A Rare Ruby

by Dee Williams

  Ruby smiled and touched his hand. ‘I know, Dad. I know.’ But at the back of her mind was always the fear of what the doctor had told her, that anything could trigger him off and send him back to his old ways.

  All morning Ruby busied herself.

  ‘Len asked us to be at the pub be one o’clock,’ said her father, standing in front of the mirror and checking the knot in his black tie.

  The black armbands Ruby had made after her mother had died were brought out again.

  Just before one, the sad group slowly made their way up the street to the Royal Albert. When they reached the pub, Len Thompson took Danny from the pram. Mrs Moss was busy helping Milly and her mother put the food on plates.

  ‘’Ello, Ruby, Mr Jenkins,’ said Mrs Moss softly, giving them a nod. ‘’Ave yer seen the flowers? They’re lovely. I ain’t seen anythink like them before. Must ’ave cost a pretty penny. ’Ow’s the head, son?’ she asked Tom.

  ‘A bit better. I had to go to the cottage hospital to have a clean bandage. It hurt a bit when they took the old one off.’

  Ruby had made sure his neck was clean this time.

  ‘A terrible thing. Terrible,’ muttered Mrs Moss as she continued with her chores.

  A few of the regulars had gathered in the bar and were having a quiet drink.

  Someone at the door announced the cortège was here.

  Ruby stood holding Danny as they watched the flowers being placed around and on Beth’s expensive-looking wooden coffin with shiny brass handles. They were beautiful; she didn’t know how they could grow them at this time of the year. Yet the thought that was filling Ruby’s mind was: Beth is in that box.

  Danny was squirming to get down and see the black horses with their black feathered plumes, snorting and shaking their heads.

  Finally it was time to leave. Mr Thompson took Ruby’s arm and helped her and Danny into the carriage.

  As they made their way to the cemetery, Ruby was astonished to see so many people had come out to watch them passing. Ruby looked at the back of the crowds. She was searching for Mr Cox. Would he be here? Had he seen it in the newspapers?

  At last it was all over and they were back at the Royal Albert. It had been so bitterly cold as they stood at the graveside. The wind had gone through Ruby’s thin coat and her thoughts had gone to Elsie: I hope she’s wearing something warm under her long frock.

  The lounge bar’s welcoming fire roared in the grate, sending out plenty of warmth.

  ‘That vicar gave her a nice send-off,’ said one of the customers, warming his behind.

  ‘Yes,’ said Mr Thompson. ‘Now we’ve got to find the bastard who put her there.’

  His customers now knew why Beth hadn’t been behind the bar on Christmas Eve and they were very angry.

  ‘Not heard nothing from the police then?’ said the man who was standing with his back to the fire.

  ‘No. But give ’em time.’

  Ruby was taken aback at the cold fury in Mr Thompson’s voice.

  People milled about saying nice things about Beth. Ruby couldn’t believe that she had gone for ever. And in a way it was her brother’s fault. She looked at him sitting in the far corner. He had cried a lot and Ruby knew he would have to carry this burden for the rest of his life.

  A commotion at the door caused all the heads to look up.

  ‘I tell yer we should be ’ere,’ someone was shouting.

  Ruby couldn’t see who it was because of the crowd, but she did see Mr Thompson, who was the other side of the room and a good head taller than most, stride over to where the person was shouting.

  Ruby heard her brother make a funny sound in his throat. She quickly looked round. Tom had gone a pasty white.

  ‘Tom? Tom! What is it?’ Ruby looked back towards the door. The crowd had parted. ‘Alfie Anderson,’ she said, barely above a whisper. ‘What’s he doing here?’

  ‘I tell you the pub ain’t open.’ One of the customers was trying to push him out.

  ‘I’ve got every right to be here.’ Elbowing the man to one side, he strutted into the bar.

  Len Thompson quickly went over to him. ‘Out.’ He took hold of Alfie’s collar and began manhandling him towards the door.

  A silence fell over everybody save for a quiet muttering from Mrs Moss. ‘Ought ter be ashamed of hisself, coming barging in like that, on terday of all days. Got no manners, that’s the trouble with some people.’

  Alfie was struggling to get away, but he was no match for Len Thompson. ‘Get your hands off me,’ he yelled out.

  ‘If you don’t get out I’ll have to do something I might regret.’

  ‘I don’t think you will when you find out who I am.’

  ‘So, who are you then?’

  ‘Lizzie Anderson’s brother,’ he said softly.

  Mr Thompson quickly glanced round the bar and let go of him as if he were a hot coal.

  ‘That’s better.’ Alfie shook himself and brushed himself down. After retrieving his cap from the floor, he put it on at a jaunty angle. ‘Thought that’d git your attention.’

  ‘What do you know about my Beth?’ hissed Mr Thompson.

  Alfie smirked.

  Once again Len Thompson was filled with anger. ‘If you’ve just come here for a free drink and food you can think again.’ He swiftly moved towards Alfie, who hastily stepped back.

  Alfie knew he had this bloke where he wanted him and said out loud, ‘Lizzie was me sister. When she got up the spout me dad chucked ’er out. Wouldn’t say who did it.’

  The silence in the bar was complete.

  ‘It took a while to put two and two together at first. But when everybody started ter say who she was and where she lived, and then about the boy, well, we got there in the end.’ A look of triumph filled Alfie’s face.

  Ruby’s heart went out to Mr Thompson, whose face had turned ashen. He stood looking at this intruder.

  ‘How can I believe you?’ he said in a hushed tone.

  ‘Come and see me mum. She’s ever so upset. She would have liked to come and see Lizzie but Lizzie wouldn’t have anythink to do with us. I tried once to make her come and see Mum, but she wasn’t ’aving any of it.’

  ‘How do I know you’re telling the truth?’

  Alfie picked up a sandwich. ‘You don’t. Me brother and sisters will tell you all about our Lizzie. Thought she was better than us. Especially when she landed you.’

  Ruby wanted to hit him. How could he say things like that?

  Mrs Moss suddenly jumped to her feet. ‘Look, go out in the back room,’ she said, ushering Mr Thompson and Alfie through the bar.

  Milly also jumped up. ‘Mr Jenkins,’ she said. ‘Get everybody a drink.’

  The mumbling became very loud and Ruby followed Alfie and Mr Thompson through the back of the bar. Why hadn’t he thrown Alfie out? Did he know something about Beth’s past? What had Beth told him?

  Outside the church Elsie was looking anxiously around for Ruby when she suddenly caught sight of Ernie. She gave him a wave. Why wasn’t Ruby with him? Perhaps she’d missed her, after all there were a lot of people there. When they got back to the house she tried to look again but it was very crowded. Elsie was about to check upstairs, when: ‘All right, my love?’ asked Charlie, following her.

  ‘I’ve been looking for Ruby and Ernie.’

  ‘I expect they’re around somewhere. You look so lovely. I can’t wait to get you home.’

  Elsie giggled. ‘I am home.’

  ‘Not any more.’ He sat on the bottom step and patted the stairs, Elsie sat down with him.

  ‘I do love you, Charlie.’

  ‘And I love you. You’re all mine now, you belong to me.’ He nuzzled his lips against her neck.

  ‘Charlie, don’t. You’re making me come over all unnecessary.’

  ‘Good.’

  ‘I’ve been looking for me frock,’ said Jenny, Elsie’s older sister, as she leaned over the banister. ‘I can’t see it. Ain’t your mate turned up?’<
br />
  ‘I’ve not seen her, but she must be here, I saw her boyfriend outside the church.’

  ‘P’r’aps they’ve run off together. Pity, I’d like to see what sort of job she made of me frock. If she was any good I might get her to do some alterations for me. And, Charlie, you’ll have to wait till you get home before you start having your wicked way with my little sister.’ Jenny walked off laughing.

  Charlie put his arm round Elsie’s waist. ‘Don’t look so worried, she must be here somewhere.’

  ‘I’m surprised at Ruby. I would have thought she would have come and seen me.’

  ‘Could she get time off from work?’

  Elsie clapped her hand to her mouth. ‘I’ve been so stupid. I thought they might have got today off, seeing as how it was New Year’s Eve. I thought at least old Watson would have let them go early. Poor Ruby. She’s been so looking forward to this.’

  ‘Don’t worry. She’ll turn up.’

  ‘She don’t know where I live.’

  ‘With all this racket going on, somebody will tell her. Now come on, give us a kiss.’

  Elsie laughed. ‘Well, only one.’

  Charlie kissed her eager lips.

  ‘Come on, let’s go and join the others.’ She stood up and pulled Charlie to his feet.

  By the time evening came, Elsie was truly worried. Where was Ruby? Elsie hoped she’d find her house after she had gone to so much trouble with that frock. Something was troubling Elsie, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. Was it something she’d heard? Please God, she prayed, don’t let anything have happened to her. She’s had more than enough to put up with in her young life.

  Earlier Ernie had stood around waiting for Ruby to appear. He had a great deal to tell her. So much had happened since they last spoke. That morning he had looked again at the letter that had arrived last week. He still couldn’t believe it: they never received letters. In one hand he had clutched the letter and, in the other, pound notes. He and his mother had discussed the contents of the letter all yesterday evening, and at breakfast he’d asked her once more: ‘Are you sure this is what you want?’

  She’d nodded. ‘I always did like Richard. He was very kind.’

  ‘So he couldn’t get down to see us cos of the bad weather. You sure that ain’t just a excuse?’

  ‘No, he’s not like that.’

  ‘How do you know?’

  ‘From when I met him at the wedding. I loved your father very much, and he loved me enough to give up his family. But he always missed his young brother.’

  ‘I still don’t know why they didn’t like you.’

  ‘It’s because I came from London and wasn’t a Scottish lassie. The family had very strong loyalties over that.’

  As a child Ernie had listened to the stories about the family in Scotland. There was a family home his father had lived in before he came - but not a grand castle or anything. His father had told him he’d always wanted to travel, to see the world, but then he’d met Jess and married her. His mother and father had been comfortable, as he always put it. Ernie didn’t know at the time what comfortable meant, or why they never went to see his grandparents. ‘So they cut him right off ?’

  ‘Yes. As the years went on, from time to time Richard kept in touch with your father, and he was very upset when he was killed.’

  ‘Did they know about us?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘But they didn’t think to help you after Dad got killed, did they?’

  His mother bowed her head. ‘No, they didn’t, but Mr Wallis died soon after your father. Richard reckons it was from remorse.’

  ‘So now my grandmother’s dead this Richard wants us all to go up there to the family house?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Will you marry him?’

  ‘I shouldn’t think so for one moment. I can’t ever see any other man filling your father’s shoes.’

  ‘But what if you don’t like him?’

  ‘I think I will. Your father was very fond of him.’

  Ernie was at his wits’ end. How could he explain to his mother how he felt?

  ‘It will be a lovely home for you and the girls, but I’m not going.’

  ‘What? Why?’

  ‘Well, for a start, what job will there be for me?’

  ‘I’m sure Richard will find something for you.’

  ‘No thanks.’

  ‘But why not? You will be away from all this poverty you’re always going on about. There’ll be no more taking people’s washing to the laundry. And I won’t have to skimp and scrape.’ Tears began to roll down her cheeks. ‘Please, Ernest,’ she said, holding his hand. ‘Please say you’ll come. As you can see, Richard has even sent our fare.’

  Ernie put the money on the table. ‘I’m sorry, Mum, I can’t.’

  ‘Why not? What could keep you here?’

  ‘I’ll stay here and look after Daisy. She’ll want somewhere to come home to on her day off.’

  ‘She’s coming with me and the girls. As far as I can see, it’s only you that’s the fly in the ointment. And I can’t think of any reason why.’

  He knew his mother was getting cross with him. ‘You don’t have to worry about me. I’ll be able to make me own way down here. I don’t want handouts from people I don’t even know.’ Ernie was also beginning to get angry. ‘I reckon he only wants you up there to be a glorified cook and housekeeper.’

  ‘Is that such a bad thing?’

  Ernie couldn’t actually argue with that. ‘Look, I’ve got to go out.’

  ‘Is it because you’ve found someone?’

  He didn’t answer.

  ‘Ernest, you’re young. A good-looking lad like you, you’ll soon find someone.’

  ‘I’ve got to go.’

  ‘What if we don’t go?’

  Ernie felt the rug had been pulled from under him. ‘So it’s me that could be stopping you from this better life?’

  His mother looked down.

  ‘Please, don’t let me stop you.’

  ‘Where will you live?’

  ‘I’ll manage. Don’t forget I’ll be late tonight.’

  ‘How will you pay the rent?’

  ‘Something will turn up.’

  ‘Think about this carefully, love. This could be a whole new start for you. Besides, me and the girls want you to come with us.’

  He didn’t know what else to say to convince her. Later he would talk to Ruby about it. He would tell her how he felt at last.

  ‘Mum. Mum,’ shouted Eve, the youngest sister. ‘Me and Rosie are going to look at that funeral, you know, that girl what got murdered.’

  ‘All right. But you be careful. They still ain’t caught the bloke what did it.’

  ‘You coming, Ernie?’ asked Eve.

  ‘No, I’ve got better things to do than standing gawping at a funeral.’

  ‘They say it’s gonner be ever so grand.’

  But Ernie had to get ready to meet Ruby at the church. His mind churned over and over. He loved Ruby, but did she love him? Surely she wouldn’t go with him to Scotland? She would never leave her father and brother. But could they have a better life up there together? No more living from hand to mouth?

  He left the slum of a house he called home and as he walked along the road he stopped and took note of his surroundings. He began to whistle. Although they were both young, if he could persuade Ruby to come with him, soon it could be them who were walking down the aisle.

  Chapter 30

  As Ruby walked slowly behind Alfie she noted he was looking eagerly all about him.

  ‘Ain’t ever been in the back of a pub before,’ he said.

  Mr Thompson didn’t make any comment.

  In the back parlour, with one word, ‘Sit,’ Mr Thompson indicated with his finger to Alfie to sit down in the armchair, which he did very quickly.

  Suddenly Ruby felt out of place and turned to leave.

  ‘No, stay, Ruby, and take a seat.’ Ruby also did as she was told.r />
  ‘Do you know anything about this?’ Mr Thompson asked her as he stood with his foot on the brass fender.

  Ruby shook her head.

  ‘But I know all about you, Ruby Jenkins,’ said Alfie, grinning as he slumped back in the armchair.

  ‘And I know you. I’ve seen you hanging about the buildings when I took washing back to one of me mum’s customers.’

  ‘I know, and me sister told me ter keep away from you and that brother of yours.’

  Ruby looked shocked. ‘I thought that was Mrs Bell’s doing.’

  ‘Na, it was me sister.’

  ‘Just be quiet.’ Mr Thompson took a cigarette from a packet on the mantelpiece and then a wooden spill from a pot. Ruby watched him push it through the bars of the range and when it was well alight, he lit his cigarette with it. ‘Now, Ruby, what do you really know about this?’ he asked, puffing smoke into the air.

  ‘I told you! I didn’t know anything about Beth. She only told us her husband was in the Navy and was away.’

  Alfie laughed out loud. ‘That sounds like Lizzie. She certainly knew how to spin ’em.’

  Ruby glared at him and, turning to Mr Thompson, said softly, ‘After a while we guessed it might not be true as she never talked about him and she never had a letter from him, but it didn’t matter,’ she said hurriedly. ‘We didn’t care. We liked her.’

  Alfie suddenly sat up. ‘You know somefink?’ he said slyly to Mr Thompson. ‘That’s why you ain’t chucked me out.’

  Mr Thompson drew heavily on his cigarette and, pulling a chair from under the table, sat down opposite Alfie and Ruby. ‘When Beth first came to stay here she told me she was a widow, but I didn’t think that was true. When your father got that job in the Green Man, Beth was very worried. She told me she came from round the buildings and wasn’t married. That’s all I knew about her, she never said any more, and I wasn’t interested in her past. I thought that, once we were married, if she wanted to tell me more, that would be her business.’ He threw the cigarette into the fire. ‘Then this had to happen.’

  For a few moments the only sound was the ticking of the clock.

  ‘I couldn’t find her birth certificate, so I put the name I knew her by on the death certificate. Danny’s only got the small thrupenny one and the name on that is Norton. So, what is it you want?’ he asked Alfie.