A Rare Ruby (39 page)

‘But what about Danny?’

‘I’ll take him over to our place.’

‘Would your mum and dad mind?’

‘No, course not. Besides, he’s a dear little chap.’

‘Thanks.’ Although part of her was very sad, she was pleased she’d be seeing Ernie and Elsie. She had so much to tell them.

Outside it was very dark. The hissing from the street’s gas lamps and foghorns from the river made the dank, damp night feel eerie.

‘I only hope that fire’s stayed in,’ said Ruby as she pushed the large bassinet along the empty street. ‘It can be freezing at home.’

When they turned into Hill Street Milly put out her hand to stop Ruby.

‘Look. The lamp upstairs in Cox’s place is alight.’

Ruby felt her stomach churn. She felt sick. ‘He must be home,’ she said softly.

‘Shall I go back and get Mr Thompson?’

‘No,’ said Ruby forcefully. ‘What if he tried to kill him or something?’

‘Yes, you could be right, he’s that angry. But what we gonner do?’

Ruby was pleased Milly had said ‘we’, she didn’t want to confront him alone. ‘I don’t know.’

‘We could go to the police station?’

‘He might be gone be the time we got back.’

‘That’s true.’

They stood for a while looking up at the window.

‘I’ll go and get me dad.’ Milly left Ruby standing.

It was only a short while before Milly’s mum and dad came out, but Ruby was freezing cold and had been banging her hands and feet to keep warm.

‘Has he come out?’ asked Milly’s mum.

‘No. I must go in.’

‘D’you know you’ve got a dew drop hanging from the end of your nose,’ said Milly light-heartedly.

‘So would you if you’d been standing about here.’

‘Now, girl, come on. We’ve got to think of something.’ Milly’s dad was a businessman and he was trying to be practical.

‘What we gonner do?’ asked Ruby.

‘Let’s get in first. He might come down when he hears us.’

‘What will he say about his door?’ Ruby manoeuvred the large pram up to the front door. She took the key from the shelf and opened the door.

They all stood in the passage looking up the stairs. Ruby could hear him moving about.

Milly’s dad slammed the front door and they waited for a reaction.

‘Who is it?’ came a voice from upstairs.

Ruby looked at Milly’s family. ‘That ain’t Mr Cox,’ she whispered, then called out, ‘It’s me, Ruby.’ Danny stirred and Ruby gently rocked the pram.

One of the policemen who had been before appeared at the top of the stairs. ‘Sorry. I should have come down.’

‘What are you doing here?’ asked Ruby.

‘Searching his place.’

‘You ain’t found him yet?’ asked Milly’s dad.

‘No. But we think he might be in Southend.’

‘Southend?’ repeated Ruby.

‘Yes. We found a bill from a guest house among his things - it appears he was there some time back.’

‘He did go away once, but he didn’t say where.’

‘Does this mean you’ll be arresting him shortly?’ asked Milly’s dad.

‘We do want to question him.’

‘How did you get in?’ asked Ruby.

‘We just felt around for the key. We knew you were at the funeral and we hoped we’d be gone before you got back, that way you’d be none the wiser. Everything’s just as he left it, except the door of course.’

‘What if he gets back before you get the chance to nab him?’ asked Milly’s dad.

‘Don’t worry, we’ll catch him. He might not even know he’s wanted for questioning about Mrs Norton’s murder.’

‘I bet he does. He reads the papers. Come on, missus. Let’s get home.’ Milly’s dad looked in the pram. ‘He’s a bonny lad.’

‘Don’t you dare wake him,’ said his wife. ‘This poor girl needs all the rest she can get.’

The policeman and Milly’s parents left. Ruby silently closed the door behind them.

‘Come on, we’ll see if this fire’s still alight, then I’ll make you a cuppa.’

‘Thanks, Milly. I wonder how the wedding went, and if Ernie missed me?’

‘You’ll have a chance to find out soon.’

‘I don’t know if I should go.’

‘Now come on. No second thoughts. You like Ernie, don’t you?’

Ruby nodded. ‘Yes I do.’ But the thought that was going round her mind was: Would he want her now she had Danny to look after?

Milly must have read her thoughts as she said, ‘Did Mr Thompson say what arrangements he was going to make for the boy’s future?’

Ruby shook her head. ‘Not really.’

‘I suppose it’s early days yet, but he can’t expect you to look after him for ever, surely.’

‘I don’t know.’

‘It’s been a long day for you. You go and get ready.’

‘Thanks. But I’m still not sure.’

‘
Go!
’ said Milly forcefully.

Milly gasped when Ruby walked back into the kitchen. ‘You look really lovely. You certainly made a good job of that frock.’

Ruby smiled and twirled round. ‘Now, you’re sure it’ll be all right? Dad and Tom shouldn’t be that long.’

‘Do I have to throw you out?’

‘No. I’m going.’ Ruby put on her coat and hat.

As they went along the passage Ruby looked in the pram. ‘Good night, little ’en.’ She kissed her fingers and placed them for a moment or two on Danny’s forehead. Milly stood at the door and watched her hurrying along the road. She reflected on all that had happened to this young girl. She deserved much more than life had thrown at her. After Ruby left Milly quietly closed the front door behind her. She’d wait till Mr Jenkins and Tom returned. She wanted to be alone with her thoughts.

 

As Ernie made his way home he found that although he was worried, he was also angry. He went over the day. Earlier, before the ceremony, he had wandered around outside the church looking for Ruby. Slowly the congregation had begun to move inside, and he’d wondered if Ruby had gone inside already? Should he go in and look? He hadn’t liked the idea of going in alone and she had said she would meet him outside. He hadn’t been to church since going with his mother after his father had died. She’d said she felt she should pray even if she didn’t have a body to bury. Ernie stamped his feet to bring life back into them. It was very cold. Had she gone in to escape the cold wind? He didn’t know what to do. When Elsie and the bridesmaids arrived, Elsie had caught sight of him and had given him a little wave. Half an hour later everybody came out. There was much laughter and noise, but still no sign of Ruby. Ernie stood back as Elsie called for different members of the family and friends to join her and her new husband for the photographs. Gradually the crowd began to make their way to Elsie’s house, and Ernie had followed at a safe distance. Inside the house was very crowded, but no Ruby. Had she changed her mind? After an hour or so, with his hands deep in his pockets to keep warm, he left the party. Why hadn’t Ruby turned up? Something must have happened. Could it be her father? He was so unpredictable. She’d been so looking forward to this wedding it must have been something terrible to keep her away. It was then that he realised she might have had to go to work till four, but she would have made it to the house by now. If that was the case, should he go back? He would have a word with Mrs Watson about keeping his girlfriend working so hard. He smiled, he knew Mrs Watson was fond of him in a motherly way. She had told him how she wished she’d had a son. Should he have stayed at Elsie’s house and waited for her there? But he didn’t know Elsie that well and had felt like an intruder; besides, it wasn’t the same without Ruby at his side.

As slowly he walked alone, he wondered about going to her house; he knew where she lived. But what if she didn’t want to see him? Had she known she’d have to work today and this was a way of putting him off? His mind was in such turmoil. Should he hang about and see if she turned up? There was so much he had to tell her. He really did love her. He wanted to be with her. But could they have a future together?

As Ruby hurried along the road to the church, part of her was sad, but she was determined she wasn’t going to let it show, and she certainly wasn’t going to tell Elsie where she had been today. She didn’t want to spoil her friend’s day. Ruby knew that this could be the most wonderful evening of her life. She felt grown up and although she was cold in the flimsy frock, she was burning with excitement. She was going to see Ernie and for the first time he would see her looking nice, except for her boots. She would have loved to have been able to buy a pair of fancy shoes, but it wasn’t to be. Ruby remembered Elsie telling her that her house was near the church. She was pretty certain she’d be able to find it, and, sure enough, when she heard the sound of a piano and singing and lots of laughter, she knew she was at the right place.

The front door was on the latch and she pushed it open to make her way inside.

‘Ruby!’ screamed Elsie, throwing her arms round her friend. ‘I was so worried you might not make it. Let me look at you.’ Elsie took her coat and held her at arm’s length. ‘You look really lovely.’

Ruby blushed. ‘Thank you. And what about you? That’s a really wonderful frock. You look like a princess. Oh Elsie, I’m so happy for you.’ She kissed her friend’s cheek.

‘I am pleased with it.’

‘Turn round. It’s gorgeous. I love the way the satin clings.’ Ruby knew the frock must have cost at least a couple of pounds.

Elsie ran her hands over her slim hips. ‘I feel ever so grand. Ain’t had nothing like this before, that’s why I don’t wonner take it off. Come on,’ she said. ‘Come and meet my husband.’ She giggled as she grabbed Ruby’s hand and led her through the crowd. ‘Charlie. Charlie,’ she called, and a tall good-looking man turned and smiled. ‘This is Ruby, my bestest mate, after you of course.’

‘Hello, Ruby. I’ve heard a lot about you.’ He kissed her cheek.

Ruby could see why Elsie had fallen for this man.

‘I ain’t seen Ernie since we got back,’ said Elsie.

‘Was he at the church?’

‘Yes. He should be here somewhere, but you might have a job finding him in this crush. Try the kitchen, usually the blokes like to hang round the booze.’

After the introductions to her husband and her sisters, Elsie said she had to mingle.

Ruby had been scanning the rooms looking for Ernie, but she wasn’t having any luck. After a while she sat on the stairs. She was enjoying watching people coming and going. The singing and the laughter got louder as the drink was being consumed and she smiled at the stolen kisses being enjoyed by many and wished she was sitting here with Ernie.

When Jenny, Elsie’s sister, sat next to her, Ruby quickly hid her shabby boots under her frock.

‘You’ve made a wonderful job of altering this.’ Jenny picked up the hem.

‘I hope you didn’t mind.’

‘No. As you can see I’ve got a bit large for it. If I ever get slim again and need any alterations, do you think you could do ’em for me?’

‘I’d love to. I’ll try to put this back as it was.’

‘Na. Don’t bother. You can keep it.’

‘Are you sure?’

Jenny patted Ruby’s knee and stood up. ‘It looks far better on you than it ever did on me.’

The noise was ever increasing and Ruby began to feel hot and bothered. She wanted Ernie to be here. Why hadn’t he stayed? Most people were in couples and she felt a bit out of place. When the bride and groom made their rowdy exit, Ruby too decided it was time to leave.

 

As it was Sunday Ruby didn’t have to get up too early. Once she woke, she lay thinking about the previous day. How could so much happen in one day? She knew Danny and Tom were fast asleep, as in the dark she could hear their steady breathing. She would remember the wedding for ever. The laughter, the dancing. She had had a good time, but it would have been a hundred times better if Ernie had been there. Oh,
why
hadn’t he stayed?

Danny let out a little sigh and her thoughts went to Beth. Beth’s death was going to turn their lives upside down, but at the moment it was Tom that was causing Ruby the most worry. Yesterday every time she’d looked at him he’d been scared and busy biting his fingernails. She knew he blamed himself for this mess. So who was this Freddie Porter Alfie had spoken about? Tom didn’t seem that eager to talk about him. Was he the one that had led Tom astray? She
must
concentrate more on his needs. Tom
must
go to school, whatever the cost. But she would wait till they were alone before she said anything.

Danny’s cot was under the window. He still hadn’t stirred. So much had happened in his short life. The house smelt of baby now. Beth had bought him lovely things, soap and creams she had never seen before. Mr Thompson said he would give her money to buy all the things Danny needed. Once again his large pram stood in the passage. Fear suddenly gripped her. Where would they live if Mr Cox went to prison? Her mind was flitting from one thing to another: next it went to Elsie. I hope everything goes well for you, she said silently. And what about Ernie? It would have been wonderful to have spent the evening with him. As she mused on all the day’s joy, sadness, tears and laughter, Ruby buried her head in her pillow and cried softly to herself.

 

At four o’clock Ruby answered the door to Mr Thompson and Mrs Anderson. Ruby guessed she was wearing her best hat and had tried to look as smart as her circumstances allowed. Alfie was close behind.

‘Come in.’ Ruby stood to one side as they went down the passage.

‘Hat,’ Mrs Anderson barked at her son.

Alfie snatched the cloth cap off his head.

‘Nice pram,’ commented Mrs Anderson, running her fingers along the handle.

The kitchen door was open and they could see Danny sitting on Thomas Jenkins’s lap.

‘He looks a bonny lad,’ said Mrs Anderson, going over to him. ‘My Lizzie was bonny, and the spitting image of him.’ She touched his head. ‘I was very upset when I heard about what happened to my Lizzie. I hope they catch the bastard what done it - how could anybody do such a terrible thing? To murder a young girl.’ She sniffed very loudly.