The Locksmith

by Linda Calvey

  ‘How can I refuse?’ Ruby laughed.

  She’d swum in the sea for the first time in her life that afternoon as Maureen built a sandcastle for George on the beach. The next morning, Ruby insisted on heading out to the local village to buy fresh bread for them all to eat for breakfast. She ambled down the hill, enjoying the feeling of the morning sunshine on her skin. She was wearing a white Prada bikini covered by a coral-coloured kaftan. She carried a raffia bag with just her purse and keys. The insects were already buzzing in the palm trees and exotic flowers, and she felt a giddy sense of freedom, one she’d rarely, if ever, felt before. Ruby queued at the small bakery, buying enough bread for the day. She pottered around some of the stalls being set up for market day as it was still early, before heading back to the villa.

  ‘You look so happy, darlin’,’ Maureen remarked as she walked in to the villa.

  Ruby felt it. Seeing George’s wonderment at the sight of the sand and the sea had woken something of that feeling in herself too. They spent the morning building new sandcastles while George giggled and shouted, ‘My bucket!’ They helped him to fill it up, the gentle waves lapping against the shoreline.

  Later, Maureen, Ruby and George met with the developer who showed them a smaller but no less luxurious villa only a few moments’ walk away.

  ‘It’s the last one left,’ he said.

  Ruby stared at the white walls, the big open windows and the view of the sea below them. She turned to Maureen and said, ‘We’ll take it. Bobby won’t be able to believe his eyes when he sees it.’

  The developer nodded and the deal was done. Charlie would handle the purchase.

  ‘Thank you, Maureen, thank you, Charlie, it’s beautiful,’ Ruby said that evening as they opened a bottle of wine to toast the villa.

  ‘It’s what ya deserve,’ Charlie said, waving away her thanks.

  The phone rang and Maureen rose to answer it.

  ‘Hello, who’s that?’ she said, then went silent as she listened.

  Suddenly, Ruby felt a prickling sensation on the back of her neck. She knew something was wrong.

  ‘Everythin’ all right?’ Ruby called, but Maureen didn’t reply.

  Seconds later, Charlie’s wife reappeared, looking flustered.

  ‘I’m so sorry, darlin’, but I’ve got to fly back to England. My mum’s had a heart attack and I ’ave to be there for her. That was the nurse at the hospital. I hate to be rude, but we’ve got to go now.’

  Ruby jumped up from the table and took Maureen’s hands. ‘I’ll help ya pack, we’ll get the first flight out of ’ere—’

  ‘No, darlin’, stay ’ere with George. Finish your holiday,’ Charlie interjected, taking charge. ‘There’s no sense in us all goin’ back. I’ll go make the arrangements.’

  Maureen’s face was pale.

  ‘Come on, we’ll get you packed in no time. I’m sure she’ll be fine, she’s in the best hands.’ Ruby tried to comfort her friend.

  An hour later, and the flight had been booked. Goodness knows how Charlie managed to get seats, but he did.

  Ruby waved off the Beaumonts, praying they’d get there in time. Maureen had said it didn’t look good. She couldn’t settle for the rest of the day; Ruby could think of little else apart from Maureen’s mother.

  The next morning, the phone rang again.

  ‘It’s all OK, Ruby. Mum’s shaken but it wasn’t a big heart attack. Everythin’s goin’ to be fine. Now, you just enjoy yourself. Charlie’s sortin’ the villa purchase from ’ere so there’s nuthin’ for ya to do except relax.’

  ‘I’m so glad, Maureen, I was so worried,’ Ruby said, thrilled at the news.

  ‘There’s a lovely restaurant right on the seafront we hadn’t been to if you’re lookin’ for a nice place to eat. They do lunches for children too so George will be happy. Listen, enjoy yourself, that’s an order from Charlie!’ Maureen rang off.

  Her friend’s words echoing in her ears, Ruby made a decision to go and see this place. It sounded lovely and she knew Maureen would like to think of them eating out there.

  She took George down to the beach and they spent a happy morning together. At midday, she went in search of the small restaurant, finding it easily further along the bay. It had curling vines as a canopy and palm trees in ornate pots between the charming tables.

  ‘This looks lovely, George. Hold there, I’ll get you out of your buggy,’ she said, lifting up her brother and settling him on her lap. It was still early for lunch and Ruby was the only customer. She ordered a café con leche and bocadillo alongside an ice cream for her brother from the waiter.

  Ruby looked particularly elegant that day in a white Chloé dress with matching heeled sandals and a little make-up. Her pale skin seemed to shimmer and her green eyes shone as this luxurious new future rolled out in front of her. Although she worried on the nights Bobby was out doing the jobs, she never felt afraid that there would be consequences. She trusted Charlie, and her own intuition, implicitly, and so far she hadn’t lost a night’s sleep over the robberies they’d done. The moral side of it was less easy to shake off. Ruby told herself that the businesses they robbed were very wealthy and could afford a few losses here and there. She reasoned to herself that insurance would cover most of them, except the paintings, of course, but, again, they were seriously wealthy people, and theft must go with the territory. No one ever got harmed, no one was ever hurt as they were all done at night when the staff were asleep in their own homes.

  Lost in her thoughts as she chatted to little George, she didn’t see the two handsome men who had spotted her and made a beeline for the restaurant.

  ‘Isn’t he a handsome boy,’ said the deep, masculine voice above her.

  Ruby jumped.

  ‘I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to scare ya.’ The man sounded genuinely sorry. Ruby looked up. Her gaze met the most startling pair of blue eyes she’d ever seen. They belonged to a man about the same age as her, dressed expensively in a crisp white loose shirt and designer jeans. He had a muscular physique, tanned skin, dark blonde hair that he pushed off his face, and a smile that sent a shiver down her spine.

  ‘I was sayin’ that I’ve just told my brother, Alfie ’ere, that I’ve met the girl I’m goin’ to marry but I can see I’ve been beaten to it,’ he grinned again.

  Ruby smiled warily but shook her head. He might be attractive but he was a bit too sure of himself. Too cocky, she thought. A thought that must’ve shown on her face.

  ‘Too much?’ the man said, and she nodded.

  The stranger looked down at her brother. ‘I bet your mummy adores you, little man,’ he cooed.

  Ruby watched him intently. He seemed genuinely interested in George, though she knew that wouldn’t last if he was a player like most of the men she’d grown up around.

  ‘Like children, do ya?’ she said rather caustically.

  The man, whom she noticed was wearing a very expensive Rolex, cocked an eyebrow. ‘I do, as it ’appens. I practically brought up my twin brother.’

  The remark made the other man laugh. ‘My bruvver ’ere thinks he’s Mother-bloody-Teresa but I gave him hell, that I will admit.’ He looked identical to his brother except his face was somehow harder, more angular.

  ‘I’m Archie, and this is my brother, Alfie. Please excuse my manners, I’ve been hangin’ around with my twin for too long. Can I ask your name?’ the handsome stranger said in a softer voice. ‘Do you mind if we join you?’

  Ruby hesitated. Her first reaction was to say no and carry on with her lunch but something stopped her. He might be a bit cocky but he seemed nice as well, and he was, admittedly, very attractive.

  ‘I’m Ruby,’ she said.

  ‘I’m George,’ her brother chipped in, making them all smile.

  ‘All right, I suppose we can make room for ya both.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Archie said, and his manner seemed to change completely. The cockiness had vanished, and he seemed rather serious, sincere, even.

/>   ‘So, this is your little one? He’s a gorgeous boy.’

  Ruby smiled. ‘I think so, but no, he’s not my child, he’s my little brother. My parents died leaving me and my older brother to bring him up. I’m as good as his mum. I love him like one, anyway.’

  Archie nodded as if he understood. He leaned in as Alfie ordered drinks. ‘I know how that feels. Our mum died when we was young. Our dad brought us up, but I always say it was me that done it.’

  Alfie grinned, ‘Bruv, you’re probably right. Didn’t do such a good job though, did ya,’ he laughed.

  There was an awkward silence as Ruby digested this news. ‘I’m sorry to ’ear that, I really am. Life can’t ’ave been easy,’ she said.

  ‘We didn’t go short for nuthin’. We had all the love in the world from Dad,’ Archie said. ‘Doesn’t matter who the kid has love from, as long as it’s there.’

  Ruby smiled, relaxing into their conversation a little, though she was still wary.

  She watched as Archie began to entertain George, pulling faces which delighted him, and pulling coins from his ears.

  ‘My dad used to do that with me,’ Ruby said, stirring her coffee and taking a sip.

  ‘I bet you weren’t so easily fooled,’ smiled Archie, which made Ruby giggle and shake her head.

  ‘You’re right, I always knew it was a trick.’

  The three of them carried on chatting as the waiters busied about with plates of paella and spaghetti bolognese for George. The little boy smeared the sauce all over his chubby face as he ate greedily, which made them all laugh.

  After they’d finished eating and the plates had been cleared, Archie smiled and said, ‘Well, we’d best get goin’. It was really nice to meet ya and sorry for disturbin’ your lunch. I hope we see each other again soon.’ He grinned.

  There was something very appealing about him, and it wasn’t just his looks. Ruby had noticed during their lunch that he had actually listened to her. He didn’t talk over her or interrupt her like the boys around Star Lane did, all puffed up with their own egos. He seemed different.

  As he stood up to go, Ruby had the sudden feeling she didn’t want him to leave. She looked up and they exchanged a glance, his blue eyes meeting her green ones, and she felt a strange sense of warmth flood her body. She had the strangest feeling, as if she was safe at last.

  It would’ve been natural to feel suspicious, threatened even, by the sudden appearance of this man ingratiating himself into her company, but Ruby just wasn’t. The longer she looked back at him, the more potent the spell he was weaving. She couldn’t explain why.

  Eventually, she cleared her throat. ‘It was nice to meet ya . . . both. Thank you for the food and for entertaining my brother,’ she said as Archie picked up the cheque and waved off her attempts to pay.

  Alfie had already left the table leaving the pair of them to it, and was smoking a cigarette on the beach.

  ‘Listen, let me take ya for lunch again. I’ve got a few other tricks I haven’t shown George and I know he’ll like them. What d’ya say, Ruby?’

  She shivered. He said her name in a way that was almost tender.

  She blushed, hoping he couldn’t read her thoughts, and for a moment couldn’t think what to say.

  ‘All right, but just lunch. I’m not lookin’ for a boyfriend.’ Her voice sounded weak even to her.

  ‘Understood, all above board, I promise ya.’

  Ruby found that she still couldn’t look away from Archie as they exchanged numbers. His blue eyes seemed to strip her bare, leaving her torn between the desire to run away from him, and the opposite – the desire to get very much closer indeed.

  The sound of the telephone echoing through the large villa woke Ruby up from her reverie. She was stretched out on a sun lounger while George played happily beside her, when she leapt up and made a run to catch the call. ‘Ruby speakin’. Oh, Maureen, it’s you. How are ya? How’s your mum?’

  The voice at the other end of the phone broke down.

  ‘Oh my God, I’m so sorry, Maureen that’s tragic. What can I do to help ya?’ Ruby said, holding the receiver to her ear. Her friend’s mother had died suddenly after a second, fatal, heart attack. ‘Do you want me to come back? I can help with arrangements. You’ll need a friend there . . .’ Tears had sprung to Ruby’s eyes. It reminded her of her mum’s last hours and how it all happened so quickly in the end.

  ‘No, darlin’. That’s very kind of ya but you stay there,’ Maureen sniffed. ‘I’ll be all right, I promise. I don’t want ya to spoil your holiday.’

  Reluctantly, Ruby agreed to stay, but the day was soured and she struggled with the echo of her own tragic losses, and worry for her friend.

  ‘Come on, George, let’s go and get ice cream. We ’ave to find a way to cheer ourselves up.’

  Her tear-stained face hidden by designer sunglasses, Ruby headed out with George. It was late morning and the shops were already starting to shut for the long afternoon siesta when suddenly, a familiar, handsome face appeared.

  ‘Ruby?’ Archie said, a slow smile spreading across his face as he recognised her.

  She wasn’t sure why but she gasped, then felt utterly foolish.

  ‘Everythin’ OK?’ He seemed to sense her distress.

  She tried to reply but suddenly felt tears welling up. She was going to blub and make even more of a fool of herself.

  ‘You’re not OK, are ya? What’s happened?’ His voice was gentle. He was a virtual stranger yet he seemed to care. He took her elbow and steered her towards the café where Alfie was sitting.

  ‘Hello, darlin’, good to see ya . . .’ Alfie’s voice trailed off as he caught Archie’s expression.

  ‘Can we ’elp ya?’ Alfie added.

  Ruby calmed her breathing and felt the tears pass. The strange thing was that she didn’t feel stupid. She could see both men were actually concerned.

  Just then George started to wiggle in his buggy, making it clear he wanted to get out. Without a word, Archie leaned over, unstrapped him and put him on his knee, as naturally as if he was the little boy’s own father.

  Alfie laughed his throaty, tobacco laugh. ‘Don’t get too comfortable, bruv, or you’ll be next.’

  Archie looked scornfully at his twin. ‘And I’d count myself lucky. Family is everythin’, you know that. Now, sit down, Ruby, and tell us what’s happened.’

  Ruby did as she was told. She sat down and started to speak. Somehow she found herself telling them about Cathy’s death, how Maureen’s mum had brought back painful memories, and how sad she was not to be able to help her friend.

  Neither Archie nor Alfie said a word until she stopped talking. They weren’t like other men, butting in, taking over the conversation. They both just listened.

  When she’d finished Archie nodded. ‘D’ya want me to get you a flight home? I can do that, no problem.’

  Ruby caught sight of that watch again, the one which cost tens of thousands of pounds and wondered, not for the first time, who this man really was.

  She shook her head. ‘We fly back in a week, honestly it’s fine. Maureen said to stay and I know she’d be heartbroken if she thought she’d ended our holiday.’

  ‘All right. Let me buy ya lunch, then I’ll run ya home. If you want I can make a call and get that flight, if ya change your mind.’

  ‘Oi, waiter, menus, por favor.’ Alfie’s terrible grasp of the Spanish language made Ruby giggle, and they all burst out laughing. George grinned, happy to see his sister’s good cheer.

  ‘How would you like another ice cream, eh?’ Archie grinned down at the little boy who commanded Ruby’s heart. She sat back in her chair, watching the two men. She saw straightaway that Archie was the more refined of the brothers. Alfie was harder, rougher, even. He had a tattoo poking out from his shirt sleeve and he chain-smoked fags. Archie was better groomed. He looked calmer, more in control than Alfie, who had a wildness about him that she sensed.

  They ate lunch, Ruby l
earning more about their dad Lloyd, who brought them up.

  ‘Mum died when we was six, we never really knew her. I only know her face from photos,’ Archie said sipping from his cold bottle of beer.

  ‘Dad did everythin’ for us, everythin’,’ Alfie added, making Archie nod in agreement.

  ‘He must be a very special person. It must take somethin’ to bring up two young boys like he did. My Grandad Jim brought up my dad Louie by himself. His wife, who I’m named after, died givin’ birth to him. Times were hard but he refused to give up my dad,’ Ruby said.

  ‘He sounds pretty special too,’ Archie smiled.

  Was it her or did her heart race as he looked at her?

  ‘I really must go,’ she stammered, getting up too fast and almost knocking their beers over.

  ‘’Ave we offended ya?’ Alfie said gruffly.

  ‘No, not at all, I just ’ave to go now,’ Ruby said.

  Archie stood up. ‘Wait ’ere. I’ll get the car. I’ll be two minutes.’

  ‘No, really, it’s no trouble to walk . . .’ Ruby’s voice trailed off as she saw Archie’s determination. He strode off, leaving her alone with Alfie who coughed nervously and lit another fag.

  ‘I ’ope ya feel better,’ he said awkwardly as a brand new Porsche stopped at the roadside. ‘’Ere’s your ride,’ he said, and Ruby was left with no choice but to get into the car. Archie was already packing in the buggy while George opened his arms to be lifted up to sit with Ruby in the front seat.

  ‘It’ll only take a minute, we’re close by. George’ll be fine,’ she said.

  They arrived at the villa gates. ‘Drop me ’ere, thanks Archie,’ Ruby said, and she meant it.

  ‘It’s no trouble. Look, if ya need anythin’, ya call me. If I don’t hear from ya then I’ll be ’ere in a week to take you and George to the airport.’

  Ruby tried to tell him they could call a cab but he waved away her words. ‘I want to ’elp ya. I don’t expect nuthin’ in return, just your company for the journey,’ he said sweetly.

  She stood and watched as the Porsche drove away wondering how on earth she’d managed to meet a man who, for all the world, appeared to be a gentleman.