A Mother Forever

by Elaine Everest

‘That’s a very smart coat,’ Ruby said, admiring the green woollen fabric and fur collar.

  Irene smiled politely. ‘It was a gift from my parents.’

  ‘A very generous gift,’ she said. ‘Would you like a drink while we wait for Frank and Stephen? I have a rather nice port wine that Frank put by for today. We are having goose,’ she added, thinking that at least that ought to be something Irene would approve of.

  Irene rejected the wine and then informed Ruby, ‘I have a very sensitive stomach at the moment. I’ll say no thank you to the goose. A little soup might be better for me,’ she suggested.

  ‘I’ll take Irene into the front room and let her rest in an armchair for a while,’ George said, looking rather pale himself. ‘I’ll come back in to help you after,’ he went on, as Ruby gave him a puzzled look. She wasn’t about to cook a small bowl of soup for her guest. The girl would have to eat what was offered to her, or go without.

  With Stephen and Frank suddenly appearing with arms full of gifts, Irene’s indisposition was soon forgotten. Stephen handed Pat a large item covered in brown paper. He helped her put it on the floor before the child dived in, ripping the paper away. ‘Oh look, it’s a pram for my dolly,’ she exclaimed, excitedly hugging Stephen’s legs before he leant down to accept a kiss on his cheek.

  ‘Here’s the other part of your present,’ Frank said, giving the child a soft parcel which turned out to be bedding for the pram.

  ‘You spoil the child, the pair of you. You already gave her that fine dolly! That would have been enough,’ Ruby said. They were as good as uncles any day.

  George joined them, and was thrilled with his gift of a pipe and a pouch of tobacco from Frank. His initials had been carved into the soft leather.

  He gave his mother a shy look, but Ruby nodded. ‘You’re old enough now to smoke a pipe, and that’s a fine specimen,’ she said as her son unwrapped the tobacco ready to feed the pipe. ‘Perhaps not now, though, George. I’m about to dish up our dinner,’ she added.

  ‘Before you do,’ Frank said, ‘you have to sit down and open your own gifts.’

  ‘Oh, you shouldn’t have,’ Ruby said. ‘Why did you bother with me? Christmas is all about the children.’

  The men ignored her as they handed her a parcel each. Stephen’s was a delicate silk scarf. She ran her fingers through it and smiled. ‘I shall keep it for best and remember you every time I wear it. Thank you, Stephen.’

  ‘Don’t save it for best, Mrs Caselton, wear it every day. We never know what tomorrow will bring.’

  Ruby held the scarf to her cheek: its softness and gentleness reminded her of Stephen. ‘I’ll do that – yes, I’ll certainly do that. Thank you. But please, Stephen, do I have to keep reminding you to call me Ruby?’

  Stephen gave her a shy smile and promised that he would.

  Frank’s gift was a larger package and felt quite heavy. ‘I hope you’ve not been spending your money on me too,’ she scolded, thinking she sounded just like her mother. Eagerly pulling off the paper, she gasped in delight.

  ‘It’s not new,’ Frank said quickly, knowing how thrifty Ruby tried to be. ‘I spotted it months ago at a sale. I just knew you would love it.’

  Ruby ran her fingers over the carved wooden box. The use of different colours of wood made a pattern so intricate that all she could do was stroke its shiny surface and sigh. ‘I’ve never seen anything like it,’ she said.

  ‘It’s called marquetry: all the patterns are made from small slivers of wood.’

  She smiled as she traced the pattern of birds that seem to fly across the surface of the box.

  ‘Open it up,’ Frank urged her.

  Ruby turned the small brass key and slowly lifted the lid. As she did so, a tinkling tune started to play. The box was lined with red velvet.

  ‘The tune is called the “Waltz of the Flowers”,’ Frank said, as Ruby leant closer to listen to the wonderful melody. ‘I thought the box would be somewhere you could store your memories. I know how you love to keep bits and pieces.’

  Ruby sighed again with delight as they listened to the tune until it slowed and came to a halt. Frank showed her where there was a small handle underneath, to rewind it. ‘It’s such a beautiful tune,’ she said, her eyes dancing in delight.

  ‘The composer is called Tchaikovsky,’ Frank said. ‘When you next come to the shop, I’ll take you upstairs and you can listen to the full recording on my gramophone.’

  ‘There is more than this part?’ Ruby asked. ‘How wonderful.’ She wound it up and they listened one more time, while Pat danced around the room like a ballerina. ‘Now, you are all to go into the front room and join Irene. My children can help me clear up this mess and sort out the dinner.’

  George followed his mum into the kitchen, while Pat continued to play with her new pram.

  ‘So, what have you got to tell me?’ Ruby said, looking her son straight in the eye.

  George was now inches taller than her and a fine, strapping man. Even so, he cowered under her gaze.

  ‘I take it Irene is in the family way?’ she prompted.

  ‘How can you tell? I mean . . . we were going to say something later, after dinner, when Frank and Stephen had gone home . . .’

  Ruby could only shake her head. ‘Oh, George! Whatever have you done?’

  As George looked at his mother, Ruby was reminded of the little boy who always ran to her when he had a problem.

  ‘I don’t know what to do, Mum,’ he cried.

  Ruby pulled him into her arms just as she had when he was a youngster. ‘It’s a bit late now, lad. You’ve got to do the honourable thing. What do her parents say about this?’

  ‘Irene’s father wants to arrange a wedding as soon as possible. He said the neighbours and his friends would only be told we were getting married quickly because I’m about to join the army.’

  ‘But . . . but you’re not, are you?’

  Again, George couldn’t meet his mother’s eyes and looked away towards the window over the sink, even though there wasn’t much to look at. ‘Well, it’s like this,’ he said, coughing nervously to clear his throat. ‘As I’m eighteen in a few weeks, I’d be conscripted anyway, so I’ve been to the office and enquired . . .’

  ‘You bloody, bloody, fool,’ Ruby said angrily. ‘You had a bright future and are in a job that meant you might not have been called up due to your war work. Mrs Grant found you the best apprenticeship any young man could dream of, and you are thought of so highly at Vickers – and now you’re walking away from it all, leaving a wife expecting a baby at home, while you run off to play soldiers? What is to become of you, George?’ A single tear dropped onto her cheek.

  George reached out and wiped the tear away. ‘I do know I’ve made a mess, Mum, but I’m a man now and I’m going to make a go of things. I’m very fond of Irene, and she is fond of me. I didn’t want to tell you without knowing that my future plans were secure. I’ve spoken to Mr Grant at work, and he told me that any time I came back there would be a job for me. The thing is, I want to go away knowing that Irene can turn to you if she has any problems. You might think she’s a bit snooty, but when you get to know her, I hope you will love her as much as I do.’

  ‘Oh, George, how could I not love anybody who loves you? Do you happen to know where you’re going to live once you’re married? I could always move Pat back in with me and let you have two rooms upstairs, if you wish.’

  George looked a little embarrassed. ‘The thing is, Mum, Irene’s mother wants us to live with her . . .’

  ‘Oh, I see. It’s like that, is it?’ Ruby said, knowing Irene’s family had a much larger house and were a better class of people. ‘It looks to me as though you’re moving up in the world.’

  ‘Not if I can help it,’ George said. ‘My feet are firmly stuck in Alexandra Road. It’s good enough for me and always will be. Irene’s dad is a good sort – he just wants to make sure his daughter does all right for herself. He is interested in me and my job, and tr
eats me like a son rather than somebody who fathered his grandchild out of wedlock. We had a bit of a discussion the other day. He told me I had to speak to you as soon as possible.’

  Ruby considered this. ‘He does sound like a decent sort,’ she acknowledged. ‘What did he have to say, apart from you speaking to me?’

  ‘Well, he reckons Irene’s a bit on the spoilt side . . . and now she’s going to be a wife and mother, she needs to stand on her own two feet. I’m not sure Irene’s mother agrees with that, but she wasn’t there at the time, so she didn’t have a say. He reckons we should set up home on our own before too long, as it will give Irene something to focus on while I’m away. He says it will be the making of her.’

  Ruby chuckled. ‘I’m looking forward to meeting him. What does Irene have to say about all of this?’

  ‘I think my dad is right,’ Irene said as she joined them, slipping her arm through George’s. ‘I hope you’re not too upset, Mrs Caselton?’

  ‘How can I be upset with you? Why, I was not much older than George when I married my Eddie. By then I had a nipper on the way as well. It was your nan who wasn’t happy. She was none too pleased, I can tell you.’ Ruby chuckled again. ‘I’m not going to interfere with your plans. The last thing you want is a nagging mother-in-law,’ she said, giving Irene a gentle smile. ‘However, if you want my advice and my help any time, I’m here, so just remember that.’

  ‘Thank you, Mum,’ George said, kissing her on the cheek.

  Irene did the same. ‘Thank you for not being angry with us,’ she said. ‘There is one thing I do want to ask you.’

  ‘Fire away,’ Ruby said as she opened the door of the oven again, worrying about the goose being too dry.

  ‘I wondered whether you might know of somewhere we could rent? My dad is giving us a generous allowance for our wedding present. I’d like to live nearby, if you don’t mind? I know my parents expect us to stay with them for a while, but I want my own home before the baby comes along.’

  ‘Mind? I can’t think of anything better. Are you looking for rooms or a house?’

  ‘I’d adore a little house, even though we would have to rent. Would your landlord have any properties on his books?’

  Ruby laughed kindly. ‘I don’t have a landlord, love; I own every stick and brick of this house,’ she beamed proudly. ‘However, I know of a house that has just fallen empty. Leave it with me for a couple of days and I’ll make some enquiries.’

  ‘That will be great, Mum, thank you,’ George said, looking mightily relieved. ‘Is it far from here?’

  Ruby glanced towards the wall that divided her home from number fifteen next door. ‘Not too far at all,’ she replied with a gentle smile.

  There was silence around the dinner table apart from Pat chattering on about her presents. In some ways, Ruby was glad the child was unaware of what was going on with her close family and friends. Even Frank and Stephen were not their usual joyous selves. Trying to break the icy atmosphere, she turned to George and Irene. ‘Darlings, why don’t you share your happy news with everybody?’

  George glanced to Irene, who nodded her approval. ‘I’ve requested Irene’s hand in marriage, and she has accepted. We plan to marry before I join the army in January,’ he said, looking to the two older men for approval.

  Ruby looked to Frank to say something supportive, but her nudge was not required. ‘I say, that’s wonderful news,’ he exclaimed, leaping to his feet to kiss Irene’s cheek and shake George’s hand enthusiastically. ‘What do you say to this, Stephen?’ he asked his friend, who was already joining in with his own congratulations.

  ‘Jolly good show,’ Stephen said. He was the perfect foil for Frank, usually being the quieter one of the couple. Ruby smiled to herself. That was the first time she’d actually thought of them as a couple, and indeed they were. She’d never felt there was anything wrong in this, but was certain a rocky road lay ahead for her two friends. ‘You must tell us what kind of wedding you plan to have, Irene. Will it be a grand affair?’

  Irene looked into her lap, but retained her usual air of aloofness. It was very seldom that Ruby was able to get behind her attitude. ‘It will be a simple wedding, under the circumstances,’ she said quietly.

  Frank raised his eyebrows at Ruby, who gave a small nod back. Her friends had surmised the situation at once, realizing the need for haste. ‘I suppose with you going off at any time to serve our country, it is best to have the wedding as soon as possible,’ he said, doing his utmost to help preserve the illusion of everything being well in order.

  Once the small group had finished eating, Frank cleared his throat. ‘I too have some news,’ he said, as Stephen nodded for him to continue speaking. ‘I brought these round with me today so we could have another ceremonial burning.’ He reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a handful of white feathers.

  George looked angry. ‘Who is doing this to you? It’s disgusting,’ he spat out.

  ‘Reading the newspapers, you would think brave women walked up to us and handed them over, but I’ve found that not always to be the case. I fear Erith is full of cowards,’ he said sadly. ‘To begin with, I never spoke when the odd one was handed to me. It is not in me to be rude to a woman. However, I now turn my back on them and ignore their unkind words. I find enough left around the bookshop to stuff a pillowcase.’

  ‘But is it not our duty to encourage men to join the army?’ Irene piped up. ‘My mother says we women need to urge men to fight for our country.’

  George shifted uncomfortably in his seat and waited for his mother to say something. Stephen looked wide-eyed at Irene’s comment. ‘I don’t think you quite understand the implication of what is happening here,’ he said, looking none too pleased.

  Irene became quite animated as she explained how her mother’s friends saw it as their duty to encourage all men to join the army. ‘Mummy says there is no excuse for men not to fight.’

  ‘May I ask what your mother thinks about people who have principles and don’t believe that war is the answer?’ Stephen asked, his face turning rather pink.

  ‘Leave it,’ Frank said quietly.

  ‘No, I’m sorry, I won’t leave it,’ Stephen said. ‘I applaud any man who has strong principles and believes that war is not the answer to the problems in our world at the moment.’

  ‘But Mummy says . . .’

  ‘Please, Irene . . .’ George said as he started to fiddle with his pipe and tobacco. Ruby could see her son was finding it hard to support his fiancée’s views as well as those of his dear friends. Frank shrugged his shoulders at Ruby in despair.

  ‘Irene, dear, is your mother involved in handing out these white feathers?’

  Irene beamed, oblivious to the tension around the table. ‘Yes, she chairs several committees where, as well as doing other good works, they seek out men who have yet to fight for their country.’

  Ruby couldn’t believe what she was hearing, but tried to stay calm. After all, this girl was carrying her unborn grandchild. ‘Does your mother work? I understand that many women are now taking on the jobs that men have relinquished so they can go to serve their country? Why, I’ve seen women working on the trams. Is this something your mother would do?’

  Irene looked shocked. ‘No, a woman should not do a man’s job. It is most unseemly.’

  ‘That’s rather unpatriotic, wouldn’t you think?’ Stephen spat back.

  ‘I intend to do some war work,’ Ruby announced. The conversation around the dinner table had helped her make up her mind. For some time now she had thought she could do more, as she was certain her knitting did not contribute much at all. However, she was still not sure what work she could do to contribute to bringing the war to an end.

  Frank grinned. ‘It seems to be a day for announcements. Mine is that after all this time, and searching my conscience, I too am going to take the king’s shilling.’

  Ruby felt her heart plummet. ‘But you’re the most peaceful man I know; you a
lways said you couldn’t bear arms. What made you change your mind?’ she asked.

  ‘Well, it’s not these.’ He pointed at the pile of bent feathers. ‘Shall we put them on your fire, or perhaps Irene would like to return them to her mother? To answer your question, Ruby, I intend to join the Royal Army Medical Corps to help people. I know I only have basic first-aid knowledge, but if I claim to be a conscientious objector and get thrown into prison I won’t be helping anyone, least of all myself. I can help treat the injured – both friend and foe,’ he said, throwing the last sentence in Irene’s direction. She had the good grace to look embarrassed, but said nothing.

  ‘I wish I could go with you, but there’s no way they’ll let me go with my health the way it is,’ Stephen said. ‘It’ll be so hard being here alone knowing what you’re facing – but I’ll be so proud of you.’ He reached out and took Frank’s hand.

  This really did shock Irene. ‘Perhaps it’s time we left,’ she said to George as she stood up. ‘Thank you for the delicious meal, Mrs Caselton, and for your offer of help in finding us somewhere to live.’

  ‘Please, you must call me Ruby. Mrs Caselton seems so formal,’ Ruby said, trying to lighten the atmosphere a little. She was sure Irene couldn’t be as snooty as she made out. There must be some shade of decency in the girl, otherwise her son would not have fallen in love with her. She hung on to that hope as she helped with their coats and waved goodbye to George and his fiancée at the front door.

  Now she’d made the announcement of doing war work, she really must put her mind to it.

  Over the road at number fourteen, Stella sat alone. Wilf, not able to face spending the day in a house that had once been so full of laughter, had returned to the river. There was work to be done even on Christmas Day, and he felt needed. At the moment he didn’t feel as though his wife needed him at all.

  Gazing from her window, Stella watched as Ruby’s guests arrived. She recalled Christmases past when her own door had been open to neighbours, just as Ruby’s was now. When her Donald was alive, and with his two older brothers bringing friends home, Christmas was always the best time of the year. Now, with Donald gone and Derek serving his country, her Frank preferred the company of a married woman: Ruby Caselton.