‘I ain’t a sack o’ coal.’ Tommy’s voice lifted several decibels higher.
‘Kindly leave, both of you. I’m shutting shop. Out!’ Beatty shouted, and Ruby could no longer ignore the chaos beneath her room.
With a sigh, she laid down her pen and went to investigate. When she stepped into the shop all heads turned to face her. Beatty, Tommy – who sat on his backside on the floor – and John. Her heart skipped a beat, as always whenever she saw him. She prayed the warmth rushing throughout her body didn’t force forward a blush. She turned her attention back to Tommy and Beatty.
‘What on earth is going on? I’m working, and the noise from here isn’t good for business. Beatty, I’ll deal with Tommy. You head home. I’ll see you later,’ she said, then turned to John. ‘Hello again.’
John stood over Tommy. ‘Hello, Ruby.’
‘I’m happy to stay,’ Beatty said, her head moving from one to the other.
‘Hello again, Beatty,’ John said, and Ruby watched him as he charmed Beatty with one of his heart-winning smiles.
‘I’ll leave you to it. See you later, Ruby,’ Beatty said and waved to them before leaving the shop. Ruby waited until she heard the door click shut before she turned and looked down at Tommy.
‘Tommy, what are you doing on my floor?’ she asked and flicked her fingers upwards as instruction for him to stand. She then turned her attention to John. ‘I assume you are the cause of him shouting out in pain?’
Tommy jumped to his feet and spoke before the man had an opportunity to say a word. ‘’e clipped me ear. I didn’t steal a fing. I didn’t!’ he said and ran to Ruby’s side. To her surprise, he grabbed her hand.
‘I saw you. A quick dip of your hand and the woman’s basket was lighter by four sausages.’ John wagged his finger at Tommy as he spoke.
‘It was me auntie. She told me to run to ’ome to me uncle wiv ’em,’ Tommy protested.
Ruby moved her head to John and raised an eyebrow, waiting for his response.
‘So why did you drop them when I shouted?’ John said and slapped a package onto the counter, in which Ruby assumed were the sausages.
Turning back to Tommy, Ruby tilted her head in question. He looked to the floor then lifted his head and stood back upright, with his chest puffed out. ‘’Cos you give me a scare, that’s why. I’m only a kid. Pick on someone your own size, mate.’
Ruby tried not to laugh at his attempt to scare a member of the armed forces.
John turned to Ruby. ‘I’m not sure of what is going on here, but Tommy could do with a fresh set of clothes, and a better lie to tell next time he’s bringing home supper, or he’ll find himself in deep trouble with the law. As for being your son, you could have told me. I’m surprised, I will admit. I’ll walk away, Ruby. Take care and thank you for befriending me when I needed it most.’ John’s voice was clipped and far from friendly.
Before Ruby could put John right about her relationship to Tommy, he was gone. She stood open-mouthed in amazement and stared after him in disbelief.
‘What might I ask just happened there, Tommy Jenkins? And don’t even think of lying. And why on earth did he think you were my son?’
‘I didn’t nick a fing. I ain’t no tealeaf.’
‘I see. So gaining four sausages for nothing from a woman’s basket without her noticing is legal trading nowadays, eh?’
Puffing out his chest again, Tommy glared at her. ‘You weren’t there.’
‘But your auntie was. I take it she didn’t see John chase after you and try to get her precious goods off you. The ones you were innocently taking home for Uncle. I’m not stupid, Tommy. Answer me.’
‘I told ’im I lived ’ere. ’e was ’urting me arm and me auntie’s ’ouse is a long way away. I said you wus me mum.’
Ruby threw up her arms in resignation. ‘I give up. Take yourself home and stay out of trouble,’ she said and walked to the door.
‘What about the sausages?’ Tommy asked.
‘They will be cooked, sliced and shared out in the community room tomorrow. And you need to stay away from trouble.’
Tommy’s hand reached out for the packet. ‘But I –’
Ruby tutted. ‘No but about it, just get yourself home. I need to lock up and head home myself. Try going to school, Tommy Jenkins, and wear some of the clothes I gave you.’
Nudging him out of the door, she looked about for a sign that John was still around, but there was no one in the street. She went over what he’d said and felt a flush of anger rise. Just the thought of her looking old enough to have a child Tommy’s age made her wonder what he thought of her. A loose woman, maybe?
CHAPTER 19
26th September 1941
Trying to avoid getting her toes crushed in the crowd, Ruby stood on tiptoe.
‘Can you see him?’ Beatty said, nudging Ruby in the ribs.
‘Hold on, and stop nudging me – it hurts,’ Ruby said and stretched her neck forward.
‘He’s walking past now. Quick, eyes centre and you’ll see him. Wave your flag.’
Beatty did as Ruby said, and Ruby dodged the stick of the Union Jack flag her friend waved with great enthusiasm.
‘I see him! Yoo-hoo, Mr Churchill!’ Beatty called and Ruby burst out laughing.
‘He can’t hear you, Beatt!’
‘Oh, he can! Mr Prime Minister, over here. Oh, look, he’s waving at me.’
True enough, looking splendid in his top hat and puffing on a cigar, Winston Churchill waved Beatty’s way.
Ruby groaned. ‘We’ll not hear the end of this, Fred,’ she said and turned to her friend on her left, grateful his enthusiasm for flag-flying didn’t reach the level of Beatty’s.
After witnessing the historic visit outside a factory producing aeroplane parts, a noise cut through the applause of the crowd and Ruby froze. She grabbed hold of Fred’s wrist and twisted her head skyward.
‘Planes. Fred, planes. Quick, let’s get out of here. Beatty, hurry.’ Ruby, frantic with fear, tugged at Beatty’s sleeve.
Fred stroked her arm and Beatty rammed her flag into her handbag, grabbing hold of Ruby, who was now shaking with panic.
‘It’s a flyover. A display. Oh, darling girl, it’s fine. It’s all fine. You stay, Fred. I’ll get her home. Look at her, she’s petrified, and no wonder.’
Beatty held onto Ruby and guided her to the end of the street, where it was empty of people.
Ruby stopped walking. ‘I … I … I …’ she sobbed into Beatty’s shoulder.
Beatty patted her back and made soothing noises. ‘It was unexpected. I know. Hush now. They’ve gone. They didn’t think, I’m sure they didn’t think. There, there.’
Able to let go and catch her breath once more, Ruby took a step backwards. As she did so, a figure across the road captured her attention. John lifted his camera and a smidgeon of annoyance reared inside Ruby. Once again, he’d taken a photograph of her at a vulnerable time.
‘I’m sorry, Beatty. The noise of the plane took me by surprise, and now you’ve missed waving goodbye to Mr Churchill. Go back to Fred. I’ll head to the shop and open up.’