by Dee Williams
‘No. But they’ll let us know.’
‘I don’t want to go. I don’t want to see him, they’ll find out it was all my fault.’
‘All you’ve got to do is tell the truth, son.’
‘But . . .’ He looked at Ruby and his tears fell.
Ruby sat next to her brother and put her arm round his shoulders.
‘Why did he hit Beth?’ asked Thomas, settling in his armchair and unlacing his boots.
Tom looked at Ruby.
Ruby touched her locket. What could she say? ‘Dad, I don’t think you want to know.’
‘Look, I’m better now, and as his father I should know what went on. What if I get called to the witness stand?’
‘Why should you?’
‘They might want to know what sort of bloke Cox was.’
Tom ran from the room.
Ruby stood up ready to follow him but her father told her to sit down.
‘Len told me he thought Cox might have been . . .’ He stopped and silently rolled a cigarette.
Ruby looked nervously at the kitchen door. ‘I should go to Tom.’
‘I know the old man was always looking at you.’
Ruby’s head shot up. ‘Who told you that?’
‘Your mother. She was worried about it. I was going to have a word with him, but you know how scared she was of losing this place. Mind you, I don’t know what’s going to happen now Cox won’t be around. He’s got to have some relation ready to crawl out of the woodwork and lay claim to this property.’
‘Mum told you?’ said Ruby, ignoring the last part of her father’s speech.
‘Yes. We did have conversations about you both, you know. I know it seemed we couldn’t talk, but we was very close. Ruby, tell me, did he touch Tom, you know, in an over-friendly way?’
‘Let me get Tom.’
‘All right.’
Ruby banged on the lav door. ‘Tom. Tom. Come out. We’ve got to tell Dad the truth.’
Tom opened the door. ‘I can’t.’
‘I think you’d better.’
In the kitchen Tom sat at the table opposite Ruby.
‘Look, son. You don’t have to be shy. Remember I was in the army and all sorts of funny things went on with some of the blokes. Some of ’em even committed suicide over it, but for you there’s nothing to be ashamed of.’
Tom looked from Ruby to his father with wide staring eyes.
‘Dad. You won’t hit me, will you?’
‘Why should I hit you?’
Ruby closed her eyes. How she wished he didn’t need to know the truth.
‘Well? I’m waiting.’
Tom stuttered, then looked at his sister despairingly.
‘Ruby, you tell Dad.’
Ruby sighed. ‘Dad. You know how you got upset with Tom over that coal business?’
‘What coal - oh, that, what’s that got to do with this? That was months ago.’
‘Well, our Tom got in with the wrong lot.’
Thomas looked at his son. ‘What have you been up to? Have you been stealing from Mr Cox? Is that it?’
‘No. No,’ yelled Tom. ‘It was him what pinched my money and he said he was gonner tell the police and Beth said she’d see to it and that’s when he hit her and . . .’ He put his head in his hands and wept.
Thomas sat looking at them both, bewildered. ‘What money?’
Tom didn’t look up. ‘Money I pinched,’ he mumbled.
‘You’ve been pinching money?’
Tom nodded. ‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry.’
‘Who from?’
‘Anybody who left it about.’
‘How much was it?’
‘Twenty-five shillings.’
Ruby gasped. She didn’t know it was that much.
‘That’s a lot of money, son. So how did Mr Cox find out about it?’
‘He found me hiding place in the lav.’
‘You knew all about this?’ her father said to Ruby.
She nodded. ‘Not how much and not till Beth was in hospital.’
‘But you didn’t think you could tell your father?’
‘We were worried what you might do to Tom.’
‘Am I such a bad father? I know I’ve let you down, but this . . .’
‘What could we do?’
‘I was only doing it to help,’ sobbed Tom. ‘We didn’t have any money and I wanted us to have a nice Christmas and Freddie Porter said it—’
His father took a quick intake of breath. ‘Freddie Porter.’ He stood up and Tom cringed.
‘Don’t hit me. Don’t hit me,’ he cried out.
‘How could you get mixed up with scum like the Porters? Do you know who his father is?’
Tom shook his head. ‘I only know he’s in prison.’
‘That’s where you’ll finish up, my boy, messing about with that lot.’
It was Ruby’s turn to take a quick breath. ‘Tom, how could you?’
Tom was shaking with fear when his father put his hand on his shoulder.
‘Don’t worry, son. I ain’t gonner hit you. I think you’ve more than learnt your lesson. You’ll have to live with Beth’s death for the rest of your life and what for - a few shillings?’
‘What you gonner tell the police?’ asked Ruby.
‘I’ll tell them that Cox was going to interfere with my son and his friend stepped in to defend him.’
‘But that’s lies,’ said Ruby, shocked.
‘I know. But are lies worse than murder?’
‘No. I suppose not. But ain’t it against the law to lie under oath?’
‘Yes. Yes, it is, but if it means it will save my son from being put away, then I think it’ll be worth it. After all, it’s only the three of us who know the truth - isn’t it?’
Both Tom and Ruby nodded vigorously.
‘Well, let’s keep it that way.’
Ruby was seeing her father in a very different light. He had changed. He was being assertive. He was in charge now.
‘When’s Mr Thompson going to the police station?’
‘Tomorrow. Now, I think it’s well past this little lad’s bedtime.’
Ruby looked at Danny who had been quietly sitting on the floor playing with his horse and cart.
‘Has he had his tea?’
‘Yes. I gave it to him before we went out.’
Ruby picked Danny up and kissed him. ‘You’re always wet or stinky. Come on, bed.’
‘Ruby, kiss,’ he said as he touched her face with a chubby hand. His grin was something that would melt any heart.
‘Dad, should we take Danny to court?’
‘Len thinks so. When the jury sees him and what Cox has robbed him of, he don’t think Cox’ll stand a chance of getting away with it.’
‘Will he hang?’ asked Tom.
‘Looks like it.’
Tom shivered. ‘That’s two people that’ll die cos of me.’
‘Tom, you mustn’t think like that,’ said Ruby. ‘He shouldn’t have hit Beth.’
But Tom couldn’t see it that way.
After Ruby had put Danny to bed she went over to the dairy. She had to talk to someone and as usual it was Milly who was prepared to listen.
‘Poor Tom,’ said Milly when Ruby told her the police had got Mr Cox. ‘What’s gonner happen to your place?’
‘I don’t know. Milly, I’m so worried, you see we’ve been spending the rent money. I know I should have kept it to one side, but it’s so tempting to see it sitting there in the rent book, and once you start . . .’
‘Well, don’t worry about it, I’m sure something will turn up. After all, I can’t see Mr Thompson letting you finish up on the street, not all the while you’ve got young Danny to look after.’
‘I hope you’re right. But I don’t want him to think I’m only doing it so we’ll always have a roof over our heads.’
‘Course he won’t.’
‘I really love that little ’en. He makes us laugh. And he’s been such a tonic for Dad
. He’s completely changed, you know.’
‘I know, and I’m happy for you.’
‘I’d better get back. Thought I’d just let you know how things were.’
‘Thanks.’
As Ruby walked back across the road her thought went to Ernie. He must have gone to Scotland. Why hadn’t he told her? Would she have found someone as friendly as Milly to talk to if she had gone with him? What were his mother and sisters like? Would they have liked her? All this was wishful dreaming. Ruby knew she had more pressing problems at the moment.
On Monday when Ruby walked into the factory Mrs Watson called her to one side.
‘Ruby. You are going into the finishing room today.’
‘Thank you. Will it be for long?’
‘I think we could let you go in there permanently. For a young girl your work is very good. Would you like that?’
‘Yes, please.’ She liked the women in there; they were far nicer than Florrie and her friends. Lately, as she’d been wearing Beth’s coat to work, they hadn’t missed a day commenting on it, always wanting to know where she’d got it from.
As Ruby and Mrs Watson walked to the finishing room she turned to Ruby and said, ‘I wonder if you know what has happened to Ernest? I know you two were friendly and he hasn’t been here for weeks now. He did say something about his mother going to Scotland, but he said he wasn’t going with her. I do hope he’s all right.’
‘I haven’t seen him.’
‘I pray he’s looking after himself. I imagine with his mother away he doesn’t have to worry about collecting washing now.’
‘No, I don’t suppose he does.’
‘Does he have a job?’
‘I don’t think so, he would have told me. I think he must have gone to Scotland with his mum and sisters.’
‘Yes, that could be it. If he should write to you, remember me to him. He was a nice lad, always polite.’
‘I will.’ Ruby didn’t think she would ever hear from Ernie again. If he was in Scotland he was going to lead a very different life to being here in Rotherhithe pushing a pram full of other people’s dirty washing. She sighed. She had read about Scotland and it sounded wonderful, full of lakes and mountains. But it was and always would be just pictures in a book and a place on the map.
It was a Wednesday when the letter arrived to tell them the preliminary hearing for the case against Mr Cox was going to be on Monday 13 February. Ruby went to see Mrs Watson to ask for that day off.
‘You’d better come into the office.’
Nervously Ruby followed Mrs Watson.
Ben Stone was sitting at a desk and looked up when they walked in. ‘Hello there, it’s Ruby Jenkins, is it not?’
She nodded.
The door opened and Frank Stone walked in. He nodded to Ben and Mrs Watson. ‘What we got here, trouble?’
‘No,’ said Mrs Watson. ‘Miss Jenkins wants next Monday off.’
‘Does she now, and what for may I ask?’ said Frank Stone, looking at the papers he was holding.
‘I have to go to the preliminary hearing for the trial of Mr Cox. He was my landlord and he killed my best friend.’
Ben Stone sat up. ‘That must have been a terrible experience for you.’
‘It was worse for my young brother.’
‘Mrs Watson has been keeping us informed. I hope everything goes well for you. If you have any worries we may be able to help. We do have professional people to look after our affairs, and if you find you need help, please call in.’
‘Just a minute,’ said Frank Stone. ‘Are you a witness?’
‘No, but my brother—’
‘Sorry. We’re running a business, not a welfare office. And with all these new orders coming in we can’t let the staff off at the drop of a hat.’
Ruby stood with her mouth open as Frank Stone turned his attention back to his desk and began to rummage through some papers.
‘Frank,’ said Ben, but he was given a very black look.
Frank Stone simply said, ‘Anything else, Mrs Watson?’
She shook her head and bustled Ruby out of the room.
Ruby was shaking with anger. ‘He can’t do that. He can’t stop me.’
‘He can and he will.’
‘I was being honest. I could have just taken the day off, said I was ill or something.’
‘I know.’ Mrs Watson looked at the closed door. ‘Come on.’
Slowly they walked back to the finishing room.
‘What am I gonner do? I can’t let Tom down.’
Mrs Watson put her arm round Ruby’s shoulder. ‘I’ll have a quiet word with young Mr Stone. He’s got a lot more compassion than his big brother.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Now come on, blow your nose and get back to work.’
Ruby stood at her ironing table with a heavy heart. She was grateful she was in this room, and didn’t have to answer to Florrie any more, but how could she go home and tell Tom she wouldn’t be there on Monday to support him?
In the end Ruby couldn’t bring herself to do it. For the rest of the week she kept to herself the fact that she wouldn’t be going with Tom.
On Saturday rain was falling and Ruby was full of despair as she pulled her hat down and her coat collar up. She stood to one side as the new automobile van that Stone’s were now using passed her. It had been the talk of the laundry when it first arrived and everybody had crowded round to admire it. Stone’s were getting a very good reputation and everybody knew the laundry was expanding. They were being given work by some of the big hotels and their rich customers needed specialist washing done. Ruby was pleased when there was extra work.
Ben Stone jumped out and called her. ‘Miss Jenkins! Just a minute.’
She stopped and looked around, but everyone else had gone.
‘You always seem to be one of the last out. Why is that?’
‘If Mrs Watson asks me to stay I always try to help out, which is more than I can say for Stone’s.’
‘Oh dear. We are angry.’
‘Why shouldn’t I be?’
‘Yes, I admit I think my brother was wrong.’
‘Excuse me, but I’ve got to get home. I have my murdered friend’s baby to look after.’
He stood to one side. ‘You’re looking after her baby?’
‘There ain’t nobody else.’ She wasn’t going to tell him all of the family business. She went to move on but he put out his hand to stop her.
‘Just a moment. I think we’d better have a talk.’
‘I’ve nothing to say to you.’
‘Please. Let me hear all of this story.’
‘I can’t stand around here, it’s raining, in case you hadn’t noticed.’
‘Please, don’t be angry with me. Let me take you for a cup of tea somewhere.’
‘No, thank you.’
‘I could give you a lift.’
‘What, in that?’ Ruby pointed to the laundry van.
‘Only if you want to.’
Although it was against her better judgement she said, ‘All right. But I mustn’t be too long.’
He opened the door and with great difficulty she climbed in.
‘This is very grand.’
‘We’re hoping to get another one day, but getting good drivers is a bit of a problem. You’d be surprised at some of the blokes I’ve taken out on test drives.’ He laughed. ‘Talk about taking your life in your hands. Most of them learned during the war and are only used to driving tanks and lorries through fields of mud. They chuck you about like peas in a pod.’
Ruby laughed. ‘I don’t believe that.’
‘It’s true. I couldn’t even imagine what all that neatly ironed work would look like after they’d delivered it. No, we’re certainly having trouble finding the right person, who’s used to driving on roads.’
They only went a few streets when he stopped. ‘There’s a little café over there.’
Ruby jumped out and quickly made her way into the dry.
‘’Ello there, Ben. Everything all right then?’
‘Yes thanks, Tosh. Two cups of tea please.’
They sat at a table and the tea was quickly put in front of them.
‘Now, young lady, I want to hear all of this story. I’ve only read the bit they put in the paper, and that wasn’t much.’
Ruby sipped her tea and went into most of the details.
After she’d finished Ben sat back with an air of decision. ‘Don’t worry about coming in on Monday.’
‘But your brother said—’
‘I’ll see to him. And Ruby - can I call you Ruby?’
She nodded.
‘Please come and tell me the outcome.’
‘I will. Now I must get home.’
‘I’ll take you in the van, that’ll save you from getting wet.’
‘No, I can’t.’
‘Why not?’
‘What will the neighbours say, seeing me come home in a van?’
He laughed. ‘They’d say what a nice firm you work for, not letting their employees get wet.’
She really didn’t want him to see where she lived. ‘Please drop me off at the top of Hill Street. It’s not far from there.’
‘If you say so.’
Ruby smiled. Milly is going to have a field day over this, she thought.
On Monday, Tom was up and about long before Ruby.
Mr Thompson had been down the previous afternoon going over a few things with Tom and his father. Mr Thompson still didn’t know the real reason Mr Cox had attacked Beth and everybody was determined to leave it that way.
Ruby dressed herself very carefully. She was wearing Beth’s black costume and it fitted her like a glove. She felt very smart and grown up, and Beth’s neat black felt hat just finished her outfit. She also dressed Danny very carefully. She wanted everybody to see him at his best. This man had to pay for what he had done to the little boy.
Milly came over and wished them luck. She had been more than a friend in all of this sorry business. ‘Now, young Tom, just you look him straight in the eye and tell them everything. He’s gotter swing for what he did.’
Ruby looked at Tom. Now Mr Thompson was giving them more than enough money for Danny, and with no rent to pay, they’d been able to buy Tom a new shirt and trousers, which he wore to school, instead of his old cut-offs. He looked very smart; he’d even plastered his hair down with water. Ruby had checked his neck, just in case he’d forgotten to wash it.