A Rare Ruby (23 page)

‘Thank you so much for getting Dad the job.’

‘That’s why I’m here. I had to come and see you.’

‘I can’t stay long as I have to clean Mr Cox’s place.’

‘Ruby, I’m ever so sorry, but I didn’t find out till after your dad had started that the bloke what worked there before got beaten up and they reckon that’s what killed him.’

Ruby smiled. ‘Dad knows. That George told him.’

‘And he don’t mind?’

‘No. I was there the other Friday, when they chucked everybody out, and this bloke got knifed.’

Elsie’s eyes opened like saucers. ‘No! What happened?’

‘It was a couple of sailors fighting.’

‘My dad only ever goes in there straight from work for a quick one. Is it very rough?’

‘A bit. But Dad seems happy enough.’

‘I’ll tell you I was dead worried when me dad told me. I remember when you had that trouble with the horse.’

‘Don’t worry. Dad’s fine.’

‘I’m so glad. By the way, a lot of toms get in there as well . . .’

‘So Dad said.’

Elsie grinned. ‘I don’t know how me dad knows that, and I ain’t gonner ask.’

 

Milly had told Beth about Thomas’s new job and she came round on Sunday to see them. She took Ruby to one side.

‘I nearly died when Milly told me what pub your dad was working at. And on Friday and Sat’day nights as well.’

Ruby could see she was concerned.

‘You know it then?’

‘No, Mr Thompson told me about it. It’s got a dreadful reputation.’

‘Don’t worry. Dad seems fine. So how’re things with you and Mr Thompson?’ Ruby asked.

‘Lovely. He’s a really nice man. I’m very happy there.’

Ruby looked out of the window at her father playing in the yard with Danny.

‘He just gets happier and happier, that little chap, doesn’t he? I’m really glad you manage to find time to come and see Dad during the day.’

Beth smiled. ‘He’s like a father to me. It was certainly my lucky day when I moved into Thirteen Hill Street. By the way, how’s him upstairs behaving?’

‘Fortunately I don’t see a lot of him. I just do his washing and clean his place out on Saturday. I somehow manage to get Dad to entertain him down here while I’m upstairs.’

‘I worry about blokes like that.’

‘You don’t have to worry about me. Like Dad, I seem to have got a lot stronger since losing Mum.’

‘I saw young Tom pushing his pram loaded with wooden boxes. I told him I’ll have a couple of bundles of wood off him every week.’

‘He’s a good lad, and he’s building up quite a round, but you should see his hands - they’re red raw and he’s always getting splinters. I don’t know what he’ll do in the winter. I hope his chilblains don’t come back again or he won’t be able to hold the axe.’

‘Have to see about getting him some mittens.’

‘I wish he could go to school. He knows we really can’t afford the penny a week for his slate.’

‘Is that all that’s stopping him?’

‘That and the fact he don’t wonner go.’

‘That’s a shame, he’s like you, bright.’

Ruby smiled. ‘I ain’t that bright.’

‘Yes you are. Now I’d better be off as it’ll be opening time soon.’

Ruby watched her father hand over Danny to Beth. So much had changed in such a short while. Her mother’s death had had a dramatic effect on her father. He should have gone back to work years ago. If only he could find more work, then things might be less of a struggle for them. But they weren’t alone. Her thoughts went to Ernie. She hadn’t seen him for a while. She knew he was always at the laundry, but didn’t have time to stop as he was very busy collecting and delivering. Surely the weather was good enough now for them to go out again? It would be lovely if they had a front room they could sit in. If they were older they could sit in a pub, but drink cost money they didn’t have. There was really nowhere for them to go except the park. How could they build a future like that? Did he even want to? Would she ever get married and have children? Or was that just another pipe dream like the one she had had about having her own business all that time ago?

Although life was a struggle the Jenkinses were just about managing to keep their heads above water. As long as Ruby had the rent everything else depended on how much she could take home from the laundry. Mrs Watson often stood over her, watching her work, which made Ruby very nervous.

‘Ruby Jenkins,’ called Mrs Watson one morning just as they walked in.

Ruby looked about her. Whenever Mrs Watson called her name it worried her; she was always sure it was because she had done something wrong. But instead: ‘You’ve got very nimble fingers,’ Mrs Watson commented. ‘Some days, when the women can’t keep up, I’d like you to do some specialist ironing. You will be ironing delicate things and gentlemen’s shirts. It could mean extra money.’

Ruby breathed out a sigh of relief. But she knew this would upset Florrie even more and that she’d have to be on her guard at all times.

The odd days Ruby did the specialist work, she enjoyed it very much, especially as the women in that room were much nicer.

A week later, when Ruby left the laundry on Saturday afternoon, she was pleased to catch sight of Ernie walking towards her, despite the comments from Florrie and Molly as they walked past.

‘Hello, this is a surprise,’ said Ruby when he came up to her.

‘I was hoping you’d still be here.’

‘Been busy?’ she asked, as that was the first thing that came into her head as they walked along.

‘Yer. I’m sorry I ain’t been around but I’ve been trying to build up me customers, and it ain’t easy.’

‘I know. I thought I’d try and do that once, but it didn’t work out.’

‘You did? I’ll say that for you, you’re a worker. No wonder Mrs Watson has always got nothing but praise for you.’

Ruby stopped and beamed at him. ‘Did she say that?’

‘Yer. She reckons you’ll know the workings inside and out of this laundry be the time she’s ready to retire.’

‘She said that? Well, when I’m in charge you’ll have a job here.’

Ernie laughed out loud, crinkling his lovely blue eyes. ‘Thanks. I’ll look forward to that. Good job you and me have got dreams.’

‘And a sense of humour.’ But deep down Ruby hoped it would be more than just a dream.

‘So what made you look for more work?’

‘Sorry, Ruby, but it was one of your mum’s customers, she came and asked if I’d take their washing to the laundry. It seems she can’t find anybody to do it.’

‘I bet it costs her a lot more than what Mum charged.’

‘I bet it does.’

‘What about
your
mum, don’t she take in washing?’

‘She does a bit, but she ain’t very strong and she couldn’t manage any more. Mrs Porter said your dad was working at the Green Man. That right?’

‘Can’t keep nothing quiet round here, can we?’

‘Didn’t think he ever went out.’

‘He’s a lot better now.’

‘You do know it’s a very rough pub?’

‘So everybody keeps telling me. But as you know jobs ain’t that easy to get. I was there one night when a sailor got stabbed.’

‘No! Was he killed?’

‘It was just a flesh wound, so George the owner said. The bloke went off on his own, I don’t know if he ever made it back to his ship or not.’

‘Ruby, if there’s anything I can do . . .’

She stopped again. ‘Thanks, Ernie, but we’re all a bit in the same boat.’

‘Suppose we are - more so with this bloody miners’ strike.’

‘That’s a big problem, trying to get coal. My brother is always out looking for a coalman.’

‘You should see the state of my sisters after they’ve been chasing the coalie.’

‘One day, when we make our fortune, we’ll laugh at these times.’

‘Do you honestly think that?’ he asked as, with his cloth cap perched on the back of his head and his hands in his trousers pockets, he sauntered along.

‘No. Not really. But I think we should have heart.’

He stopped and kicked the wall. Then he pulled out the empty pockets from his trousers. ‘I hate all this poverty. Sometimes I wish there was another war, then I could go and fight.’

‘Ernie! That’s a dreadful thing to say. Especially as your dad got killed and mine was, well, shell-shocked.’

‘I know. But I feel there should be more to life than just pushing a bloody pram loaded with other people’s dirty washing.’

Ruby wanted to hold him and comfort him, he was so down. ‘I know, that’s how I feel.’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘That’s all right. We all have to let off steam now and again.’

‘That’s what I like about you, Ruby. You’re so good to talk to. Most of the girls I know just laugh and act silly, but you’re different.’

Ruby didn’t want to act different. She wanted to laugh and giggle with him, but he didn’t see her in that way. In fact, she wanted him to hold and kiss her - and she blushed at that thought.

‘Will you meet me in the park on Sunday? The band’s always good in the afternoon.’

‘It’ll have to be after I’ve done the washing up.’

‘OK. See you about three?’

‘I’ll look forward to it,’ she said lightly, trying to keep her emotions under control. She would have loved to know what Ernie really thought about her.

She would have been surprised if she knew he too was thinking how much he wanted to hold her and kiss her. But he was frightened of showing his feelings; after all, he had nothing to offer. Would she be happy with just his love? He didn’t want to spoil her chance of finding someone else who could offer her much more.

They continued walking and talking about neutral topics like his family till he left her to go home and Ruby continued on to the market.

 

As usual, after Ruby had been to the market, she had to set about cleaning Mr Cox’s rooms.

She went into the washhouse. ‘Dad, if he’s upstairs shall I tell him to come down?’

‘If you like.’

As he had never said anything about her going up there, as far as Ruby knew her mother had never told him about Mr Cox.

‘These carrots look a bit ropy,’ he said, sorting them over.

‘I know. That’s all I could find,’ she replied defensively.

He turned and smiled at her. ‘I know things are hard, love, but I am trying to get more work.’

‘I know you are. Leave those.’ Ruby pointed to the carrots lying on the wooden draining board. ‘I’ll see to them. Don’t let him upstairs see you doing woman’s work.’

‘All right. I’ll leave ’em for now. Tell him I’ll have a cuppa ready, and one for you when you finish.’

Ruby gently knocked on Mr Cox’s door. ‘It’s me, Ruby.’

‘Come in, girl.’ He was sitting in his armchair reading a newspaper. He peered at her over his glasses.

‘Dad said would you like a cuppa. He’s got one ready.’

‘No. I’d rather stay up here and talk to you. I like you, you’re sensible.’

Ruby froze. She had to think quickly. She didn’t want to be up here alone with him. ‘I’d really like to get on, if you don’t mind,’ she said, putting the dustpan and brush on the floor.

‘I don’t mind at all. D’you know, you’ve grown into a pretty little thing.’

Ruby visibly shuddered. She moved back against the door. She knew she had to tread carefully: after all, he was their landlord and she could make them homeless if she wasn’t careful.

‘How old are you now?’

‘I’ll be sixteen next month.’

‘Old enough to get married then.’

‘I don’t think so.’ Ruby looked around the sparsely furnished room. If she had as much money as everybody said he had she’d have a few more home comforts.

‘How’s your dad getting on working at the Green Man?’

‘All right.’

‘I was very surprised he was going out to work again after all this time.’

‘A lot of things had to change after Mum died.’

‘I expect they did. You want to find yourself a rich husband, then you wouldn’t have to go out to work.’

‘I don’t think that will ever happen.’

‘You never know. As I said, you’re a very pretty young lady and we’ll soon have the young men banging on the door. But take a word of advice from me.’ He stood up and came towards her. ‘You don’t want to worry about young men. You should think of yourself and find someone who has a bit of money.’

‘I don’t know anyone who has money.’

He folded his newspaper. ‘As I said. You never know.’

Ruby took a dishcloth from her overall pocket. ‘I’ll start in the scullery.’

He laughed. ‘Well, that won’t take long.’ He had a tiny scullery; it was very sparse, with only a deep butler sink, a wooden draining board and a tin bath that stood on its side against the wall.

He stood in the doorway watching her clean the sink. ‘I’ve been thinking about getting one of those new gas stoves.’

‘That’ll be nice. I read that they’re a lot quicker at boiling a kettle than the range.’ Although he didn’t cook his main meal he still had tea to make.

She moved back into the kitchen, which was just as simply furnished. There was only a very old dresser in one alcove and a table that was pushed under the window covered with a brown chenille tablecloth. Two odd upright chairs were pushed under it, and one hard uncomfortable-looking tapestry-covered armchair stood in front of the fire. She knew that his bedroom wasn’t any better, containing just a bed, a chair and a small table at the side that always had a glass on it. A cupboard that served as a wardrobe held his few meagre clothes.

Ruby picked up the dustpan and brush. She was trembling as she went down on her knees and began feverishly brushing the small coloured mat that was in front of the fire, trying to create as much dust as she could.

‘I’ll have to get some black-lead so’s you can bring that stove back to its former glory, and the hearth could do with a whitening. Your mother never did make a good job of that.’