A Rare Ruby (13 page)

‘No. They say his father won the house in a card game years ago, before my time here. He must have all the papers cos when his father died a few years back he just stayed there.’

‘It’s strange he only lives in the upstairs rooms. And he must have some money to live on cos he doesn’t work, does he?’

‘His father was a gambler, so perhaps he left him a few bob. He stays upstairs cos he likes to be waited on. Had a Mrs Potter there before the Jenkinses; she went to live with her son. Cox was an only child as far as we could make out.’ Mr Thompson pulled himself a pint. ‘Been coming in here for years, and his father before him. Funny pair.’

‘Still, I shouldn’t have said what I did, about him and Ruby.’

‘Oh, what was that?’ He held up the beer to the light.

‘I think he was trying to get her into his room.’

‘The dirty old sod.’

‘That’s what I called him.’

‘Good for you.’

‘I was very worried. He threatened to throw the Jenkinses out.’

‘Did he now? That sounds like him. From what I gather that Mrs Jenkins looks after him very well.’

‘She does.’

‘I feel sorry for old Jenkins. He was such a lively bloke, used to come in here, always liked a laugh. That was a bloody awful war, and the government should do more to help the likes of them.’

‘Yes, he is a nice man. D’you know they were saying they’ve seen a difference in him since I moved in? He thinks the world of Danny.’

‘That’s good.’

‘I don’t know what I’m going to do when Mrs Moss comes back here to work.’

‘Yes, I expect that will be a worry for you.’

Beth liked Mr Thompson. She guessed he was in his fifties; a fair and straight man who didn’t stand any nonsense from his customers. He was tall and upright with deep brown eyes and a big moustache. His brown hair was getting a little thin on top, but he was very muscular and could lift the heavy barrels of beer without too much effort.

He wiped the beer froth from his moustache. ‘You’re very young to be left a widow with a young baby.’

Beth hung her head. ‘Yes. It was heartbreaking when I got the news. My Danny never got to see his son.’

‘That was a wicked shame. But it can be very hazardous working in the docks. You were very brave the way you carried on. Mind you, he’s a dear little chap and no trouble.’ He looked towards the pram.

‘You didn’t have any children then?’

‘No, the wife was always too poorly. Pity really. Would have liked someone now to look after me in me old age.’

Beth smiled. ‘Come on. You’re not that old. You’ve still got time to marry again.’

‘Na. Too set in me ways.’

‘I must get on. It’s young Tom’s tenth birthday today and when Ruby finishes work we’re taking him out for a treat. We’re going to a café for tea and cake. She’s hoping to take him to one of these new picture houses next week.’

‘That’ll be nice.’

‘I promised I’d help Tom today so he can finish early and I don’t mind especially now the better weather’s here.’

‘You’re a very hard-working young lady. I shall be sorry to lose you, but I must look after Mrs Moss, she’s been with me for years.’

‘I know, and I’m very grateful to you for giving me the chance to earn a few bob.’ Beth stood up and ran her hands down the front of her sacking apron. ‘Is there anything else you’d like me to do today?’

Mr Thompson looked round the bar. ‘I don’t think so. You’ve done a grand job as usual.’

Beth pushed her blonde hair from her face. ‘Thank you,’ she beamed. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘I hope so.’

As Beth pushed Danny back to number thirteen her mind was full of Mr Thompson. Had she been silly telling him she was a widow? He didn’t go into Milly’s who might tell him that her so-called husband was in the Navy and away. Only Mr Cox would tell him a different story, but would Mr Thompson believe him? Besides, she wouldn’t be working there for much longer; pity, she enjoyed his company and the money he paid her.

 

The following week Ruby took Tom to the picture house. He was overjoyed. Ruby laughed with him and at him when he showed the family how the Keystone Cops raced about. She knew she had given Tom a treat he would remember for the rest of his life.

Although Ruby was missing Elsie, who was busy going out with her sisters and her new friends, it wasn’t upsetting Ruby as much as she had thought it would, as she now had something to look forward to. Seeing Ernie was the best thing that had happened to her for years. Once a week she would meet him in the park and they would sit and talk or watch the ducks.

‘I wish I’d learnt to play the trumpet or something,’ Ernie mused.

‘Why?’

‘You get a free uniform when you join the Boy’s Brigade.’

Ruby laughed. ‘I hadn’t thought of that. Perhaps we should learn together.’

‘They don’t take girls in the Boys’ Brigade.’ He laughed with her.

Ruby also went out with Beth some Sundays now Mrs Moss was back at work and she wasn’t doing the cleaning any more. So far Beth was still paying her way as Mr Thompson had asked her to work behind the bar on a Saturday and Sunday morning. Ruby did worry about how they would manage when they stopped getting her money. Ruby’s mother always looked after Danny while Beth worked now. He was getting to be a bonny baby, sitting up and taking notice. He always welcomed Ruby with a beaming smile, which cheered her up when she came home from work. Ruby found, like her father, she was getting very fond of him. But what would happen when Beth’s husband came home. Would they move away?

 

As it was Saturday, Ruby had finished at four. She didn’t want to go to the market on her own, but knew if she went home there would be a pile of ironing to do. Although she knew she should help her mother, she wanted time with her own thoughts so she dawdled home.

Beth had told them how much she enjoyed working in the pub, but she never said what pay she was getting. However, she was forever getting something different to wear, so she had to be doing all right. Even if the clothes weren’t new, Ruby couldn’t help the jealousy that filled her when she saw Beth go to work in decent shoes and not waterproofs.

Today Ruby noted the pram wasn’t in the passage when she walked in. ‘Beth out?’ she asked when she went into the kitchen.

‘Yes. She’s gone with Tom,’ said her mother, who was doing the ironing.

‘D’you want me to do a bit of that?’

‘Thanks. I’ll make a cuppa. Thomas. Thomas.’ She shook her husband’s arm. ‘Wake up. You won’t sleep tonight.’

‘I’m all right. Hello, Ruby.’ He grinned at her.

‘Dad, it’s a lovely day out, why don’t me and you go for a little walk later on?’

‘No, not today.’

‘What about tomorrow?’

‘Yes. I’d like that.’

‘I’ll ask Tom to come with us.’ Ruby took the iron from her mother, amazed, hardly believing her ears. Did her father really mean it?

‘Could we take Danny?’

‘I don’t see why not.’

‘That would be really lovely for you, Thomas,’ said Mary Jenkins, patting her husband’s shoulder. ‘It’s a while since you ventured out and pushing the pram will help you walk.’

The thought of that outing really cheered Ruby up. Hopefully tomorrow could be the start of many days out with her father. They could be like a proper family again. Lately he had seemed to be a bit more alive, taking an interest in what they said and did, but it was a long while since her father had been out. Would he cope?

‘You mean me, you and Dad’re going for a walk tomorrow? ’ said Tom, equally amazed as they settled down for the night.

‘Yes!’ said Ruby.

‘How long is it since he’s been out?’ asked Beth.

‘Must be months. Mum managed to get him to the cottage hospital when his chest was very bad, but that was before you came to stay. But she had such a job with him at the hospital, she said she’d never do it again.’

‘He walks a lot more upright now - he was very bent over when I first came here.’

‘I know, that’s why I reckon a little walk will do him the world of good,’ said Ruby.

‘That’s if he don’t change his mind,’ said Tom.

‘We shall see.’

‘It might rain,’ said Tom.

‘I’m sorry I can’t go with you, but as I said I’ve got an errand to run,’ said Beth, tucking a sheet round Danny’s waving legs.

‘We could take him,’ said Ruby.

‘No, thanks all the same, but I don’t know how long I’ll be. Mr Thompson don’t mind me taking him in the back now while I’m serving as he sleeps most of the time.’

 

Ruby was pleased to see the sun shining when she opened her eyes. It was very quiet save for the sound of church bells in the distance. ‘Come on, Tom, get up,’ she whispered.

‘Why’ve we got ter go so early?’

‘It won’t be that early be the time we get ready.’ Ruby was too excited at the thought of the day ahead, to stay in bed. ‘Pity you can’t come with us, Beth,’ she added.

‘I know, perhaps next time. D’you know where you’re going?’

‘Not yet. I’d like to get to the docks. Dad always liked to look at the ships, but I think that’s a bit far.’

‘It is really. Still, I might see you around.’

When Ruby went into the kitchen she was half expecting her father to have changed his mind. She liked Sunday; it was the only day the washing wasn’t boiling away and hanging to dry in front of the fire. Although her mother didn’t go to church, it had been instilled in her as a child that Sunday was the Lord’s day and, despite everything, you mustn’t work on Sunday.

‘Your dad’s really looking forward to this little outing. Just don’t take him too far, will you? I don’t want him tired out and fighting for his breath half the night.’

‘No, of course not. I’ll just have me toast then we can be off.’

Outside, the sun was warm and, with her father leaning heavily on her arm, Ruby took a gentle stroll up Hill Street.

‘How far shall we go, Dad?’

‘Don’t mind.’

Ruby wanted to cry, she was so happy. She was out walking with her father and brother. This was how families should be.

‘Could we go to the docks?’ asked Tom.

‘No, I think that’s a bit too far for Dad’s first outing.’

‘We should have brought the old pram, then you could have a ride when you get tired.’

Thomas laughed and ruffled Tom’s hair. ‘You cheeky young bugger. I don’t mind going as far as the park.’

‘Are you sure?’ asked Ruby. ‘I don’t want Mum telling me off.’

‘I can always have a sit down and watch the ducks. I’ve missed that.’

‘OK then. The park it is.’

Slowly they made their way towards the park. Many times they had to stop, but Ruby didn’t mind. They had just turned into the gate when, although Ruby had the sun in her eyes, she thought she caught sight of Beth in the distance.

‘That looks like Beth,’ she said, pointing.

‘Where?’ asked Tom.

‘Over there. I’ll ask her to come over.’

‘I can’t see her,’ said Tom holding his hand to his eyes, shielding them from the bright sunlight.

‘No, she’s gone behind the bandstand. Dad, can I leave you here while I wander over to her? We’ll bring her and Danny back.’

‘I’d like that. I’ll be all right.’

Suddenly a horse and rider came full pelt towards them. Ruby screamed out. ‘Watch where you’re going!’ She dragged her father to one side. He fell to the ground crying.

‘Dad.
Dad
! What is it?’

‘The horses. The horses.’

‘It’s all right. They’ve gone.’

He touched his forehead and looked at his hand. ‘Blood. Blood!’ he screamed out.

‘It’s not that bad.’

He was shaking. ‘Blood. I want to go home.’

Ruby took hold of her father’s arm. ‘It’s all right, Dad. I won’t let anybody hurt you.’ She looked along the path. She wanted to kill that rider. It had taken them months to get their father out, now this had to happen. She also wanted to see who Beth was talking to. Although it was a long way away it looked very much like Alfie Anderson. What was she doing talking to him? That was odd. Did she know him?

Getting their father home was proving to be very traumatic for Ruby and Tom. He was crying and every few steps he held on to the railings and refused to move.

‘Come on, Dad. Let’s get you home. Hold on to me. I won’t let anyone hurt you.’ Ruby was still very angry with the horserider. Who did he think he was?

‘The horses. The horses. Make them go away. Make the Germans go away.’ He fell to the ground and looked up at Ruby. His eyes full of fear. ‘The blood.’

‘Ruby, what’s wrong with Dad? He ain’t bleeding that much. Did the horse hit him?’

Ruby looked about her for help. ‘No. I think it must be something that happened in the war.’

‘Come on, Dad,’ said Tom, trying to help his father. He was clearly very upset. ‘Shall I run home and ask Mum to come and help?’

‘That might not be a bad idea. He’ll listen to her.’

As they slowly moved on Ruby could only wonder what had happened to their father to make him so afraid of horses and the sight of blood?

Ruby gave a sigh of relief when she caught sight of her mother hurrying along the road. Her coat was wide open showing her overall. She wasn’t wearing her hat and her hair was flying all over the place.

She came up to them and held her husband tight. ‘There, there, love.’ She patted her husband’s back like she would a child’s. ‘It’s all right, I’m here.’

It upset Ruby to see this tall man holding on tightly to this fragile woman and crying like a baby.

‘I’m sorry, Mum. I’m so sorry,’ said Ruby.

Her mother continued patting her husband’s back and over his shoulder said, ‘It’s all right, love. Tom told me all what happened. It wasn’t your fault. Now come on, Thomas, let’s get you home.’