A Rare Ruby

by Dee Williams

  Milly kissed the top of his head. ‘You look very smart, young man, and don’t worry.’

  Ruby could see how nervous her brother was. ‘I’ll come and let you know what happens,’ she said as Milly went to leave.

  ‘You’d better. Good luck.’

  Ruby closed the front door behind her. ‘It’s time we left,’ she said, strapping Danny in his pram.

  Chapter 34

  Ernie looked all around him. Scotland must be a truly wonderful place when the sun shone, the snow cleared and the wind stopped blowing, but at the moment it seemed eternally cold and dark. He sat down and poured out a mug of tea from the flask his mother insisted he took with him while he cleaned out the barn. His mother and sisters were happy living in this big rambling house. In many ways they had really fallen on their feet. Richard was a decent man and had shown Ernie lots of the jobs that had to be done on a farm but farming wasn’t for him. He wasn’t happy. He wasn’t cut out for the life - Ruby filled his thoughts day and night. He should never have left her. They could have worked something out if he’d been man enough to stay. But that was impossible now. He could never get back to London. The Thames, the docks, the fog were all a lifetime away. He would never be able to get the fare, and he couldn’t ask Richard; although he was well off he had been more than generous already. No, Ernie knew he should never have left, but what choice had he had? His mother had refused to go without him. And without a job, or a place to live, he had nothing to offer Ruby.

  The Jenkinses and Mr Thompson stood outside the magistrates’ court and waited as a Black Maria turned down the side of the building. It stopped and they watched as two policemen got out. One turned and they could see he was handcuffed to another man. Ruby gasped as she realised the man was Mr Cox. She hardly recognised him. He hadn’t had a shave for days; his eyes were staring and wild; he looked dirty and dishevelled. He caught sight of them, fear filled his eyes and he quickly bent his head. Ruby glanced at her brother. He had gone deathly white. She put her arm round him.

  ‘It’s all right. He can’t hurt you now.’

  ‘But what if he gets out?’

  ‘Don’t worry, son,’ said Mr Thompson. ‘Let’s get inside.’

  They made their way into the noisy building. Men were shouting and running about. Mr Thompson went up to the desk. ‘Excuse me, but we’re here to—’

  ‘I’m sorry, sir, but we’re too busy at the moment to see to anyone. Take a seat. Someone will be with you shortly.’

  They sat on a hard wooden bench watching the police and other people rushing back and forth.

  ‘What’s going on?’ asked Thomas.

  ‘Search me,’ said Len Thompson. ‘They must have had a busy weekend and ain’t got enough places for ’em all.’

  A man carrying a black bag sped past them.

  ‘Looks like somebody’s got a beating, or had a heart attack. That was the doctor,’ said Len.

  ‘Do they hit people in prison?’ asked Ruby.

  ‘They do if they don’t behave themselves.’

  A while later the doctor came past again. This time he walked up to the desk, spoke to the man on duty and then disappeared into the sergeants’ room behind the desk.

  Tom was staring all about him. What if they found out about the money? He would go to prison. He didn’t want to be beaten; he would confess. Should he tell the truth now? Could he lie? He felt sick.

  Len Thompson looked at his watch. ‘I hope they ain’t gonner be much longer.’

  ‘Should you be opening about now?’ asked Thomas.

  ‘Yes, but that don’t matter. Monday morning ain’t the busiest of times.’ He looked about him and moved closer to Thomas. ‘It’s young Tom here I’m worried about, he’s gone very pale.’

  ‘Ruby, why don’t you take Tom outside for a breath of fresh air? I’ll come and get you when they call us,’ said her father.

  ‘That’s a good idea. I’ll take Danny as well, he’s getting a bit fidgety - he wants to get out.’ Ruby lifted Danny out of the pram and with Tom they slowly made their way through the crowds and outside.

  ‘Ruby, why do we have to wait so long?’

  ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘Do they always beat up the prisoners?’

  ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘I’m very frightened.’

  ‘I know you are.’

  ‘Will they beat me and make me tell the truth?’

  She smiled and went to ruffle his smoothed-down hair, but thought better of it. ‘Course not.’

  Ruby and Tom stood to one side as an ambulance drove up and two men got out.

  ‘They must be ever so ill,’ said Tom, his green eyes wide with fear and curiosity.

  It was a while later when they finally brought somebody out. The person was covered all over with sheets and Tom suddenly burst into tears.

  ‘Ruby. Ruby. Don’t let them take me to prison. They’ve killed somebody. They’re wicked.’

  To the amusement of passers-by Tom was hanging on to his sister’s arm and almost dragging her away.

  ‘Tom, stop it,’ said Ruby in a very cross voice. ‘Everybody’s looking at you. Come on, let’s go inside. They might see us now this person has been taken away.’

  Ruby could see Mr Thompson and her father in deep conversation with a man at the desk. Her father was solemnly shaking his head.

  ‘Dad, what is it? What’s wrong?’

  ‘We’ve got to come back another day.’

  ‘But I’ve taken today off. They won’t let me have another day off.’

  ‘There’s been a bit of trouble. They’ve got a couple of violent blokes in there who’ve turned nasty,’ said Mr Thompson.

  As they made their way home, Ruby couldn’t put that dreadful place out of her mind.

  In some ways she was even feeling a bit sorry for Mr Cox. He could never have thought that that blow to Beth’s head would land him in this mess.

  On Friday afternoon Mr Thompson came again to see the Jenkinses. He was carrying a bottle of beer.

  ‘This is a surprise, Len,’ said Thomas.

  ‘We’ve got a bit of celebrating to do.’

  ‘Why? What’s happened?’

  ‘Get the glasses.’ Ruby had been pleased when Len had given them some before Christmas. ‘They always say you get your come-uppance in the end, well, it appears our Mr Cox has got his.’ Len carefully poured out the beer.

  ‘Why, what’s happened?’

  ‘Old Fred, he’s one of the coppers at the nick, told me that Cox has had a heart attack.’

  ‘No.’ Thomas sat down hard at the table. ‘Is he dead?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Poor bloke. I’m sorry, but in some ways I can’t help but feel pity for the wicked old sod.’

  ‘I know how you feel. But at least it’s let young Tom off the hook.’

  ‘That’s true.’

  ‘Where is the lad?’ asked Len.

  ‘He’s at school at the moment. He’s doing very well,’ said Thomas proudly. ‘So what happens now?’

  ‘Nothing.’

  ‘What about this place.’

  ‘Let’s go up and look for the deeds, that’s if he’s got ’em. You do know his father won this in a gambling game, don’t you?’ said Mr Thompson over his shoulder as they made their way up the stairs.

  ‘But can that be legal?’

  ‘Gambling ain’t, but if he’s got the deeds, who’s gonner contest it? ’Sides, the original owner can’t still be alive. Not after all these years.’

  ‘Suppose not. But what about the owner’s family?’

  ‘It wouldn’t be something they’d be proud of, losing it gambling. They might not even know the old boy was the one who won it.’

  ‘True.’

  Tom was grinning from ear to ear when Ruby walked in. ‘You look pleased with yourself,’ she said, taking her hat and coat off. ‘Got more good marks at school?’

  Tom nodded. ‘My teacher said I’m a bright boy.’

&nb
sp; ‘Well, we all know that. What’s this?’ She picked up a bundle of yellow papers.

  ‘Hello, love,’ said her father, walking in from the scullery. ‘Just been giving this little messy lad a wash.’

  Danny ran up to Ruby holding out his arms. She picked him up and cuddled him close.

  ‘Sit down, love. Tea’s ready.’

  Ruby looked from one to the other. Her father and brother were grinning like a couple of Cheshire cats. ‘What is it?’

  ‘Mr Cox is dead.’ Tom couldn’t keep it bottled up any longer.

  ‘What? How?’

  ‘Seems he had a heart attack,’ said her father as he poured out the tea.

  Ruby gave a muffled cry and collapsed on the kitchen chair. ‘No. When did this happen?’

  ‘A couple of days ago.’

  ‘Who told you?’

  ‘Len. A bloke from the nick told him.’

  ‘So what happens now?’ asked Ruby.

  ‘Nothing. It’s all over.’

  Ruby didn’t know what to say.

  ‘I still feel it was my fault.’

  ‘Tom, I’ve already told you. He must’ve had a dicky heart. So you’ve got nothing to reproach yourself about. These are the deeds to the house,’ said her father, picking up the papers.

  ‘Who does it belong to?’

  ‘Nobody.’

  ‘It must belong to somebody.’

  ‘It was won by Mr Cox’s father in a gambling game. Look: it says here that “I, William Carlton, do hereby give these deeds to Thirteen Hill Street to Mr Harry Cox as payment for money owed.” ’ Thomas gave the papers to Ruby.

  ‘Was his name Harry?’

  ‘Dunno.’

  ‘Len’s gonner have a quiet word with a bloke what goes in the pub, he’s supposed to be a bit of a legal bod.’

  ‘Will we have to get out?’

  ‘Len don’t think so.’

  ‘I must tell Milly.’

  ‘Course, love. But don’t forget I’m off soon.’

  ‘I know. I’ll just put Danny to bed.’

  Ruby sat on the mattress looking at Danny as he snuggled down. ‘What a lot I’ve got to tell you one day,’ she said, turning the gas lamp down very low.

  Milly called up to her mum and dad. ‘You’ve got to come down here and listen to this.’

  ‘What? What is it? You’re making such a racket, Milly. Dad’s trying to listen to the wireless.’

  ‘Mr Cox is dead.’

  As they exclaimed and chattered at the news, the atmosphere was almost jolly. Ruby couldn’t help feeling sorry for this man. Although he had killed someone, she was beginning to see that Beth’s death had been an accident. Mr Cox had no one to love or take care of him, and now he was dead, who would go to his funeral?

  ‘Good riddance to bad rubbish, I say. What happens about the house now, Ruby?’ asked Milly’s mum.

  ‘We don’t know. Mr Thompson is going to try and find out.’

  Everybody was seeing something good in Cox’s death, and in a funny sort of way that upset Ruby.

  The following morning Ruby arrived at work early and went straight up to the office. She hoped Mr Frank Stone wasn’t inside as she knocked on the door.

  ‘Come in.’

  She almost gave a sigh of relief when she recognised Ben’s voice.

  ‘Ruby! How did things go?’

  ‘You asked me to let you know how it went at the police station.’

  ‘Yes. And?’

  ‘We never got to court.’ Ruby told him exactly what had happened and that Mr Cox had died from a heart attack.

  ‘My dear girl. I can’t believe that all this could happen to one so young.’

  ‘I ain’t that young. I shall be seventeen in September.’

  He smiled. ‘Yes, and you have lived a very full lifetime.’

  ‘I’d better get to work.’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Your brother won’t sack me, will he?’

  ‘Course not.’

  Ruby closed the door gently behind her. How old was he? She would try to find out from Mrs Watson, who was sure to know.

  It was a week later when Ruby was called into the office. She knocked on the door full of apprehension. Was Frank Stone going to give her the sack for taking last Monday off?

  ‘Come in,’ called Ben Stone. ‘Ruby, don’t look so worried.’

  ‘What have I done wrong?’

  He smiled. It was the first time Ruby noticed his white teeth. He was a handsome man with straight slicked-back dark hair and dark eyes. She knew he was head and shoulders taller than she was. ‘Nothing. I was just going to ask you if you would like to accompany me to the theatre. You see, I’ve been given two tickets and I don’t know any other young lady I would like to take.’

  Ruby could feel herself blush. ‘That’s very kind of you. I’d love to. Thank you very much.’

  ‘I thought if we went straight from work we could go to a café for a bite to eat first.’

  ‘Thank you. That would be very nice.’

  ‘Right, that’s settled. Come to work in your glad rags on Friday.’

  ‘Friday? I can’t come on a Friday; me dad works at the pub and there’s no one to look after Danny.’

  ‘Oh dear. That was a bit thoughtless of me. Can’t a neighbour or someone see to the lad?’

  ‘I can ask.’

  ‘Please do.’

  Although Ruby was thrilled at being asked out with Ben Stone she left the office with a heavy heart. Was this how her life was going to be? Would Milly look after Danny just for the evening?

  That evening Ruby went into Milly’s first before going home.

  ‘Hello there, Ruby, everything all right?’

  Ruby nodded. ‘Milly, I’ve come to ask you a big favour.’

  ‘If I can. What is it?’

  Ruby suddenly felt embarrassed. ‘Do you think you could come over on Friday night when Dad goes to work?’

  ‘Why’s that? You got some interesting scandal?’

  ‘No. I’ve been asked out, but I can’t go as I’ve got to look after Danny.’

  ‘Who’s asked you out? Here, Ernie ain’t come back, has he?’

  ‘No.’ Ruby had told Milly that as far as she knew Ernie had gone to Scotland with his family.

  ‘So who is it then?’

  ‘Ben Stone.’

  ‘What, the one what owns the laundry?’

  ‘Well, his dad does.’

  ‘Well I never. We are going up in the world. Where’s he taking you?’

  ‘To the theatre.’

  ‘Lucky old you.’

  ‘But I can only go if you look after Danny.’

  ‘I think I could do that for you.’

  Ruby wanted to hug her, but the counter was in the way. ‘What’s he like?’

  ‘Very nice. Much better than his brother.’

  ‘Is he good looking?’

  Ruby blushed and nodded.

  ‘You wonner play your cards right. After all, now Ernie’s flown the coop this could be a good opportunity.’

  ‘I don’t think so. It’s just that he was given tickets and he ain’t got no one else to take.’

  ‘That’s what he tells you.’

  As Ruby walked across the road her mind went over what Milly had said. Had he really had the tickets given to him? He must have, there was no way he was going to spend money on one of his workers. And what about Ernie? Why hadn’t he written to her? If only it were he that was taking her to the theatre - but it wasn’t and she should be grateful it was Ben Stone, since he was rather nice, not a bully like his brother. But she knew in her heart that it was Ernie she wanted to be with.

  On Friday Ruby was happy when she walked into work. As she was wearing another of Beth’s nice frocks, she was pleased she wasn’t going to get comments from Florrie now she was working in the finishing room.

  ‘You look very nice, Ruby,’ said Mrs Watson.

  ‘Thank you. I’m going out straight from work.’
r />   ‘Anywhere nice?’

  ‘I’m going to the theatre with Mr Ben.’ Ruby didn’t mind telling Mrs Watson; after all, he must have told her. Perhaps he’d even invited her before Ruby.

  ‘Mr Ben Stone?’ There was definitely surprise in her voice.

  ‘Yes, somebody gave him tickets and he didn’t have anyone to take, so he asked me . . .’ Ruby’s voice trailed off when she saw the look on Mrs Watson’s face.

  ‘I see. Well, don’t let anyone else know. It’s not good for the owners to go out with staff, we’ve had troubles before.’

  Ruby watched her walk away. What did she mean about troubles before? She remembered that Elsie had been out with both of the sons and that Frank was married, but Ben wasn’t. She wanted to say to Mrs Watson: What about when you took Ernie Wallis to the music hall, and gave him the money to get a suit out of the pawnshop? Ruby tossed her head back. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

  At the end of the day Ruby hung about till everyone else had left the building. The clattering of someone running down the concrete stairs told her that Ben was on his way.

  ‘Sorry to keep you hanging about but I’ve just had a telling-off from Mrs Watson. She’s been here so long she feels she’s part of the family.’

  ‘What did she tell you off about?’

  ‘I didn’t get a receipt for the petrol I bought for the van. But not to worry, I’m going to open an account there, so she won’t have to nag me about that. All this extra paperwork is getting to her - I reckon we’ll soon have to get someone in to help her. Mind you, she’s not a bad old stick. Right. Let’s be off.’ He took hold of Ruby’s arm and they made their way out of the laundry and up to the tram stop.

  ‘This isn’t a very posh place, but they do good food.’

  To Ruby, after the café in the market, it looked very posh. At first she felt a bit like a fish out of water and imagined that everybody was staring at her; she was terrified of not doing the right thing. She carefully waited to see what Ben would do first, then followed suit. Fortunately she had read something about the way to behave, and, after all, everybody has to learn.