Ruby peered out into the street and stepped out. ‘It must be. Coast clear,’ she said. The others stepped out and she locked the door behind them. ‘Tommy’s not been around for weeks. Gone back to London, I expect. Let’s get home before Earl comes back. I can’t be doing with him hanging around, today of all days.’
Back at home, Ruby thought more about the plans she’d scribbled down that morning. With Helen in Yorkshire, she no longer had a contact for news about Eagle Street, and set her mind to finding out from the council office. As it was Saturday, she was frustrated there was another day and a half to get through before she could ask her questions.
‘And that’s where my family died. I appreciate the house couldn’t be built back to front, with the crater at the top end of the garden, but if I could purchase it from the landlord, I –’ Ruby inhaled after telling the fierce-looking council officer in front of her the reason why she was so interested in a bombed plot in Eagle Street.
‘Miss Shadwell, how old are you?’ The council officer who’d sat chewing the corner of his moustache during her speech eventually asked the damning question.
‘Seventeen and a half, but I –’
‘But you are – too young. I’m sorry, any purchase you make would have to be in another’s name, and the deeds would be registered to them,’ the man said in a tone which suggested she was wasting his valuable time.
‘So, it could be done? You know the landlord, and could approach him on my behalf? I own Garden Cottage in Spon Street, and would swap it with Eagle Street if he preferred. I’ll ask the bank manager to prove I’ve money to purchase the land, if not.’ Ruby spoke with great enthusiasm after hearing words of hope.
‘Swapping houses is not how things are done, Miss Shadwell.’ The officer’s patronising tone annoyed Ruby, but she kept quiet as he continued talking. ‘Owning a property at your age is unusual, but it does mean someone already supports your interests. I’ll look into your request, and maybe your guardian will attend the next meeting with you, should there be a positive response from the landlord. Happy with that? I’ll write to you of the outcome.’ The man lifted a pile of paperwork and patted it, edge down on the table, clearly indicating their meeting was over. Ruby rose to her feet and held out her hand, but not before wiping it down her dress. Her nerves had made her palms sweat and she wanted to make the right impression.
‘Thank you. I appreciate your help, and for understanding my reason for wanting to do this. I’m young, but know that I want to remain in Coventry.’
The man shook her hand and gave her his first smile of their meeting. ‘I do understand, and it is an admirable reason. As I say, I’ll do my best.’
‘Thank you. That’s all I ask,’ Ruby said and left the meeting under a cloud. Age. Age prevented her from acting alone once again. Beatty and Fred would support her decisions, but she’d never be able to surprise them with anything until she was twenty-one. A birthday which seemed like a lifetime away. Although the war had brought her more freedom than she’d ever experienced, she still needed her independence.
CHAPTER 27
7th December 1941
A letter from Helen landed on the doormat – Ruby recognised her handwriting. A second letter bore the postmark, Military Post, 10th November 1941. It was addressed to Miss R Shadwell and family, Garden Cottage, Spon Street, Coventry.
She ripped open the envelope, pulled out its contents and snatched up a slice of the cold toast sitting on her plate and took a bite. Chewing slowly, she opened the single sheet of paper and admired the neat handwriting.
Dear All,
Forgive the short note, but things are moving fast around here, and I am sitting on a truck waiting to move out to pastures new.
I would like to thank you for your friendship, and want you to know my mother appreciated her son’s welcome to your city. If ever you are in Toronto, she said you are to drop by. I warn you, Toronto is a large place to try and drop by without an address. Maybe, when the war is over, you could come and walk in Allan Gardens. Please, all of you, make the trip over and see the beauty of my country. I travelled up to Scotland and, in some small way, it reminded me of home, with the pine trees and lakes. Toronto has large buildings, rightly named skyscrapers, too big for the pretty villages I’ve seen in England. I digress. I recently had a bumpy ride into a country I cannot name for security purposes, and Ruby, I saw more wallpapered walls, and remembered your words. I took time to find out more about the occupants where I could. It’s a sad, cruel war.
Our driver has arrived, and I’m afraid the potholed road will not allow me to write with a steady hand. If I get the opportunity, I will write again. Should you wish to write to me, please send letters to the address below, and they will forward them on.
Stay safe in Coventry,
My regards
Jean-Paul Clayton
C/O
Canadian Army Film and Photo Unit
Canadian Military Headquarters,
2, Cockspur Street,
SW1
London, England.
Ruby stared at the letter for a few moments, hunched over, and imagined John huddled in a corner and thinking of them – her. Ruby liked to think the reference to the gardens was for her alone.
Next, she tore open Helen’s letter.
Dear Ruby,
All is not well with my sister, but at least I am here to keep watch over her. We walk each day but it is all she does. Her mind wanders and she thinks I’m a friend of a friend. The death of Bill has taken her mind. I will never return to Coventry. She needs me for everything, and I can’t see it changing any time soon.
I hope all is well with you; write and tell me your news.
Take care of yourself.
With fond affection,
Helen
Poor Helen.
Ruby thought about her friends as she put pen to paper, undecided as to whom she wrote first.
Garden Cottage,
Coventry
Dearest Helen,
How lovely to hear from you, but I am sorry to read your sad news about your sister. Please take care of yourself.
The shop is thriving, and the community room is heaving every day. We’ve sent a hundred pairs of knitted socks to soldiers, and raised the amazing sum of twenty pounds for local causes by selling handmade items.
I’ve given a bit of thought to John, the Canadian. I’ve met with him a few times and please don’t think me foolish, but I quite like him. He’s different to others I speak to and treats me as an equal. He’s abroad now, I think, and I have to write to their headquarters in London, and they will pass the letters onto him.
Please take care of yourself, and write back when you have news.
Fondest wishes,
Ruby
Taking a deep breath, Ruby set about composing her second letter, and the increase in her heart rate surprised her. Writing a letter to John brought about the same excitement as sitting in his company.
Garden Cottage,
Spon Street, Coventry.
Dear John,
Thank you for your letter. Receiving post always makes us feel as if life is returning to some form of normality, and the outside world hasn’t forgotten us. Considering it is only the beginning of December, and we think you wrote this from outside of England, your letter did not take too long to reach us. Beatty and Fred send their regards. My life is busy here, and I’ve not seen Tommy, nor Earl, for many weeks now.