A Rare Ruby (8 page)

‘I ain’t gonner.’ Although Ruby liked Beth, it seemed the rest of the family did even more. Was she deep down getting a little jealous at Beth being so popular - and home all day?

 

On Christmas Eve Ruby had arranged to go with Elsie to the market when they finished work at four. The women were overjoyed at being let off early. It was a cold, dark, miserable, dreary afternoon as they wandered along the streets but when they turned the corner they found the market was alive, busy and exciting. Women were hurrying home, carrying as much produce as their money allowed them to buy. The stallholders had decorated their stalls with sprigs of holly and were shouting about their wares, all trying to make themselves heard above their competitors. The bright light from the naphtha flares swayed in the breeze. The butcher in his striped apron and boater hat stood outside with his boy selling the feathered birds that filled the front of his shop, taking them down with his long hook as he sold them to the highest bidder.

Elsie nodded towards the butcher. ‘Look at the size of some of them turkeys.’

‘They’d feed us for months,’ laughed Ruby.

‘Me dad said he’ll be down later. We’re gonner have a chicken, he’ll be almost giving ’em away be then. Are you having a chicken?’

‘No, me mum’s got a bit of pork.’

‘That’ll be nice.’

Ruby would have liked chicken, but that was a luxury and her mother’s money wouldn’t stretch to that. She knew that whatever they had it would have to be the cheapest cut with Mr Cox getting the best bit. Why didn’t he get them a chicken? After all, he was willing to share whatever they had. Fortunately, most days he would bring in something for her mother to cook and he’d have that upstairs on his own. Everybody knew he owned the house: he’d inherited it from his father, so the gossips said.

‘Ruby, I was talking to you.’

‘Sorry, I was miles away. What was you saying?’

‘Let’s move on to the haberdashery stall.’

‘Whatever you want.’

‘I love the smell of those spices,’ said Elsie as they passed the grocer’s.

Ruby giggled and rubbed her nose. ‘They make my nose tickle.’ Ruby was so happy she wanted to sing and dance along the street. She’d saved a few shillings and now she was going to spend them. She hadn’t bought Christmas presents for years. Everybody was going to get something, including Milly in the dairy. Although it was cold she was like a child, warm with excitement. She pushed and elbowed her way from stall to stall picking up a handkerchief for Milly, a box of pencils and a writing book for Tom. The penny bone teething ring she bought for Danny had been well chewed by the previous owner. She even bought a pair of second-hand, black lace garters that she noticed Elsie had been admiring.

‘Here, take this,’ she said, thrusting them in her hand.

‘I can’t take these.’

Ruby’s mouth turned down. ‘Why not? I saw you looking at them.’

‘I know. But I was only looking. Oh Ruby, I’m so sorry. I’m so thoughtless. They’re lovely.’

‘I would have liked to wrap them in pretty paper, but I didn’t get time, and I ain’t gonner see you till Boxing Day when we go back to work.’

Elsie threw her arms round Ruby, almost knocking her hat off. ‘You’re such a funny little thing.’

‘I ain’t that little. I’m as big as you.’

‘But not as old or as streetwise.’

‘You ain’t that much older than me.’

‘Ruby, don’t get upset. You’re a lovely person, with a big heart.’

Ruby giggled.

‘I’m so lucky to have found a friend like you at the laundry,’ Elsie went on. ‘Can’t stand some of ’em. Right big mouths, especially that Florrie James. You wonner watch her if you ever get put in the ironing room.’

‘I hope I get out of the washroom one day.’ Ruby pointed to the garters Elsie was holding. ‘They’re for putting in a good word to Mrs Watson for me. Without that I wouldn’t have a job and I certainly wouldn’t have any money.’

Elsie tucked her arm through Ruby’s. ‘What say we go and have a cuppa at the café? My treat.’

‘Why not?’

Ruby and Elsie made their way through the crowds, clutching all their parcels carefully. Her eyes sparkling and her cheeks flushed, Ruby looked at the mistletoe decorating some of the stalls. Her dreams would be complete if Ernie Wallis sauntered along and, after buying a sprig, came up and kissed her. She hadn’t seen him since that night he was going to the pub. Whenever she left work she kept an eye out for him, but he was never around. I wonder if he ever thinks of me? she mused.

 

It was just beginning to get light outside. Ruby lay for a moment or two quietly taking in the silence. The baby was sleeping peacefully and Ruby could just make out Tom’s head buried in the pillow. She smiled. She knew there was a stocking wedged against the end of the mattress, and she couldn’t wait for him to wake and see what was in it. Ruby loved him so much and wished he could have the childhood she’d had. She couldn’t hear her mother pottering about. She would wait a little longer before she got up; she didn’t want to go into a cold kitchen.

Ruby must have dozed off again as she woke with a start when Danny began to cry.

‘Look, Ruby! I’ve got some pencils and a book, and look, there’s some sweets and an orange. This is the best Christmas
ever
.’ Tom had scattered paper over the floor.

‘Merry Christmas, Ruby,’ said Beth. ‘I’m sorry if Danny woke you.’

‘Merry Christmas, Beth. It’s all right, I should have got up ages ago. I must go and help Mum.’

‘I’ve not heard her moving about.’ Beth put Danny over her shoulder and gently patted his back.

‘Did Danny get a stocking?’ asked Tom.

Beth laughed. ‘Not this year, he’s a bit young to appreciate it.’

‘I got him something.’

‘Oh Ruby, that’s so very kind of you.’

‘It’s a teething ring. I remember you said he’ll be needing one soon.’

Beth put her free arm round Ruby. ‘Thank you.’ She kissed Ruby’s cheek, then looked at her son. ‘You’re a very lucky little boy to have someone like Ruby to spoil you.’

Ruby quickly got dressed and went into the kitchen. It was cold. The fire hadn’t been lit. Ruby stood and looked around. Everything was just as they had left it last night. She hurried through the washhouse and into the yard. She pushed open the closet door. It was empty. ‘Mum,’ she called softly. She rushed back through the washhouse and kitchen and gently knocked on her mother’s bedroom door. ‘Mum,’ she called softly again.

Beth came out of their bedroom. ‘What is it, Ruby? You look worried.’

‘It’s Mum. She ain’t up yet,’ Ruby whispered.

‘She works very hard - perhaps she feels like sleeping in a bit longer. After all, she’s got all day with no washing or ironing hanging about.’

‘She’s never slept in before.’

‘Well, she won’t be for much longer, not with all the chatter that’s going on out here. Let’s give her a nice surprise. We’ll get the fire going, then you can take her a nice cuppa. That’ll be as good as a present for her.’

Ruby smiled. ‘Come on then. I hope I haven’t woken her up.’

It didn’t take long for the fire to take hold, and although Ruby was worried about her mother, soon she and Beth were laughing and singing, ‘Away in a Manger’. Looking at Beth, Ruby realised she
was
happy to have Beth around; her stirrings of jealousy seemed to have subsided.

Tom walked in clutching his stocking. ‘Where’s Mum?’

‘Still in bed. Here, come here and hold this toasting fork. I’m doing a piece of toast for Mum and Dad. Beth is setting out a tray. It’s a sort of present.’

‘Don’t think much of that for a present.’

‘It will be for Mum, so don’t burn the toast.’

‘Would be nice if we had a few flowers,’ said Beth, neatly arranging the cups.

‘We could put a bit of that greenery I picked up at the market on the tray,’ said Ruby, going to the mantelpiece and breaking off a sprig from the evergreen that was stuck behind the mirror.

‘That’ll give it the finishing touch,’ said Beth.

When they were ready Ruby gently knocked on her mother’s bedroom door. ‘I’m coming in.’ She pushed open the door.

‘Hello, love,’ said her father. ‘Your mum’s still asleep.’

This was so unlike her mother. Was she ill? Fear gripped Ruby’s heart. ‘Is she all right?’

‘Think so. She ain’t said much.’

Ruby put the tray down and sat next to her mother. To her great relief she could see she was breathing. It was very slow and even. ‘Mum. Mum! Are you all right?’

Mary Jenkins opened her eyes. ‘Ruby!’

‘I was worried about you. You looked so peaceful, hardly breathing.’

‘I’m fine. Now, what time is it?’

‘It doesn’t matter.’

‘Course it does. I’ve got to get up.’

‘Mum, are you sure you’re all right?’

Her mother appeared disorientated as she sat up. ‘Yes, yes. Of course. I must do the fire.’

‘It’s done. Here, look, I’ve brought you and Dad breakfast in bed.’

‘Oh Ruby. Thomas, look. Look at the way Ruby’s done the tray. It looks so very pretty.’

He too sat up.

Ruby could see the tears well up in her mother’s eyes.

‘Beth helped,’ she said, not wanting to take all the credit.

‘I ain’t had breakfast in bed since young Tom was born. You and Beth are such good girls. I feel as if I’ve two daughters and a grandson, don’t you, Thomas?’

‘I should say so. We’ve got a lovely family.’

Ruby felt as if her heart was going to burst with love. ‘You don’t have to get up till you’re ready. Can Tom come in and show you his presents?’

‘Course,’ said her mother, whose mouth was full of toast.

‘Sit up properly, Thomas, and I’ll pass you your tea.’

Her father gave Ruby one of his grins. ‘Thanks, love.’

‘Is everything all right?’ asked Beth as soon as Ruby walked back into the kitchen.

‘Yes, she just overslept, that’s all.’

‘See, I told you.’

‘Tom, take your presents in to show Mum.’

‘Ain’t she gonner get up then?’

‘Yes, later on.’ Ruby couldn’t help wondering about her mother. Although she appeared to be her normal self, why wasn’t she up and jumping about as she always did?

‘If you like I’ll do the potatoes,’ said Beth, bringing Ruby back.

‘Thanks. That’ll be good. I can do the sprouts.’

It was a good hour later when Mary Jenkins walked into the kitchen. ‘My, you have been busy,’ she said, looking round the room.

‘It’s a sort of Christmas present,’ said Beth.

‘Thank you.’ She kissed Beth’s hair.

‘Are you feeling all right?’ asked Ruby.

‘Course. Now, what’s to be done?’

‘The pork’s in and the veg’s done. I’ve put the Christmas pudding in that saucepan.’ Beth pointed to the back of the stove.

‘So it’s just the stuffing then.’

‘Looks like it,’ said Beth. ‘Now, when we’ve finished dinner, I’ve got a little treat.’

‘What is it?’ asked Ruby.

Beth touched the side of her nose. ‘Just be patient.’

 

The smell of the pork roasting had filled the house all morning. The dinner was lovely; even the sound of Mr Cox, who had come down to join them, sucking on his crackling hadn’t upset Ruby. Now, as they finished off the last of the dinner, the Christmas pudding was brought in.

‘It would have been nice to have some flames around it,’ said Mr Cox.

‘Ain’t got money to waste on brandy. I’m just pleased I’ve been able to make a pudding,’ said Mary Jenkins.

They all put on the paper hats Ruby had made out of newspaper. Tom yelled with excitement when he found the silver thrupenny bit in the pudding. Beth went over to the pram and with a great flourish pulled a bottle of port from under the covers.

‘Where did that come from?’ asked Mary Jenkins.

‘It came with the compliments of the season from Mr Thompson.’

‘From the pub?’ Mr Cox was sitting next to Ruby. ‘He ain’t known for his generosity.’

Beth smiled as she poured them all a small drop of port into cups. ‘It’s because I’m good at me job, and don’t mind doing the odd extra bit when he asks me.’

‘Ain’t seen nothing of this husband of yours yet. Does he mind you working at the pub?’

‘It won’t be for ever, I’m just helping out.’

‘So how long you stopping with your aunt then?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘You must get very lonely without a man to keep you warm at nights. I expect your husband misses a pretty little thing like you.’

‘I hope he does.’

‘Still, you know what they say about sailors.’

‘Yes, I do. Ruby, pass me your cup.’

‘I don’t think Ruby should have any,’ said her mother.

‘Oh go on, it is Christmas. Don’t worry, I’ll not give her that much.’

The laughter and noise got louder as the level in the bottle got lower. Beth began singing; Mr Cox had a flushed face; and her father, after a couple of cups of port, had Christmas pudding all down himself as he tried to find his mouth. Only Mary Jenkins was quiet.

‘Your mum says you’re at work now then.’ Mr Cox put his face close to Ruby’s; he had been at the pub in the morning and his breath smelt of beer. His hand was under the table, and he began groping her knee. ‘You’re getting to be quite a grown-up young lady. And a very pretty one, I might add. I expect we’ll soon have all the boys knocking for your attention.’

Ruby quickly gave him a look. ‘I don’t think so. Mum, shall I start clearing the table?’

‘No, leave it for a bit, love.’

Ruby could feel Mr Cox’s hot hand slowly moving up her leg. She wanted to slap his hand but knew she couldn’t do anything to upset him, as they only lived there because he let them and they could all finish up in the street, or the workhouse, if he turned them out.