why? After what you told her?’
He hung his head. ‘D’you think you could walk on, son,’ he said to Tom. ‘I want to talk to your sister.’
‘Go on, Tom. I’ll catch up with you.’
Tom turned his mouth down. ‘Don’t be long.’
‘I won’t. So you reckon you got me this job?’
‘No, but I had to say something. I’m sorry about telling Mrs Watson that, but I was jealous of you getting a job and me still trying.’
‘You’ve tried to get a job at Stone’s?’
‘Yer. Taking the van out. I’m good with horses, but they didn’t want to know. They only take on girls. That’s why I butter up Mrs Watson when I can. You never know, one day there might be a job for me.’
Ruby’s heart went out to him.
He ground his cigarette into the gr
ound with the heel of his scruffy boot. ‘After, I was sorry for what I said. I realised we’re all hard up and need all the money we can get.’
‘In that case, thank you.’ She went to move on but he put his hand out to stop her.
‘Look, I know you don’t like me and I don’t blame you.’
Ruby could have died. How could she tell him she almost worshipped him? ‘You’re all right, I suppose,’ she said nonchalantly.
‘In that case, if you can stand being with me, I’d like us to be friends. You know I can’t afford to take you out, but I was wondering now the better weather’s here if we could perhaps go for a walk somewhere. I could meet you in the park.’
‘Why?’
‘I like you, Ruby.’
‘You’ve got a funny way of showing it.’
When he grinned at her and his blue eyes sparkled, she found she was having trouble keeping her feelings under control.
‘I think I’m beginning to grow up,’ said Ernie.
‘Come on, Ruby,’ shouted Tom.
‘I’d better be off.’
‘Can I see you at the park gates tomorrow evening about eight?’
‘I’ll be there. Bye!’
As Ruby ran to catch Tom up she was so happy, she had a wide grin on her face to prove it.
‘Ruby, would you go over to the dairy and get a couple of rashers of streaky for Mr Cox’s breakfast,’ said her mother when they walked in.
‘Hello, Ruby love,’ said Milly. ‘Don’t see a lot of you these days.’
‘No, I know. Mum wants a couple of rashers for Mr C’s breakfast.’
‘How are things?’
‘Not too bad now. Even Dad’s beginning to look better. He’s even talking about going out.’
‘That’s wonderful news. Still enjoying being out at work?’
‘It’s OK. I was hoping I’d be moved into a better job when me mate left, but that’s not to be.’
‘That that Elsie you’re always talking about?’
‘Yes, she’s gone to work in the tea factory. I’ve asked her to try and get me a job there. Anything’s got to be better than standing about all day lifting heavy washing from the boilers and being up to your ankles in water.’