A Promise Between Friends

by Carol Rivers

  Babs pushed her away. ‘I’m going back to bed now.’

  ‘Don’t leave me,’ Ruby called as her mum walked out of the door.

  Ruby sank down on the bed.

  If only there was someone to tell her what to do.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Ruby jumped.

  She’d fallen asleep on Pete’s bed. How long had she been lying here? The mantel clock said half past one. Almost an hour.

  She sat up and the conversation she’d had with Babs came back to her. Her mum must be very ill. Nothing was going to bring her back to reality.

  Her gaze went to Pete’s wardrobe where she’d found his diary. She hadn’t read it since coming home. It had been easy to look at it at Dower Street. But here in the room that Pete had occupied, reading his written words made her sad.

  What had her mum said? This imaginary Pete had said Ruby hadn’t gone in his room to talk to him. This gave her the willies, because this room was indeed where she and Pete had talked together. Though he’d carefully kept hidden the biggest secret, Joanie. Who was this Joanie? Why had he never talked about her?

  Ruby stood up and brushed down her crumpled blouse. The tears had dried stiffly on her cheeks. She looked in the mirror to inspect the damage. As she saw her reflection she barely recognized her ashen, puffy face. Where was the person who had spent hours in the bathroom at Dower Street, soaked in scented water? The girl who scoured the magazines for the latest fashions. The model who had paraded so confidently at Steadman’s.

  How had she come to this?

  Ruby’s thoughts were disturbed by Maggs calling her name. Quickly Ruby pushed back her hair and took a breath. When she got to the kitchen, Maggs was putting on the kettle.

  ‘Hello, ducks, I reckoned you could do with a cuppa by now.’

  ‘Yes, that’d be nice.’

  ‘How’s yer mum today?’

  ‘She was talking to Pete in his bedroom.’

  Maggs turned round, a smile on her face. ‘Did she say what he said?’

  ‘She said she gave him a ticking off for not coming round more.’

  Maggs cackled with laughter. ‘Sorry, but I can see the funny side.’

  ‘I wish I could.’

  ‘You’ll have to, if this is to be a regular thing.’

  Ruby groaned softly. ‘Do you think it might be?’

  Maggs waved her hand. ‘Did she seem happy to see him?’

  ‘Yes, but no one was there,’ Ruby repeated. ‘There was only us in his room.’

  Maggs’s thin eyebrows disappeared under her turban. ‘No one you could see, at least.’ The kettle boiled and began to whistle. Maggs turned off the gas. ‘If your mum was happy to talk to this invisible someone, what’s the harm?’

  While Maggs made the tea, Ruby put out the cups. She sat down and sighed. ‘I don’t know what to do for the best, Maggs. I feel lost.’

  ‘We’re all lost until someone turns on the light in our heads. And believe me, there’s lots of lights to turn on before you can see where you’re going.’

  Ruby laughed.

  ‘That’s better. Now drink your brew. And then you can get off to do yer shopping.’

  Once, Ruby thought with amusement, she wouldn’t have thought shopping at the market would have been the high spot of her week.

  Now she couldn’t wait to get out of the door.

  It was on a cold and crisp Friday later that month when Kath and Bernie called round. ‘It’s my first day off in weeks,’ Kath said, giving Ruby a hug on the doorstep. ‘Are you stopping?’

  ‘Bernie’s in the car. We thought you might like a ride out. That is, if you can leave your mum.’

  Ruby glanced over Kath’s shoulder to catch Bernie’s wave from the window. ‘I could get Maggs to come and sit with her.’

  ‘Who’s Maggs?’

  ‘Mum’s friend. She lives at the end of the road and calls in most days.’

  ‘Good,’ Kath said eagerly. ‘Go and put on something nice.’

  ‘Where are we going?’ Ruby glanced down at her overalls which were already thin and patched. She had forgotten what nice clothes looked like.

  ‘It’s a surprise.’

  Ruby didn’t know if she was in the mood for surprises. And, in comparison to Kath, who wore a smart herring-bone-patterned coat with a black patent belt and matching high heels, she felt like the dog’s dinner.

  ‘Go on,’ Kath said, ignoring her hesitation. ‘Meanwhile I’ll have a chat with your mum.’

  ‘She’s in the front room by the fire.’

  Kath hustled Ruby towards her bedroom. ‘Now, dolly yourself up and prepare for a nice afternoon out.’

  Ruby knew Kath wouldn’t take no for an answer. Wishing she had washed her hair last night, she looked in her wardrobe. She only had the grey suit with the fur collar that she’d bought from Patterson’s. At least it was in good condition. And why shouldn’t it be?

  She hadn’t gone anywhere to wear it!

  ‘Darling girl. Happy birthday!’ Ruby found herself folded into Larry’s arms. All the smells she remembered from the poodle parlour engulfed her. Doggie hair, talcum powder, shampoo and Debbie’s cheap perfume. Debbie and Stuart stared at her over Larry’s shoulder, smiles on their faces, and Bernie and Kath stood grinning beside them.

  ‘My birthday?’ Ruby repeated, suddenly realizing she had forgotten it was today.

  ‘Happy birthday,’ Debbie said. ‘Long time no see.’

  Ruby blushed. She hadn’t even sent Debbie a wedding card. ‘Yes, it is. Are you Mrs Stacey now?’

  ‘Yes, and very happy too.’ Debbie flashed the diamond engagement ring on her finger by the band of gold.

  ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t come to your wedding. I had to look after me mum.’

  ‘So I hear.’

  ‘Have you got a kiss for Uncle Stuart?’ Stuart said as he embraced her. ‘I’m glad to see you’re as beautiful as ever, my dear.’

  Ruby was close to tears. She hadn’t expected all this.

  ‘Well, let’s get the party started,’ Larry gushed, taking her hand and dragging her out to the back room. Everyone followed and Ruby was shocked to see a white tablecloth over the bench, complete with a large pink-and-white iced birthday cake and twenty candles. Beside this stood a bottle of champagne and half a dozen glasses.

  ‘Is this for me?’ Ruby gasped.

  ‘Who else?’

  ‘What if a customer comes in?’

  ‘We’ve no appointments for today and there’s a Closed sign on the door.’

  Ruby hadn’t noticed. She had been very anxious when Bernie and Kath had appeared. Meeting anyone at the parlour meant giving explanations, and right now she couldn’t give them.

  ‘Let’s toast the birthday girl,’ Stuart said, expertly opening the bottle, and everyone screamed as the champagne cork popped out. Soon their glasses were full and Ruby cut the cake with a sharp knife that Debbie handed her.

  ‘You went to all this trouble on my behalf?’ Ruby said as she stood with eyes wide.

  ‘You’re very special to us, darling. Kath told us about the hell you went through at Dower Street. So this is our way of cheering you up.’ Proudly, Larry pushed out his round stomach under his polo-neck sweater. Ruby thought how fashionably dressed he was, in a dark suit and new horn-rimmed spectacles that suited his big eyes. Stuart was wearing a white jacket and Paisley silk scarf that made him look more like an actor than ever. Debbie had chosen a plain brown dress, Ruby noticed. There was a noticeable curve to her stomach. Was she pregnant already? she wondered. Kath and Bernie stood quietly in the background until Larry looped his arm through Kath’s.

  ‘This young lady has been very concerned about you,’ he said earnestly. ‘We all know how hard it has been for you looking after your mother.’ His face grew solemn. ‘Remember, I had a mother of my own once who I loved dearly, but demanded so much attention I almost forgot who I was.’

  ‘Now, now, Larry, we aren’t here to depress Ruby,’ interru
pted Stuart, waving his hand. ‘In fact, we are hoping that, when your problems at home are over, Ruby, you’ll come back to the fold.’

  She tried to smile. Stuart’s offer was a generous one, but the thought of coming back to the parlour and having to deal with customers like Mrs Freeman again wasn’t something she wanted. All the same, she said quietly, ‘You’ve all been so kind. Thank you.’

  ‘We’re your friends, my sweet,’ Larry cooed. ‘You can always count on us.’

  As everyone was drinking and talking, Ruby looked at Bernie. ‘You’re very quiet.’

  ‘Don’t have much to say, except happy birthday.’

  ‘You managed to keep this a secret.’

  ‘Yeah, well, they told me to keep shtoom.’

  ‘Your sister is such a good friend to me.’ Ruby looked down at the sparkling liquid in her glass. Tears were close again. ‘So are you, Bernie.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘Don’t say it like that.’ Ruby saw disappointment in Bernie’s face. He still wanted more than friendship.

  ‘Oh, by the way, there’s one more guest to arrive,’ Larry shouted across the room. ‘Should be here any sec.’

  Bernie walked away from her to pour himself another drink. Kath looked expectantly through the window and Stuart nodded, adding, ‘A very special guest.’

  ‘Who?’ Ruby couldn’t guess who they meant. But then her heart almost leaped out of her chest as the familiar shape of a large car drew up outside.

  Her heart beat so fast she thought she was about to faint. A figure climbed out and walked to the front door. A few seconds later a handsome man wearing a navy camel-haired overcoat entered. Pushing his hand over the immaculate cut of his short brown hair, he smiled.

  ‘N-Nick!’ Ruby stammered as he slid his hand around her waist. ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘I’ve been out of town on business for a while or I would have come sooner.’

  ‘How did you find me?’

  He raised his broad shoulders in a shrug. ‘Anna told me you’d decided to leave the agency.’

  ‘So you spoke to her? Did she tell you what happened?’ Ruby asked anxiously.

  ‘It doesn’t matter now, darling. I bumped into Kath in Dean Street a couple of weeks ago. She was on her way to the theatre and I had some business to attend to. It was just the opportunity I needed to ask how you were.’

  Ruby looked at Kath. ‘You never said.’

  ‘I wanted to give you a birthday surprise,’ Kath replied with a grin. ‘And when I saw Nick, I realized I could bring you two together again.’

  ‘Welcome back to the real world,’ Nick whispered in Ruby’s ear as Debbie, Rog, Larry, Stuart and Kath joined them with smiles and laughter.

  Everyone, Ruby noticed, except Bernie.

  The party was coming to an end and there were tearful goodbyes all round. Ruby promised she would keep in touch and consider Larry’s offer of work when her mum was better. She knew that day was a long way off, but her reply seemed to satisfy him.

  ‘Take care of yourself,’ Debbie said as she kissed Ruby’s cheek. ‘Come and see me and Rog when you’ve got time.’

  ‘Where are you living?’

  ‘We’re still at Paradise Row. But we’re leaving soon. The twins are driving Rog crackers.’

  ‘I hope you’ll both be very happy.’ Ruby turned to Larry and Stuart. ‘Thank you for today. It was so unexpected.’

  ‘It was meant to be,’ cooed Stuart. ‘Now, darling, don’t leave it too long before we speak again.’

  After yet more hugs and kisses, Ruby found herself outside on the pavement with Nick and Kath. She noticed that Bernie had already climbed into his old car parked in front of the Buick.

  ‘Better be off,’ Kath said, rolling her eyes. ‘And I’m sure you both have a lot of catching up to do.’

  Ruby smiled, glancing shyly up at Nick. ‘Yes, that’s true.’

  ‘Me and Bernie will call at your mum’s and tell Maggs you’ve decided to take a day off and I’ve persuaded you to stay the night at my place.’

  ‘But will she believe you?’

  ‘I’ll make sure she does. Remember, Maggs told you that she’d cook your dad’s dinner. And for once your dad will have to stay home and do the honours. Looking after your mum for one evening won’t kill him. And Maggs will be on the doorstep to take over early tomorrow. So you two now have no excuse not to be with each other.’

  ‘Yes, darling, Kath’s right,’ Nick agreed, pulling Ruby close. ‘We’ll go to Angelo’s for dinner, then go back to my place.’

  Ruby looked up into his brown eyes as butterflies flew wildly in her tummy. Angelo’s. The Italian restaurant that he had introduced her to and which they had made their own. Once again, she felt tearful. She had missed him so much and now there was an explanation as to why he hadn’t come after her. So why was she hesitating?

  ‘Hurry up, Kath,’ Bernie shouted from the car. ‘This motor is guzzling the juice.’

  ‘Bye,’ said Kath, pushing Ruby towards the Buick. ‘Leave everything to me and Maggs.’

  Nick took Ruby’s hand. ‘Say goodbye to your friends, darling.’

  As Ruby waved to the faces gazing out at them, Kath jumped into Bernie’s car. With a roar it sped off in a cloud of black smoke.

  ‘What are we waiting for?’ Nick said in a husky voice. ‘I want to make the most of every minute now that I have you all to myself.’ Ruby wanted to say that this was the best surprise she had ever had. Nothing else could compare to seeing Nick again. And to think that now she had him for a whole day and night, thanks to her best friend, Kath.

  Nick was pleased to see that, as requested, Angelo had reserved them a secluded table in the corner. He felt truly remiss at the way he had neglected to find Ruby, but his business disputes with Anna had been overtaken by a far more personal issue. Then, two weeks ago, in Soho, he’d bumped into Kath, of all people, a stately, willowy figure he couldn’t miss in the crowd. He’d asked after Ruby and taken her for a coffee, there to arrange today’s get-together. The meeting was perfect timing. An unforeseen answer to a problem he’d been wrestling with for some time.

  Nick gazed across the table at the young woman seated opposite him. Ruby hadn’t lost her charm, though he could see that Anna’s influence had rather gone by the board. If Anna was nothing else, she could certainly turn out a professional product. The grey suit and fur collar Ruby had chosen to wear didn’t do her justice. The light in her lovely blue eyes occasionally sparkled, but then often she would look away from his gaze. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking. But he intended to find out.

  He smiled, showing his white teeth fleetingly. ‘Happy, darling?’

  ‘Yes, very.’

  ‘I hope so. I want tonight to be very special.’

  ‘Oh Nick. So much has happened. I’ve lots to tell you.’

  ‘Wait until we get home. We’ll make ourselves comfortable. And we’ll talk over every last detail.’

  He grinned again, touching her hand, pleased that so far the day had gone satisfactorily. They’d enjoyed their meal of Angelo’s house spaghetti bolognese followed by whipped Italian ice cream sprinkled with nuts and chocolate, which he knew was Ruby’s favourite. He’d told Angelo he wanted this occasion to be very special. And he’d been pleased to see that Angelo had reserved them an intimate table in the corner. Complete with a slim lit candle and a vase of tiny red roses that he’d ordered especially, the mood was suitably romantic. He reached across to grasp Ruby’s hand. ‘You look very lovely.’

  Ruby smiled. ‘I wish you had warned me to wear something nice.’

  ‘If I had, I would have spoiled Kath’s surprise.’ He lifted a finger to scoop away the tear that slipped down her cheek. As he did so, the other diners looked round to wonder why the lights had suddenly dimmed. A small group of musicians appeared at their table, two with violins, the other with a guitar. They began to play a love song and he sat back, enjoying the way everyone in the restaurant was ga
zing at Ruby. She was a natural beauty. If he won her trust, then what was to stop his success?

  He plucked one of the tiny red buds from the vase. ‘For you, my darling, the most endearingly beautiful of roses.’

  He knew that was what she wanted to hear. What any woman would want to hear.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Bernie stirred his tea thoughtfully, recalling the happy hours he’d spent at this prefab many moons ago. He’d helped Mr Payne in the back yard, in the days when there was a garden of sorts. When spuds had shot up beside the marigolds and wallflowers had spilled over the garden path. In those days, him and Pete had skived a good few days off school as they had in Devon. It had been easier there. The teachers were always pleased to see the backsides of the dirty, smelly East End kids. And if they played truant, well so be it.

  Pete was always up the library though, his head in a book. Doing it his own way. Always wanting to learn. He’d liked poetry too, but that was something he kept to himself; Pete had a soft side to him he didn’t reveal to many. They had shared a lot as kids, but all that was to stop when Pete got his job with the toffs.

  Bernie fidgeted restlessly as he sat with Mrs Payne and his sister. He knew that Kath wouldn’t leave her till Mr P got home. And even though Maggs had been reluctant to go, saying she’d cook dinner, Pete knew Kath was determined to get Mr P’s attention. To persuade him back into caring for his wife and sharing the load with Ruby. But looking at Mrs P now, Bernie doubted she was ever going to be the same again. She had that hollow, vacant look that sick people got and yellowy skin that made the bags under her eyes look like little purple pillows.

  Bernie gulped down his tea. Mrs P hadn’t stopped rabbiting on about Pete. Well, he didn’t mind that. But it was the same thing over and over again. How Pete always brought home the bacon. How her boy never failed to bung her a regular few quid. How he’d tell her she was the best mum in the world and what he was going to do when he made his mint. He’d pack Mr and Mrs P off on the holiday of a lifetime. All round the world on a bloody cruise! Come to think of it, not a murmur of Ruby, who was doing the hard graft here. Her dad would have been well and truly shafted if Ruby hadn’t come home. And that was a fact, Bernie thought, trying to dampen his irritation at Babs Payne’s whining voice: Pete this. Pete that. Saint flaming Pete.