A Promise Between Friends (8 page)

‘You’re entertaining,’ Ruby said, glancing anxiously over Anna’s shoulder. ‘I don’t want to interrupt.’

‘Not at all.’ Anna took her coat. ‘In fact, this is perfect timing.’

Ruby didn’t quite believe her as Anna placed her hands on her hips, studying Ruby carefully. ‘May I say you look charming today.’

‘Thank you.’

‘You have a good figure, my dear. Have you ever done any modelling?’

‘No,’ Ruby replied. ‘But I always wanted to work in fashion.’ She sat on one of the sofas. It was like sitting on a cloud. ‘This is a lovely room.’ She
couldn’t take her eyes from the glass chandeliers sparkling like hundreds of jewels.

‘Thank you,’ Anna said. ‘Would you like tea or coffee?’

‘No, thank you,’ Ruby answered politely. ‘I wanted to phone you first. But I didn’t have a number.’

Anna tilted her head as she sat down and crossed her long legs. ‘Did you enjoy your evening at the Manor?’

‘Yes, very much.’

‘A few of us are going on the 19th. Are you free to come?’

Ruby nodded eagerly.

‘And of course, you’ll stay the night.’

Ruby felt dizzy with excitement. ‘Are you sure?’

‘We’ve plenty of guest rooms upstairs.’

Ruby took a shocked breath. She’d thought this was just a flat. ‘You mean this whole house is yours?’

Anna chuckled. ‘I use it as my office too.’ She reached for a small green box on the long ornate glass coffee table. ‘I know you don’t smoke, but you don’t mind if
I do? It’s a dreadful habit. But I can’t seem to kick it.’

‘No, of course not.’ Ruby felt flattered that Anna had remembered.

‘Tell me more about yourself and this poodle parlour.’ Anna flipped open the top of a silver lighter and held the flame to the filter-tip cigarette.

‘Actually, it’s the only one in the East End.’ Ruby was proud of that.

‘Who runs it?’ Anna asked interestedly.

‘Larry Dickens, a very nice man, and his business partner, Stuart.’

‘How long have you been working there?’

‘Nearly a year,’ Ruby explained. ‘I saw the advert in the
Gazette
and applied.’

‘You must like animals.’

‘Not especially,’ Ruby admitted shyly.

‘A curious choice then, for a smart young woman like you. If animals are not your thing,’ Anna said with a frown, ‘then why are you working there?’

Ruby hesitated. ‘It was just something different to try. And Larry’s a very good boss. He lets me and Debbie run the place just as long as we make enough money for him and Stuart to
go on all their holidays.’

‘I see. So, do you have any long-term goals?’ Anna enquired after a short pause. ‘For instance, could you be tempted into a new career?’

‘Well, I might,’ Ruby replied, a little flustered at the unexpected question. ‘I’m saving up for my own place, you see. The bedsit me and my friend Kath live in is very
small. One day I want a nice flat, with a bathroom.’

Anna smiled, sitting quietly for a few moments. ‘Well, I may be able to help you there.’ Her green eyes met Ruby’s with confidence. ‘You see, this is a modelling agency.
My girls are trained for such stores as Harrods and Debenhams. It’s not unusual for an international costumier to request our services.’ Anna paused, tilting her head as Ruby’s
eyes grew wider. ‘Sometimes the girls are asked to escort our clients. Wealthy businessmen visit the capital, and attend many important functions. They like to be seen with stylish women who
wear elegant gowns. And we like our models to be seen with them. These days, the newspapers can make or break a reputation. So if we are linked to a famous name, everyone wants to hire a model from
the Charnwood-Smythe Agency.’

Ruby nodded, trying not to look as ignorant as she felt.

‘Our recruiting programme is very strict,’ Anna continued. ‘I only employ girls I can trust, and demand absolute discretion. As do our clients of course.’ She paused.
‘In fact, I’m interviewing at this very moment.’ As she bent forward to put out her cigarette, she slid her beautiful green eyes towards Ruby. ‘So, my dear, does the idea
appeal to you?’

Ruby gulped in a breath. ‘How much would it cost to be a model?’

‘I’m not suggesting you pay me,’ Anna laughed in surprise. ‘The training is automatic if you sign with the agency. How do you feel about that?’

‘But, why me?’ Ruby asked, puzzled.

‘When I first saw you at the Manor, I knew you were very special,’ Anna explained. ‘Your taste and grooming impressed me. Then, as we talked, I realized you had an open and
charming personality, perfect for our agency. However . . .’ Anna paused, raising her perfectly curved eyebrows. ‘It would have been very remiss of me to talk business and interrupt
your evening. Especially as you told me it was a very special night for you and your friends. That’s why I gave you my address and hoped to see you again.’

Ruby didn’t know whether to be flattered or disappointed. What had she imagined that Anna wanted with her? Why would a woman such as Anna seek her friendship? But even as she thought this,
Ruby was overwhelmed by the thought of Anna’s offer.

‘Do forgive me, Ruby,’ Anna said with a soft pout.

‘There’s nothing to forgive,’ Ruby replied quietly. ‘It’s just that I’m a bit surprised.’

‘If your answer is no, we shall still be friends. And look forward to another evening together at the Manor.’

‘But even if I accepted your offer, I’d have to give Larry a month’s notice.’ Ruby hesitated. ‘And travelling here each day would be a problem. I had to change
buses twice and walk from the Edgware Road. Also, I haven’t really got any good clothes.’

Anna began to laugh, waving her hand again as if none of these concerns mattered. ‘Ruby, these are very small issues. It makes no difference to me when you start, just as long as I have
your assurance you are seriously interested. Otherwise I would hire someone else. As for taking buses – there will be none of that. You’ll stay here at the house until we find you your
new accommodation. And you will be pleased to hear it’s the agency’s policy to supply their staff with a comprehensive new wardrobe. After all, you will be representing the
firm.’

Ruby’s pulse raced. Was she dreaming? This was everything she had ever wanted – and more.

Anna smiled, raising a slender finger. ‘One warning. Modelling may sound glamorous but it’s also exacting. Clients can be demanding and often difficult. You will be expected to
humour them and use tact. The hours are long and can be unsocial. You may well find you have little time to yourself. However, you will be given a good wage. A flat basic of £10 a week and
you will often receive tips. I don’t want to paint a perfect picture. But I think you would enjoy the challenge.’

Ruby caught her breath. In just a couple of months she would earn more than she did in a year.

‘Take your time and think about it. We’ll talk again on the 19th,’ Anna promised.

Just then, a slender figure walked towards them from the far room. Dressed in an exquisite powder-blue suit, the redhead smiled. ‘Hello, Ruby.’

Anna rose to her feet. ‘Paula, do take Ruby in to meet the other girls.’

‘Nice to see you again, Ruby.’ Paula extended her hand. ‘Do come along.’

‘I’ll join you shortly,’ Anna called, but Ruby had no time to reply as she was shown into a large, perfume-filled room where two young women reclining on lemon sofas gazed up
at her and smiled.

Enlivened by her afternoon at Anna’s, Ruby made her way home in what was turning out to be a pea-souper. As the fog engulfed her she began to wish that she had accepted
Anna’s offer to stay the night. But she had been worried about Kath – as usual. What would she have told her? This time she couldn’t use her mum as an excuse.

Now she had missed her bus, one of the few in service. All hope of getting home quickly had vanished as the bus’s lights disappeared in the eerie yellow mists. She stood, cold and
confused, having almost walked under the wheels of an oncoming car.

The driver pulled into the kerb and wound down his window. ‘You were lucky I missed you back there,’ he called.

Ruby peered through the fog. ‘Sorry, I didn’t see you. I wanted to catch my bus.’

‘That’s Ruby, isn’t it?’ the familiar voice said and he waved her closer.

Ruby was startled when she saw his face. ‘Oh, it’s you!’

‘Yes, now that is a coincidence. Where are you off to?’

‘I live in Poplar, near the Bricklayer’s.’

He pushed open the door. ‘Jump in. I’ll save you the bus fare.’

Ruby hesitated. She remembered Anna’s warning. Was he to be trusted?

‘Come on,’ he coaxed, grinning. ‘I assure you I won’t bite.’

She climbed in and sat stiffly on the comfortable leather seat. ‘What are you doing round here?’

‘I was on my way to the Jester. Do you know it?’

‘No. Is it a club?’

He chuckled as he drove away from the kerb. ‘Yes. Nothing to get excited about though. And what brings you out in this pea-souper?’

‘I’ve been to visit a friend,’ she said after a brief hesitation. Perhaps it wasn’t wise to mention Anna.

‘Sit back and relax,’ he said, swerving the car around a large truck. ‘Let’s get away from the river and this damned weather.’

A remark that immediately worried her. As he drove, she looked out of the window for familiar landmarks, but could recognize none. This didn’t look like the direction to Poplar. Where was
he taking her? Anna’s warning came back to mind. Who would ever know that she’d accepted a lift in the fog from a stranger?

Then another thought came; it wasn’t just Nick’s voice she recognized but the car too. The vehicle’s shiny black paint, its ornate chromium grille and heavy-duty bumper bar.
She’d seen the car before and now she remembered where.

Ruby sat up. ‘Please stop.’

‘Why? What’s wrong?’

‘I’d like to get out.’

‘What, here?’

‘Yes, I’ll go back to my friend’s.’

‘Ruby, you’re not making sense.’

Ruby squeezed herself against the door. ‘Your car – I’ve seen it outside the poodle parlour. You were driving up and down. Even my friend Debbie saw you.’

He slowed the car down and stopped the engine. ‘Listen, this is a short cut to the City Road. And as for seeing me outside your shop, yes, hands up, it was me. You see, I counted on the
fact you’d phone me. And when you didn’t, I asked around at Fortuno’s. I was lucky. You and your friends are regulars there and it wasn’t difficult to look you up.’ He
paused. ‘I just wanted to talk to you. And I couldn’t do that with your boyfriend present.’

Ruby sat up. ‘Bernie isn’t my boyfriend.’

‘Had I known that I would have been more up-front.’

‘Why didn’t you come in the parlour?’ she asked uncertainly.

‘Pride?’ he suggested with a rueful grin. ‘I’d waited all Sunday for your call. I was certain I had your attention.’

Ruby’s feelings were confused. Of course she was flattered, but she was also a little frightened. He was very persistent. Did she like that? She wasn’t sure. He was certainly much
older than any of the boys she knew. But now she looked at him closely, he was also far more handsome than she remembered. He had warm, unblinking eyes, a nice smile and a dimple on his chin. His
overcoat looked tailor-made with a row of meticulous hand-stitching on its lapel. There was something very charming about this man.

‘It’s getting late,’ he said. ‘And if I’m to get you home before the cock crows, we’d better get going.’

She smiled. Now she felt embarrassed. She had made a fuss over nothing when he was only trying to do her a good deed.

Starting the engine he drove them out of the darkened street.

Ruby sat back and enjoyed the rest of the journey. She was even mildly disappointed when it came to an end and they drove into the mist-shrouded light of Poplar.

When Ruby got home Kath was saying goodbye to her new friend, Penny Webber, the dancer she had met at Larry’s party.

‘Ruby, do you remember Penny?’ Kath said as Ruby came up the stairs. ‘We’ve been enjoying warm bagels and wine that Penny brought. And we saved a glass for
you.’

Ruby smiled at the tall, reed-thin girl with curly dark hair. ‘I could do with that. It’s very cold out there although the fog is clearing now.’

‘It’s nice to see you again, Ruby,’ Penny said. ‘It’s a shame you couldn’t join us.’

‘Perhaps another time,’ Ruby replied.

‘Penny’s been telling me how she got into dancing,’ Kath explained. ‘And lots of wonderful stories about the Windmill.’

‘Well, that does sound exciting,’ Ruby said, shivering a little on the freezing landing, her mind still on Nick and her interesting drive back to the East End.

‘I’d better go,’ Penny said. ‘Would you like to meet up again, Kath?’

‘Yes, I’d love it,’ Kath replied eagerly.

‘You’ll have to come over and meet Mum and Dad.’

Ruby watched Kath and Penny go down the stairs together to the front door. She was very surprised to see Kath so happy. The bedsit was warm when she got inside, the one-bar fire having been on.
But Ruby didn’t begrudge the expense tonight. She had had such an exciting day and night that she wanted to tell Kath all about it. But how could she, without mentioning the Manor?

‘Did you buy anything nice?’ Kath asked when she came in, rubbing her hands together in the cold.

‘No, but I did a lot of window shopping.’

‘I was a bit worried when you didn’t come home,’ Kath said, taking the chair beside her. ‘But as it was foggy, I guessed you’d find your way eventually.’

Ruby looked at the half-full bottle of wine. ‘Shall I pour?’ she said with a grin.

‘Yes, I only had one glass. It went to my head.’

‘Don’t worry, we won’t get another hangover.’

‘Penny is such a nice girl,’ Kath said as she sipped her drink. ‘She lives up Mile End with her parents who are in the rag trade.’

‘How did she get to work at the Windmill?’

‘She was an usherette first.’

‘You’re not thinking of leaving the factory, are you?’ Ruby asked in surprise.

‘No. But I can dream.’

Ruby grinned. ‘I’m glad to hear it. Just don’t go packing the factory in, till we’ve paid your brother back.’