A Rare Ruby (34 page)

‘What you gonner do?’ yelled Ruby over the banister.

‘Get a chopper.’

 

The gentle tapping on his shoulder woke Mr Thompson. ‘What is it? What’s happened?’ He quickly regained his senses and sat up. ‘Is she all right?’

The nurse was standing over him. ‘Nothing’s changed. I’m afraid you have to leave.’

‘But why?’

‘The hospital has to get back into its routine.’

Mr Thompson was stiff from sitting in the chair all night. He hadn’t had a lot of sleep, as the corridor was a constant hive of activity. ‘Please let me stay, just in case she wakes up.’

‘I’m sorry. You have been very lucky to be here all this time. It was only because it was Christmas that Matron was so generous.’

He stood up. ‘Can I say goodbye?’

The nurse smiled. ‘Yes, but you must be quick. The doctor will be doing his round shortly.’

He arched his back. Every bone in his body ached, but he would have climbed Everest if it meant seeing Beth well.

Behind the screens he gazed down on her lovely face. ‘You have been like a breath of fresh air into my life. I’ll be back with the ring I bought you for Christmas. Beth, will you be my wife? I promise to take care of you and Danny till the end of my days.’

The screen was pulled to one side. ‘Please. You must go now.’

He bent down and kissed her pale lips. ‘I love you.’ With tears stinging his eyes he quickly walked away. It wouldn’t do for anyone to see what a stupid old fool he was. After all, she was years younger than him.

Outside he stood and blew his nose. The first thing he had to do was find Cox. He didn’t know what would happen after that.

 

The crashing of the chopper hitting the door brought Tom and his father to the foot of the stairs.

‘What are you doing?’ shouted Tom.

‘Trying to get in,’ said Milly with the chopper above her head, ready to give the door another blow. ‘Who knows what we’ll find.’

‘You can’t do that,’ said Thomas.

‘I can,’ Milly said defiantly.

‘We’ve got to get in,’ said Ruby.

‘Why?’ asked her father.

‘He might not be at home,’ said Tom from the safety of the bottom of the stairs.

‘If he’s not in, then he’s deaf, or dead,’ said Milly.

Ruby took in a quick breath. ‘You don’t think . . .? He wouldn’t . . .?’

‘You never know.’ The chopper crashed against the door again and Milly put her hand through the hole and opened the door. ‘Welcome,’ she said with a grand gesture, standing to one side.

Ruby wanted to giggle at the mess. Her father and Tom remained at the bottom of the stairs; both had a worried look on their faces.

Ruby went into the kitchen. It looked just the same as always. On the table was a dirty cup and saucer, a teapot and a milk jug. Ruby picked up the jug and smelt it.

‘Phew, this is off.’

The sugar in the bowl was caked and brown with tea.

Ruby walked into the tiny scullery and looked about her. There was nothing different.

Milly went out of the room and Ruby followed her.

‘This the bedroom?’ asked Milly, pointing to another closed door.

Ruby nodded.

Milly stood to one side and let Ruby go first.

‘Do I need me chopper?’

‘Might do. It is normally locked.’ Ruby took hold of the handle and turned it. The door opened and as she slowly pushed it open a little wider and moved in, it squeaked in protest. Ruby was very frightened at what she might find, but the room was empty. ‘He’s gone.’ Relief sounded in her voice. ‘He’s not here.’

‘Let’s see if he’s taken his things,’ said Milly, opening the cupboard.

Ruby stood and watched her.

‘There ain’t much here.’

‘Never did have a lot. Come on, let’s get downstairs, it’s freezing up here.’

In the cosy kitchen Milly asked, ‘What happens now?’

‘Don’t know,’ said Ruby.

‘He ain’t gonner be pleased at that mess,’ said Tom.

‘I know. I wonder where he’s gone,’ said Ruby.

‘D’you think the police have got him?’ asked Milly.

‘They don’t have a reason,’ said Thomas Jenkins.

Milly looked at Tom and his father. ‘Not yet they don’t. After all, a lot of men knock women about,’ she said with displeasure in her voice.

Tom said nothing.

‘D’you think Mr Thompson is still at the hospital?’ asked Ruby.

‘He seems a nice man.’

‘I think he is.’

‘He should be back soon to open the pub,’ said Milly.

‘Unless . . .’ Ruby shook her head. ‘I mustn’t think like that.’

 

It was later that morning when Mr Thompson finally knocked on the front door.

‘Come in. How’s Beth?’ asked Ruby.

‘About the same. Is Cox upstairs?’

‘No.’

‘Where is he?’

‘We don’t know. Would you like a cup of tea?’

‘Yes please. Then I must get back to open up for the lunchtime trade.’ He bent down and picked up Danny. He turned to Ruby. ‘I wish I could take him with me, but I expect I’ll be busy. You do understand?’

‘He’ll be all right here. Could I possibly have some of Danny’s things?’

‘Yes, of course. You can walk back with me. I’ll give you some money too, so that you don’t go short.’

‘That’s very kind of you.’

‘How are you feeling, young man?’ he asked Tom.

‘Not too bad. I’m ever so sorry about what happened to Beth.’

‘Not nearly as sorry as Cox will be when I catch up with him. Do you know what made him do it?’

Ruby and Tom looked at each other.

‘I’d rather not say,’ said Tom.

Mr Thompson put Danny on the floor. ‘If it’s what I think you’re trying to say, then he should be strung up. If there’s something I can’t stand, it’s dirty old sods what . . . I bet you’re livid, ain’t yer, Thomas?’

Thomas looked at him. ‘I don’t know why it happened.’ ‘Never mind. My Beth’s a good girl and she wouldn’t let anybody do anything like that.’

Ruby could see Tom was about to speak. ‘Is it all right if we go soon? I don’t have any more rags to make Danny a nappy.’

‘Course, love. I’ve finished me tea. Can’t say I’m looking forward to the mess up there. Just went off and left it.’

‘Dad, Tom, let’s all go and give Mr Thompson a hand.’

‘I can’t let you do that.’

‘Why not? It was Beth who helped us.’

For the first time in two days Mr Thompson smiled. ‘Thanks.’

‘I ain’t going,’ said her father.

‘But, Dad, why not?’

‘I’ll wait here for Mary.’

Ruby slumped into the chair. ‘Mum’s dead.’

‘No, she’s at the hospital.’

Ruby looked up at her father. ‘No, Dad. It’s Beth. Oh, what am I gonner do?’

‘Give him time,’ said Mr Thompson. ‘You stay here and look after your father. Tom can come with me and bring Danny’s things back.’

Ruby stood up. ‘No. I’m coming with you.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes.’ Ruby was putting on her hat and coat. She knew if she stayed with her father she would say things she might in later life regret. She had to keep herself busy. She knew she should be scrubbing the yard, but she couldn’t bring herself to do that, not just yet. ‘Ready.’

Outside, Mr Thompson put Danny high on his shoulders and they walked up the road.

‘He’s getting to be a ton weight. You’d better take his pram.’

Ruby knew then that she was going to be expected to take care of Danny till his mother came out of hospital. But what if . . .? That didn’t bear thinking about. And she had to get her father back to work, and soon - that’s if he hadn’t lost the job already.

All morning, as Ruby and Tom worked helping Mr Thompson, Beth filled Ruby’s thoughts. As she washed glasses, swept and, in between, fed and changed Danny, she knew these were Beth’s jobs. She should be here, not lying in hospital unaware of what was happening all around her. As soon as they had arrived at the pub, Mr Thompson had told Ruby to find something for them all to eat at closing time.

At first Ruby had protested, but when he pointed out that was the only way he was going to have a meal today, she relented. Even though she’d never used a gas oven, after Mr Thompson gave her a quick lesson Ruby soon got the idea of it. She marvelled at getting heat so quickly and promised herself that one day she would have one of these. As they worked, the delicious smell of a chicken she had found in the outside meat safe gently cooking filled the pub. Before the terrible events that had taken place on Christmas Eve, Beth had been well organised and had plucked and cleaned the chicken ready to pop into the oven. Mr Thompson had shown Ruby where to find things and Beth’s well-filled larder, to Ruby, was almost like an Aladdin’s cave. As she busied herself doing the potatoes and veg Beth had bought for Christmas dinner, it upset her to think that through Beth’s misfortune they were going to have the best dinner they’d had in years; and a few times the odd tear spilt out and trickled down her cheek.

Ruby looked through the window at Tom struggling with a crate full of bottles. With his bandage round his head he looked like an Indian prince she had seen in a book. Ruby was still furious with her father. He should have come with them. He should be here helping Mr Thompson when he opened the pub. Fear suddenly struck her. What if he wouldn’t go to work again? Danny, who had been fast asleep, woke with a cry. Ruby rushed over to him.

‘Don’t worry, little ’en. I’m here. I expect you’re wet and hungry.’ As Ruby set about seeing to Danny, she resolved to ask Mr Thompson if he knew whether Beth had any relations. He might even know if Beth came from round this way. And who was Danny’s father? Had she told him? Would his father come to claim the little boy? Ruby knew she didn’t want to part with him. If he went away she might never see him again. Could she look after him? Would her father look after Danny while she was at work? She knew it was silly, but she was simply trying to see if there was a light at the end of this very long, long tunnel.

At opening time Tom stayed in the back room with Danny as Mr Thompson had asked Ruby to help him. She couldn’t serve behind the bar as she hadn’t any idea what to do, but he was pleased when she offered to collect the empty glasses and wash them.

‘Could do with your dad out here,’ he’d said when he had unlocked the door.

‘So where’s our Beth then?’ asked the first man to walk in. ‘She done a runner?’

‘I’m afraid she’s in hospital.’

‘No! What’s up?’

Ruby held her breath. What was he going to tell his customers?

Mr Thompson was very discreet. He told them that she had had an accident.

‘How did that happen?’

‘She’s had a nasty fall.’

‘Will she be all right?’

‘I hope so.’

‘Thought it was funny she wasn’t here yesterday. Not like her to leave you on your own.’

All morning, everybody who came in asked after Beth and got the same answer. Ruby could see she was very popular. Mr Thompson never mentioned Mr Cox at all. What would happen if he walked in?

It was getting near to closing time and Mr Thompson said that perhaps Ruby should go and see to the dinner. The smell was making her stomach turn over. She was so hungry; she hadn’t eaten for a long while. As she was dishing up she couldn’t resist the odd sprout. She gazed at the chicken; Mr Thompson would soon be carving it. She couldn’t remember what chicken tasted like. It had been before the war, when her father was working, that they’d last had one at Christmas.

 

‘That was delicious,’ said Mr Thompson, sitting back in his chair. ‘I needed that. I was starving - and so was you, young man, be the way you’ve emptied your plate.’

‘We ain’t had a good dinner like that for a long time,’ said Tom. ‘I ain’t ever had chicken before.’

‘Would it be all right if I took a plateful along to me dad?’ asked Ruby.

‘Course. Now, what are we gonner do about Beth?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘I might not open the pub tonight.’ He lit a cigar.

‘But you must,’ said Ruby.

‘I’ll go along to the hospital first, then I can make up me mind.’

‘You must like her very much,’ said Ruby.

‘I do. I want her to marry me.’

Ruby took a breath. Did he know she was married?
Was
she in fact married at all?

He gently tapped the end of his cigar into the ashtray. He didn’t drop it on the floor like most men.

Ruby had noted that he was indeed a gentleman and she could understand Beth being so happy living here.

‘But she’s—’ Ruby stopped herself just in time. If and when Beth was well, what she did with her life was her business. ‘Mr Thompson, would you like me to look after Danny till things get sorted out?’

‘I was hoping you’d say that. I don’t know how long it’ll be for. Will you be able to manage?’

‘Tom here will help.’

‘I’ll give you money. You won’t go short. But what about your job?’

‘I’m sure Tom and Dad will be able to manage while I’m at the laundry.’

‘Well, only if you’re sure. Your dad don’t seem that good.’

‘He’ll be all right. It was the shock of seeing Tom covered with blood and in hospital.’

‘Will he be going back to the Green Man?’

‘I hope so.’ As Ruby was saying it, she wasn’t sure if he would. But he had to.

 

It had gone six o’clock. Thomas had finished the dinner Ruby had brought down for him. ‘That was really delicious, love,’ he said, wiping his chin. He looked at Ruby’s sad face. He knew he had to make an effort to help his daughter. He should be thinking of going to work, but the thought of walking about in the dark filled him with horror. What if Cox were waiting for him? Danny began to scramble on to his lap.