by Dee Williams
‘Pint o’ bitter, love.’
As Beth stood holding the glass under the tap while she expertly pumped with the other hand she said to Ruby, ‘So what’s happened?’
Ruby looked about her. ‘Tom’s gone off somewhere and we don’t know where.’
‘You mean run away?’ She handed the man his brimming glass and took the money he held out. ‘Thanks.’
‘We don’t know.’
‘What’s he done that for?’
‘It’s a bit of a long story.’
‘So where’s your dad?’
‘He’s had to go to work.’
Beth considered. ‘Well, Ruby, Tom won’t have gone far. I’m sorry I can’t be of any help, but if he does come in here I’ll send him straight home.’
‘Thanks. He ain’t got a coat on and it’s bitter out there.’
‘Don’t worry too much. He’s not a silly boy. He might even be at home already. He probably just wanted to give you a fright.’
‘I hope so.’ As Beth’s attention was claimed by another customer, Ruby left the pub disappointed.
She walked home quickly, her mind going over all the places he might be hiding if he weren’t at home. As they didn’t have any friends, she had covered the only person who might have been able to help. There was no point in going to see Milly because he wouldn’t have gone there.
‘Tom. Tom!’ she shouted when she pushed open the front door.
Mr Cox stood at the top of the stairs. ‘Where’s my tea? And you ain’t been up to do my cleaning yet.’
‘I’m sorry, but I’ve been out looking for Tom.’
‘Why?’
‘I think he’s run away.’
‘What d’you mean, think?’
‘Him and Dad had a row, and he run off.’ Tears were slowly running down her cheek.
Mr Cox came down the stairs. He put his arm round Ruby; for once she didn’t shy away.
‘There. There.’ Mr Cox gently patted her shoulder. ‘He can’t have gone far. Have you looked in the lav?’
Ruby shook her head.
‘Well, why don’t you go and take a look now? I’ve just made a pot of tea and then the both of you can come up for a cup.’
‘Thank you.’ Ruby walked away.
Ruby wiped her nose and went through the washhouse and into the yard. She didn’t notice Mr Cox watching her, before he went upstairs. ‘Tom. Tom,’ Ruby called. But the lav was empty.
She sat on the wooden lid of the seat for a moment or two wondering what to do next. Slowly she went into the house. She quickly turned when Mr Cox pushed open the kitchen door.
‘Was he there?’
Ruby shook her head. ‘No.’
‘Come up and have this cuppa. Perhaps we can sort out what to do next.’
Without thinking, Ruby was slowly led upstairs.
At the back of the pub, Tom weaved his way between the crates of empty beer bottles and the large wooden barrels. He sat on the ground and leant against one of the barrels, shivering. He had been going to see Beth, but he had caught sight of Ruby going into the bar and he didn’t want her shouting at him. He should go home. He knew Ruby would be worried sick, but he wanted to teach them a lesson. He wasn’t just a kid who did as he was told. He ran with a gang now: they decided where they were going to go and what they were going to do. Now he didn’t have to spend all his day collecting and delivering washing he had time on his hands, even after he’d run a few errands for Milly and chopped up the boxes. Ruby had talked about school, but he didn’t want to go, not now. When he’d first met Freddie Porter he’d been frightened of him. Freddie wanted the wooden boxes Tom collected. He wanted to chop them up into bundles and sell them, but after a few days he changed his mind because he got blisters and splinters. Freddie Porter told him there were easier ways of making money and he would teach him, but it would cost him thrupence to join his gang. He showed Tom how to take things and not pay for them. Ruby hadn’t had any nice chocolate for years, but he had. And it was easy to hide things under the feather mattress; she didn’t lift that up very often. He didn’t know where Freddie lived, so he couldn’t go there. He only ever met him at the railway yard. Tom tried to wrap his arms round himself. He’d have to go home soon. He could freeze to death out here and nobody would find him for days. When he was dead everybody would be sorry.
He stood up and stamped his feet. He tried to lift open the huge wooden cellar doors, but they were locked on the inside. He sat down again; he was getting hungry and began to feel sleepy. A cat came and snuggled up to him. ‘You can help to keep me warm.’ He pulled it on to his lap and began to fondle its ears. ‘I bet you always find enough to eat. There’s always plenty of rats and mice round here.’
Fear suddenly gripped him. What if he fell asleep and the rats attacked him? They would bite him and start to eat him. He jumped up and the cat ran off screeching.
Ruby sat at Mr Cox’s table drinking tea.
‘You’ve had to grow up very quickly. One way and another your family seems to cause you a great deal of trouble. You’re a good girl to take on so much responsibility.’
‘Dad couldn’t help getting shell-shocked.’
Mr Cox patted her hand. ‘I know, love. I know. But I do think he could have made a bit more of an effort to look after you all.’
‘He’s a lot better now he’s going to work.’
‘I’m surprised he finished up working at the Green Man.’
‘Jobs are very hard to get and George is very good to him.’
‘George?’
‘The owner.’
Mr Cox smiled. ‘Would you like another cup of tea? I have some very nice biscuits if you fancy one.’
‘No thank you. I must be going. I must try to find Tom.’
‘Where will you start?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Have you thought of telling the police?’
She shook her head. ‘No. Dad wouldn’t like that.’
‘Wait till your father gets home, and if young Tom ain’t back be then, then I think you should.’
‘Tom will be back before then.’
Mr Cox stood up. ‘Ruby, as I said before, you should think about letting someone else look after you for a change.’
Suddenly Ruby realised she was alone in the house with this man, and she was vulnerable. She must be mad. What was she doing sitting at his table drinking his tea and letting him touch her? She jumped up. ‘I must go.’
He went to move round to her side of the table. He laughed. ‘You look like a frightened little rabbit. Come here.’ He stood in front of the kitchen door and held out his arms. ‘I’m not going to harm you. I would never do that.’
Panic filled her. She had to get away.
The front door slammed.
‘Who’s that?’
‘It might be Tom, or Beth with some news.’ She pushed him to one side and ran out of the room.
Tom was standing at the bottom of the stairs. ‘Don’t shout at me, Ruby.’
She raced down the stairs and threw her arms round his neck. ‘I ain’t gonner shout at you. Where have you been?’
‘I’ve been sitting behind the pub.’
‘Phew, you smell like a brewery. What was you doing there?’
‘I was frightened of Dad.’
‘Why didn’t you go in to Beth?’
‘I was going to, then I saw you go in.’
‘Everything all right down there?’
Ruby looked up the stairs. ‘Yes thank you, Mr Cox.’
‘Well, can you cook my haddock now?’
‘I’ll do it right away.’
‘And what about this cleaning?’
Ruby could see he was angry. ‘I’ll do it in the morning.’
‘Well, not too early. I might have a hangover.’ He went into his kitchen, slamming the door behind him.
Ruby pushed her brother along the passage. ‘You’re shivering. Come and get warm.’
Tom sat on the floor in fro
nt of the fire.
‘Well, what have you got to say for yourself?’
‘I’m sorry. But I didn’t like it when Dad hit me.’
‘I know. But he was only trying to make you see that it doesn’t matter how bad things are, you mustn’t steal.’
‘I know. But it didn’t stop him from burning the coal, did it?’
‘I’m not going to argue. I’ve got to cook this bit o’ fish for Mr Cox. We’ll have a cup of tea and a bit of toast, then I’ll have to go to the pub to tell Dad you’re safe and sound.’
‘Will he hit me again?’
‘I shouldn’t think so for one minute.’
Ruby shoved her wayward flyaway hair under her hat and pulled it down hard as she hurried along to the Green Man. It was getting late; she would have to leave it until tomorrow to go and tell Beth that Tom was back. As she got nearer the pub she gave up a silent prayer that there wouldn’t be another incident like before.
Nervously Ruby pushed open the door. The bar was full of men singing loud songs and holding each other up; the floor was wet and sticky with beer. She could see her father. He was laughing and talking to two women at the bar. They had their backs to Ruby, but she could hear their screeching laughter above all the other noise around her. She was jostled as she went towards her father and was pushed against a big man.
He quickly turned on her. ‘’Ere, what’s your game?’
‘Sorry.’
‘Yer will be, yer’ve just spilt some of me beer.’
Fear gripped her. ‘I’m sorry.’
He put his arm round her shoulder. ‘What’s a pretty little thing like you doing in a place like this?’
‘I’ve come to see me dad.’
‘Have yer now? And who might that be?’
‘Thomas.’
He laughed. ‘Thomas. And where might we find him?’
‘Behind the bar.’
‘’Ere, Thomas me old mate,’ he shouted. ‘Yer missus’s gone and sent yer daughter ter come and get yer, so yer’d better stop giving those toms the glad eye.’ He put his face close to Ruby’s. ‘I bet he thought he was gonner get lucky ternight.’
Ruby wanted to die. She looked towards her father, but thankfully he hadn’t heard the man above all the noise.
The man shoved Ruby towards the bar. ‘Out the way, you lot. This little gel’s come ter see ’er daddy.’
Thomas, who was at the other end of the bar, turned when he heard the commotion from the men being pushed aside. ‘Ruby! What’re you doing here? Is it Tom? What’s happened to him?’
‘It’s all right. I’ve just come to tell you that he’s home.’
‘Thank God for that.’ He began filling a glass that had been handed to him. ‘Didn’t think he’d stay away for long, he ain’t that silly.’ Her father looked around nervously.
Ruby could tell he was pleased about Tom and didn’t want these people to see his true feelings.
‘Hello there,’ said George, coming up to Ruby. ‘Everything all right?’
She nodded. ‘Yes thanks.’
‘Not a nice night for a youngster like you to be out.’ He leaned forward. ‘And this ain’t the right area to walk about at night.’
‘I was just going. I just had to tell Dad something.’ As her father continued filling glasses she felt uncomfortable. ‘I best be going, Dad.’
‘See you when I get home. I might be a bit late - as you can see, we’re busy.’
‘Bye.’
One of the women she had seen her father talking and laughing with turned. ‘Thought I recognised that voice.’
‘Mrs Bell!’ said Ruby in amazement.
‘You know this lady?’ said her father.
‘Mum used to do her washing.’
‘Thomas, you’re this young lady’s father?’
He grinned and nodded. ‘This is my Ruby.’
‘You dark horse,’ said Mrs Bell. ‘You didn’t tell me your name was Jenkins.’
‘You never asked.’
Ruby looked at her father.
‘Now you go on home. As I said, I might be late back.’
Mrs Bell smiled at Ruby. ‘I wish you was still doing my washing. Me frillies don’t look the same now. How’s that young brother of yours?’
‘He’s all right, thank you.’
She turned to Thomas. ‘You should be very proud of your kids. They’ve got lovely manners. Can I buy you a drink, love?’ she asked Ruby.
‘No thank you. I’d better be getting back home.’
‘That’s a pity, we could have had a little chat.’
Ruby smiled, then said, ‘See you later, Dad.’ He didn’t answer, as he was too busy serving.
Ruby had guessed Mrs Bell used that pub. As she pushed her way through the crowd, Ruby thought about her lovely flat. Her father had told her about some of the women that frequented the Green Man. Did Mrs Bell pick up her men friends in there? She shuddered when she got out into the cold night air and, putting her head down against the biting wind, quickly made her way home. Her thoughts went to Tom. She was tired of running after her family, making sure everybody was all right. A lot of the trouble was because Tom didn’t have enough to do. She had to find something to keep him busy. She knew some schools didn’t charge and although when she had mentioned it before, Tom had been against it, she had made up her mind that he must go to school.
Chapter 20
As Ruby hurried home her mind was going over and over what had happened this evening. Thank goodness Tom was home and her father was pleased she’d made the effort to tell him. Then fancy seeing Mrs Bell; she looked even nicer than before. It must be wonderful to have lovely clothes and make-up like that and sit in a pub laughing and talking. A bit like Beth does, but Beth’s working. Ruby grinned to herself. So’s Mrs Bell, in a way. Ruby pulled her scarf tighter. ‘I hope Dad’s not getting over friendly with her,’ she said out loud. But then she thought again of Beth. After all, it was part of the job, being friendly with the customers. Perhaps she should have waited till Thomas had finished and then they could have walked home together. But she had to let him live his life freely; after all, in his mind he’d been trapped for years.
‘What did Dad say?’ asked Tom as soon as she opened the kitchen door.
‘He was all right.’
‘Was he mad?’
‘No. He was too busy to say much. Now you go on to bed. You just tell him you’re sorry in the morning and that you won’t do it again.’
‘All right.’ Tom put his book away. How could he tell Ruby that he wasn’t going to stop pinching things? If people left them lying about then that was their fault. He smiled to himself when he thought of his loot under the mattress. There were some sweets and five Woodbines; he hadn’t had the nerve to smoke any of them yet, but he knew he would have to soon, just to show he wasn’t a cissy. He didn’t feel guilty at taking things. As his mate Freddie said, ‘They must have plenty otherwise they’d look after what they’ve got.’
Freddie, who was on the plump side, had told Tom about his two brothers and father, who were rough villains and had been in prison a few times. But they were never short of anything and he was very proud of the fact that his mother had more rings than fingers. Freddie was determined to be like the rest of the family.
When she was alone Ruby sat staring at the fire thinking about her father. He was so different now. It was a shame he hadn’t been more like this when her mother was alive. Had it been her mother’s fault? Had she fussed over him too much? Since he had been at work these last few months he had become much more self-assured. But the Green Man was that kind of place; you would quickly go under if you couldn’t hold your own. Thank goodness George liked him and had helped give him confidence again. At the beginning Ruby had been very worried that Thomas would simply run away; now she could see he enjoyed working there. Her thoughts went to Mrs Bell. He must know what she did for a living, surely? Ruby knew he would be paid tonight. She smiled. Would he ever let a woman like that ta
ke him home and take all his money? No. She couldn’t see him being led astray like that.
The front door closing woke Ruby who had been dozing in the chair. She looked up at the clock: it was midnight.
‘You still up, love?’
‘Thought I’d wait up for you.’ Ruby could see her father’s eyes were a bit glazed. ‘D’you want a cuppa? The kettle’s boiling.’
‘If you like. Sorry I couldn’t talk much tonight.’
‘That’s all right. I could see how busy the place was.’
‘So, where was Tom?’
‘At the back of the Royal Albert. He went to see Beth but he caught sight of me going in there.’ Ruby stood at the table and put a spoonful of tea into the teapot; she added the water and covered it with the multicoloured tea cosy her mother had knitted years ago.
‘Did you tell Beth I’d walloped him?’
‘No. I just said you’d had words. He stayed round the back for a bit, then came home. He was freezing.’ She put the tea strainer over the cup and poured out the tea. ‘Dad. Does Mrs Bell go in the pub very often?’
‘Not too many times. She’s a very nice woman. Very generous. Always buys me a drink.’
‘You didn’t know Mum used to do her washing?’
‘Not till tonight. She said she was very sorry to hear about her passing away. She missed young Tom collecting and bringing back her washing. She said nobody does her clothes as nice as your mother.’
‘You know she lives in the buildings?’
‘She did tell me that.’
‘You do know . . .’ Ruby hesitated. ‘. . . she’s a woman of the night?’
Her father threw his head back and laughed. ‘Of course I know that. Most of the women who come into that pub are looking for punters.’
‘You will be careful, won’t you, Dad? I don’t want you spending all your money on women like that.’
He smiled and shook his head. Picking up his cup, he finished his tea. ‘Chance’d be a fine thing. ’Sides, she’s only interested in those what’s got a few bob. Got very expensive tastes, has that lady. I’ll be off to bed now.’
The following morning Tom was already sitting up when Ruby opened her eyes.