A Promise Between Friends (15 page)

Paula grinned. ‘Not surprised. The creep was giving me the eye the whole show. And anyway, listening to all those brides-to-be would be very boring indeed.’

Ruby nodded. Marriage was not what she wanted just yet. But one day, with the right man, she would be proud to wear a diamond on her finger.

‘Was Mr Steadman satisfied?’ Anna enquired as they walked in the front door of 10 Dower Street.

‘Elated,’ Paula replied with a smile. ‘He said it was the best show Steadman’s had ever put on.’

‘Do you know how many orders were taken?’ Anna asked, looking immaculate in a silver-grey suit and white silk blouse.

‘No, I’m afraid not. But I think there will be quite a few.’

‘I’ll find out when he telephones. Ruby, did you enjoy your first bridal show?’

‘It was wonderful.’ Ruby wished she had been with Paula in the dressing room when Mr Steadman had praised the models.

‘Excellent.’ Anna looked satisfied. ‘This evening I’m having drinks in the lounge. A few clients are stopping by and I’d like you to join us.’

‘We’ll be there,’ Paula said, glancing quickly at Ruby. ‘But we need to powder our noses first.’

‘Of course.’ Anna smiled, running the palm of her hand down Ruby’s arm. ‘I’ll see you about seven.’

When they reached the next floor and Ruby’s room, Ruby at last found the courage to ask Paula about the things she had on her mind. ‘Paula, could I ask you something?’ Ruby
said, blushing.

‘What is it?’

‘Will you come in for a moment?’

Paula smiled. ‘Have you any cigarettes or alcohol?’

‘No, I don’t smoke. And no, I’ve nothing to drink.’

‘I’ll be back in a moment.’

Ruby left the door open and went to the sash window, lifting it to gaze down on Dower Street. She should have bought cigarettes and perhaps some gin. But other than Bernie, no one had visited
her here.

She slipped off her jacket and kicked off her shoes. It was late afternoon and the pavement was busy with commuters. Early-season tourists and vehicles made their way to and from the West End.
Ruby thought how she loved this room and everything about it. Even though she spent a lot of her time at Nick’s, this was her sanctuary.

‘Addictive, isn’t it?’ Paula stood beside her, a long, slim cigarette holder between her two fingers, as she too gazed down on the street. Her red hair was now loosened and
fell to her shoulders and she wore a black silk robe and mules. A bottle of whisky and two glasses stood on the coffee table next to a silver cigarette box.

‘Do you mean London?’ Ruby asked, walking barefoot to the sofa.

‘No, I mean this life of luxury.’ Without asking Ruby if she wanted a drink Paula poured two measures and handed a tumbler to Ruby. ‘Chin-chin!’

Ruby didn’t like the smell of the whisky, but she took a small sip. Wrinkling her nose, she thought it tasted like syrup of figs.

‘You’ll acquire the taste,’ Paula assured her, curling herself into the cushions of the armchair. Inhaling the smoke, she took it deeply into her lungs and closed her eyes.
‘You have to admit, we work hard so we must play hard.’

‘How long have you worked for the agency?’ Ruby asked curiously, feeling the warmth of the alcohol soothe her stomach.

‘Eight years. Since I was nineteen.’

‘The same age as me.’

‘Yes, and as green as you.’ Paula laughed. ‘We all have to grow up in the end.’

Ruby felt her cheeks grow hot. ‘That’s what I wanted to ask you about.’

‘Feel free.’ Paula drank heartily.

‘It’s about, well – about—’

‘Men?’ Paula said for her, crooking a well-defined eyebrow.

‘Yes, how did you guess?’

Paula shrugged. ‘Answer me honestly. Did Charles have you?’

Ruby was so startled her jaw dropped open. ‘How do you know about Charles?’

‘How do you think, my dear? This is a house of women. News travels fast. Besides, dear Gwen wasn’t slow to add her version of things. Which, I have to say, is quite different to
yours.’

‘Gwen? But I thought—’

‘Listen,’ Paula said softly, leaning forward and refilling her glass. ‘You’re new here and you love it, don’t you? Just as I did. But there will come a time when
you wake up to reality. Charles is a drunk. A wealthy drunk, which is why Anna tolerates him. And why Gwen continues to insist he’s the perfect gentleman. When, in fact, he’s quite the
monster. Unfortunately, he took a liking to you. Hence my question, were you raped?’

Ruby went cold from head to foot. She felt sick with shame. Everyone seemed to know what happened with Charles.

‘Don’t blame Anna,’ Paula said as if reading her mind. ‘We are her girls and she takes care of us. Charles isn’t on the scene now, so be grateful to her for that.
And, if you are pregnant, Anna will take steps to end it.’

‘But I’m not,’ Ruby insisted. ‘He didn’t – I wasn’t—’

‘Good enough,’ Paula interrupted with a dismissive wave. ‘You certainly don’t look it. But an accident can happen. And Anna wouldn’t want you to go to just anyone,
if you see what I mean.’

Ruby looked blankly at Paula. ‘No, I don’t really.’

Paula smoked and drank, then said softly, ‘The agency has a doctor. He’s discreet and he’s safe. It’s not just pregnancy a girl has to guard against. It’s other
things too. Now do you understand?’

It took a while before Ruby did, then she too reached for her glass. The whisky burned her throat, and when she had finished her drink, Paula refilled her glass.

‘So, if you’re not pregnant, then what is it?’ Paula continued, lighting another cigarette.

‘It’s personal,’ Ruby said hesitantly, ‘nothing to do with the agency.’

‘
Everything
is to do with the agency,’ Paula corrected her. ‘This is a demanding business you’re in and owns you lock, stock and barrel. Now tell me, you’re
going out with Nick Brandon, aren’t you?’

Ruby knew she couldn’t hide the truth from Paula, who was looking steadily into her eyes as if sucking out all her most intimate thoughts.

‘And he wants you to sleep with him,’ Paula suggested.

Ruby looked away. ‘He hasn’t actually asked me—’

‘But he will,’ Paula broke in, flicking her ash into the square art deco ashtray beside the bottle of whisky. ‘Have you had an affair with a man before?’

Ruby thought of the night Bernie had taken her virginity. Could that be counted as an affair? ‘I did once,’ Ruby admitted. ‘Years ago, but we weren’t together for very
long.’

‘And you didn’t take any precautions?’

‘No.’

‘But you want to now?’

Ruby nodded hesitantly. ‘Yes, I suppose so.’

‘Come on, drink up.’ Paula waved her hand at the whisky. ‘Being inexperienced is nothing to be ashamed of. And you’re sensible in thinking ahead, especially as
you’re involved with – shall we say, an older man.’

Ruby listened with growing dismay as Paula explained how to wash out her vagina with a douche and a mixture of vinegar and water, accompanied by a kind of jelly or paste that would act as an
agent of death to the male sperm. Or there was, of course, the ring inserted inside a woman by the agency doctor which caused only moderate pain, yet was considered to be the most effective.

But at the end of it all, Ruby decided this wasn’t for her. Not just yet, anyway.

Kath hugged Ruby close. The last time they’d met at the Frith Street coffee house, Ruby hadn’t stopped talking. Her cheeks had been pink and her eyes bright. But
today she looked tired and was unusually quiet. ‘Are you all right?’

‘Yes, I’m fine,’ Ruby assured her. ‘Where shall we sit?’

‘Over here. It’s nice and cosy.’

They made themselves comfortable on the plastic chairs and Kath took out her cigarettes. She lit one as the waitress took their order of coffees and macaroons. When they were alone, Kath studied
Ruby’s distracted expression. ‘I’m giving these up tomorrow.’

‘Why’s that?’

‘I need all me breath for dancing.’ They laughed but Kath’s forehead drew into a frown as Ruby distractedly undid the buttons of her coat.

‘Did you get into the chorus line, then?’

‘Yes, but it’s hard work. I’ve another month of selling ice creams and cigarettes. Meanwhile, I practise after my shifts.’

‘Do you wear any clothes?’

Kath grinned. ‘Enough to be respectable.’

Ruby idly turned the spoon in her coffee. ’Do you like living with Penny?’

‘Yes, but I miss the long chats you and me used to have. Penny’s schedule is very strict. She has to go to bed and rest as soon as she comes in. Working as a dancer is much harder
than you would think.’

‘What are the Windmill girls like?’

‘They’re very talented and friendly. Sometimes I can’t believe how lucky I am. And it all started through you taking me to Larry’s party where I met Penny.’

‘Talking of parties, Larry’s having another one on the third Saturday of May. You’re invited of course.’

‘Saturday?’ Kath repeated doubtfully. ‘I’d love to, but I can’t take time off.’

‘Not even one night?’

‘It would be very difficult.’

Kath thanked the waitress who brought them their order. But she saw Ruby wasn’t interested. Her attention was on her wristwatch.

‘Do you have to be somewhere?’ Kath asked curiously.

‘I’ve got an appointment for seven o’clock.’

‘Is it close by?’

‘Not far, the Strand.’

‘Are you going to a modelling job?’ Kath sipped her coffee. Ruby was just staring at hers.

‘No. Something else.’

Kath waited, watching Ruby’s lowered eyes. ‘You’re being very mysterious.’

Ruby at last looked up. ‘I’m meeting an agency client. An American.’

‘I thought you was a model,’ Kath said in surprise.

‘I am. But we have to act as escorts sometimes. It’s written in our contracts.’

‘So what’s this American like?’

Ruby shrugged. ‘Don’t know yet. He was supposed to turn up at one of Anna’s cocktail parties last week. But his plane was delayed.’

‘He’s rich, then?’

‘Yes. And Paula says you can earn good money in tips, or extras like gifts.’

‘Who’s Paula?’

‘She’s a model and is staying at Anna’s too.’ Ruby looked at her watch again.

Kath put out her cigarette. ‘Well, you seem to know what you’re doing.’

‘Course I do. Anyway, it’s no different to having men watching you dance nearly naked on the stage.’

Kath was startled by Ruby’s tone. ‘Yes, but I won’t be going out with any of the men.’

‘You never know. You might.’

‘We aren’t allowed to fraternize with the customers.’

‘But you can have boyfriends?’

Kath nodded.

‘Well then,’ said Ruby defiantly and, checking her watch once more, added abruptly, ‘I really will have to go.’

The silence that followed was unnerving. Kath knew Ruby wanted to end this conversation. ‘Watch out for yourself,’ Kath said as Ruby stood up. ‘Don’t lose touch.
I’m always here for you. Bernie is too. We’re your family. The ones who love you the most. All you’ve got to do is give us the nudge, right?’

But Ruby only smiled in that way she had when she wasn’t letting anyone into her true thoughts.

Ruby was nervous. She was waiting in the stylish art deco lobby of the Strand Palace Hotel where Anna had told her she was to meet her client. Anna had said he was a wealthy
Texan and was coming to England for a month’s holiday.

It was the middle of April and the hotel was busy with tourists, Ruby noticed. All the porters dashing here and there, carrying expensive-looking luggage. Though the hotel wasn’t as large
or famous as the Dorchester, where she and Paula had lunched, Ruby found this smaller hotel appealing. The lights and furnishings were all original features, she guessed, as she sat on one of the
lobby chairs, studying the decor. The Strand Palace, so Anna had told her, had been a favourite haunt of the Americans during the war. The only American she had met before, she reflected, was
Taylor. When she thought of him, she remembered Charles and shuddered.

Ruby glanced at the big rectangular clock on the wall above the reception desk. It was twenty past seven. She’d asked the taxi driver to hurry, as Anna had told her not to keep her Mr
Marlon waiting. She’d arrived early, just to be sure.

But the looks the reception staff were giving her were embarrassing. She had put on a black cocktail gown with a low neckline, pearl necklace and matching earrings especially for this occasion.
But now she felt conspicuous sitting there all alone.

Just then, a tall, middle-aged man wearing boots under a loud blue suit with fringed sleeves, and a huge white hat, came hurrying from the lounge bar.

Ruby froze. She knew immediately it was the man she was to meet. ‘Ma’am?’ he shouted across the lobby and, as Ruby was the only one sitting there, she smiled. She stood up, her
legs shaky under her black gown. Being an escort wasn’t what she had expected. Why was she doing this? Because Anna said her girls had to have ‘all-round’ experience. Ruby knew
she had to try her best.

‘Jesse Marlon,’ the man boomed as he approached and grabbed her hand. ‘Pleased to make your acquaintance.’

Ruby’s smile faltered. ‘I’m pleased to meet you.’

‘Say, you’re real cute. Anna said you was blonde and beautiful. You come from these parts?’

‘Yes, I’m a Londoner.’

‘Aw, look at me, no goddam manners.’ Ruby was startled as he pulled off his hat and revealed an entirely bald brown head. Before she could answer, he was propelling her across the
lobby to the lounge bar where almost every face in the room turned to stare at them.

‘Cheers,’ Jesse said, knocking his tall glass against Ruby’s. ‘Here’s to us, little gal.’ He spread his long legs wide as he sat beside her
at the marble-and-chrome table. Ruby thought he wasn’t bad-looking in a coarse kind of way. But he spoke so loudly, she wanted to say she wasn’t deaf, even though he seemed to think she
was.

Ruby frowned at the long glass with a sugar coating around its rim. He hadn’t even asked her what she would like to drink.

‘Cheers again,’ Jesse repeated, gulping from his glass as his gaze went over her. ‘You can’t beat a rum daiquiri.’