A Rare Ruby (24 page)

Ruby angrily sat back on her haunches. ‘That’s because we couldn’t afford the whitening and black-lead. So if you want it done you’ll have to buy it. We ain’t got the money to afford things like that.’

He laughed again. ‘I know. I’ll give you the money to get what you want. But I’ll need a bill, mind. I want to make sure you don’t cheat me.’

It took all Ruby’s self-control not to throw the brush at him and walk out, but she knew that was more than she dared do. ‘If you don’t mind I’ve got to get on. I’ve got to put the washing in to soak yet.’

‘I’ve left my dirty stuff in the bedroom. I think my bottom sheet could do with mending. I put me foot through it last night.’

Ruby wanted to cry. She didn’t want to repair his rotten sheet. She knew as soon as she repaired one hole there would be another next week; his sheets were thin and well worn. ‘I’ll see what I can do with it. But you could really do with some new ones.’

‘New ones? I must say, you’re very good at spending my money one way and another. And I suppose if I buy new ones, you’ll have me old ones?’

Ruby couldn’t answer that, as the thought had flitted through her mind. She could make herself a chemise and some drawers and perhaps new hankies with any part that wasn’t too worn.

The banging on the door startled her.

‘Mr Cox? It’s me, Tom.’

He went and opened the door. ‘Well?’

‘Dad said the tea’s ready.’

‘All right. I’ll be down in a jiffy.’ He closed the door on Tom.

Ruby almost gave a sigh of relief out loud when he picked up his jacket and left.

Ruby went into the bedroom; it smelt of tobacco and beer. She opened the window and began pulling the bedclothes off and throwing them on the floor. She knew he never made his bed. The bottom sheet was all in a heap and when she saw the large rip in it her heart sank. It would take for ever to repair that. She put the top sheet to the bottom and pulled the clean top sheet as hard as she could and tucked it under the huge feather mattress. She did the same to the blankets. When she put the flat eiderdown on top she stood back and smiled. ‘He’s gonner have a right old job getting into that tonight,’ she said out loud. ‘Especially if he comes back three sheets to the wind.’ She gave a little giggle.

 

Ruby’s birthday had come and gone without celebration and preparations for Christmas were in the air. It was Elsie’s forthcoming wedding, however, that filled her mind. What could she buy them for a present and, more important than that, what could she wear?

Ruby was in the dairy telling Milly about the problem.

‘Why don’t you ask Beth if you could borrow something of hers? She always looks smart these days, and you’re about the same size.’

‘I couldn’t.’

‘Why not? She’s always grateful she fell on her feet after staying with you.’

‘And what about a present?’

‘I don’t reckon this Elsie will expect a present. She knows how hard things are for you.’

‘I was talking to Ernie Wallis a while back; he was saying how fed up he was with all this poverty.’

‘You been out with Ernie Wallis?’

‘Not been out with him, we just walked home from the laundry together. He’s had it pretty hard.’

Milly rested her elbows on the counter. ‘I know things ain’t that good for me mum and dad when people ain’t got the money to spend, but we’re still pretty lucky.’

‘This ain’t helping me get a new frock.’

‘I’d let you have one of mine, but nobody’d find you in it.’ Milly laughed. ‘You’d disappear never to be seen again. It’d fit you like a tent.’

Ruby laughed with her. ‘You ain’t that big and I’m good with a needle.’

‘It wouldn’t look right. No, as I told you, have a word with Beth.’

‘I’ll see.’

As Ruby hurried back across the road her mind was churning, as ever, trying to think of ways of making extra money. Would George in the Green Man want help behind the bar? She could add up and pour out drinks. Her father had told her how busy it was when a lot of ships were in the docks, and it was getting near to Christmas. She pushed open the kitchen door.

‘Dad. I’ve been thinking. I want to earn a bit extra.’

‘Don’t we all, love.’

She sat at the table. ‘Does your boss George want any help over Christmas?’

‘I’m going to ask him if he wants me in for any more nights. I don’t even mind going in at lunchtime. It’s started to get really busy.’ He laughed. ‘A lot of the toms come in for a warm. I sometimes do a stint behind the bar.’

Ruby knew her father had settled down despite her anxiety about him working there. He had told her that George was pleased with him as he was reliable and worked well.

‘Dad, would George want me to work as a barmaid, like Beth does sometimes up at the Royal Albert?’

‘What? No, I wouldn’t hear of it.’

‘But, Dad—’

‘No, Ruby. The Royal Albert is much posher than the Green Man and they don’t get so many unsavoury customers as we do.’

‘But I want to help out.’

‘I said no, and I mean no. I know times are hard, but they will get better, I promise you.’

Ruby was suddenly reminded of what Mrs Riddle had told her after her mother died. She had told her things would get better. But when?

Ruby didn’t pursue that line of conversation with her father as she could see his mind was made up.

 

It was two weeks before Christmas and Ruby was overjoyed to see Elsie waiting for her on Saturday.

‘You took your time coming out,’ she said, kissing Ruby’s cheek.

‘I had to finish off a couple of shirts Mrs Watson was waiting to parcel up.’

‘So you’re still doing the specials then?’

Ruby nodded. ‘Till the next move.’

‘It’s bloody cold out here.’ Elsie pulled her large scarf tighter round her neck. ‘I suppose that’s the one good thing about working in a laundry, it is warm.’

‘Not if you’re in the washroom. I couldn’t bear it if I ever had to go back in there. Is your place warm?’

‘Not too bad. It’s very dusty and you should see the state of me hair when I wash it.’ She laughed. ‘Talk about a tea rinse.’

Ruby had noted that when she saw Elsie now, she never said a lot about her job: was it all she had expected?

‘So how are things?’ asked Elsie.

‘Not too bad.’

‘How’s the money situation?’

‘I can just about keep me head above water, but it’s hard. I’m hoping Dad’s gonner be able to do a few more hours over Christmas, so that’ll help.’

‘He’s settled in at the pub then?’

‘Yes, thanks to your dad.’

‘Is it as bad as they say?’

‘No. Not really.’

‘You off to the market?’

‘Yes. Got to pick up the veg.’

Elsie tucked her arm through Ruby’s. ‘Ruby, I don’t want you to buy us a wedding present.’

‘But why?’

‘I know how hard things are for you and my Charlie said you shouldn’t. We both earn a decent wage and we ain’t got a home to get so we don’t need it.’

‘I can’t walk in without a present.’

‘Charlie said to tell you that if you do walk in with a present, you’ll be sent straight home again.’

‘He sounds really nice. I’m looking forward to meeting him and all your sisters.’

‘He’s a smashing bloke. And my sisters are all looking forward to meeting you. Now, you know the date?’

‘Sat’day December the thirty-first 1921 at two o’clock. What a lovely way to round off the year. I’m hoping they’ll let us go a bit earlier that day.’

‘They might let you go at two.’

‘I hope so. I’d love to see you in the church.’

‘Let’s keep our fingers crossed. I only live round the corner from the church so we can all walk back afterwards. I wish we could have got married sooner, but it’s cost a bit for me wedding frock and the bridesmaids. I was determined to have what I wanted, even if it did mean waiting a few more months.’

‘I bet you’ll look really lovely.’

‘I hope so. Have you got something to wear?’

‘Not yet.’

‘I’m so excited. I can hardly wait. And I know my Charlie’s having a bit of trouble keeping his feelings under control.’

‘You are very lucky, Elsie.’

‘I know. I know.’

They continued walking and talking but all the while Ruby was getting more and more disheartened. What could she wear for this wedding? She had nothing that would do. If only Elsie had asked her to be bridesmaid: that would have solved all her problems. She was still considering what Milly had suggested about asking Beth. Would she mind?

Elsie stopped at the haberdashery stall. ‘I remember when you bought me those black lace garters, that was the Christmas before last. You were so happy at having money.’

‘That was the best Christmas we’d had in years. Then it all went wrong.’

‘But you kept working. I admire you.’

Ruby stopped and, with her hands on her hips, announced, ‘I was young and full of ambition.’

They laughed together.

‘You are daft.’

‘I know. Elsie, I ain’t got nothing to wear for your wedding.’

‘I guessed that. That’s why I’m really here. You see, I want to give you an early Christmas present.’

Tears filled Ruby’s eyes. ‘But I can’t give you—’

Elsie held up her hand. ‘Me and Charlie want to treat you to a frock. It can only come from the second-hand stall, but I’m sure she’s got something that’ll do you.’

‘I can’t take that.’

‘Why not?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘Let’s go and look. She might not have anything that’s any good.’

Elsie began rummaging through the pile of clothes. She picked up a lovely pink frock that had floaty sleeves. ‘This looks good.’ She held it against Ruby. ‘It suits you. What do you think?’

‘It’s lovely.’

‘How much?’ asked Elsie.

‘Five bob,’ came back the answer.

‘What?’ cried Elsie and Ruby together.

‘You heard.’

Ruby threw the frock back down. ‘I ain’t paying that much for something that stinks of scent.’

‘It don’t,’ said the stallholder, picking it up and sniffing it.

‘Well, it ain’t that bad. It’ll soon go off if you hang it on the line for a bit.’

‘You got something cheaper?’ asked Elsie.

‘Not as pretty as that.’

Ruby looked at the frock, which was lying forlornly on the stall. She would have given anything to have a frock like that, but five shillings was half a week’s wages.

‘What about this?’ The stall lady held up a brown woolly frock.

‘No thanks.’

‘Come back next week. I might have some more.’

As they walked away, Elsie said, ‘Don’t get disheartened. My sister’s got a frock that’s a bit like that and it’s too small for her now. I’ll see if I can get her to part with it.’

‘I’ll pay for it,’ said Ruby quickly.

‘As I said before, this’ll be a Christmas present from me and Charlie. I’ll come to the laundry next Sat’day, but I won’t be able to come to the market as we’re going out to get me wedding ring.’ Elsie squeezed Ruby’s arm. ‘I can’t wait!’

Ruby smiled at her. ‘I can see that!’

‘Seen anything of Ernie lately?’

Ruby nodded.

‘We gonner hear wedding bells one day?’

‘What? I ain’t old enough.’

‘You will be one day.’ Elsie kissed Ruby’s cheek. ‘Bye for now.’

Ruby watched her walk away. What a lovely thought. Wedding bells for her and Ernie.

 

When Ruby got home she was taken back by a nasty smell.

‘What’s that smell?’ she asked her father.

‘Ask him.’ Her father pointed to Tom who was sitting in the corner crying.

‘What’s happened?’

‘I was only trying to help,’ sniffed Tom.

Ruby stood looking from one to the other. ‘What’s he done?’

‘He’s been stealing.’

‘What?’ Despite all their poverty they had been taught never to steal. ‘What’s he been pinching?’

Tom looked up, his eyes red from crying. ‘Coal.’

‘Coal?’ repeated Ruby. ‘Where did you get it from?’

‘The railway yard.’

Ruby sat down. What could she say? Although it was wrong, it’d been done with the best intentions.

‘There was a lot of other boys doing it, so I thought it was all right.’

‘So what’s the smell?’

‘I hid it in one of the wooden boxes then put horse muck on top. I thought that way nobody would see it. But when I told Dad, he walloped me.’

Ruby could have cried for him. He was sitting on the floor looking so sad and vulnerable.

‘I had to teach him that no matter how bad things are, the Bible says: “Thou shalt not steal.”

Ruby looked at her father. Although she knew he was right, she really didn’t agree with him. Tom had only been trying to help, and after all, he was burning the coal.

‘Right, now Ruby’s home you can go to bed.’

Tom looked up. ‘What about me tea?’

‘You’ll get nothing tonight, young man. Now, off with you.’

Ruby thought her father was being harsh, but didn’t interfere.

Tom clambered to his feet. ‘I bet if Mum was here, she wouldn’t send me to bed, or give me a hiding.’

‘Your mother was too soft with you.’

Tom stood by the door. ‘And she was bloody soft with you an’ all. It’s your fault she’s dead.’

Ruby gasped. ‘Tom!’

Tom ran out of the kitchen, slamming the door behind him.

Ruby stared at the closed door. The crashing of the front door sent her hurrying along the passage.

Mr Cox had been going up the stairs. He looked down at Ruby. ‘You want to tell that brother of yours not to slam the door like that, you’ll have it falling off its hinges - then that’ll cost yer.’

‘Yes, I will tell him.’