‘Meanwhile, he leaves you alone to carry a child while bringing up another one?’
‘Please don’t be angry. I need friends more than ever now. I would have told your mum about the baby, but she seems to have turned against me.’
‘It’s not just you,’ Frank replied, squeezing her hand. ‘I don’t seem to be her favourite son at the moment,’ he laughed harshly. Stella used to tell all three of her boys that they were her favourites; it had been the same for as long as he could remember. ‘I’m worried about your reputation. A woman with one child, who was abandoned by her husband, can be judged harshly enough in some people’s eyes, but an abandoned mother carrying a child could be seen as something different. I’m not one to worry about what people say. Let’s face it, I’m a chap in my early thirties who has never married. We seem to have to fit into people’s ideas of the correct way to live. In my case it’s a wife and children, and in your case, you should be a dignified woman bringing up a child alone.’
Ruby agreed. ‘People can be so judgemental. I put on a hard face, but inside . . . it hurts. I live next to someone who seems like the most bigoted woman in the world, but because she goes to church and lives a saintly life, she makes me look like the devil’s child. I’m worried what people will think when it’s seen I’m carrying a baby.’
Frank put his arm round Ruby. ‘I’ll always be here for you. I’m not sure how good I’ll be with the baby, but I’ll try to be the best uncle I can.’
‘I’m worried for you too, Frank. This could affect your reputation.’
Frank was puzzled. ‘What do you mean? It’s not as if me and you . . .’
‘But people might assume it is yours. We’re always together, and some do consider it strange for a man and a woman to be good friends and nothing more.’
His face turned pale. ‘I’d not considered such a thing. I’m sorry if my friendship has put you in such a position. What a to-do!’ He thought for a moment. ‘Perhaps I should offer to marry you. We’d both be considered respectable then.’
Ruby’s eyes welled up. ‘That’s the kindest offer anyone has ever made to me. As much as I’d be honoured to accept your kind gesture, there is one fly in the ointment – Eddie.’ She smiled at Frank, assuming he was not serious.
Frank pulled a chair close to hers, checking there was no one about to enter the shop. ‘I’m serious. Those who know you are aware Eddie deserted you five years ago. They can see we are close, and if they’re putting two and two together anyway . . . why not let them see a solution to the problem, and assume we are a couple?’
‘You’d do this for me?’ Ruby asked, feeling humble that he was being so thoughtful.
‘It’s for both of us. People would stop whispering about me, and you would not be shunned or made the subject of gossip. If you thought it a good idea, I could move into your house and assume the role of your husband, even though we’d remain unmarried in case Eddie came back.’
‘This could get very confusing,’ Ruby said, shaking her head. ‘I’d hate Eddie to think I’d been unfaithful to him, but your suggestion does make sense. And I do have a spare bedroom . . .’
‘Is there no way you can get word to Eddie? If he knows about your condition, he might even return for good. What man wouldn’t, if he knew he had another child on the way?’
‘A man who is hiding from something – or someone,’ Ruby pointed out. ‘I have no idea where he is. He turned up just once, after five years, and that was out of the blue. It could be another five years before I see him again! However, I can’t manage on my own. I’m sure if he returns he will understand why you’ve moved in and are pretending to be my husband. But we can cross that bridge when we come to it.’
Frank dropped to his knees and took his friend’s hand. ‘Ruby Caselton, will you do me the honour of being my pretend wife, until death do us part?’
Ruby shuddered as a chill ran up her back. ‘At least until Eddie returns,’ she smiled, kissing his cheek. ‘My dearest Frank, whatever would I do without you?’
28th February 1911
‘Why, she’s the spit of her daddy,’ Stella said, leaning over the cradle where baby Pat slept. Only three days old, she was the most contented child imaginable and adored by her family.
Ruby held her breath. Was Stella referring to Eddie or Frank?
‘Frank had the same colour of hair when he was born,’ the doting grandmother beamed.
Ruby let out a silent sigh. Her relationship with Stella had returned to normal on the day they both visited Frank’s parents to announce they were expecting a child, and Frank would be moving in to number thirteen. Stella had thrown herself into preparing for the baby’s arrival, knitting and sewing until the unborn child had the largest layette possible. Meanwhile, Wilf had disappeared into his shed to work on a wooden cradle with intricate engravings of ships and the river. ‘He’s after the child being a lighterman,’ Frank had joshed.
‘I must say, I had a feeling this day would come,’ Stella said with a glint in her eye.
‘She had to pop out some day,’ Ruby laughed from where she lay propped up in her bed. ‘Although there was a time I thought I was carrying a baby elephant.’
‘I meant you two. I spotted my Frank leaving your house late one night around nine months ago. I was looking from my bedroom window at the time. I had hoped there would be something going on between you, although nothing was mentioned, and I began to disapprove of your secrecy. At one point I thought you were just using my son because your husband had left you. Can you forgive me?’
Ruby felt her cheeks start to burn. That was the night Eddie had turned up – just after Frank had left, when they’d first discussed the bookshop. Thank goodness Stella had not continued to watch her house, or she’d have seen Eddie’s arrival minutes later. ‘There’s nothing to forgive – and I hadn’t noticed your disapproval,’ she said, crossing her fingers under the bedcovers to atone for such a blatant lie.
‘Thank you for naming her after my mother. I’d have done the same if one of the boys had been a girl. Instead they all bear the names of my father and his brothers.’
‘Don’t forget her second name is Stella, after you. It’s to thank you for all your help, especially when my Sarah was born. I’d not have coped if you’d not been there.’
‘I did what any friend would do,’ Stella smiled. ‘I am surprised that you didn’t call this little lady by the same name.’
Ruby was horrified. ‘No, I’ll only ever have one daughter called Sarah. She’s as real to me as this little one,’ she said as Pat stirred in her cradle.
‘When I have children, I’ll call the first girl Sarah,’ George said as he climbed onto her bed and snuggled up.
Ruby and Stella laughed at his words. ‘First you have to find a job, and then a girl who is willing to marry you,’ Ruby said as she tickled him until he was in fits of laughter.
‘Someone will soon snap him up,’ Stella smiled. ‘He’s such a handsome little chap. What do you think you will do when you leave school, George?’
‘I’m going to work at Vickers and build things,’ he answered seriously. ‘Mrs Grant said her husband would give me a job.’
Stella gave Ruby a bemused look. ‘Mrs Grant?’
‘It’s a bit of a long story, but in a way, you and Sarah played a part in our meeting the lady.’ Ruby went on to explain their meeting with the woman in the cemetery, and her benevolence over the years as she took an interest in George. ‘We still correspond regularly, although it’s mainly George who writes these days. She has also become a very good customer at Frank’s bookshop, recommending many of her friends to visit and make purchases.’
Frank joined them and sat on the edge of Ruby’s bed. Knowing Ruby would be having visitors, he’d moved some of his clothes from his room to her wardrobe and laid out his grooming kit on top of a chest of drawers. To all intents and purposes, it looked as though they shared a room and a bed. ‘It was Mrs Grant who suggested I should dedicate a section
of the shop to antiquarian books. It brings in different customers.’
‘Don’t forget my idea,’ George chirped.
‘Do tell,’ Stella smiled at the lad.
‘Books that have been much read and well-thumbed that we put outside in baskets for people who are poor to rummage through,’ he said seriously. ‘We sell them for a farthing each.’
‘I see you are listening to Frank and learning the right bookselling words,’ Ruby said indulgently.
‘The lad is an entrepreneur,’ Stella declared.
‘What’s that?’ he asked.
‘Someone who will go far, and be very rich.’ Ruby smiled at her clever boy.
‘I like the sound of that,’ he exclaimed.
Stella chuckled. ‘You’ll soon be changing the name of your shop to Frank Green and Son,’ she said as she caught George’s hands to help him from the bed. ‘You have the starting of a dynasty, Frank.’
Ruby opened her mouth to correct Stella, but thought better of it. A sadness engulfed her as she thought of Eddie, and how quickly he seemed to have been forgotten by his own son.
22nd June 1911
Eddie marched down Manor Road with a spring in his step: it was the first time he’d done this in a long time. His life was about to turn a corner. After staying away from his wife and son for so long, he felt that soon he’d be able to return to his rightful place as head of the household of number thirteen. The thought that Ruby still loved him, as she’d assured him during his last visit, brought joy to his heart.
Cedric Mulligan was dead – killed in cold blood by someone who owed him a lot of money and could not pay. Many secrets had been buried along with him, but once Eddie had been to the police with his evidence, the harshness of his life would finally be put to bed. Wanting to live closer to his wife, in the spring of this year he’d become a lodger in Arthur Street in the neighbourhood known as Northend, on the other side of Erith. Although only a ten-minute walk away, it could have been the other side of the world as far as his wife was concerned; it was away from the town centre, and he knew she would never have cause to visit. Yes, it was a risk living there, but he’d taken many risks since the day he left Alexandra Road six years ago.
His work now was honest if tiring, but he felt fit and healthy and at peace with himself. In the course of the various jobs he had tried, he’d found he enjoyed working in the open air as much as possible. Since the warmer weather, he’d secured a good job working in one of the brickfields on the marshes close to the river. He was part of a team producing bricks that were either used locally or transported via the river to all parts of the country. The downside to this job was that come the colder weather, the work would cease until the following spring, as bricks could not be produced when the weather was damp or cold. But Eddie knew that now he’d be able to find more work close to home. People tended to have short memories, and after several years away he was sure his previous wrongdoings would have been forgotten. With new businesses and shops springing up all over the town, Eddie’s life and his future looked good. This was why he had risked venturing out to see Ruby during daylight hours, rather than skulking around late at night dropping the occasional envelope through her letter box.
Although he wasn’t ready yet to move back into their home, he would do so once he’d imparted the information he knew to the police. Eddie would be able to lay his cards on the table, explaining to Ruby more about why he’d run away. He also wanted to get to know his son. He’d missed enough of watching George grow up as it was, and wished to repair any damage that had already been done.
Reaching the corner of Alexandra Road, he stopped by the side of a fence. There seemed to be a group of people leaving number thirteen and heading towards his end of the road. He frowned as he saw Ruby pushing a pram, with a man putting his hand on George’s shoulder in a fatherly manner. Eddie recognized an older woman – Stella Green from across the road – and was that not Derek Green and his younger brother following behind? Eddie knew Derek as one of the team leaders at the brickfields. Although they did not work together, they had passed the time of day. Eddie had had a quiet word, asking Derek not to mention to Ruby that he’d seen or worked with him. He had explained that his life was complicated, and he was doing his best to repair any damage done. In return, Derek had told him he was not interested in Eddie’s past or Ruby’s business, so he would not be mentioning he’d seen him or carrying any messages. This had reassured Eddie and since then the men had nodded amiably enough when passing, with Eddie feeling confident his presence in Erith would not be mentioned.
‘Are you sure you don’t want to go with Frank, George and the lads? I can look after Pat for the day,’ Stella said as she tried to take hold of the pram. Ruby stood her ground, gripping the handle tightly.
‘I know how busy it will be in the capital, and to be honest I’d rather stay here and care for my daughter. You go, Stella. You’ll enjoy seeing the pageantry, the crowds, and all the overseas royalty in their carriages. I’m sure the men will find you a good place to view. It would be a shame to miss it. Who knows when the next king will be crowned?’
‘And me not being a spring chicken, I may not see another,’ Stella said good-naturedly. ‘If you’re sure, then I’ll go with them, and I know I will enjoy myself. I suppose you can have a restful day while we take George with us?’
Ruby smiled at Stella’s comment. She intended to open up the bookshop for the morning, and it would be business as usual. Pat would sleep soundly in her baby carriage, and she should be able to tidy the shop and sell some books. That would surprise Frank upon his return, as he’d placed a sign in the window to say they would be closed for the day due to the coronation. There was to be a street party in Alexandra Road later in the afternoon, so Ruby would return home, collect the cake she’d made for the children’s tea party, and enjoy socializing with her neighbours. She had wondered if George would prefer to stay and join in with the other children, but such was his closeness to Frank these days, the lad had jumped at the chance to go with him to London. He’d spoken so often of when they went last year to pay their respects to King Edward, and of wanting to see the new king in all his robes and finery. Any books they had in the bookshop about royalty and past kings and queens fascinated him. He’d become most knowledgeable on the subject and come the autumn, when he moved up to the big school in Crayford, Ruby knew her son’s interests would help with his learning. George soaked up knowledge so easily, she just knew he would enjoy his new school.
Ruby walked with them as far as the Wheatley Hotel, then waved goodbye as the group crossed the road, heading down to the station. She was a little puzzled to see that Derek seemed to keep looking back over his shoulder and wondered if there was a young lady involved in his life – perhaps she too was going up to London to watch the coronation? Ruby liked Derek; he kept himself to himself, and she knew he worked long hours. He’d make someone a good husband one day.
Turning the large pram around, she walked back down Pier Road, stopping in front of the bookshop. The two bay windows either side of the door gleamed in the early June sunshine, and displays of books enticed passers-by to step over the threshold and browse. Bumping the pram up the small step, she unlocked the door and breathed in the smell of old books and lavender wax. When she wasn’t serving customers, Ruby like nothing more than to polish the wooden bookshelves and the counter until they shone. She loved her job working with her friend; the only problem was deceiving his family into thinking they were a proper couple and Pat was his daughter. Frank had understood completely when Pat’s birth certificate showed Eddie as the father, though. Stella was already hinting at further grandchildren, which embarrassed him immensely. Ruby had heard him more than once tell his mother they were more than happy with George and Pat in their little family unit – and that they had a business to run, so could she please stop asking for more. But Stella only heard what she wanted to hear, and that was the word ‘family’. In her mind, young couples had many ch
ildren; why should it be any different for her son? She also mentioned the possibility of Ruby seeking a divorce, having been abandoned by Eddie. Ruby would not be drawn on the subject, while a sad look haunted Frank’s eyes.
With not a rain cloud in the sky, Ruby carried out the baskets of cheap books and placed them on the wide pavement in front of the shop. Frank had decided any money that came from the sale of these books should be passed to George – after all, it had been his idea to sell books that were not quite perfect, although the words were intact. He’d pointed out that many people only wanted to read the story, so if it helped someone who couldn’t normally afford even a second-hand book, young George counted that as a job well done. An old tobacco tin kept under the counter was where all the farthings were dropped. Any time Frank brought back a fresh stock of books after visiting clients, George would sit on the floor going through them one by one, pulling out any he considered unworthy of being placed on the shelves. These he would commandeer for his baskets. Ruby and Frank had taken to naming his section of the shop ‘George’s baskets’. In one of the bay-fronted windows was a selection of books for children, and when George wasn’t at school he liked to oversee these books and could often be found explaining to parents and children what he enjoyed about the publications. Frank had placed a selection of non-fiction books nearby for younger readers still in school. Ruby, impressed by her son’s interest in reading, encouraged him to write down a few words about the books he’d read, and why he enjoyed them. These stood in front of each book, and became quite popular. Recently, a reporter from the Erith Times had visited the shop. His purpose had been to interview Frank about the business, but seeing George in action, he had ended up interviewing the lad as well. Nowhere could be found a prouder mother than Ruby. On the day the interview appeared in the paper, Frank laughed when he saw that she’d purchased six copies. She told him that she wanted to be able to show George’s children and grandchildren how young he was when he started out in business.
A Mother Forever Page 16
