A Promise Between Friends

by Carol Rivers

  ‘You’ll have to ask Anna about that.’

  ‘Hey, just you come back here!’ he roared after her. But Ruby was already out in the lobby and hurrying onto the street before she dared to glance back.

  How dare he think she was his for the night? It was shades of Charles all over again. If this was what being an escort was, she didn’t like it.

  ‘Mr Marlon telephoned. He was very upset,’ Anna said abruptly, as later that evening they stood in the lemon room at 10 Dower Street. ‘Fortunately Paula was at home and has taken your place. Otherwise I would have been forced to refund his money, which was quite considerable.’

  ‘He put his hand up my leg,’ Ruby protested once more, ‘and said we should go to his room.’ She had explained everything to Anna and had expected a very different outcome.

  Anna sighed as if she was addressing a child. ‘Then you should have sat a reasonable distance away from him.’

  ‘He didn’t even ask what I wanted to drink.’

  ‘My dear, this man is a stranger in London. He doesn’t know our customs.’

  ‘I don’t think what he did can be an American custom either. If it is, the Americans are very rude.’

  ‘And very wealthy,’ Anna corrected her sharply. ‘Mr Marlon is a cowboy. Unused to the way the English do things.’

  ‘I think he thought I was just a good-time girl.’

  ‘I’m sure you’re confused, Ruby.’

  ‘He even compared me to a cow.’

  Anna laughed then, shaking her head as though she’d just been told a joke.

  Ruby felt as though she was laying the blame on her and excusing Jesse Marlon. ‘Besides, he shouted at me,’ she continued indignantly, ‘in the middle of a crowded bar.’

  ‘He wouldn’t have shouted if you had taken the conversation in another direction,’ Anna said, the smile disappearing from her lips. She lit a cigarette and sat down, crossing one leg over the other. ‘Escorting is a skill. Learning discretion. Reading the signs and being confident enough to guide your client through a successful first meeting.’

  ‘It’ll be me last as well,’ Ruby insisted, forgetting her grammar. ‘I told you I wasn’t cut out for the job. I just want to do modelling.’

  ‘Ruby, sit down.’ Anna’s stern command made Ruby jump. She hesitated, with half a mind to flounce out, but Anna’s eyes were boring into her.

  She sat on the edge of the sofa, pulling her dress over her knees.

  ‘Don’t sulk, it doesn’t become you.’

  Ruby looked away. Why was Anna displeased with her, when none of this was her fault?

  ‘Remember,’ Anna said quietly, ‘the day you first came here? I pointed out to you that the agency required complete discretion. And so, too, its clients. The contract you signed was completely transparent.’

  Ruby went to answer but Anna shook her head. ‘You must agree you have had your fair share of modelling. I have personally recommended you to Steadman’s. And look how successful you’ve been! Now it’s time to gain more experience and honour our agreement. Quite frankly, Ruby, you could have handled this client easily if only you hadn’t taken his remarks personally. It should have been your firm but polite response that you had dressed for dinner and would be disappointed not to be able to get to know more about his life while enjoying some of London’s finest cuisine.’ Anna raised her eyebrows. ‘You see? He wouldn’t have been able to refuse. And said with charm, it could have persuaded the man to take you anywhere you wished. Certainly the evening would have passed without incident. Had he made any improper suggestions at the end, you could have reasonably taken your leave. With, I am sure, a chaste kiss on the cheek.’

  ‘You mean string him along?’ Ruby said on a gasp.

  ‘I would call it tact.’

  ‘But what if he turned nasty?’

  Anna shook her head. ‘A skilled escort would never allow herself to be vulnerable. What could he do to you in the presence of so many others?’

  ‘The same as Charles,’ Ruby retorted. ‘I don’t want to be attacked again.’

  ‘You won’t be if you keep a level head.’

  Ruby felt her cheeks burn. The Texan rancher might have paid for an escort for the evening, but that didn’t mean he could treat her with disrespect. Or did it? As Ruby considered this question, she suddenly felt cheap and dirty, just as she had with Charles.

  ‘It’s late,’ Anna said, standing up. ‘You acted so professionally in your modelling role, I automatically assumed you would rise to the challenge of the other.’ She reached out and tipped up Ruby’s lowered chin. ‘I’m not forcing you to stay with the agency. If you wish to terminate your contract, I should be very sorry, but I would let you go, if that’s what you want.’

  Ruby looked into Anna’s green eyes. They were warm and kind again and her smile was engaging. ‘It’s just that Charles frightened me,’ she mumbled as Anna led her to the door. ‘I suppose I lost my nerve.’

  ‘I understand,’ Anna nodded. ‘But I’m sure you’ll see things a lot more clearly in the morning.’

  Ruby made her way miserably up the stairs. Was it her? Was this her fault? If she’d used her common sense, could it all have been so different?

  Ruby bathed, relaxing at last in the warm and soapy water. Afterwards she lay in the luxury of her soft sheets and sweet-smelling pillows. She was so happy at Dower Street. What kind of life was there to return to if she left the agency?

  The thought was depressing.

  She hoped Anna was right and in the morning, after a good rest, she would see everything clearly.

  Early the next day, there was a knock on her door. Ruby stumbled out of bed to answer it.

  ‘How are we this morning?’ Paula asked, looking glamorous as usual.

  Ruby blinked the sleep from her eyes. She had spent a very restless night. ‘Come in.’

  ‘I can’t stop. Jesse is taking me to Harrods.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Shopping first, lunch after.’ Paula was wearing her black silk robe and her red hair was combed over her shoulders. She walked in and sank down on the sofa in a cloud of expensive perfume. ‘I gather you had an interesting encounter with my Texan.’

  ‘Your Texan?’ Ruby repeated as she pulled on her blue cotton wrap-over.

  ‘He is now,’ Paula said smugly. ‘I hear you ditched him rather unceremoniously.’

  Ruby went to the window and pulled down the sash. She needed some fresh air. She thought Paula would have received the same treatment from Jesse. ‘What did he say about me?’

  Paula laughed. ‘Sweetie, he was most uncomplimentary.’

  ‘His eyes and hands went everywhere.’

  ‘Only to be expected.’ Paula yawned and stretched. ‘You have to – gently – put them in their place.’

  ‘Did he want you to go to his room?’

  ‘He suggested it, yes.’

  ‘Did you go?’

  Paula laughed. ‘Of course not. I could see at once he needed schooling.’

  ‘Schooling? Is that what you call it?’ Ruby asked disparagingly, folding her arms. ‘He’s just a dirty old man.’

  ‘Whatever you might think of him, dear, he took me to the Savoy for dinner, then on to the Atlas.’

  ‘The Atlas? But that’s very expensive there.’ Nick had told Ruby about the Atlas Club, where he was trying to get a membership.

  ‘Not if you’re a Texan with an oil well.’

  ‘Well, I hope you’ll be happy with your extras,’ Ruby said severely.

  Paula stood up and joined her at the window. ‘You’re new at this. But I’ve had some experience. Men like Taylor, and even Charles, they are fun but just fly-by-nights. Now Jesse is vulgar and loud-mouthed. But he has potential. I’m older than you. I’ve been in the business a long time. When a man takes you out on a second date to buy a mink stole, and shows you photographs of his oil well and tells you how his pappy is insistent his son find himself an English bride, I think you can say with confidence he’s s
eriously interested.’

  ‘Is that what you want? To be married to an animal like Jesse Marlon?’

  ‘I can think of worse fates.’

  ‘Well, I can’t.’

  ‘That’s because you’re young and naive.’

  Ruby felt the hot colour pour into her cheeks. First Anna had lectured her and now Paula. Christmas might have come early for Paula in the form of Jesse Marlon, but Ruby didn’t regret what she’d done. Not when she had someone like Nick to be with. A man who respected her, supported her career and hadn’t tried to get her into bed within the first few minutes of knowing her.

  She pulled back her shoulders and shrugged. ‘Good luck, is all I can say.’

  ‘Don’t need luck, sweetie, I’ve got Jesse Marlon.’

  When Paula had gone, Ruby sat on the bed. A warm tear fell on her cheek. Anna and Paula had made her feel as though she’d acted immaturely. But she wasn’t going to be thrust into Jesse Marlon’s lecherous arms. She was a model and was at the start of her career. She had a man in her life to share her success with. Quickly she dried her eyes.

  Today she was meeting Nick for lunch at the Jester. And she would ask him to take her to Larry’s party. She wanted to show him off. To let her old friends know that she was moving up in the world. And with Nick at her side, she knew she could.

  Chapter Seventeen

  It was a beautiful May evening, not yet dark, but dusky. Ruby thought Soho looked magical. There was music playing in the distance, the smell of food in the air, combined with the scent of summer. The streets were as busy as they always were and people were sitting outside the pubs at small tables and on benches. Street walkers in all their finery were touting for custom. The strip clubs were open to all who cared to visit.

  The evening held promise and Ruby was eager to show Nick off. He’d worn casual clothes tonight as Ruby had told him how informal Larry’s parties were. The smoky-grey roll-neck sweater reminded her of when they first met at Fortuno’s, eight months ago. She gave a little shiver. So much had changed in her life since then. His brown hair was a little longer now, but it suited him. As always, he smelled wonderful.

  If only Paula could see us, she thought as they approached the small door next to the strip club. Paula might have spent weeks in Jesse’s company and been showered with gifts, but she was still no nearer to being presented with the diamond engagement ring she craved. What would Paula say when she saw the dazzling bright red MG sports car that Nick was teaching Ruby to drive?

  ‘The flat doesn’t look much from the outside,’ Ruby said as they stood at the weathered green door. ‘But upstairs is amazing.’

  Nick slipped his hand around her waist. ‘It will have to be, to get my attention,’ he said ruefully. ‘You’re looking so beautiful tonight, I can’t take my eyes off you.’

  Ruby felt elated. And when they went in, Larry was hurrying down the stairs. He opened his arms and drew her against his round stomach. ‘Darling, I’ve missed you.’ He didn’t wait for her to reply and stared straight at Nick. ‘So am I to be introduced?’ he asked coyly.

  ‘Larry, this is Nick. Nick, Larry.’

  Larry took Nick’s hand, batting his short eyelashes under his glasses. ‘So very pleased to meet you.’

  Ruby wanted to giggle as Larry adjusted the knotted light blue scarf around his neck. ‘Larry, you’ve become one of those bo – what did you call the arty types?’

  ‘Bohemians, darling.’ He pressed his short, stubby fingers over his loose, flowered shirt. ‘Now, are you two ready for an outrageous night?’

  Ruby was glad to see that Nick was smiling as Larry crooked a finger and they followed him up the stairs.

  The music was very loud. Couples were dancing, or rather moving together, in the small space. Larry gently pushed his way through. Ruby held tight to Nick’s hand. Every time she looked at him, he met her gaze, as though telling her how proud he was of her. And when Larry poured them cocktails at the small bar, the gin and sins reminded her pleasantly of the time she’d been here before.

  ‘You finally made it,’ Debbie said, appearing with Rog at her side. She looked up at Nick and her blue eyes sparkled. After introductions were made Ruby was surprised to see that Nick soon fell into conversation with Rog.

  ‘So, you don’t mind about age?’ Debbie asked out of earshot of the men. ‘He must be a lot older than you.’

  ‘Doesn’t matter to me.’

  ‘You have got it bad, kid.’

  ‘Rog seems to get on with him.’

  ‘My Rog gets on with everyone.’

  Ruby listened to Debbie talking about her wedding plans. How the gown Rog had bought from Steadman’s had set her fiancé back a fortune. Her parents were paying for the reception to be held at Paradise Row, she boasted. And she wanted a honeymoon in Switzerland, no less. Ruby knew there was only one thing on Debbie’s mind. To be Mrs Roger Stacey.

  ‘Ladies, may I interrupt?’ Stuart said, joining them. ‘You both look gorgeous.’ He gazed admiringly at Ruby’s rose-pink silk-satin blouse, discreetly buttoned under a string of pearls that Nick had recently given her. Ruby knew Debbie was staring at the pearls too, wondering if they were real.

  Just then, Marianne and Bruno joined them, together with some of Stuart’s aspiring actor friends. As the laughter and conversation grew louder, Ruby decided she had better not drink too many cocktails. She wanted to have a clear head when she left with Nick.

  Ten minutes later she slipped, unnoticed, to the kitchen. Just as before, the tiny space was crammed with wine bottles, glasses and food. She exchanged her cocktail glass for a tumbler and was about to fill it with water when a hand touched her shoulder.

  ‘Hello.’

  She looked up to see a tall man smiling down at her. ‘Oh, it’s you,’ she blurted, the heat rushing to her cheeks as she recognized Johnnie Dyer. He was even more handsome up close.

  ‘I see we both have the same idea.’ He nodded to her abandoned cocktail glass. Placing his beside hers, he grinned, showing very white, even teeth under his dark skin. ‘Larry’s cocktails are innocent enough, until the next day.’

  Ruby laughed. ‘I drank too many last time.’

  He stared at her. ‘You were at the last party. Yes, I saw you as Margot and I arrived.’

  Ruby was flattered he’d remembered. ‘Margot? Is that your—’

  ‘Yes, yes,’ he nodded, ‘but she’s not here tonight. So as you can see, the retinue has disappeared.’ He smiled, his dark eyes, so large and fringed with long black lashes, sparkled with amusement. ‘I’m Johnnie Dyer.’

  ‘And I’m Ruby Payne.’ She decided not to say she knew already. ‘Would you like some water too?’

  ‘Thanks.’

  Ruby filled two tumblers. ‘How do you know Larry and Stuart?’

  ‘Through Margot. She’s very popular.’ He quirked an eyebrow.

  Ruby wanted to ask if Johnnie was one of the bohemians that Larry had talked about. But before she could, he said, ‘So what do you do?’

  ‘I worked for Larry.’ She smiled. ‘It was Stuart who taught me how to shampoo and cut poodles.’

  Johnnie laughed. ‘Did you enjoy shampooing poodles?’

  Ruby smiled. ‘It helped me through a bad time.’

  ‘Oh dear. I didn’t mean to pry.’

  Ruby felt obliged to add, ‘It was after my brother died. He was only twenty-one.’

  He frowned. ‘I’m very sorry.’

  ‘I still find it difficult to talk about.’

  ‘Of course.’

  She looked into his large, dark eyes. ‘Have you lost someone too?’

  He nodded. ‘Yes, it’s devastating.’

  She wanted to ask who, but decided she didn’t know him well enough. Instead, she said softly, ‘I still miss Pete so much.’

  ‘Did you say Pete?’

  ‘Yes, why?’

  ‘Oh, no reason.’

  Suddenly Debbie appeared, empty glass in hand. ‘I need a refill,’ she giggled,
looking up at Johnnie. ‘Oh, pardon me, I hope I’m not interrupting.’

  Johnnie smiled politely, looking uncomfortable as Debbie tried to keep her balance, leaning heavily against him.

  Ruby said, a little embarrassed, ‘Johnnie, this is Debbie. We worked together at the poodle parlour.’

  ‘Delighted.’ Johnnie offered his hand.

  ‘Are you another actor?’ Debbie asked, grasping it for much too long.

  ‘No. Not at all.’

  ‘I remember now. I saw you at Larry’s last party.’ Debbie narrowed her eyes. ‘You were with that older woman, weren’t you? Lady something-or-other?’

  Johnnie nodded and Ruby cringed as Debbie, who was very tipsy, began to pour herself another drink.

  ‘I like your friends,’ Nick said as they drove away from the party in the early hours.

  ‘Even Rog?’ Ruby asked in surprise. ‘He’s crazy about insurance.’

  ‘Yes, but knowledgeable.’

  Ruby glanced at Nick’s profile. He was so easy to get along with and always found something interesting in people. She sank back on the comfortable leather seat of the Buick. ‘It’s been such a lovely evening I don’t want to go home,’ she sighed restlessly.

  ‘We could park near the Embankment. Take a stroll.’

  ‘If you like.’ A faint light was creeping up in the night sky, Ruby noticed. In a couple of hours it would be dawn. For all the luxury of Dower Street, her room was losing its appeal. She didn’t often go downstairs now. Not since Jesse Marlon. Though Anna hadn’t asked her to escort a client again, Ruby knew it wouldn’t be long before she did. One of the newer models, a pretty young brunette called Cindy, had been given the evening-wear assignment at Steadman’s. Ruby had been sent to an underwear shop in Maida Vale instead. The clumsy, boned corsets for the older women customers to view were uncomfortable to wear. The other shop had been near Covent Garden. The modern, mass-produced clothes were all cheap quality, and with no assistant to help her dress.

  The noise of the Buick’s windscreen wipers brought her back to the present. ‘Is it raining?’

  ‘We could always go back to the flat for a nightcap.’

  She smiled, meeting his eyes. ‘I’d like that.’