A Rare Ruby

by Dee Williams

  ‘You wonner be careful you don’t finish up with rheumatics. I see that Mrs Moss has got the plaster off her arm - I reckon that Beth Norton will be looking for another job soon.’

  Ruby looked up in alarm. ‘How will she pay me mum?’

  ‘She must get some sort of allotment from the Navy.’

  ‘Don’t know.’

  ‘Let’s hope she’s put a bit by for a rainy day,’ said Milly.

  ‘I hope so,’ said Ruby again.

  As Ruby crossed the road her good mood had evaporated. Although she sometimes got upset with Beth, her money was more than useful. If she left then Ruby would have to give her mother all of her money. What about Tom? It was his tenth birthday on Saturday and although she had promised to take him to the new picture house sometime, spending all that money on bus fares and the pictures would be an expensive luxury. Should she think of something else to make him happy as the good times might not last for ever? He would be very disappointed. Despite the upset over Mr Cox, she wanted Beth to stay. Perhaps she could find another cleaning job?

  From the shop window Milly watched Ruby slowly cross the road, the spring quite gone from her step. Ruby had grown into such a lovely girl. She was so willing to work to help the family. She deserved so much more.

  The following evening Ruby set off to meet Ernie. She couldn’t believe that he wanted to take her out. She walked slowly round the park. Would he be here?

  ‘You came then.’ Suddenly he appeared behind her.

  ‘Yes.’ As he fell into step beside her, she was tongue-tied. For the first time they weren’t hurling insults at one another.

  ‘So, how is it at Stone’s?’

  ‘All right.’

  ‘I told you I wanted a job there as a driver. That’s when I first saw Mrs Watson. I was fondling the horse. I’m good with horses, but she told me that his sons do all the collecting and delivering.’

  ‘I’ve only seen the one horse and cart.’

  ‘He’s got two sons, they take it in turns. When they’re not out they spend time in the office, or out trying to drum up extra clients.’

  ‘You know a lot about them.’

  ‘Made it me business.’ He stopped and looked at her. ‘Ruby, I’m sorry I was in a hurry that night.’

  ‘When? The night you was rushing to the pub?’

  ‘Yes. You see I had to get me sister a drop of brandy, she’s got this terrible cough and that’s all Mum could think of to settle it and help her sleep. She’s tried everything: mustard poultices, steaming her over a bowl of boiling water. The poor little thing’s exhausted through not getting any sleep, and it ain’t doing me mum a lot of good either.’

  ‘I’m sorry. What sister’s that?’

  ‘Little Eve.’ A smile lit up his eyes. ‘She’s a funny little thing.’

  ‘How old is she?’

  ‘Four, going on forty.’

  ‘Is she better now?’

  ‘For the time being.’

  ‘Has your mum taken her to see a doctor?’

  ‘No, can’t afford it.’ He kicked a stone. ‘I wish I could get a proper job.’

  Ruby was amazed, and full of sympathy. He’d always been so sure of himself, yet now he was letting his guard down, standing here confiding his innermost secrets. ‘Why are you telling me all this, Ernie?’

  ‘I need someone to talk to. Me sisters are all right, but I need a friend. Ruby, will you be my friend?’

  She couldn’t believe this. ‘What about your mates?’

  ‘Ain’t really got any. Trouble is I’ve always been a bit of a show off. But things are different now.’ He looked at his feet. ‘I’ve always liked you, you’re sensible.’

  Oh, how very lonely he must be. But he wanted to be her friend. She didn’t want to be thought of as sensible, she wanted to be a laugh and make him happy, but being his friend was the next best thing that could happen to her. She swallowed hard. ‘I’d love to be your friend.’

  He smiled. ‘I can’t afford to take you out, but it would be nice if some evenings when I’m not busy, and you can make it, we can go for a stroll.’

  ‘I’d like that very much.’ Ruby was suddenly walking on air.

  He smiled at her. ‘That’s good.’

  ‘They found a bench, sat down and talked. Ruby was no longer tongue-tied now she knew he really liked her. He told her how devastated he’d been when his dad got killed.

  ‘I thought the world of me dad. We was more like mates. Me mum was in a terrible state. Suddenly she had me and three girls to bring up on her own. His parents live up north, Scotland somewhere, but they didn’t want to know about me mum looking after us lot. She did get a note from his brother once. Dad talked about him sometimes.’

  Ruby wanted to hold him, he looked so sad, but knew that wouldn’t be right. What a wicked war it had been.

  ‘Things should get a bit better when our Daisy starts work next year. She ain’t old enough yet - just thirteen. Mum’s hoping to get her into service.’

  ‘Will she like that?’

  He was staring at the ducks playing on the pond. ‘She ain’t got a lot of choice. At least she’ll get some decent clobber and food. And it’ll be a mouth less for Mum to feed.’

  ‘Ernie, I’m really sorry things are so hard for you.’

  He sat up. ‘Sorry. I didn’t ask you out to hear all about my problems. I shouldn’t be going on about me and mine. You ain’t exactly had things going your way, have you?’

  ‘No. But with a bit of luck everything will turn out fine one of these days for all of us.’

  ‘I hope so. I’ve got to be going. It’s been really nice talking to you.’ He stood up. ‘P’r’aps we can do this again. See you around.’

  ‘Yes.’ She watched him walk away, disappointed. There were so many things she wanted to ask him, like the washing he delivered to the laundry: where did he get it from? Did his mother work? But Ruby knew she had to take one step at a time; she had to gain his confidence. She went in the opposite direction to Ernie, but she had a smile on her face. Like the weather, she had a spring in her step once more. She didn’t notice that Ernie had stopped and was looking after her with a grin on his face. When he set off again, he too had a spring in his step. He liked Ruby very much and hoped this would lead to something more.

  Chapter 10

  Beth smiled at Mr Thompson when he walked into the bar.

  ‘You make a good job of that floor, Beth.’

  ‘Thank you.’ She sat back on her haunches. ‘I’m very grateful for you letting me work those few nights behind the bar.’

  ‘You’re a very bright young lady, and the customers liked you.’

  ‘I have to start looking after the pennies now. I was very worried that Mrs Jenkins might throw me out after that rumpus I caused with Mr Cox.’

  ‘Heard about that. From what I know of the old goat he deserves taking down a peg or two - always boasting about that house he owns.’

  Beth wrung out the floor cloth. ‘I didn’t know that. Does he own many houses?’

  ‘Na. Right old skinflint. Always moaning that I don’t give him a full pint, says there’s too much froth on it.’

  ‘I’m surprised we don’t see any relations hanging about waiting to pounce when he croaks it.’

  ‘Don’t think it’s worth much.’

  ‘He must be getting on.’

  ‘All of sixty.’

  ‘And he’s never married?’

  ‘No. They say his father won the house in a card game years ago, before my time here. He must have all the papers cos when his father died a few years back he just stayed there.’

  ‘It’s strange he only lives in the upstairs rooms. And he must have some money to live on cos he doesn’t work, does he?’

  ‘His father was a gambler, so perhaps he left him a few bob. He stays upstairs cos he likes to be waited on. Had a Mrs Potter there before the Jenkinses; she went to live with her son. Cox was an only child as far as we could make out.’ Mr Th
ompson pulled himself a pint. ‘Been coming in here for years, and his father before him. Funny pair.’

  ‘Still, I shouldn’t have said what I did, about him and Ruby.’

  ‘Oh, what was that?’ He held up the beer to the light.

  ‘I think he was trying to get her into his room.’

  ‘The dirty old sod.’

  ‘That’s what I called him.’

  ‘Good for you.’

  ‘I was very worried. He threatened to throw the Jenkinses out.’

  ‘Did he now? That sounds like him. From what I gather that Mrs Jenkins looks after him very well.’

  ‘She does.’

  ‘I feel sorry for old Jenkins. He was such a lively bloke, used to come in here, always liked a laugh. That was a bloody awful war, and the government should do more to help the likes of them.’

  ‘Yes, he is a nice man. D’you know they were saying they’ve seen a difference in him since I moved in? He thinks the world of Danny.’

  ‘That’s good.’

  ‘I don’t know what I’m going to do when Mrs Moss comes back here to work.’

  ‘Yes, I expect that will be a worry for you.’

  Beth liked Mr Thompson. She guessed he was in his fifties; a fair and straight man who didn’t stand any nonsense from his customers. He was tall and upright with deep brown eyes and a big moustache. His brown hair was getting a little thin on top, but he was very muscular and could lift the heavy barrels of beer without too much effort.

  He wiped the beer froth from his moustache. ‘You’re very young to be left a widow with a young baby.’

  Beth hung her head. ‘Yes. It was heartbreaking when I got the news. My Danny never got to see his son.’

  ‘That was a wicked shame. But it can be very hazardous working in the docks. You were very brave the way you carried on. Mind you, he’s a dear little chap and no trouble.’ He looked towards the pram.

  ‘You didn’t have any children then?’

  ‘No, the wife was always too poorly. Pity really. Would have liked someone now to look after me in me old age.’

  Beth smiled. ‘Come on. You’re not that old. You’ve still got time to marry again.’

  ‘Na. Too set in me ways.’

  ‘I must get on. It’s young Tom’s tenth birthday today and when Ruby finishes work we’re taking him out for a treat. We’re going to a café for tea and cake. She’s hoping to take him to one of these new picture houses next week.’

  ‘That’ll be nice.’

  ‘I promised I’d help Tom today so he can finish early and I don’t mind especially now the better weather’s here.’

  ‘You’re a very hard-working young lady. I shall be sorry to lose you, but I must look after Mrs Moss, she’s been with me for years.’

  ‘I know, and I’m very grateful to you for giving me the chance to earn a few bob.’ Beth stood up and ran her hands down the front of her sacking apron. ‘Is there anything else you’d like me to do today?’

  Mr Thompson looked round the bar. ‘I don’t think so. You’ve done a grand job as usual.’

  Beth pushed her blonde hair from her face. ‘Thank you,’ she beamed. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’

  ‘I hope so.’

  As Beth pushed Danny back to number thirteen her mind was full of Mr Thompson. Had she been silly telling him she was a widow? He didn’t go into Milly’s who might tell him that her so-called husband was in the Navy and away. Only Mr Cox would tell him a different story, but would Mr Thompson believe him? Besides, she wouldn’t be working there for much longer; pity, she enjoyed his company and the money he paid her.

  The following week Ruby took Tom to the picture house. He was overjoyed. Ruby laughed with him and at him when he showed the family how the Keystone Cops raced about. She knew she had given Tom a treat he would remember for the rest of his life.

  Although Ruby was missing Elsie, who was busy going out with her sisters and her new friends, it wasn’t upsetting Ruby as much as she had thought it would, as she now had something to look forward to. Seeing Ernie was the best thing that had happened to her for years. Once a week she would meet him in the park and they would sit and talk or watch the ducks.

  ‘I wish I’d learnt to play the trumpet or something,’ Ernie mused.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘You get a free uniform when you join the Boy’s Brigade.’

  Ruby laughed. ‘I hadn’t thought of that. Perhaps we should learn together.’

  ‘They don’t take girls in the Boys’ Brigade.’ He laughed with her.

  Ruby also went out with Beth some Sundays now Mrs Moss was back at work and she wasn’t doing the cleaning any more. So far Beth was still paying her way as Mr Thompson had asked her to work behind the bar on a Saturday and Sunday morning. Ruby did worry about how they would manage when they stopped getting her money. Ruby’s mother always looked after Danny while Beth worked now. He was getting to be a bonny baby, sitting up and taking notice. He always welcomed Ruby with a beaming smile, which cheered her up when she came home from work. Ruby found, like her father, she was getting very fond of him. But what would happen when Beth’s husband came home. Would they move away?

  As it was Saturday, Ruby had finished at four. She didn’t want to go to the market on her own, but knew if she went home there would be a pile of ironing to do. Although she knew she should help her mother, she wanted time with her own thoughts so she dawdled home.

  Beth had told them how much she enjoyed working in the pub, but she never said what pay she was getting. However, she was forever getting something different to wear, so she had to be doing all right. Even if the clothes weren’t new, Ruby couldn’t help the jealousy that filled her when she saw Beth go to work in decent shoes and not waterproofs.

  Today Ruby noted the pram wasn’t in the passage when she walked in. ‘Beth out?’ she asked when she went into the kitchen.

  ‘Yes. She’s gone with Tom,’ said her mother, who was doing the ironing.

  ‘D’you want me to do a bit of that?’

  ‘Thanks. I’ll make a cuppa. Thomas. Thomas.’ She shook her husband’s arm. ‘Wake up. You won’t sleep tonight.’

  ‘I’m all right. Hello, Ruby.’ He grinned at her.

  ‘Dad, it’s a lovely day out, why don’t me and you go for a little walk later on?’

  ‘No, not today.’

  ‘What about tomorrow?’

  ‘Yes. I’d like that.’

  ‘I’ll ask Tom to come with us.’ Ruby took the iron from her mother, amazed, hardly believing her ears. Did her father really mean it?

  ‘Could we take Danny?’

  ‘I don’t see why not.’

  ‘That would be really lovely for you, Thomas,’ said Mary Jenkins, patting her husband’s shoulder. ‘It’s a while since you ventured out and pushing the pram will help you walk.’

  The thought of that outing really cheered Ruby up. Hopefully tomorrow could be the start of many days out with her father. They could be like a proper family again. Lately he had seemed to be a bit more alive, taking an interest in what they said and did, but it was a long while since her father had been out. Would he cope?

  ‘You mean me, you and Dad’re going for a walk tomorrow? ’ said Tom, equally amazed as they settled down for the night.

  ‘Yes!’ said Ruby.

  ‘How long is it since he’s been out?’ asked Beth.

  ‘Must be months. Mum managed to get him to the cottage hospital when his chest was very bad, but that was before you came to stay. But she had such a job with him at the hospital, she said she’d never do it again.’

  ‘He walks a lot more upright now - he was very bent over when I first came here.’

  ‘I know, that’s why I reckon a little walk will do him the world of good,’ said Ruby.

  ‘That’s if he don’t change his mind,’ said Tom.

  ‘We shall see.’

  ‘It might rain,’ said Tom.

  ‘I’m sorry I can’t go with you, but as I sa
id I’ve got an errand to run,’ said Beth, tucking a sheet round Danny’s waving legs.

  ‘We could take him,’ said Ruby.

  ‘No, thanks all the same, but I don’t know how long I’ll be. Mr Thompson don’t mind me taking him in the back now while I’m serving as he sleeps most of the time.’

  Ruby was pleased to see the sun shining when she opened her eyes. It was very quiet save for the sound of church bells in the distance. ‘Come on, Tom, get up,’ she whispered.

  ‘Why’ve we got ter go so early?’

  ‘It won’t be that early be the time we get ready.’ Ruby was too excited at the thought of the day ahead, to stay in bed. ‘Pity you can’t come with us, Beth,’ she added.

  ‘I know, perhaps next time. D’you know where you’re going?’

  ‘Not yet. I’d like to get to the docks. Dad always liked to look at the ships, but I think that’s a bit far.’

  ‘It is really. Still, I might see you around.’

  When Ruby went into the kitchen she was half expecting her father to have changed his mind. She liked Sunday; it was the only day the washing wasn’t boiling away and hanging to dry in front of the fire. Although her mother didn’t go to church, it had been instilled in her as a child that Sunday was the Lord’s day and, despite everything, you mustn’t work on Sunday.

  ‘Your dad’s really looking forward to this little outing. Just don’t take him too far, will you? I don’t want him tired out and fighting for his breath half the night.’

  ‘No, of course not. I’ll just have me toast then we can be off.’

  Outside, the sun was warm and, with her father leaning heavily on her arm, Ruby took a gentle stroll up Hill Street.

  ‘How far shall we go, Dad?’

  ‘Don’t mind.’

  Ruby wanted to cry, she was so happy. She was out walking with her father and brother. This was how families should be.

  ‘Could we go to the docks?’ asked Tom.

  ‘No, I think that’s a bit too far for Dad’s first outing.’