‘We could bring the kitchen downstairs and you can brew up down here. Somewhere for your friends to stay for a knit and chat, and the office can go upstairs. We can make a storeroom and repair workshop for Fred.’
Beatty picked up her knitting again and cast on a stitch. ‘I can’t charge friends for a cup of tea,’ she said.
‘Encourage them to bring a twist of tea so our rations don’t run dry, and maybe you can sell some of the things you all make. Raise money for the troops. Set up a group. Someone might be a bit lonely and like the idea of sitting in the company of others,’ Ruby said.
Fred laughed. ‘Do you really want to alter this place around?’
Beatty’s needles clacked in the background, then she laid the project down again. ‘It would be useful, having the kitchen down here. And Ruby’s right – I see women wandering around in a daze every day. Some are in temporary lodgings. A place where they can drop in, chat and be of use, doing something for our troops – yes, I think it’s a grand idea, duck.’
Fred struggled from his chair. Ruby had a sneaking feeling he was trying to prove a point. ‘Not sure how much I can do nowadays. Garden’s enough for these knees and this back, but I’ll have a go.’
Ruby put her hands on his shoulders and gave a gentle press downwards. ‘Sit down. I’ll get someone to do it for us. One of the customers is bound to have a family member in the trade. I’ve earned enough to pay and, besides, it’s lovely having you around, Beatty. You’re good for business. I’ll share the chores at home and free you up to work here on a more regular basis.’
‘I scare them off, I suppose. I’m happy – it will mean I’ll be free to do the repairs in peace,’ said Fred, teasing.
By the end of the day plans were scribbled down and a builder promised for evening work, after his main task of restoring private properties for bomb victims.
As she climbed into bed Ruby’s thoughts and dreams drifted into happier times.
CHAPTER 18
3rd September 1941
The summer flew by and soon the days settled into cooler and darker evenings. The war entered its third year, and people spoke of nothing else. Precious sleep continued to be disturbed by nightly sirens, and Coventarians wanted revenge. News of war took over their lives, and no one dared predict the end for fear of disappointment.
For Ruby and her new family, life still continued along an even path as they strengthened their emotional links into something more solid in order to cope. Financially they were stable.
Thankful for a hardworking builder, Ruby stood back and admired the pretty room she and Beatty had finished creating that morning. The ugliness of outside could not touch the delicate pastels inside Ruby and Beatty’s Meeting Place. Fred had created the wooden sign now hanging on a hook beside the door of the newly decorated room. Both women clapped as soon as he showed them. Eager to involve Beatty in the project, Ruby had agreed to Beatty’s favourite colours, green and pink, and the calm shades gave a feminine feel to the room. As she’d told Fred, men were welcome, but Ruby knew the visitors would predominantly be women.
Tommy arrived to inspect the finished work, and whistled his approval. As he strolled around the room, looking very much out of place, Ruby smiled inwardly. He copied his uncle in most things. Having met Earl, Ruby understood the influence he’d have over a boy of Tommy’s age. It still irked her that he kept his nephew looking on the shabby side. Probably a lesson for Tommy’s mother, who Ruby desperately wanted to meet.
‘Tommy, bring your mum for a treat with Beatty and me one afternoon. We’d love to meet her.’
Tommy picked a petal from a rose in one of the four vases on each table in the room.
‘She’s busy,’ he said.
‘Always? Surely she must have a few hours to spend with you, Tommy.’
‘Nah,’ he said and moved out of the room into the shop.
Ruby followed. ‘Well, mention it, at least,’ she said, no longer willing to force the subject on a disinterested child.
‘Yeah, but don’t think she’ll bovva. Here. I’ve got somethin’ from me auntie,’ he replied, and held out his hand.
A shiver of impatience ran through Ruby, but she held back from saying anything and took the small box from his hand. ‘That’s lovely. Oh, it’s a tiny painting.’
Ruby beckoned Beatty as she walked into the shop, laden with a basket of her freshly baked pies, and wrinkled her nose with approval. ‘They smell good. Tommy can have one for lunch. Look at what his aunt has sent today.’ Ruby held out the box.
‘Was your aunt a lady or someone rich, Tommy? She has perfect things, and they look expensive,’ Beatty asked him as she guided him to a seat before handing him a pie. ‘Sit there and don’t make a mess.’
Tommy’s mouth was full before he could reply to her question, and Ruby got the impression he had no intention of answering. The question was a valid one. Beatty was right; his aunt’s things were nice. It crossed Ruby’s mind that Earl and his wife might have seen better days, and the war had brought them harder times, hence the selling of their goods. When they’d first met, Tommy had mentioned rent and a landlord. Maybe they’d fallen from grace and sold a grand house.
As her imagination ran away with her, women ventured into the shop and she sat back, allowing Beatty to usher them into the new meeting room. Gasps of pleasure and excitement rewarded both of them, and Ruby gave herself a virtual pat on the back. Everything was falling into place. A good place.
She watched Tommy pick at the last of his pie and lick his lips; the boy had very little in life, and he appreciated every crumb. Now was the time to help him with something else.
‘Tommy, a lady came by with some of her son’s outgrown clothes and asked if I knew a lad they might fit. Do you think your mum would be offended if I gave them to you? They look your size and you’ve grown so fast these past few weeks, I’m sure she’d be grateful but, not having met her, I can’t be certain.’
She didn’t tell him she’d been holding back on items each time they were brought in and put them to one side, waiting for his next visit.
‘Don’t think she’d care eiver way. Me auntie’ll be pleased, always moaning I cost a lot. I’m off. Me uncle wants ’is money and I ain’t to dawdle.’
‘Your uncle? I thought he’d returned to his unit?’ Ruby questioned Tommy and watched the boy’s face flush a dark shade of red.
‘I meant me auntie. It’s all the same, ain’t it?’
Tommy’s response was hostile and defensive. Ruby chose not to say anything.
‘Mind how you go, Tommy. See you again soon. Hope the clothes fit.’
The last sentence was said with feeling. Tommy’s clothes were not fit for purpose and she longed to see him in fresh ones.
Tommy’s voice rang out about an hour later and disturbed the peace Ruby enjoyed inside her office.
‘Get off me! Oi.’
Beatty’s voice now joined in with Tommy’s. ‘What is going on here? Leave the boy be, let him go! I’m closing up – go, shoo.’
‘Ouch!’
Ruby tried to ignore the clumping sound, and returned to her books.