A Promise Between Friends (3 page)

‘No, why?’

‘I saw it too. Just now. Thought it might be Larry. But it wasn’t.’

Debbie frowned. ‘Here, it ain’t Bernie, is it? Up to his old tricks again, following you.’

Ruby despaired at the thought. Bernie had once or twice tried to meet her from work until she’d told him in no uncertain terms to get lost. ‘He don’t have expensive wheels like
that,’ Ruby dismissed. ‘His car is a rust bucket.’

‘Well then, it might be Jack the Ripper for all we know.’ Debbie laughed at her own joke. ‘Watching two pretty girls and waiting for his chance to strike.’

But Ruby didn’t find the joke funny. ‘Don’t say that. It’s scary.’

‘On the other hand it could be a posh geezer sussing us out,’ Debbie remarked with a teasing grin. ‘Some good-looking chancer with hidden assets.’

Ruby frowned. ‘You’d better not let Rog hear you saying that.’

‘Why not? We’re not hitched yet.’

‘As good as.’

Debbie tapped the side of her nose. ‘A girl’s got to have some fun occasionally.’

Ruby laughed though she still felt unsettled. There weren’t many cars around like the one that had waited outside the parlour. Why should anyone want to stare in if they weren’t a
dog owner? And if they were, why hadn’t they brought in their pet?

‘How do you fancy coming out with me and Rog next Saturday?’ Debbie enquired. ‘Bring your boyfriend too. We’ll make it a foursome.’

Ruby pulled a face. ‘You know I’m not seeing anyone.’

‘In that case, come on your own.’

‘It’s Kath’s birthday,’ Ruby said with a shrug. ‘We’re going to a pub up Hoxton way.’

Debbie wrinkled her nose. ‘Hoxton’s not my cup of tea, I’m afraid.’

‘I can’t cancel, Debbie. Not at the last minute.’

‘Please yourself.’ Debbie glanced in the big mirror, flicking her blonde fringe with her long painted nails. ‘But you’ll be missing out. We’re off to the Manor, in
Hampstead.’

‘The Manor?’ Ruby repeated incredulously. ‘The new club everyone’s talking about? But it’s membership only.’

Debbie nodded, a smug look on her face. ‘Rog sold the manager an insurance policy. In return Rog got complimentary tickets to the club. Rog said the place is loaded with antiques and old
paintings, not like your usual grungy venue. There’s a good cabaret and dancing too. So, as I say, you’ll be missing a good night out.’

Ruby was sorely tempted. Compared to sitting in a dingy, stuffy pub eating fish and chips, it was no contest. ‘How much would I have to pay on entry?’

‘Told you, it’s free.’

Ruby felt a real thrill. The Manor was said to be very high class and memberships were like gold dust.

Debbie lifted her big blue eyes. ‘Wouldn’t offer if I wasn’t sure. Anyway, it’s up to you.’ She raised her neat eyebrows.

Ruby hesitated then quickly nodded. ‘Okay, I’ll come.’

‘What will you tell Kath?’

‘Dunno yet.’

Debbie looked satisfied. ‘We’ll pick you up about nine. You can stay at my place if you like. That is, if you don’t mind kipping with me.’

‘What about Rog?’

‘Blimey, I never take him back home, except for a quick cuppa. Don’t want him getting the third degree from Dad. Even though we’re engaged and I am twenty-one!’

‘I forgot, you’re a big girl now.’

‘Big enough,’ Debbie added with a rueful smile. ‘Anyway, my parents could sleep through an earthquake. The twins, Desmond and Derek, are only ten. Mum and Dad are knackered out
before their heads hit the pillow. But I warn you, two little ruffians running around the place means you won’t get a lie-in.’

Ruby shrugged. ‘Okay. But don’t call for me at the bedsit. I’ll meet you at the Bricklayer’s.’

‘Blimey, you are in a bad way,’ Debbie responded drily. ‘You was always going on about how your life would be different if you left home. But now you’ve got a ball and
chain round your ankle in the form of the Riglers.’

‘No, I have not,’ Ruby disagreed at once. ‘But I don’t like to break a promise.’

All the same, there was a grain of truth in Debbie’s assumption. When Ruby had first started work at Larry’s after Pete’s death, moving in to Kath’s bedsit had felt
liberating even though the room was tiny. Life at home in the prefab had become depressing. Her mum kept the place as a shrine to Pete; his room and all his belongings were exactly as he had left
them. The doctor said it was her mum’s way of grieving and she would pull out of it. But time had passed and even her dad had given up trying, preferring the normality of work in the docks
and his social club. Even so, Ruby still felt guilty about leaving home.

‘So what are you wearing on Saturday?’ Ruby asked, changing the subject.

‘A brand-new dress,’ Debbie boasted. ‘An off-the-shoulder cocktail gown.’

‘Was it pricey?’

Debbie beamed smugly. ‘Rog isn’t short of a few bob. I think I deserve looking after.’

‘I might catch a bus up to Oxford Street on Saturday afternoon after work,’ Ruby decided. ‘I’ve got a bit put by.’ She hadn’t of course. But the rent could
wait another week. She would never again have another chance like this to go to the Manor.

Ruby gazed around at the sophisticated interior of the Manor. Whoever had lived here once, if they didn’t live here now, must surely have been gentry.

Wooden beams criss-crossed overhead and the walls were papered in thick, embossed wallpaper. A huge log fire sparkled and crackled in a hearth that held a pair of ancient bellows, blackened
metal tongs and a fringe of horse brasses. Just like she’d seen on the films.

‘Well, what do you think?’ Debbie enquired, raising her eyebrows as they stood in the grand entrance.

‘It’s stunning!’ Ruby stared at the plushly carpeted staircase. Beneath, a set of impressive double doors was thrown open to the lower floor. She could hear music and laughter.
Her eyes widened when she saw the formally dressed men and elegant women in evening gowns. Was her new dress going to stand out like a sore thumb?

‘Quite a sight, isn’t it?’ Rog peered round Debbie, his blue eyes full of salesman’s confidence. ‘With the manager of this place as my client I clinched my bonus
for the month.’

‘Rog, you are clever,’ Debbie flattered, clinging to his arm. ‘Do you think my dress looks all right?’

In answer, Rog bent and kissed her full on the lips. A little embarrassed, Ruby made her excuses. ‘I think I’ll find the cloakrooms.’

‘I could do with a drink.’ Debbie pulled Rog’s sleeve. ‘Let’s find the bar.’

‘Meet you there,’ Rog called over his shoulder as they walked away arm in arm.

Ruby saw a member of staff by the staircase. She was wearing a figure-hugging black blouse and skirt, and a pair of white gloves, and greeting the visitors with a polite smile. Ruby waited for
her turn.

‘Can you direct me to the cloakrooms, please.’

‘The Powder Room is upstairs, madam,’ the girl told her politely. ‘Turn right down the hall and second left.’

Ruby thanked her, though by the time she reached the top of the staircase she had forgotten the instructions. There were so many things to see. The carpet she trod on was luxuriously thick. She
felt as if she was walking on air. The walls were covered in huge oil paintings with ornate gilt frames. There was even a suit of armour. She stared, fascinated, at the shining metal. Had someone
really worn this cumbersome suit for battle?

By the time she reached the end of the hall, she was lost. Unfortunately she opened the first door she came to and at once realized her mistake.

A smooth green-baize table filled the room. Groups of distinguished-looking older men wearing formal evening suits were talking around it.

Ruby felt like dying on the spot. Her cheeks burned as she stood, gawping at her surprised audience. Words of apology tumbled from her lips.

‘The other direction, my dear,’ one of the men said in a deep, somewhat amused tone. ‘Would you care for an escort?’

Ruby shook her head firmly. ‘Oh no! No, thank you,’ she mumbled, and backed away, closing the door softly. Why hadn’t she read the sign on the door,
Billiard
Room
?

She turned back to the hall. Most of the oil paintings were of aristocratic-looking men and women.

There were also paintings of nudes. Ruby couldn’t help staring at the well-endowed, naked young males and full-breasted girls. She had to tear away her eyes. The Manor certainly was
surprising!

She passed the
Library
and the
Study
and finally arrived at the
Powder Room
.

She gasped as she entered the lavish, exquisitely decorated room, lined with gilt-edged mirrors on apricot and blue walls, not a rust-spot between them. Fragile paper tissues, fluffy white
towels, squares and ovals of pastel-coloured soaps and even a scented spray stood on the marbled tops. The floor was carpeted in thick blue pile, to match the four velvet chairs in a small annexe
to her right. She cautiously pushed open the white door of a cubicle and took another gasp. The toilet was an apricot wonder, with a golden chain hanging from the gilt-embossed cistern above.

This was just heaven!

A few minutes later Ruby was studying her appearance in the full-length mirror.

Though she wasn’t as tall as she would have liked to be, the beige chiffon gown showed off her full bust and small waist of which she was very proud. The purchase of the dress had cleaned
her out. But the sacrifice was worth it.

Suddenly the door opened and two women entered. They glanced briefly at Ruby and without acknowledging her took their places at the row of mirrors.

Ruby sat in the little annexe on one of the blue velvet chairs. The women continued to converse in cut-glass accents, as they studied their reflections and attended to their make-up. When
eventually they left, Ruby thought about the places the women had mentioned; the Champs-Élysées in France, the basilicas of Venice, Rome’s Vatican City. They had bought fashions
from world-famous designers, eaten at sumptuous restaurants, spoiled by their rich husbands who had flown them to all corners of the earth.

Ruby sat anxiously, uncertain if she was ready for the Manor. Did she really have the nerve to go downstairs and mix with these people? She was wearing a cheap off-the-peg dress and hadn’t
ever been further than Devon. What would it be like to live the life of luxury that those women had taken for granted?

The door opened again. A tall, attractive brunette of about thirty walked in.

Ruby noted the stylish pearl slide in her thick dark hair and creamy pearls at her neck. She wore a deep green satin gown which – much to Ruby’s relief – was of a similar
design to her own.

The woman was so striking that Ruby found herself staring. Much to her embarrassment, their gazes met.

‘Do we know each other?’ the woman asked in a friendly fashion.

Ruby went crimson. ‘N-no,’ she stammered. ‘I was – er – just admiring your dress.’

‘Thank you. I see we have similar taste.’

Ruby was taken aback. Not only was this woman pleasant, but she had just paid her a compliment too. With large green eyes full of warmth, she came over to where Ruby was sitting. ‘Do you
mind if I join you for a few minutes?’

‘No,’ Ruby replied in surprise. ‘Not at all.’

‘I’m Annabella Charnwood-Smythe.’ A slim hand was extended and Ruby took it.

‘I’m Ruby Payne.’

‘Call me Anna. May I ask, is this your first time at the Manor?’

‘Yes.’ Ruby blushed. ‘Can you tell?’

‘It’s just that I know most of the faces,’ Anna said as she took a black satin case from her purse. With long, manicured fingers, she shook out a cigarette. ‘Do have one,
won’t you?’

Ruby was about to say she didn’t smoke, but changed her mind as it seemed unfriendly to refuse. She slid the cigarette between her lips, leaned forward as Anna flicked on her lighter and
then began to cough.

‘Why, my dear, you’re not a smoker, are you?’ Anna said with an amused expression as she slid the cigarette from Ruby’s fingers and ground it out in the coffee-table
ashtray. ‘You should have said, you know. It’s not a crime not to smoke. Only, perhaps, a little unfashionable these days. Have you never succumbed to this terrible habit?’

‘No. But smoking does look very smart.’

Anna laughed lightly. ‘Believe me, once you start it’s very difficult to stop.’

‘That’s what Mum always told me.’

‘Your mother is a smoker?’ Anna enquired.

Ruby nodded. ‘At least forty a day and Dad likes his Old Holborn. But my brother and me never took it up, though.’

‘That is a surprise,’ Anna said, frowning.

‘Pete was very particular,’ Ruby found herself explaining as the green eyes regarded her curiously. ‘He was always – well – dead worried about his appearance,
always eating healthy and looking after himself. He used to say you’ve got to look after number one in life, or who else will?’ Ruby stopped and looked down at her tightly clenched
fingers. Talking about Pete always made her sad. She didn’t know why she had even said his name.

‘My dear, is something wrong?’

‘No. It’s just that he – he died two years ago. And I still miss him.’

‘Oh, I am so sorry,’ Anna replied softly, placing her hand on Ruby’s. ‘How indelicate of me to question you.’

Ruby sat up straight. ‘No, it’s all right. We were really close, you see. Even when he left home, he’d always come back to stay when he could. But then suddenly he was gone.
And as I said, I still miss him so much.’

Anna sighed. ‘Only time will heal, so I’m told.’

Ruby remained silent. She didn’t want to talk about Pete any more. It was too painful.

‘So what do you think of the Manor?’ Anna asked, discreetly changing the subject as if she’d guessed how uncomfortable Ruby felt.

‘I haven’t seen much of it yet.’

‘Have you come with your date?’

‘Oh no. Just some friends.’

‘So there’s no romance in your life?’ Anna said, looking surprised. ‘I would have thought a pretty girl like you would have suitors falling over themselves to woo
you.’

Ruby looked crestfallen. ‘I wish there were. Instead I’m playing gooseberry to the two people who brought me.’