A Rare Ruby (49 page)

‘No, he left before I was up.’

The rest of the day dragged for Ruby and she was pleased to get home and even more so when it was time for bed, yet she had a restless night. Her thoughts were all of Ernie.

 

It was very early when Ernie left the Jenkinses’ house, before Ruby was up. He couldn’t stay. He didn’t want to hurt her. He wandered round the streets, his mind in a turmoil. He desperately wanted to stay. When she’d asked him to marry her he’d wanted that so much it hurt. She loved him, but what could he offer her? She was a kind person, everybody loved her. He should never have come back. He had seen the way Ben Stone looked at her and he knew if he was out of the way one day he would see that she was the right girl for him. She deserved someone like him.

He went to the park and sat on their seat. He loved Ruby. He had loved her for years. He knew that was why he hadn’t been able to settle in Scotland; he’d had to come back, he’d had to see her again, but now he was running away.

He leant back and closed his eyes. Where could he go? Life was so bloody hard.

A yapping dog running round the park brought him back to the present. He had to see Ruby just one more time before he left. He would go to the laundry; he wouldn’t let her see him. He would stand in the shadows. He picked up his bag and moved on.

Outside the laundry Ernie looked up at the name over the brick arch. A van hooting made him jump.

When it stopped Ben Stone got out and walked up to him. ‘Don’t I know you?’

‘Not really. I used to bring washing here.’

‘So what are you doing now?’

‘Nothing, well, I’ve just come down from Scotland—’

‘You’re Ernie. Ernie Wallis,’ said Ben, interrupting him and shaking his hand. ‘I know all about you. Or rather, Ruby Jenkins has told me all about you.’

‘She has?’ Ernie was surprised Ruby would talk about him when she was out with Ben Stone.

‘She spoke very highly of you.’

‘She did?’

‘Are you waiting for her to finish?’

‘No. No. Not really.’ This man had taken the wind out of Ernie’s sails; he didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t walk away now.

‘Look, why don’t you come up to the office? I’m sure Mrs Watson would like to see you.’ Ben took Ernie’s arm and moved him on. ‘I’ve got to hurry, another load to collect. We’re so lucky to be busy at a time like this.’

‘That van looks good.’

‘We’re very proud of it.’ He pushed open the office door.

‘Look who I found outside.’

‘Ernest!’ said Mrs Watson, jumping up. ‘How lovely to see you. Ruby told me you were staying at her place. Have a seat. Are you waiting for Ruby?’

He was trapped. ‘Yes.’

Mrs Watson brought him a cup of tea and they sat and chatted about Scotland.

When Ben left she said, ‘That poor boy is going to work himself to death.’

‘Where’s his brother?’

‘He’s out drumming up work. I reckon we may have to move to bigger premises if this carries on.’

‘With everybody out of work I would have thought it would be hard for you to get new orders.’

‘No. Frank has managed to get in with some of the big hotels over the water and they’re pleased with our services and prices. What about you? Ruby said you might be joining the Navy.’

‘I was thinking about it. There ain’t a lot of work round here.’

‘You found work in Scotland then?’

‘Only with me uncle.’

‘What did you do?’

‘Help around the place. I used to drive his car.’

‘He had a car?’

‘Yes. I enjoyed that.’

‘So what made you leave then?’

Ernie looked in his empty cup. ‘Ruby. I wanted to see Ruby. I knew she wouldn’t come up to Scotland. She wouldn’t leave her family, so I thought I’d come to her.’

‘But she said you were moving on.’

‘I’ve got nothing to offer her.’ He stood up. ‘I must go. I mustn’t let her see I’m still around.’

‘Just a moment. You said you could drive?’

‘Yes. Why?’

‘I know Ben is looking for a driver. He’s only been able to find men who drove in the war and are used to driving lorries over muddy fields. But you’ve driven a car.’

Ernie sat down.

‘Look, come back tomorrow. I’m sure we can help you, and you will be helping us.’

Ernie couldn’t move. He sat and stared at Mrs Watson.

‘Is anything wrong?’

‘No. Do you really mean that? Does he really want a driver?’

‘Yes.’ She looked up at the clock. ‘Ruby will be out shortly, why don’t you wait outside for her?’

‘Can I tell her?’

‘I don’t see why not.’

‘What if Ben Stone says no?’

Mrs Watson smiled. ‘He won’t.’

‘But what about his brother?’

‘Be off with you, go and tell Ruby the good news.’

Ernie couldn’t believe his luck. He stood watching the women go past.

‘Why, if it ain’t Ernie Wallis,’ said Florrie, coming up to him. ‘Waiting for our Ruby? She’s really come up in the world. I think old Watson’s got a soft spot for her. So you wonner watch it, she could put your nose out of joint.’

He laughed. ‘Florrie, Mrs Watson knows pleasant people when she sees them.’

‘Hark at him,’ shouted Florrie. ‘You saying I ain’t pleasant to everybody? You wonner ask me boyfriends, they reckon I can be very pleasant, and I’m good at it. You wonner try me out sometime.’ She came up close to him. ‘I bet I could bring more than a smile to your face.’

‘Save it for your friends. Hello, Ruby.’

Ruby had been standing back watching him talk to Florrie.

‘What you doing here?’

He took her arm. ‘I’ve got something to tell you.’

‘But I thought—’

‘Let’s get away from this lot.’

Ruby was rushed along.

They were well away from the laundry when Ernie stopped and kissed her full on the mouth.

‘What was that for?’ she asked breathlessly.

‘Ruby Jenkins, will you marry me?’

Ruby stood staring at him. ‘But last night . . . What’s happened to make you stay?’

‘I didn’t want to go, so I thought I’d sneak a last look at you. Ben Stone saw me and took me up to the office and Mrs Watson has offered me a job.’

‘What?’

‘I’ve got to come here tomorrow.’

‘But they only take on women.’

‘Not for my job,’ he said proudly.

‘Where will you be—?’

‘I’m going to drive the van.’

‘You can’t drive.’

‘Yes I can. I used to drive me uncle’s car.’

‘You didn’t tell me.’

‘Didn’t see any reason to. So, Ruby Jenkins, will you change your name to Wallis?’

Ruby laughed through her tears. ‘Yes, please.’

He wound his arms round her and kissed her again.

Suddenly. Ruby became practical. ‘Danny. What about Danny?’

‘I like him. I reckon we’ll all be happy together, don’t you?’

She nodded enthusiastically. ‘We don’t have to worry about where to live. We can be upstairs.’ She clung to his arm. ‘Come on, let’s get home and tell everybody. I’m so happy.’

He stopped and stood in front of her. ‘There is something I must say.’

‘What is it?’

‘That door upstairs will have to be repaired. There’s a terrible draught through that hole.’

She laughed. ‘I’ll have a word with the person who did it.’

 

Everyone was overjoyed at their announcement. Milly was crying.

Tom held her close. ‘I want you to be as happy as me,’ he whispered.

‘I will be.’

That evening they went with her father to the Royal Albert. Len Thompson was so pleased at the news. ‘We must have the wedding reception here. It will be my gift to you.’

After they wandered back home, Tom went to bed and Ruby busied herself putting Danny down.

Ernie held his hand. ‘He is a lovely little feller.’

‘You don’t mind him being around?’

‘Course not. With everybody helping, I reckon he’s gonner end up having a great life.’

Ernie left Ruby to settle Danny. He was outside when Ruby came back down into the kitchen; she sat at the table quietly touching her locket. She couldn’t believe all that had happened in just a few days.

Ernie came in and put his arm round her.

‘Penny for them.’

‘I was just thinking how everything has worked out for us.’

‘We’ve had a lot of ups and downs to get here.’

‘Ernie, Mrs Watson did mean it, didn’t she?’

‘Has she ever given you false hopes?’

‘No.’

‘She’s not like that, and I think she has a lot more to do with that business than she lets on.’

‘Could be.’

‘Now, with my first week’s wages I want to buy you something special. Can I buy you an engagement ring?’

‘No, that’s too expensive. We’ll wait till you’re settled in the job.’

‘Please let me get you something. Is there anything you’d really like?’

‘You mustn’t go wasting your money on me.’

‘Why not?’

‘Don’t know.’

‘So what’s it to be?’

Ruby dived a hand down the front of her dress. ‘My dad bought this for me at Christmas but we’ve never been able to afford a chain. Could I please have a chain for it?’

Ernie held the locket in his hand. ‘It’s very pretty. But it don’t look right on that thread. That’s the first thing we’ll go and buy.’

‘Thank you. It opens.’

‘Have you got a picture in it?’

‘No. I would have liked one of me mum, but she never had her picture took.’

‘You’ll be able to put a picture of our wedding in there.’

‘I really love you, Ernie Wallis.’

‘And I love you. You are my rare Ruby. My jewel.’

He took her in his arms and kissed her.

Ruby could feel tears running down her cheeks again, but this time they were tears of happiness.