East End Angel

by Rivers, Carol

  ‘I’ve got a funny feeling this ain’t the end of it,’ said Gwen.

  ‘Course not,’ said Fitz, relieved to hear a bit of sense at last. ‘They’re sensible people. Jim will snap out of it and they’ll pick up the threads again.’

  ‘Oh, I didn’t mean them two,’ said Gwen indignantly. ‘I was talking about their ex-lodger. He’s the loose cannon in all this.’

  Fitz rolled his eyes to the ceiling. It was no business of theirs. Let sleeping dogs lie, he wanted to say. But of course, that would be no use to Gwen.

  Chapter 28

  It was Sunday afternoon and visiting time at the hospital. Pearl had helped Ruby to dress and sit in the chair beside her bed. She looked thin and pale as she listened to Syd, who had been pacing nervously around the room.

  ‘He told your mother that someone at the aerodrome is in trouble,’ Syd said with a frown, rubbing his square chin. ‘Said he didn’t want to get involved with the police.’

  ‘So why didn’t he come here?’ Ruby asked.

  ‘It’s only four o’clock,’ replied Syd, glancing at his watch. ‘He could show up any moment.’

  ‘I don’t understand,’ said Ruby bewilderedly. ‘He’s not said anything to me about trouble at work.’

  ‘Try not to worry.’ Syd patted her shoulder and Pearl saw the desperate look in her father’s eyes. ‘Ricky will explain when he shows up.’

  Ruby’s pale hands gripped the arm of the chair. Pearl wanted to say something to ease her mind, but what was there to say? Ricky had vanished.

  ‘Keep your pecker up,’ continued Syd as the bell was rung for the end of visiting time. ‘Now, has the doctor told you when you can leave?’

  ‘I’ll find out tomorrow.’

  ‘Good. You’ll be home soon.’ Syd beamed a big smile as he stood up.

  ‘I miss Ricky,’ Ruby whispered as Pearl bent to kiss her.

  ‘I know you do.’

  Outside in the corridor, Syd was angry. ‘Whatever is going on? I can’t forgive him for treating Ruby like this.’

  Pearl could only remain silent. She knew some unguarded word might arouse suspicion.

  ‘He had better have a bloody good reason for treating her this way. My gut is telling me something is wrong, even though I told your sister he’s bound to show up. If I’d stayed any longer she might have read me mind.’

  Pearl kept turning the past few hours over in her mind. Ricky had tried to rape her and had threatened to kidnap Cynthia. He was a violent and heartless man and Ruby was better off without him. He had said there were people up north who would sell him papers. Is that where he’d gone? Had he run away from the police and intended to escape the law by leaving the country? But the question that was worrying Pearl the most was, would he come back and do something terrible before he left for good?

  There was no sight of Ricky that night, nor the following day. Pearl was too afraid to leave Cynthia alone and kept her in sight all the time. She was worried that Ricky could appear or carry out his mad threat. On Wednesday morning, it was arranged by Amy and her friend Frances Butterworth that Frances would drive Ruby home.

  ‘Here they are now,’ Amy called as the big grey Austin pulled up at the green.

  Pearl took Cynthia’s hand and all three rushed to greet them.

  Frances helped a very white-looking Ruby up the step. ‘She still hasn’t got her sea legs back,’ Frances smiled at Pearl. ‘It’s nice to see you again. Hello, Cynthia. You’ve grown tall.’

  Cynthia hid shyly behind her grandmother.

  ‘Will you come in, Frances?’ asked Amy.

  ‘No, I have some errands to run.’

  ‘Thank you for bringing Ruby home.’

  ‘I’m glad to be of assistance. Now here are Ruby’s things.’ She passed the brown paper bag to Amy. ‘I think this young lady needs a good tonic to buck her up. Well, I must be hurrying along. See you at church, Amy.’

  ‘Goodbye, Frances.’

  When she had gone, they all went to the front room. Ruby looked round dejectedly.

  ‘How do you feel, love?’ asked Amy.

  ‘Don’t know. Is Ricky here?’

  Pearl glanced at her mother, who was looking very strained.

  ‘No, love, he’s not.’ Amy plumped up the cushions. ‘Come along, sit yourself down and let me spoil you. I’ll put the kettle on.’

  Pearl sat beside her sister as Cynthia played on the floor. Ruby stared into space. The cardigan she was wearing looked too big, as did her dress. She wore no make-up and had tied her hair in a knot. ‘I don’t suppose Dad’s found out anything at work?’

  ‘No, he hasn’t. But you must try not to worry.’

  Ruby looked into the distance again. ‘I’ve lost a child and my husband’s disappeared. I can’t help but worry.’

  Pearl sat quietly. She couldn’t help Ruby in her distress. She knew so much that Ruby didn’t know. Ricky wasn’t worth a minute’s concern, but she couldn’t say that.

  Amy came in with the tea. ‘It’s lovely to have you home, ducks.’

  ‘Mum, have you seen Ricky?’

  Amy looked away. ‘I’d tell you if I had.’

  ‘You were the last one to speak to him.’

  ‘Yes . . . but it was only quickly,’ Amy faltered, sitting down on the edge of the chair.

  ‘Didn’t he say something – anything – about me? Something you might have forgotten?’

  ‘Oh, love, I’ve gone over that moment a thousand times in my mind,’ said Amy, ‘but he was in a rush and I was cooking—’

  Ruby burst into tears.

  As Pearl tried to hold her, there was a knock at the door. Ruby looked up expectantly. ‘It might be Ricky.’

  Amy hurried to answer it but it was only one of the policemen who had been there on Sunday. ‘This is my daughter Ruby,’ said Amy stiffly as she showed him into the room. ‘Ruby, this is Detective Inspector Chalmers.’

  He took off his hat when he saw Ruby. ‘Good morning, Mrs Winters.’

  ‘Have you seen my husband?’ Ruby asked.

  ‘No. I’m sorry to say I haven’t.’

  Ruby slumped back in her seat.

  ‘Is there any reason why your husband would go missing?’ DI Chalmers asked as he sat down.

  ‘Course not,’ Ruby mumbled. ‘We’ve just lost our baby.’

  ‘My condolences to you,’ said the detective gently.

  Ruby lifted her tear-filled eyes. ‘What else do you want to know?’

  ‘Would you know of anyone – a friend or someone at work, perhaps – that he might have gone to stay with?’

  ‘He hasn’t made many friends,’ Ruby shrugged. ‘There’s only Dad at work that he really knows.’

  The policeman hesitated. ‘I have to ask this, and please don’t take offence. Had you and Mr Winters argued recently?’

  Ruby blinked. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘They’ve only been married a year,’ Amy protested, putting her arm round her daughter’s shoulders. ‘What a thing to ask!’

  ‘I’m afraid it’s standard procedure.’

  ‘It’s all right, Mum, he’s only doing his job.’ Ruby lifted her chin. ‘Ricky and me are very happy, Inspector. I love my husband and he loves me. I don’t know why he’s gone missing. I wish I did. It’s as much of a mystery to me as it is to you.’

  The detective looked down at his hat and turned it slowly in his hands. ‘I think it only fair to tell you, Mrs Winters, that we are investigating a theft at the aerodrome.’

  Ruby sat with a shocked face. ‘A theft?’

  Detective Inspector Chalmers nodded. ‘Quite a substantial sum of money from the offices.’

  Amy put down her cup. The tea splashed into the saucer. ‘What’s a theft got to do with my son-in-law?’ she demanded.

  ‘We would like to eliminate him from our inquiries,’ said the policeman.

  For a few moments they were all silent until Pearl spoke. ‘When did this happen?’

  ‘Certain irregularit
ies came to light quite recently.’

  ‘Ricky would never steal anything,’ said Ruby, jumping up and placing her hand over her mouth. ‘He’s a very honest and conscientious man.’ She ran from the room.

  Amy’s face was red with anger. ‘I don’t believe a word of it. My son-in-law is absolutely trustworthy. In fact he’s a war hero and was blown up on his ship twice. He’s fought for his country and nearly died. How can you upset my daughter by telling lies like that?’

  ‘Mrs Jenkins, you must understand—’

  ‘No, you must,’ shouted Amy, wagging her finger at the policeman. ‘How dare you come into this house and make such an accusation when Ricky isn’t here to defend himself?’ Before he could reply she jumped up and hurried after Ruby.

  Pearl thought about what the detective had just said. She was the only person here who really knew what Ricky was like. He was a liar, cheat and womanizer, but could he be a thief too?

  ‘So you’ve no idea why he’s disappeared?’ the detective asked her.

  ‘No.’

  ‘I’ll see myself out, then,’ said the policeman, rising to his feet.

  She watched him walk out and heard the front door close. From behind the lace curtain, she saw his tall figure walk to the police car. A cold chill went through her. Was Ricky guilty of theft? Is that why he’d run away? Ruby’s heart was breaking over her lost baby. It would certainly break again if this turned out to be true.

  Throughout the next day, Pearl tried to lift Ruby’s spirits. As the newspapers refused to stop reminding the nation that fifty thousand people in Whitehall and the Mall had gone wild with joy at the Prime Minister’s broadcast, it was plain to see that everyone wanted the celebrations to continue. From the moment the Royal Family had appeared on Buckingham Palace balcony, scenes of unrestrained joy had erupted throughout the country. Even Abingley had had its fair share. People still cycled over the green with Union Jacks on their handlebars. The bunting flew from the windows and roofs, and the children still waved their flags. Even though the weather was warm and spring-like Ruby refused to go out. But when Friday came, at last she gave in.

  Patty loaned them the pushchair and Amy took them down to the river. Pearl was careful to keep Cynthia with her at all times. Even though Ricky was now a wanted man, she knew how dangerous he was. Would he try to snatch Cynthia in broad daylight? It was unlikely, but all the same, she held tightly to the pram and searched the faces in the crowds.

  All along the tow path to the market square, people were still in party mood. Union Jacks and bunting were draped over the boats and cow pens alike. In the little café where they had eaten before, the red, white and blue tablecloths were still visible. A big picture of Winnie smoking his cigar was placed by the counter. But Ruby grew tired so they made their way home. Pearl was anxious to get back to the safety of four walls. She could only relax when the door was closed and locked.

  ‘Ruby, I’ll have to go home next week,’ Pearl said as they sat together that night after supper. Syd was still at the allotment and Amy was next door with Patty.

  ‘I expect you’ll be pleased to leave.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘It can’t be much fun here.’

  ‘Don’t be daft. But I do have Jim to look after.’ She felt very guilty about leaving him. Had he found her note? Would he be there when they arrived back? She didn’t want to leave Ruby, but it was true, she did have a husband to consider.

  ‘Pearl, I wish we’d never moved here.’

  ‘But you like Abingley.’

  ‘I didn’t tell that detective, but Ricky hates it. I think he blames me for making him leave the island. And I think that’s why he’s gone.’ She stopped and looked at Pearl with wide, sad eyes. ‘I don’t believe he stole any money, of course. But what I do believe is that all this is my fault.’

  ‘You mustn’t blame yourself.’

  ‘But I do.’

  Pearl took her sister’s drooping shoulders. ‘What matters is that you get well. Worry won’t make Ricky appear.’ Pearl was praying that Ricky would never, ever appear again. If he’d fled the country, it would be the best outcome possible for Ruby, although she couldn’t know it now.

  A tear trickled down Ruby’s cheek. ‘I’ll miss you.’

  ‘And I’ll miss you. But you’ve got Mum and Dad.’

  ‘And you’ve got Cynth and Jim.’

  They smiled. ‘Then aren’t we lucky?’ Pearl nodded.

  For the first time since the death of the baby, Ruby seemed more like her old self. They talked about Roper’s Way and their outings to the market on Saturday afternoons. They recalled the first-aid lessons Ruby had taken that had never cured her of feeling sick at the sight of blood. And they smiled when remembering Cynthia’s arrival on the Hemsleys’ shop floor. Ruby even admitted she missed the factory.

  But when Ruby began to talk about Ricky, the man she still loved and missed and hoped would return one day, Pearl knew that it would be a long time before Ruby came to accept the truth.

  Pearl stayed until Saturday, and it was a tearful goodbye. Syd carried her bag to the depot as Cynthia ran ahead, her sandy plaits bouncing on her shoulders.

  ‘You’ll remind Mum to write?’ said Pearl as they made their way slowly to the stop.

  ‘She won’t need no reminding.’

  ‘Look after Ruby, Dad.’

  ‘You can be sure of that,’ her father said angrily. ‘She married a wrong ’un, that’s clear. But it will take her a while to accept it.’

  ‘Do you think he stole the money?’

  ‘Wouldn’t put it past him.’

  ‘They can’t prove it without finding him first, I suppose?’

  ‘You know, that’s right,’ Syd nodded. ‘But I’d like to get hold of him personally and do him a mischief after what he’s done to Ruby. If I had my way . . .’ He gave a loud grunt. ‘You know, I always had me suspicions. I never could joke with him, not like I can with Jim. But I gave him the benefit of the doubt for Ruby’s sake. What excuse could he offer if he came back now? He turned tail and fled when those coppers came. And he got your mother to lie for him. There’s nothing, nothing, that could account for that.’

  At the depot Pearl shivered when she saw the bench that Ricky had forced her to sit on. She looked round, thinking he might appear. Was he really gone from their lives? She shivered.

  ‘You cold, love?’

  ‘No.’ She shivered again. ‘Someone just walked over my grave, don’t they say?’

  Her dad smiled. ‘You give Jim our best, won’t you? Tell him that we’re looking forward to seeing him as soon as he can take time off from work,’ he shouted as the bus pulled in. ‘And tell him we’re proud of him for all his graft and for looking after you and our granddaughter. Believe me, ducks, after this little lot, you should consider yourself a lucky young woman.’

  ‘I do, Dad.’ Pearl felt her eyes sting. She had made such a mess of things. She loved Jim dearly and would do anything now that he wished. But was it too late? Could she ever find a way back to the happiness they once shared?

  ‘Look, here’s a few quid.’

  ‘No, Dad, you gave me five pounds last time.’

  ‘So here’s another. I doubt we’ll be seeing you for a while. And don’t worry about your sister – she’s a Jenkins, after all. You just take care of yourself and your family.’

  Syd helped them to board and they waved from the window. As usual Cynthia stuck her nose on the glass. The bus pulled out and Syd’s figure disappeared.

  As the bus travelled past the market, Pearl sighed with deep relief. She was going home to safety, coming out of the nightmare. She wanted to remember the good times with her family and hoped they would come again for the three people she loved so dearly; that Ricky would stay out of their lives for ever.

  The fields and billowing trees flashed past. Spring had brought the countryside to life. But never more had Pearl longed for the sight of the smoky roofs and blackened chimneypots of t
he island, lost in the river mists. She missed home. And most of all she missed Jim.

  Chapter 29

  Gwen was weighing out potatoes on the big brass scales when the bell on the door tinkled.

  A tiny figure sped across the floor. ‘Gwenny, Gwenny!’

  ‘Oh, Cynth, my love, you’re home!’ Gwen dropped the potatoes in the scales and opened her arms as Cynthia flew into them. ‘You lovely little scamp, I’ve missed you so much. And so has old Fitzy. Run inside and see what he’s got for you.’

  Gwen let go of the little bundle, pulling her plaits gently as she sped off to the hall where Fitz was working. All Gwen could hear was laughter. She knew Fitz had missed the little girl even more than she had.

  ‘Hello, Gwen.’

  ‘Pearl, my love, it’s good to see you.’ Gwen spread her arms once more. ‘Let me have a look at you! Well, you ain’t put on any weight, that’s for sure. I thought you’d be twice the size on your mother’s cooking.’

  Pearl smiled tiredly. She pushed her untidy hair from her eyes and dropped her bag on the floor. ‘You all right, Gwen?’

  ‘Better now you’re back. The place don’t seem the same without you. How’s Ruby?’

  ‘She lost the baby.’

  ‘Oh, no. The poor kid.’

  ‘It was a boy.’

  Just then Fitz came through with Cynthia in his arms. Her cheeks were bulging as she chewed on a sweet from the brown packet she held in her hands. ‘Don’t mind, do you love?’ he asked Pearl. ‘I saved a few lemon drops for her.’

  ‘Hello, Fitz.’ Pearl went on her toes to kiss his cheek.

  ‘You’ve had a long journey. Like a cuppa?’

  ‘I think I’ll go upstairs.’ She looked at them both. ‘Is Jim in?’

  Gwen’s heart sank. ‘Not now, he’s not.’ She lifted the bag and glanced at her husband. ‘I was weighing up the spuds for the old gent next door. But I’ll leave you and Cynth to do that whilst I go upstairs with Pearl.’

  He nodded. ‘Good to have you back, Pearl. Really glad, as we—’

  ‘Hurry up with them spuds,’ Gwen interrupted, giving him a stern look. It wasn’t the right time to go over what Jim had said. The poor girl looked all in.