Sitting on the floor and pulling her legs into a more comfortable position, Ruby stared up at him. In such a short time they’d formed an incredible bond, and now he’d reminded her of their age difference – of what life could do to them at any point. To be parted from him would be as painful as losing her own flesh and blood. No words could cover over the truth in what he said, so she sat in silence.
They allowed the silence to wash over them until Fred found the strength to stand up and stretch his legs. ‘We needed this evening. It helped,’ he said and left the room.
Reminded of his words about grabbing life and of how the war destroyed happiness, Ruby curled into a ball and as she thought of her future it reduced her to tears – the tears of a child moving into a woman’s world. A world with an unknown outcome. A time in her life when nothing made sense, and fear rode over hope, and hope over fear. She had a knot of anger where only a short while ago there had been calm and a sense of well-being. The war had tainted her world yet again, and Ruby struggled to see how she could ever move on with her life – how to find love without the pain.
CHAPTER 12
7th April 1941
Ruby stared out of the window. An overcast grey sky slowly gave way to a few rays of weak sunshine, then quashed them as fast as they arrived. A shower fell and cleared up in minutes. Spring struggled to show itself, but the garden had burst into life and Fred worked tirelessly to grow food.
Picking up her bag and a thick cardigan, Ruby went in search of Fred. He was never far from the garden or the cat and her kittens. The kittens had been born during a spring storm and Fred sat with Tabs the whole night. From that day, Tabs followed him much like a dog would its owner, and now the two kittens tagged along. It was a comical sight.
‘Fred, I’m off. Are you coming down to the shop with lunch or shall I take something with me?’ she called out, but got no response. Then she heard Fred talking to someone in the shed. Puzzled, she pushed open the door.
‘And this one is called Patch. See, it’s got a black patch behind its ear –’
‘Oh, hello. I wondered who Fred was talking to,’ Ruby said, and smiled over at Tommy, stroking the white kitten with a black blotch on its back.
‘I found him loitering outside at the end of the jetty.’
‘Eh, jetty? We ain’t near the seaside. I was down there,’ Tommy said, and pointed down the side of the house. ‘Down the alleyway. It was a bit nippy.’
Ruby frowned at him. ‘What do you mean about being near the seaside? A strange thing to say.’
‘Jetty – ’e got ’is words in a muddle. ’e meant alley, that bit there.’ Tommy pointed to the side walk way.
‘You make me laugh. That’s its name – the jetty. It’s an alley where you come from and a jetty here,’ Ruby said.
‘And you mek me laff. Laff. Why don’t you say larf and make?’
Fred laughed so loud the kittens scampered off. ‘Listen to the pair of you. The war of the accents.’
‘Yours is funny,’ Tommy said indignantly.
‘We’ll beg to differ. I take it you’ve come to tell me your aunt is unhappy with her money for the bracelet.’
Tommy jumped to his feet and held out his hand to the struggling Fred. They looked a comical pair, but it touched Ruby to see the boy had manners and was thoughtful.
‘Nah. She’s given me summat else to sell. Said you was genrus.’
‘That London accent is something else, boy. Slow down and I’ll understand you by the end of the day,’ Fred said, and ruffled Tommy’s hair.
‘I’ve just realised. What are you doing here, Tommy? How do you know where I live?’ Ruby asked.
‘Saw you in town the ovva day, and followed you. Don’t know why. Just did. I was bored out me brains.’
‘You should have shouted. We could have had a chat. Why are you so bored?’
‘Auntie kicks me out when Mum goes queuin’.’
‘Walk with me. I’m heading off to the shop. You can tell me about your life in London,’ Ruby said and lifted the kitten from his lap. ‘Let this one feed from his mummy now.’
She smiled at Fred over Tommy’s head. ‘Bring lunch around twelvish, please, Fred? Put extra in; we’ve got a guest. Carry this bag for me, please, Tommy?’
‘Yeah. Put summat for me in the lunch bag, Fred. I might be ’angin’ around if she gets me started on a job.’
Ruby laughed. ‘You are the guest, Tommy, but you’re also right about earning your lunch. Come on, no dawdling.’
By the time they reached the shop Ruby had learned the difference between a batch and a bread roll. Bread rolls were proper rolls, eaten in London – Tommy would not accept the word batch for one – and Ruby couldn’t understand how people in London ate eels in jelly. She’d learned most Londoners lived next to the King of England, and had trains running underground. For a young child, Tommy had a wealth of knowledge and used all the air in his lungs to get it across. Ruby didn’t have an opportunity to speak until they’d unlocked the shop’s front door.
‘Before we get busy, show me what you have to sell today.’
From his pocket, Tommy pulled out a tatty scrap of cloth and opened it to show off a pretty brooch. It was inset with pale blue stones and was shaped like a silver bird.
‘This is beautiful,’ Ruby gasped.
‘Me auntie says it’s gotta go. So whatcha gonna give me?’
‘I’ll give you another two pounds. It’s worth more, I’m sure, but I’d have to get it checked over. Maybe, if your aunt –’
‘Nah, I’ll take it – the two pounds, I mean.’
‘I’ll add another to that if you’ll stay and tidy a shelf or two, and sweep the floor for me. It will help Fred out too. And tomorrow I’ll take you to the Memorial Park and you can help me turn over soil and plant veggies. I volunteer on a community project up there – on the allotments. It’ll keep you out of your auntie’s hair and earn you a coin or two. What do you say?’
Tommy shrugged and turned his head to one side, giving her idea some thought. ‘I ain’t comin’ if it’s rainin’,’ he said.
‘I ain’t goin’ if it’s rainin’,’ Ruby said, mimicking Tommy’s accent.
‘Oi, you ain’t takin’ the mick, are you?’
Ruby laughed. ‘I wouldn’t dare, Tommy. I wouldn’t dare. Can you reach the Open sign?’
‘’Course I can. I ain’t no shorty. Me legs are longer than me mates’ – the ones in London. I ain’t got any ’ere.’
‘What – legs or mates?’ Ruby teased.
‘Now you’re bein’ silly,’ Tommy said. He turned the sign and opened the door to a woman waiting outside. ‘Mornin’, missus.’
The woman stared at him walking back to Ruby and glanced up to Ruby with an amused look on her face. ‘New member of staff, Ruby?’
‘Hello, Mrs Price. Yes, this is my helper for the day, Tommy. He usually lives next door to the King, in London, but he’s staying with his auntie here in Coventry. Fred will be by later. He’s fixed your watch.’