A Mother Forever

by Elaine Everest

  At the back of her mind, she remembered Mrs Grant’s offer about George working at Vickers when he was old enough. She still corresponded with the lady often, as did George, and Ruby had visited her Women’s Circle at Christ Church to chat about being a mother and the wife of a bookseller. Mrs Grant was aware of Ruby’s circumstances, but chose to gloss over that part of her life. People wanted to speak about books. The well-to-do ladies in the group were able to offer old books they no longer required, although Ruby found it amusing that after her talk more than a few of the ladies came to make purchases. One lady bought a complete series of books bound in red leather because she said they would look nice in her drawing room. It sounded as if the books would not be read, but were simply required to fit into the decor. Ruby shrugged her shoulders: it was a sale, at the end of the day.

  Straightening up from sorting out the baskets, she heard her name being called from across the street.

  ‘Mrs Green, I’m surprised to see you open today. Why are you not in London watching the coronation parade?’

  Ruby had become used to being called ‘Mrs Green’ and didn’t bother to correct people any more. Instead she smiled at one of her regular customers. ‘Hello, Mrs James. I decided to stay at home with Pat and open the shop for the morning. Will you be celebrating today?’

  ‘Yes, we’re having a street party.’ Mrs James crossed the road to join Ruby. ‘I’m about to start making sandwiches for the children, although I feel their eyes will be more drawn to the cakes. It will be a splendid do. A neighbour is pushing her piano into the front garden so that we can have a sing-song as well.’

  ‘How jolly,’ Ruby replied as she brushed the dust from her skirt. ‘We too are having a street party, but I’m not so sure about a piano and a sing-song.’ She fleetingly wondered if her own nosy neighbour would offer her piano; but then, it was only ever used for hymn singing, as far as she could tell from hearing the tunes through the adjoining wall. ‘I would love a piano for our front room – not that I can play. I’d like George to learn. It seems such a sociable hobby, and there are so many times at family gatherings when it would be pleasant to stand around the piano and sing.’

  The women continued to chat about this and that before Mrs James stepped into the shop to see Pat and make a purchase.

  Eddie had stood for some time at the end of Alexandra Road, wondering what to do. One thing was for sure: Ruby had not only moved on with her life, but had a child with another man. He felt his hopes and dreams shatter around him. It looked as though he had lost George as well – but then, who was to blame? ‘No one but me,’ he muttered to himself.

  Not knowing what to do next, he followed the little group of men, keeping as far back as possible in case he was spotted. Once, as they crossed the road, he worried that Derek had seen him, but the younger man never waved or called out, so perhaps he was wrong. He’d had to dash into an alley at the side of the shops when Ruby waved goodbye to the party and turned back. He wondered whether to speak to her, now she was alone . . . Distressed at what he’d seen and deep in thought, Eddie sat on the wall further down the road and watched as she entered a bookshop. He was surprised to see her leave the pram inside the shop and carry books and baskets out onto the pavement. It seemed a strange thing to do. Perhaps she worked there, in which case he would go and speak to her as long as there were no customers present. Plucking up courage, he approached the shop – only to duck back when a woman called out to her from across the road. Already feeling miserable, his life got even worse when he heard Ruby addressed as Mrs Green. Looking at the bookshop, he could see the sign across the window: Frank Green. Stella’s eldest son.

  Deep down, Eddie knew that everything that had gone wrong in their marriage was his own doing – but still he felt angry at Ruby for rushing into another marriage. It felt like deception, especially after all the promises she’d made to him on their last night together. He wasn’t sure how she had legally been able to marry, but then, what did he know about divorce, not having come across it before? Nobody knew where Eddie lived now, so no one would have been able to contact him about such things.

  He watched Ruby as she laughed and chatted with her customer before they went back into the bookshop together. Full of rage and self-pity, he turned his back on the woman he loved with all his heart and headed away through the town to his lodgings.

  He would continue working in Erith; he could see no point in leaving the brickfields. His lodging house was clean and comfortable, so he’d remain, but he’d make no effort to contact Ruby or George ever again. They were lost to him forever.

  11

  August 1914

  Ruby leant back in her armchair and tried to breathe slowly and deeply. The country had been on tenterhooks for the past few weeks ever since Archduke Franz Ferdinand had been killed alongside his wife. Rumours of war had been rife and the thought of what the future held was all anyone could talk about. However, it was not that which was playing her on her mind, but the fact that George didn’t appear to be settling into his apprenticeship at Vickers.

  Mrs Grant had been as good as her word, as the month approached when George was due to leave school. Thanks to her influence, he’d attended several interviews at the large, sprawling factory on the other side of Erith. She’d put in a good word with her husband, who was a senior manager and well thought of. Ruby, usually the brave one in the family, had been so nervous; this was her son’s future at stake, everything she’d dreamt about since that day back in 1905 when she’d first met Mrs Grant at Brook Street cemetery. The woman’s interest in George had never wavered, and over the years the two of them had formed a tight bond.

  After the first interview, Ruby had felt unable to return to the offices connected to the busy factory, as her nerves got the better of her. The size and the number of people working there were daunting. Instead it had been Frank who went with George and sat waiting while he undertook test after test, checking his intelligence and his ability with numbers. Without good marks he could not be trained as an engineer. George enjoyed his first experience of visiting the company; he was polite and courteous to the managers he met and showed great interest, asking questions during the tour of the factory. It was no wonder that only a week later a letter arrived informing him that he was to be offered an apprenticeship. His working day would be long, and during his training he would progress from department to department learning all the skills required to make him a proficient engineer.

  When the day came for him to start work he was up early, keen to walk to the factory. Ruby had made sandwiches, wrapping them in greaseproof paper before packing them into a tin box; she’d not see him go hungry during the long day. As George’s wage would be very small, he had asked if he could still help out at the bookshop occasionally. Frank had agreed, although Ruby felt it would be too much hard work for the lad, who also had to study in order to learn his trade. She promised that the sales from the baskets of books would still be his. Every little would help.

  George was keen to work hard. What Ruby hadn’t accounted for was the fact that as the youngest lad he would be the butt of many of the men’s jokes, and pranks were often dished out to new apprentices. He took it all with good grace, telling his mum about the pranks as well as his work. But yesterday he had come home with his bottom lip trembling as he explained how the latest trick had thrown him to begin with. He’d been given the important job of going to the stores department to collect some paint, and felt proud that the workmen trusted him. It was only when the storeman laughed loudly before kindly explaining that there was no such thing as ‘tartan paint’ that George understood he’d been duped. Fortunately, the storeman was kind and sent him back to the engineering workshop with the task of telling the main joker that his order for a glass hammer had just come in. Ruby smiled when George explained he’d played along with the trick, gaining some friends amongst the older workers. She could see that the transition from schoolboy to worker was proving hard for George. She hoped an
d prayed that today would be easier for her boy.

  Looking at the clock on the mantelpiece, she went to collect her coat and her daughter who was playing in the garden. It was time to open up the bookshop. Frank was out attending a house sale, where he hoped to pick up a selection of titles for the antiquarian side of the business. At least, being Tuesday, it would be quiet in the town, she thought to herself.

  Ruby had put out the book displays and settled Pat on the floor in the back room with her rag doll. She was just thinking about putting the kettle on when a breathless Stella burst into the shop.

  ‘You’ll never guess what those silly buggers have done?’ she said, leaning against a bookshelf gasping for breath. ‘After being up in London most of yesterday afternoon, wanting to be part of the crowds waiting for news about us possibly going to war, and celebrating like there’s no tomorrow, they rolled up indoors asking for their breakfast. Now they reckon they’re going up to Woolwich to sign up for king and country and fight the Hun!’

  Ruby frowned as she pushed a seat forward for Stella to sit down. ‘What do you mean – are Derek and Donald joining up? Why?’

  Stella looked confused. ‘You mean you’ve not heard? By all accounts it was announced at eleven o’clock last night. That’s why the boys and their mates were outside Buckingham Palace waiting for news. I can understand Derek signing up – he’s spoken of nothing else for weeks. He says that the lads down the brickyard are going to join up too, but my Donald is still a baby in my eyes. I don’t want him being killed by those murdering Hun.’ She looked round the shop. ‘Where is Frank? Don’t say he’s gone with them?’

  Ruby felt as though her head was spinning. She’d not had time to look at the early edition of the newspaper, which was still lying on the counter. Reaching out for the folded paper, she only needed to look at the headlines to see that Stella was right: the country was at war. She collapsed onto the other seat. Although she’d been expecting it to happen, the shock still hit her hard.

  ‘Frank’s gone to an auction – he left early. I’m expecting him back mid-morning, as the books he was interested in are some of the first lots. He’ll cadge a lift back with some furniture buyers from Dartford he’s got to know. Why have the boys gone to Woolwich to sign up?’

  Stella shrugged her shoulders. ‘It seems that’s where it’s all done. God knows why. I begged them not to go, but they were that excited and full of themselves when they raced off. I had such a feeling of foreboding wash over me as I watched them from the doorstep. I wanted to run after them and drag them back. I could see a group from the brickyard hanging about, waiting on the corner of the road. There was that much excitement, you’d have thought they was off for a booze-up down the coast on one of the pleasure steamers.’

  Ruby was dismayed by what Stella told her. ‘Oh, the silly idiots.’ She took a deep breath, putting her hands to her face as if to block out the news. ‘I can’t profess to be an expert about all this war stuff, but I thought the government would call the men up if they wanted them to join the army?’

  ‘No, there’s some fellow called Kitchener telling them the country needs them to fight right now and winding them all up. If I get my hands on the bloody bloke, I’ll give him what for, taking our lads away from us like this.’

  ‘Don’t upset yourself so,’ Ruby said as Stella burst into tears. ‘Let me get you a cup of tea and we will have a think about it all. It may not be as bad as you say. Perhaps when Derek and Donald get back we can have a serious word with them – get them to reconsider what they’ve done.’

  ‘It will be far too late. Once they’ve taken the king’s shilling, they can’t change their minds.’

  Ruby didn’t know what to say; it seemed so final. ‘Perhaps it won’t last long and will just be a lot of politicians screaming and shouting at each other. Why, Polly down at the greengrocer’s said the other day that if there is a war, it will be all over by Christmas.’

  ‘I don’t take any notice of her – what does she know? I’ve had a feeling in my water, ever since that Franz Ferdinand was murdered along with his wife, that there’d be trouble. You know what men are like. They can’t leave these strange countries to fight it out amongst themselves, they’ve got to poke their bloody noses in. And now I’m going to lose my Donald and Derek,’ she wailed, reaching out to grab Ruby’s hand. ‘Whatever you do, don’t let Frank join up with his brothers.’

  Ruby wasn’t one for politics with other countries. ‘But that was over in a place called Sarajevo. I only know that as George mentioned the name of the place. I don’t understand how we’ve got involved.’ She wished now she’d listened when Frank had tried to explain about countries sticking up for each other and the ultimatums and threats of war. She’d been busy knitting a cardigan for Pat at the time and it had gone in one ear and out the other. ‘Let me get that tea,’ was all she could think of to say. ‘Pat, why don’t you show Nanny Stella your drawings? I’m sure she’d like to see them,’ she said before disappearing into the back room of the shop. She knew it would break her heart if her George went off to war, and so she could understand how Stella felt right now. Donald she still thought of as a youngster, but he was old enough to sign up. All the same, the lads should have thought about their parents before being so hot-headed and rushing off like that.

  After drinking their tea in silence, with no sign of any customers appearing, Ruby decided to shut up shop and go home. After all, who would want to buy a book on the first day the country was at war? As they walked back down Pier Road, turning a corner into the high street, they could see that most shopkeepers had had the same idea. Ruby stopped to pick up another newspaper in case there was any more news. At the back of her mind, she thought it might be a good idea to put the paper away and save it. It wasn’t often such important news was announced, and she had a mind to store it away for the future.

  Frank had laughed at her when she’d put away a copy of the newspaper from the day of the coronation. Once she’d explained to him that this would one day be history, and the children might be interested in looking back to see what their life was like at that time, he had agreed and found a suitable box. Ruby had placed her souvenir inside, slipping it under her bed. She’d then thought of her mother, remembering how Milly had also kept precious things beneath her bed.

  Now her mind turned to thoughts of Eddie. Where is he now? she thought before saying aloud, ‘What would Mum have thought of today, I wonder?’

  Stella gave a wry smile. ‘Your mum would’ve had a lot to say about it, love – just like we have. Don’t forget she lost her husband to war, and no doubt she will fear for other young men.’

  ‘I pray that Polly down the greengrocer’s is right and it is over by Christmas – then Derek and Donald will come back safe,’ Ruby said. It seemed better not to mention her gratitude that George was still too young to join up. ‘I wonder where the army will send the men, once they turn them into soldiers?’

  They reached number thirteen and she ushered Pat inside. She and Stella followed the child in and closed the door behind them. There was an air of desolation in the road and they had no wish to stop to speak with the worried women clustered in a group several houses away.

  By the time Frank arrived home, Ruby had made a bite to eat. She smiled as he entered the room. ‘How did it go?’ she asked as he kissed her cheek.

  ‘I won all the bids and got them at a good price. There were less than half the usual number of people there. No doubt others had better things on their mind than buying books and knick-knacks. How are you, Mum?’ he said, noticing Stella’s pale face. ‘Is Dad all right?’

  ‘Your dad’s as fine as he can be, love – nothing will stop him doing his job. It’s like he says: all hell will let loose if there aren’t enough tugboats to do the work. It’s your brothers I’m more worried about. They’ve both gone up to Woolwich to sign up to join the army.’

  ‘I had a feeling they might,’ Frank said, unable to meet Stella’s eyes. ‘They ment
ioned as much the other day.’

  Stella jumped to her feet, giving her son an angry look. ‘Why the hell didn’t you say something? Me or your dad could’ve stopped them.’

  Frank looked shamefaced. ‘It was just idle talk; I didn’t think much of it. Derek had been telling us how the chaps in his team would be going to sign up. He was keen anyway, but if he was the only one left out of his team there was a likelihood of him being out of work anyway. I know Donald was keen too, but we did tell him you’d kill him if he signed up. I didn’t expect him to go ahead and do it.’ He shook his head sadly.

  ‘I tried to reason with him, but he’s nineteen now and knows his own mind. It was as if he didn’t care what his old mum thought. Does that mean you’re going to sign up as well? God knows what your dad’ll have to say about that!’

  Frank took Stella’s arm and guided her to sit down again before he told her that Wilf had also known about the boys wanting to join up, and had said he’d do the same if he were younger.

  Stella was livid. She shook Frank’s arm away in distaste. ‘It’s as if you’ve all been conspiring against me. Don’t tell me you knew, too,’ she said, glaring at Ruby.

  ‘No, they kept me in the dark as well.’ Ruby’s expression was no less angry. ‘All I know is, Frank’s always told me he’s against war, so at least one of them won’t be going. Unless you’ve changed your mind?’ she challenged him.

  ‘I can promise you both, I’ll never be a soldier. Call me strange, but I don’t believe that war is the answer.’ He looked sad as he continued, ‘Both my brothers think I’m soft in the head. Derek called me a nancy boy.’ He looked sideways at Ruby, and she blushed. If the boys knew of their sleeping arrangements, Frank would be called more than that.