‘Listen. Let’s go to mine and speak with Fred. Let him tell me why he’s upset, and we will talk about this place. Maybe someone else might be interested.’
‘It’s only for you, me uncle said.’ Tommy’s voice although calmer, faltered. Ruby could see he struggled not to cry.
‘We’ll talk about it at mine,’ Ruby repeated and held out her hand.
‘Ain’t a baby. ’old your own ’and,’ Tommy said and headed back in the direction they’d come.
A bemused Ruby followed.
Back at Garden Cottage, she called Fred in from the garden.
‘Ruddy weather. No rain for weeks. Hard as nails. Hello again, young Tommy,’ Fred said as he washed his hands.
‘We need a chat, Fred. Tommy here,’ she said and ruffled Tommy’s hair, but was rewarded with a grunt, ‘got a bit upset earlier and said I’ve made you sad.’ Ruby pulled out a chair from under the table. ‘Sit down and tell me why. He also said I only think about myself. And at the start of our time together that was most definitely not true. However, on the way home I was given the silent treatment and had time to think, and I feel Tommy might be right. I’ve been selfish.’ Ruby gave Tommy a smile. He looked to the floor, his mouth downturned.
‘Made me sad?’ Fred said and looked at Tommy.
‘Apparently so,’ Ruby replied.
‘’e ain’t gonna tell you, but I will,’ blurted out Tommy.
Ruby pulled out a chair for him to sit on. She called Beatty from upstairs, where she was changing bed linen, and Ruby sat down herself.
‘We will get this cleared up, once and for all. Beatty, please join us. There is a bit of a to do going on, and I’m in trouble with Tommy,’ she said.
Beatty sat down and looked around at them all. ‘My, there’s some serious faces here today. Right, get on with it. I’m busy.’
‘Tommy told me I only think of myself and I’ve made Fred sad. I want to know why,’ Ruby said and sat back in the chair with her arms folded.
‘I think Tommy is referring to when I said it saddened me that you haven’t reopened the shop.’
Tommy sat bolt upright. ‘You’re sad ’cos you ain’t got nuffin to mend no more. That’s why I bringed round the clock, so you could fix it and be ’appy,’ he said.
Ruby rocked in her chair, thinking. Fred sat with an embarrassed look on his face, and Beatty chased a crumb with her finger across the table.
‘I can see I’ve been the topic of conversation. Your faces say it all. Why hasn’t anyone spoken to me about all of this before? Did you know about the shop in Hill Street?’
Fred’s face reddened. ‘Tommy said something about getting you into a new shop. His uncle could fix it. I said it would never happen. You’d never leave.’
Ruby stared at him and then at Tommy. ‘Tommy, I think you need to go home. Leave the shop keys here, and tell your uncle I’ll bring them round tomorrow. Where does he live – are you all living together or, now your daddy’s home, do you have your own place?’
Tommy jumped down from his chair. ‘Ain’t none of your business. What you want ’em for anyways?’ he asked as he put the keys on the table.
‘I’m going to take Fred and Beatty to have a look. I’ve a lot to think about. Leave us to it and I’ll speak to you tomorrow. In the morning.’
After Tommy left, Ruby spoke with Fred and Beatty. ‘Why didn’t you tell me you were missing the repair side of things? I’m sure we could have found space here for you to work. Beatty, if I’ve been selfish and not helped where I should, I’m sorry.’
Beatty pulled a face and slowly shook her head. ‘You’ve worked as hard as the rest of us around here. Don’t fret over a child having a tantrum. I don’t understand the boy – always hanging around here. I wonder if he’s always wanted a big sister. Oh, listen to me. I’m sorry, duck, I didn’t mean to upset you. Thoughtless.’
‘You haven’t upset me, Beatty. It’s fine. As for Tommy, that child has me worried. He’s latched onto me and I’m concerned his home life isn’t a happy one. What can we do for him?’
Ruby saw Fred smile. ‘What?’ she said.
‘You were worried about not thinking of others, and that’s all you do – fret over other folks. Listen, there’s nothing we can do for the boy; we just have to be around when he’s wanting a chat. He’s like you in a lot of ways.’
Ruby frowned at him. ‘What do you mean, like me?’
‘Thinks of others and likes the company of adults.’
Beatty got to her feet and rested her hands on the edge of the table. ‘Talking about adults. This business with the shop. It’s a bit odd his uncle didn’t come with the boy and explain himself. I understand he’d approve of your business – we all do; I miss having a nosey around and meeting others for a chinwag – but to leave it to a kiddy? Strange, if you ask me. What do you reckon, Fred?’
‘Same,’ said Fred.
‘Man of many words. Ruby, what do you know about the boy’s family … this uncle?’
Ruby shrugged. ‘As much as you two. Tommy seems to want to please him, and me, but is frightened of his auntie. They live with her, and whether this uncle is her husband, I don’t know. I thought I saw his mum this morning, with a man I assumed was his dad, but it appears it was his uncle. I wish I’d introduced myself now.’
‘Are you going to set up a new Shadwell’s?’
‘Come with me. Come and have a look. I got goose bumps when I saw it. It’s big. If you both think I ought to start again with Shadwell’s, then I’ll do it. I told Helen I wanted a factory job, but I know I’d be unhappy. She said I’ve money enough, and I think I should use it to set up something new. I want you to be part of it again – both of you.’
CHAPTER 17
10th July 1941
Unlocking the back door to the shop, Ruby stepped into the silence. Looking around and seeing the shelves stocked, waiting for another day of customers to decide whether to buy or sell, she enjoyed a moment of pride.
Tommy’s face had lit up when she’d refused to hand over the keys and teased him until telling of her plan to reopen the shop. He’d run home to tell his uncle, who’d sent details of when the rent was to be handed to Tommy, and a vague promise to visit when he was on leave again.
Adjusting to Tommy’s strange family ways of working, Ruby chose to stop nagging Tommy for details of his home life. He filled a gap for Ruby, and when she found a boxed game of Ludo and Snakes and Ladders she put it to one side with a promise they’d play a game on a rainy day.
Her new skirt fitted her petite waist, and she wore it with a white blouse. Beatty complimented her eye for style. This gave Ruby an idea for the second room, and Fred created a small cubicle with a curtain for privacy. Second-hand clothes were displayed on the rails now fixed into place around the room. The clothes rationing regulations of June made this room a popular one from the moment they’d opened the doors five days previously. Beatty worked on a pile of repairs in exchange for coins or goods, and Fred worked his magic with mechanical repairs. Between them, they kept an eye on the shop floor when Ruby walked the streets in search of abandoned items. She reinstated her agreement with the rag man, and Ruby knew Tommy’s outburst was the best thing to have happened. She felt useful once more.