by Dee Williams
‘Thomas,’ she beamed, coming up to the bar and blowing him a kiss. ‘A little bird told me you’ve been a naughty boy and haven’t been to work. I understand that George here was very upset about it, so where have you been hiding?’
Once again the story was repeated while drinks were being served and the conversation was interspersed with ‘Oh my God’, and ‘How awful’ from Mrs Bell.
There were lots of titters, bawdy remarks and laughing from the men as they watched Mrs Bell acting in such a theatrical way.
‘It ain’t funny,’ she said, turning on them. Then, ‘My poor darling,’ she added, grinding her cigarette in the overflowing ashtray. ‘You’ve had a terrible time. And where is the Christmas present I gave you?’ she asked, looking at his cuffs.
Thomas was suddenly filled with remorse. He had pawned the cufflinks, but with everything that had happened over Christmas he had forgotten to give Ruby and Tom the presents he had bought them. ‘I don’t like wearing them at work, they look too expensive.’
She smiled and tapped the back of his hand. ‘I can see you know the difference between the good and the rubbish.’
Thomas smiled back. He was very grateful to Mrs Bell for enabling him to buy nice presents for Tom and Ruby and couldn’t wait now to give Tom the mouth organ and Ruby the locket. He knew it had been extravagant and the money should have been spent on other things, but those kids had gone without long enough. It was money he had never expected to get - and Mrs Bell must never know what he’d done.
Mrs Bell’s companion had walked away when she sat at the bar, and throughout the next hour she sat talking to Thomas.
‘You wonner watch yerself, Thomas. She’ll make mince-meat of yer once she gets yer in her bed,’ someone shouted out.
Thomas wanted to disappear.
‘Shut it, you lot, you’re only jealous,’ she called out to the crowd behind her.
All too soon it was closing time and Mrs Bell collected the man she came in with and wished them all goodnight.
‘You know you shouldn’t have anything to do with her,’ said George. ‘You know what she does for a living. Well, if you can call it work. I reckon she must lay back and think of England.’ He laughed; it was a loud deep guffaw. ‘And she’s got expensive tastes.’
Thomas polished the glass he was holding with fervour and laughed along with George. He wasn’t going to let on he had been to her flat. ‘I’ve got enough worries on me plate without adding to them.’ His thoughts went to Mary. She had been a warm and loving wife. All the years he was ill she’d lain by his side and he had taken her whenever each other’s need arose. She had been a passionate woman who had enjoyed him. Deep down he knew he could never love like that again, but he would like a woman to hold him once more. Mary. Her very name filled him with guilt that he was having intimate thoughts about another woman. He had been so content to sit back and let her work herself to death. If only she had got angry with him, made him see it was wrong for him to be how he was. But she wasn’t like that. He mustn’t make the same mistake with Tom and Ruby, he had to face down his fears and be a real father to them. He also knew he would never love another like he’d loved Mary . . . but a woman’s touch would be so healing.
That evening Thomas hurried home as soon as he’d finished. Ruby, Tom and Danny were asleep. He took the presents from the cupboard in his bedroom and looked at them. For the first time in years he was giving them a surprise. It should have been something more practical, like a shirt for Tom and boots for Ruby, but he didn’t care about being practical. He had some paper and wrapped the presents. He couldn’t wait till morning.
Thomas was up well before Ruby and had the fire going and the kettle boiling when she walked into the kitchen with Danny on her hip. He looked at her; she’d had to grow up quickly. Suddenly she was a beautiful young lady. ‘Good morning,’ he said cheerfully. ‘Tea’s made.’
‘Dad! I didn’t hear you come in last night.’
‘I’m not surprised. The hours you work, you must be exhausted be the time you get to bed. Sit down, I’ll pour out your tea.’
She put Danny on the floor and sat at the table. ‘What’s this?’ She picked up the small parcel and felt it.
‘It’s a late Christmas present.’
‘A Christmas present?’ She looked up at her father, her big brown eyes full of love.
‘With all what happened it went right out of my head. That one’s for Tom. Now don’t you go telling me off for being silly and extravagant: I know I should have bought something more sensible.’
‘Where did you get the money from?’
‘I didn’t pinch it. I had a bit of luck at work and I thought you both deserved some spoiling.’
‘But . . .’ Ruby suddenly put her hand to her mouth. ‘I forgot as well.’ She jumped up and rummaged in the dresser cupboard. ‘Ugh,’ she said as her fingers went through the silver paper and into the oranges that had gone mouldy. ‘These were for you and Tom. And I’ve got a teddy bear for Danny.’
Her father laughed. ‘He’ll like that. Ain’t you gonner open your present?’
‘Can I wait till Tom gets up?’
‘Of course. Come here,’ said her father.
Ruby went to him and he held her tight. She felt happy and secure. It was years since her father had inspired such trust in her. ‘I did get you a present as well,’ she said. ‘It ain’t much. I’ll go and get it.’
In the bedroom Tom watched Ruby manoeuvre herself round the room. ‘What you doing?’
‘I’m getting your Christmas present.’
He sat up. ‘It ain’t Christmas,’ he said sulkily.
‘I know, but with all what happened me and Dad forgot about presents. Come and see what Dad’s got you.’
Tom jumped up and pulled on his trousers; he was already wearing his socks and shirt, it was too cold to take everything off at night.
Ruby burst into the kitchen with her precious parcels. ‘Here y’are.’ She thrust the cigarettes into her father’s hand and the book into Tom’s.
‘Thanks, love.’
‘I got you a present as well,’ said Tom, standing with his hands behind his back. He brought out a small box. ‘These are for you.’ He handed his sister the chocolates.
Ruby took them and noted there were tears in Tom’s eyes. Had he bought these for Beth?
‘You ain’t opened my present yet,’ said their father.
Ruby couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw the lovely silver heart-shaped locket, with a tiny ruby set in the middle, nestling in her hands.
‘It’s only small, and the ruby ain’t real, but I thought it was, well . . . I just couldn’t resist it. It was like it was made for you and I just had to get it.’
Ruby couldn’t speak.
‘Look, it opens. I thought perhaps you could put somebody’s hair in it. I couldn’t manage to get the chain as well, but one day I will.’
Tears spilt from her eyes. ‘Dad, it’s lovely.’
They were interrupted with Tom blowing on his mouth organ. He had a huge grin on his face. ‘This is great. The best present I’ve ever had.’
‘Make sure you play it outside,’ Ruby said laughing as Danny clambered up on her lap trying to see what was going on. She lifted him high in the air and plonked a kiss on his cheek. He waved his teddy bear at her. ‘That’s all I can give you this year, but who knows what the next one will bring?’
‘Ruby, you didn’t mind me buying silly things, did you?’
She shook her head. ‘I think we all deserve silly things at the moment. And I think we should all have a chocolate for breakfast.’
For the rest of the day everyone was happy. Ruby didn’t ask where her father had got the money from for their presents. She knew it wasn’t stolen so it didn’t matter. And he would tell her one day.
After weeks of laborious sewing Tom was now in his father’s room and Ruby had Danny’s cot in with her. She was so grateful he was a good baby and didn’t keep her awake hal
f the night. She couldn’t cope with sleepless nights and work all day.
In the middle of January snow came and tried to settle. It was Saturday and as Ruby left the laundry she put her head down and hurried out of the gate.
‘You took your time. I’ve bin waiting ages for you.’ Elsie was standing huddled under the arch outside the laundry.
Ruby ran up to her and hugged her. ‘I’m so pleased to see you. How’s married life?’
‘Great.’
‘Can we go to the market for a little while?’
‘Don’t you have to clean that old boy’s place?’
‘You don’t know, do you?’
‘Know what?’
‘Let’s get out of the cold. I’ve got a lot to tell you.’
‘Sounds interesting. Anything to do with Ernie?’
‘No.’
‘Well, all right then, but I can’t stay long. I have to get the shopping and do the tea for me mum-in-law and husband.’
They hurried to the market and made their way to the café.
Inside it was warm and the windows were steamy. As soon as they settled down with a cup of tea Ruby said, ‘Did you read about Elizabeth Norton’s murder?’
‘Charlie said something about it. That the one that lived in the pub?’
Ruby nodded.
‘My Charlie said he reckoned she was on the game and it was one of her punters.’
Ruby sat staring at Elsie. How awful. Did lots of people think that? ‘She wasn’t like that.’
‘Did you know her?’
‘Yes. She used to live with us.’
‘Oh my God no! The one that had the baby and you thought she was . . . I didn’t put two and two together, what with Christmas and the wedding. I didn’t take much notice of what Charlie was saying. Was it one of her punters?’
‘No! She didn’t have punters. It was my landlord.’
Elsie’s cup went down on the saucer with a clatter. ‘Ruby! What can I say?’
Ruby shrugged. ‘Don’t know. He hit me brother as well.’
‘No. Why did he do it?’
Ruby only shrugged again. She didn’t want to say too much; she didn’t want anyone to know it was through Tom.
‘Was it awful?’
Ruby nodded and swallowed hard. It was still very painful to talk about. ‘We spent a long while in the hospital and Beth’s funeral was on New Year’s Eve day. The same time as your wedding.’
Elsie quickly moved round the table and held Ruby close, knocking her hat skew-whiff. ‘I’m so sorry. I had no idea. But you came in the evening. Ruby, that was so brave of you and you said nothing about it.’
‘I couldn’t spoil your day.’
Elsie held her ever closer. ‘Thank you for being so thoughtful.’
‘That’s all right,’ Ruby said, coming up for breath and straightening her hat.
Elsie sat down. ‘So what’s going to happen now?’
‘I don’t know. The police are still looking for Mr Cox.’
‘Do they know where he might have gone?’
‘Yes. Southend.’
‘Southend?’ repeated Elsie. ‘What’s he doing there?’
‘I don’t know. But that’s enough of my problems.’
‘I can’t get over what a terrible thing.’
‘I really enjoyed myself at your wedding. It was the most wonderful thing I’ve ever been to.’
‘I’m glad. Have you managed to see anything of Ernie?’
Ruby nodded.
‘Why didn’t he stay?’
‘He felt uncomfortable.’
‘Daft ’aporth.’ Elsie sat back.
‘He came to tell me he might be going to Scotland.’
‘What? Why?’
Ruby told Elsie the story.
‘And you can’t go?’
Ruby shook her head. ‘Don’t forget I’ve got Danny to look after now.’
‘Surely that Mr Thompson can’t expect you to look after the boy for ever?’
‘I don’t know. Who else is there? I can’t let him go to the Andersons’; besides, Mr Thompson wouldn’t let them have him.’
Ruby couldn’t tell Elsie that she loved Danny and why she thought it was also her duty to look after him.
‘Can he stop them?’
Ruby shrugged. ‘I don’t know. He’s worried that Danny could finish up in an orphanage.’
‘No. That would be awful.’
‘Mr Thompson was talking about adopting Danny.’
‘Can’t you find out who the father is?’
Ruby shook her head. ‘Mr Thompson has gone through everything, but our cheap birth certificates don’t have the father’s name on them.’
‘That’s true, but it’s a lot for you to take on. Is he good?’
Ruby gave her a warm smile. ‘He’s lovely.’
‘But not to be going to Scotland with Ernie. That would have been wonderful for you.’
‘I know.’
‘Poor you. But cheer up. You never know, it might happen - and I’d like to see Ernie in a kilt!’
Ruby laughed. ‘I can’t remember what his knees looked like.’
‘Would you actually go with him if there was a chance?’
Ruby shook her head. ‘I wouldn’t leave Dad and Tom.’
‘No, suppose not.’
They exchanged details about their new lives until Ruby said she had to get home.
As Elsie kissed her goodbye she said, ‘Remember, there’s always a silver lining somewhere.’
‘I hope so,’ Ruby said, but at the moment she couldn’t see where. She touched the locket her father had given her; it was on a piece of strong thread and she wore it under her vest. She didn’t want anyone to know it was there. Ruby hoped it would be a sort of lucky charm.
At the end of the month Mr Thompson brought Beth’s clothes down.
‘I’m sure Beth would want you to have these,’ he said, putting them on the kitchen table.
‘It’s very kind of you, but I can’t take them.’
‘Why not?’
‘I don’t know. It don’t seem right somehow.’
‘It’s not that I’m getting rid of her. I have many keepsakes: she’ll always be part of my life. But I know she would want you to have them.’
Ruby held up a coat, it looked lovely and warm.
‘Everything should fit you, you were about the same size.’
‘What can I say?’
‘There’s nothing to say. Ruby, about Danny . . .’
Ruby froze. Was he going to take him away?
‘I know it’s a lot of work for you and your family. If it gets too much, you will tell me, won’t you?’
‘Yes, but he’s no trouble.’
‘Not at the moment. At what age will he be able to start school?’
‘He can go when he’s four and a half.’
‘You’ve got a couple of years yet then.’ He picked up his trilby.
‘You wouldn’t let him go to Mrs Anderson, would you?’
He twirled his hat round in his hand. ‘You can be very sure about that.’
As he left Ruby thought how lucky Beth had been. Len Thompson loved her and her son and was prepared to look after Danny, but for how long? What if another young lady ever came into Mr Thompson’s life?
February was cold and wet. Although Ruby was warm in Beth’s coat she was very depressed as she hadn’t seen Ernie at all. Had he gone away without saying goodbye?
When Ruby got home one evening she found Tom upset. ‘What’s up with you?’
‘Nothing.’
He was now at school and Ruby thought that was the reason he was so down in the mouth. ‘I’ll help you with any homework you’ve got. At least school keeps you busy and out of mischief. Where’s Dad and Danny?’ she asked, taking her hat and coat off. She ran her fingers through her hair.
‘Dad’s taken him up to see Mr Thompson. He’s been there a long while.’
‘Oh, right. Shall I make a cuppa?’
> ‘Ruby, the police have been here. They’ve got Mr Cox.’
‘What?’
‘That’s why Dad’s up the pub. He’s gone to ask what we’ve got to do. I’ve got to go as a witness. I don’t want to go. I’m frightened.’
Ruby sat down. She had known that this would happen one day. ‘I’m sure everything will be all right. Mr Thompson is very clever and he’ll help you all he can.’
‘But what about the money? Will I go to prison?’
‘I can’t answer that. I know it’s wrong, but I don’t think you should tell anyone about the money.’
‘But Mr Cox will.’
‘Let’s wait till Dad gets back, he may have some ideas.’ Ruby played with the spoon in the sugar bowl. Things had been getting a little easier for all of them. Although they should be saving the rent money, they had decided, after a lot of discussion, to spend it. Tom was at school; her father was at work and happy. Danny was a good boy and they enjoyed having him. Now this had to happen and all the worries had come flooding back.
Chapter 33
When Ruby heard the key in the lock she hurried to the front door.
‘Well, what’s going to happen?’ she burst out, as soon as she saw her father.
Thomas manoeuvred the pram into the passage. Her father was one of the few men who didn’t mind being seen pushing a pram; he happily took it up to the pub to see Len or across the road to Milly’s. In fact he was rather proud of it as everybody knew the circumstances and would often stop and talk to him. ‘I’ll tell you in a mo. Let me get in first.’
Ruby took Danny out of the pram and followed her father into the kitchen.
‘You’re not to worry, son,’ he said to Tom who was looking at him with large frightened eyes. ‘Len is going to see about it. He’ll try and find out if you can see the magistrate in private and not have to go into the court. I think Len’s got a lot of friends in high places.’
‘What did the policeman say when he came here?’ asked Ruby.
‘He just told us that Cox was at the police station and Tom here might be wanted as a witness.’
‘Did he say when?’