Blue Moon (32 page)

She would tell Ruby that at the time it had meant little. All that mattered was that her husband lay gravely ill in hospital and, according to the visiting hours, the only time she could go and see him was on Sunday afternoon. She had journeyed to Chichester the next Sunday, leaving little Percy with her mother. She had been filled with fear and dread, wondering what Nelson would be like. He had been bad-tempered with her when he was well, so what would he be like now that he was in pain and badly hurt? What sort of a future did they have? She was only twenty-five; would she have to nurse an invalid for the rest of her life, as well as look after a little baby?

The visit was everything she’d feared, and she’d left the ward battling her own tears. Dr Quinn had met her in the grounds and, may God forgive her, the moment their eyes met, something was kindled inside her. After that, every glance up at him only fanned it into flame. She had fallen madly, hopelessly in love the second she set eyes on him.

Afterwards she couldn’t remember a single word he’d
said – something about giving Nelson time and that, as his doctor, he could assure her that Nelson would get well. On the train back home all she could think about was Dr Quinn’s kind face, his deep-brown eyes, the way his hair curled softly at the sides and how much she’d wanted to kiss him.

‘Mum?’ The sound of Ruby calling brought her back to the here and now.

‘I’m just coming down,’ she said. ‘Put the kettle on, will you?’

She heard her lovely daughter –
their
lovely daughter – pouring water into the kettle and smiled. May would be coming back from school before long, but as soon as she and Ruby had some time together, she would tell her everything. Ruby had the right to know about her father. Kissing the envelopes once more, Bea placed them carefully inside the drawer, this time on the top.

CHAPTER 27

Jim was back in town. Having been to Ruby’s home to look for her, he was waiting outside as she left the hospital. Her heart leapt as she recognized his tall, lean frame slouching against the wall. He pushed against his shoulder to stand up straight and walked briskly towards her.

‘Darling,’ he said, taking her into his arms.

She went to him readily and, when he kissed her, all the old feelings came flooding back. As his time away had lengthened from two weeks to almost two months, she worried that her ardour had cooled. She still thought of him all the time, but as the weeks slipped by she missed him a lot less than she had done in the beginning. She supposed it was because there was so much going on in her life: her new job, her mother’s illness, Percy taking off like that, and now the revelation about her father. There was so much to think about. She and her mother had finally spent a couple of evenings talking about Rex, and he sounded such a nice man that she couldn’t wait to meet him.

Jim took her into the saloon of The Swan and ordered
a milk stout for her and a pint of bitter for himself. They sat in a corner, leaning towards each other, oblivious of everyone else. Ruby had already told him some of her news in her letters. Of course he knew that she’d found a new job, and he was glad to hear she was doing well. He knew Bea had been ill, but he didn’t know about Percy leaving in a huff, and he certainly didn’t know about Rex. When Jim asked her how things were, Ruby decided that it was neither the time nor the place to talk about her mother’s private life and skirted round the subject.

Jim listened politely, but it was obvious he wanted to talk about what had been happening in his own life. He was excited.

‘As you know,’ he began, when she asked him what he’d been doing, ‘I had an old Leica camera, which was what I used for the “Beauty and the Beast” photo. It’s not bad and, although it’s at least eight years old, it can still give a pretty good picture.’

Ruby nodded and smiled. He carried on talking about cameras and the finer points of photography as if she understood.

‘I would have carried on using that,’ said Jim, his bright eyes dancing, ‘but you’ll never guess what Mr Kendrick did? He only gave me a 1932 Contax camera.’

‘How wonderful,’ said Ruby.

‘I should say so,’ said Jim enthusiastically. ‘It’s terrific. It’s got a vertical eleven-blade metal focal shutter and …’ he paused for effect, ‘a bayonet mount, so that I can attach other lenses if I need them, and …’ his voice
had gone up in volume, ‘a detachable back, so that I can change the film!’

Ruby looked suitably impressed. ‘It sounds very up to date.’ It was good to see him so happy.

‘There couldn’t be a better camera – I’m sure of it,’ he said, sipping his pint.

‘How come you stayed so much longer?’ said Ruby. ‘I thought you said the prize was to spend a week with Thomas Kendrick.’

‘It was,’ said Jim, relaxing into his chair, ‘but we got on so well. He not only paid me a small wage, but also said I was the son he’d never had, which as you can imagine was music to my ears. Oh, Ruby, when he persuaded Mr Hayward to let me stay on, he taught me so much. With everything he showed me, that man has given me the opportunity to really make something of my life. I promise that you and I will have a much better standard of living than I could ever have imagined.’ He took a gulp of his beer. ‘Has Percy gone back to fishing?’

Jim’s face was serious as she told him about Bea collapsing and Percy leaving again.

‘Why on earth would he do that?’ he gasped. Ruby was about to dismiss it with a shrug of her shoulder, but Jim caught her hands in his. ‘No more secrets, remember?’

So she told him. But not everything. Not about Rex.

‘Have you been to the locker, to see if he’s camping out?’ Jim asked.

‘I never thought of that,’ cried Ruby. ‘Of course! He’s
bound to be there, isn’t he? Oh, Jim, can we walk there now? I just need to know that he’s all right.’

Jim finished his pint quickly. ‘Come on then, darling.’

It was unusual for Vinny to call in unannounced, especially in the early evening. Bea and Vinny were on good terms, but neither sister made a show of it. Bea supposed it was because their mother had been the same. She was rather buttoned-up, preferring to show her love for her daughters by what she did for them, rather than with hugs and kisses. Bea and Vinny were content to see each other at Christmas and Easter, and a couple of times in the warmer months, so it was a bit of a surprise when Bea opened the door and saw her sister on the doorstep.

‘Ruby told me you hadn’t been well,’ she announced as she walked in, uninvited. ‘Looking at you, I can’t say I’m surprised. You’re as thin as a rake.’

Bea smiled. ‘Must be getting to be like you then,’ she quipped.

Vinny harrumphed and took off her hat and coat. ‘So what’s wrong with you then?’

‘Shall I make us a cup of tea?’ Bea suggested.

‘No, you sit down,’ said Vinny. ‘I’ll do that.’

Bea knew better than to argue. She sat down again and watched as Vinny got everything ready.

Her sister eyed her as she put the teapot on the table. ‘Are you sure you’re eating properly?’

‘I wasn’t,’ Bea admitted candidly, ‘but I am now.’

‘Things difficult?’

‘They are a bit.’

‘Your Ruby working?’

‘She’s at the hospital,’ said Bea, ‘but she gets quite a bit less than she did at Warnes, and that wasn’t that good.’

‘What’s she doing?’

‘She’s a ward cleaner.’

‘Sounds like you’re all in a bit of a pickle.’ A teacup was pushed in front of Bea. ‘She’s a good organizer, your Ruby,’ said Vinny, sitting down with her own cup and saucer held high on her chest. ‘I don’t know why you don’t persuade her to get a job where she can use her talents.’

‘Perhaps you’re right,’ said Bea.

‘I heard Percy was back.’

‘He’s gone again,’ said Bea.

Vinny harrumphed again. ‘That boy wants a good talking to,’ she said. ‘What the devil is the matter with him?’

Bea sipped some more tea and said nothing. Vinny had always been the bossy one, and it was no use trying to change her mind once she’d decided on something. Besides, Bea was too tired to argue any more. Yes, they were in a pickle. Yes, their reserves – meagre as they had always been – were almost exhausted, but she’d worn herself to a frazzle worrying about it and she couldn’t do it any more.

‘That lodger of yours still paying up?’

Bea nodded.

‘Well, that’s one good thing, I suppose. If Percy’s gone
off again, what about the boat and the locker? Can’t you sell them … or rent them out?’

Bea looked up sharply. She hadn’t thought of that. How silly of her! That was the obvious thing to do. Renting them would be the best option and would bring in a steady income.

‘You’ve only been in the house five minutes,’ she smiled. ‘Trust you to come up with the answer to a prayer.’

Vinny lifted her skirt and parted her legs, so that they would be warmed by the fire. ‘I’m in a bit of a pickle too,’ she said.

‘Oh?’ Bea was surprised that her sister was confiding in her. Usually Vinny was far too independent to share her own troubles, but now that she looked at her, Bea could see that she was really worried about something. ‘Can I do anything to help?’

Vinny leaned back in her chair and stared into the fire. ‘I’m worried sick about Lily,’ she said.

Bea was tempted to begin asking questions, but something told her to be quiet and listen.

‘I think she’s been sleeping with that Albert Longman,’ said Vinny. ‘She denies it, of course, but I’m sure she’s doing it.’

‘Will he marry her?’ asked Bea. She, of all people, should be the last person to throw stones. After all, hadn’t she done the same thing herself, with Nelson?

Vinny shook her head. ‘He isn’t in love with her,’ she said. ‘I’ve seen the way he looks at her, and that’s not love. But the silly girl won’t have it any other way. Oh,
Bea, what am I going to do? At best she’ll get a bad reputation; and at worst, if she ends up having a baby, I can’t give up work to look after it, and she’ll be ruined altogether.’

Had anyone else confided in her in this way, Bea would have put an arm round them, but she knew her sister was not a touchy-feely person. Instead she got up and poured them both another cup of tea. ‘Confront him,’ she said.

Vinny looked up at her with a shocked expression.

‘Find a time when Lily isn’t there and confront him,’ Bea repeated. ‘If his intentions are honourable, he’ll ask Lily to marry him; and if not, he’ll run faster than a fox being chased by the hounds.’

‘What if she finds out?’

‘Who’s going to tell her?’ said Bea. ‘I won’t, and neither will you. He’s not likely to admit to anyone that he’s been seen off by a woman. Better a few angry tears now than a life ruined forever.’

Vinny nodded and sighed. ‘You’re right,’ she said. They sat in companionable silence for a while until Vinny said, ‘Well, that’s you and me sorted.’ She rose to her feet. ‘Now you get yourself better, Bea, and I’ll pop by next week.’

And with that, she was gone.

It was dark by the pier. She wasn’t keen to be in such an uninviting place at night, but the desire to hear his voice again was so strong. This was a magic time. She hadn’t felt so exhilarated since before he went away.
Her heart was fluttering like a silly schoolgirl, her mouth was dry and her hands trembled. Without the lights along the boardwalk to the Southern Pavilion, it was a depressing place. The council had made a small start on the repairs, but in these harsh economic times, other more pressing needs in the town took precedence. Most of the buckled girders had been removed and the acrid smell of burning was long gone, but the blackened remains of the Southern Pavilion still pierced the skyline like the naked bones of a great whale.

He had told her to meet him under the pier. Her feet crunched on the stones as she walked off the Parade. She looked around nervously; nobody else was about. The ice-cream kiosks wouldn’t open until Easter and, apart from the public toilets, there was no reason for anyone to be in the area. It was a creepy place. The wind off the sea penetrated between the seams of her clothing like icy fingers searching for warmth. It stung her face and tugged at her collar. Keeping her head down, she pulled her coat tightly round her body and trudged on.

She wandered about for a few minutes, before deciding that she was so cold she would have to go back home. The wind sighed and then she heard something. She leaned against the pier support and closed her eyes. His voice always came when she was still. If only she could stop her teeth chattering.

‘You’re late.’ His reedy voice made her shiver. She knew it was all in her head, but this was the first time he’d been cross with her.

‘Sorry,’ she whispered anxiously. ‘I couldn’t get away.’

‘Ah, well, you’re here now.’

She held her breath, terrified that the moment would pass by. The wind fluffed her hair and she imagined that it was his hand on her face, stroking her skin, brushing her lips. She began to cry softly.

‘I need you to do something else for me.’

She put her hand to her head and rocked slightly.

‘Is it like the last time?’ She blew her nose. ‘I didn’t like it …’

‘Sweetheart …’ he said huskily. ‘Please – for me?’

And, sinking to the stones, she banged the sides of her head with her own fists.

CHAPTER 28

It took Ruby and Jim quite a while to walk the short distance to the beach and Nelson’s locker because Jim kept pulling her into dark doorways to kiss her and tell her how much he’d missed her. Ruby protested, but only mildly. It was wonderful being loved like that, and each time he did it, it fanned her passion even more.

‘I don’t want to wait too long before we marry,’ said Jim. ‘I mean to start my own photography business.’

‘Where would you get the money for that?’ cried Ruby.

‘Warwick Studios is closing,’ said Jim. ‘The Depression is making life difficult and Mr Hayward is retiring, but I’ve worked out a proposition for him. I would continue to run the business and, in exchange, he would get a percentage of the profits. That way, he keeps his assets, and I can be my own man.’

‘Oh, Jim, that sounds amazing. Do you really think he’ll agree?’

Jim shrugged. ‘Thanks to everything Mr Kendrick has shown me, I’ve given it my best shot. We just have to keep our fingers crossed.’