A Promise Between Friends

by Carol Rivers

  Ruby nodded, holding tightly to her friend.

  It was much later when Bernie and her dad came in. Ruby had dried her tears and felt better. She and Kath had made tea and cheese and pickle sandwiches. They all sat round the fire to enjoy them.

  Everyone talked about the old days and Ruby smiled when she heard Bernie grumble about the many times his dad had fallen over blind drunk in the road. It was always Dave Payne who had picked him up. ‘Though, as soon as he could stumble one foot in front of the other, he’d be down the boozer again,’ Bernie said with a gruff laugh.

  Kath recalled the clothes that Babs made for her on the sewing machine as her own mother didn’t know one end of a needle from the other. ‘Do you remember, Ruby? She could knock us up a dress in an afternoon? She was so clever with her fingers.’

  Ruby nodded. ‘She was always sat at the Singer.’

  ‘That bloody racket,’ Dave said fondly. ‘It drove us all crackers.’

  ‘Yes,’ Ruby admitted. ‘But I miss it now.’

  ‘Thanks for the help this afternoon, mate,’ her dad said to Bernie. ‘We got rid of a lot of rubbish.’

  ‘You’re welcome.’

  Ruby looked at Bernie as she handed him his cup of tea. ‘You’ve been in the wars,’ she said with a sad smile. ‘And it don’t look like a shaving brush that did that to you.’

  Bernie went scarlet, noisily slurping his tea. ‘They put these bloody lamp posts everywhere these days.’

  They all managed to laugh. Ruby knew her mum wouldn’t want them to be sad for long. Sitting here with her dad and Kath and Bernie felt right. They were paying their respects in their own way. Remembering the life they had lived with those who had once shared that happy life with them.

  A brief service was held at the Congregational church in Poplar. It was where, three years ago, they had said goodbye to Pete. Ruby watched as Kath and Bernie arrived, along with Maggs. They stood at the coffin with bowed heads then took the pew opposite to listen to the minister.

  The coffin was decorated with flowers, white and red roses from her and her dad. White chrysanthemums from Maggs and a spray of beautiful mixed flowers from Kath and Bernie. Ruby was dressed in a black suit for the occasion and was grateful for the delicate half-veil that was attached to her pill-box hat. It hid the grief in her eyes and the tears that had escaped during the last hymn, ‘Abide With Me’.

  She held fast to her father’s arm as they walked out to the hearse and watched the pall-bearers slide in the coffin. Then they all climbed into the black limousine to follow the hearse to the cemetery. No one spoke, but she was grateful for the money Nick had given her. If Nick had done nothing else for her, his money had provided a dignified funeral. One that befitted her mother: a solid oak casket with little brass handles and fragrant roses that Babs would have approved of. Her mind had wandered during the service, as she had sat by her father on the polished pew and listened to the minister’s carefully prepared words. But he was new to the parish and didn’t remember the last time they had visited the church. Ruby had found it difficult to speak about Pete. After all, none of them had expected to return after three short years.

  The small cortège drew up in the cemetery and Ruby and her father walked slowly to Pete’s grave a few feet away from where Babs was to be buried. Ruby left at his headstone a heart-shaped posy of violets, pausing to remember her brother. Then, joining the others, they listened in silence to the minister’s committal.

  “ ‘Forasmuch as it has pleased Almighty God of his great mercy to take unto himself the soul of our beloved Barbara Anne Payne here departed: we therefore commit her body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust . . . ” ’

  Ruby took one of the roses. As the casket was lowered, she kissed the rose’s petals before throwing it down. Her father sprinkled earth. They stood silently gathered, each with their own thoughts.

  Ruby knew that Pete would be there, smiling his lovely smile and waiting for Babs. And they would walk off together into the sunset, just like they did on the films.

  ‘Dad, you should go to the club tonight,’ Ruby said. It was now December, the beginning of a very cold month. Ruby had just finished preparing her dad’s lunch box.

  ‘Don’t think I’ll bother, not till the better weather,’ her father replied as he tucked the battered tin and flask of tea into his workbag. He usually walked to work, but had taken to cycling lately. Ruby knew he cycled to the cemetery to have a word with Babs. He said he found consolation that way.

  Ruby kissed him on the cheek before he went out of the back door. Since the funeral, her dad hadn’t gone to his club, but spent all his free time painting, repairing and doing up the prefab, just as he had in the old days.

  Sometimes Bernie called round and helped with the decorating. There had been no word of Nick and Bernie would have heard from the dock authorities if there had. The only clue to the mystery was an article in the newspaper describing the fire at Nick’s warehouse and the charred remains found within.

  Ruby shuddered when she thought of that night McBride had threatened her. She had come so close to disaster. And Nick hadn’t even cared!

  As the days passed, Nick’s money slowly ran out. Ruby considered going back to the parlour. Larry and Stuart had sent a beautiful card of condolence. Enclosed with it was a short letter, assuring her that, if ever she wanted to return, her old job was waiting for her. Debbie had sent a card too asking Ruby to visit her and Rog at their new house in Streatham.

  Everyone had been very thoughtful. But she didn’t want people’s pity. She had to get on with her life.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  On the first Monday of December, Ruby found two letters on the mat. She took them to the kitchen and studied them.

  One was from the stonemason; Babs’s headstone would not be erected until the spring when the ground would be firm. And although Ruby had settled the fees for the black marble stone and the gold inscription, the churchyard fees were outstanding.

  Ruby sighed, putting the invoice aside. The other letter, a white envelope, was addressed to Ruby Payne. The handwriting was unfamiliar. Perhaps it was from someone sending their condolences?

  ‘Dear Ruby,’ she read, suddenly sitting up in the chair.

  ‘We’ve met once, at Larry and Stuart’s party. I was with a companion at the time, Lady Granger.’ Ruby read the two lines again, then continued:

  I apologize sincerely for bothering you. However, as I am leaving the country very soon, I must take a risk and ask if you would meet me. I have something to tell you which I think you should know. Please be at the statue of Eros, Piccadilly this Sunday, where I shall meet you at eleven o’clock. Regards, Johnnie Dyer

  Ruby read the letter again. There was no address. What could Johnnie Dyer have to tell her? He must have got her address from Larry.

  Should she go?

  Of course. Her curiosity wouldn’t let her do otherwise.

  On Sunday morning Ruby took the tube to Piccadilly Circus. She had put on her warmest coat, since the weather was on the turn. All week it had been wet and windy and very unlike Christmas. But this morning they had woken to a frost, and she had suddenly become excited. Christmas in London was something she had always loved. The lights, the stores, the atmosphere. And today she had promised herself all these after meeting Johnnie. Perhaps she’d even call on Kath and tell her about whatever it was Johnnie had to tell her.

  As Ruby walked the short distance from the tube station to Piccadilly Circus, her heart lifted. It seemed like an eternity since she was up here. As she stood waiting by the statue of Eros, watching the morning traffic circulate, she thought of the glamorous life she’d once led in London’s West End. When living at 10 Dower Street, wearing beautiful clothes and modelling them for the fashionable stores had become the norm. And then she thought of Anna and the night at the Manor when they first met. And the long journey of discovery she had taken since.

  A redhead walked by and Ruby th
ought of Paula. She wondered if she had ever recovered from her disfigurement. There was Gwen too, and Charles and Mr Steadman; their faces passed fleetingly through her mind. So much had happened in such a small space of time.

  Ruby watched the couples, holding hands or with arms linked. They laughed as they fed the pigeons and stared in wonder at the figure of Eros. London at Christmas was spectacular. In the distance, the clock face of Big Ben shone clearly from the Palace of Westminster. This was the London she knew and loved, but without someone to love, what did it all mean?

  ‘Miss Ruby Payne?’ A tall, dark-haired figure stood in front of her. Johnnie Dyer was dressed in a short camel coat and dark suit, the epitome of fashion. His black hair was swept back, showing off his fine-featured face. His dark eyes were smiling and, as he leaned forward to kiss her cheeks, she smelled his subtle aftershave. ‘I’m so very glad you came,’ he said, looking about them. ‘Are you alone?’

  ‘Yes,’ Ruby said curiously. ‘Did Larry give you my address?’

  ‘Actually, no.’ ‘Who did?’

  ‘My car is parked not far away,’ he said, taking her arm. ‘I’d like to show you something before I answer your questions.’

  ‘I . . . I’m not sure,’ Ruby said, pulling away. ‘Why can’t you tell me now?’

  ‘Because here is not the place.’ He looked anxious. ‘Please trust me. I promise to make everything clear.’

  Ruby hesitated. She was more confused than ever now. Why all this secrecy? What could he possibly want to tell her that was so important he couldn’t tell her now?

  ‘I understand your reluctance,’ he said quietly. ‘But this is very important. And, if my plans work out, I may not be back in England for a very long time.’

  ‘Where are we going?’ Ruby asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

  ‘Not far.’ Johnnie took her to his car parked a few streets away.

  Where, she wondered, was he taking her?

  Johnnie drove them to Greek Street and parked the car. They walked to the end and stopped at the little green park. ‘Why have we come here?’ Ruby asked in surprise.

  Johnnie guided her to the bench that Ruby remembered the old tramp had sat on. The wooden seat was newly painted and the grass had been cut around it.

  ‘They’re trying to smarten up this area,’ Johnnie told her as they sat down. ‘But for me, they’ll never succeed whatever they do.’ Ruby shivered in the cold air and lifted her eyes to the house and bookshop across the road. The boards had been removed from the windows and scaffolding had been erected around the buildings. ‘Those properties have been sold to a developer,’ Johnnie continued as he followed her gaze.

  ‘How do you know all this?’ Ruby asked with a suspicious frown.

  ‘Do you remember that house?’ Johnnie asked, once again avoiding her question.‘I have a reason for asking.’

  Ruby couldn’t imagine how Johnnie would know about Pete. But why else would he bring her here? ‘I came here with my friend in October,’ she said warily. ‘We were looking for someone.’

  ‘Someone special?’

  ‘Yes, a girl who might have known my brother before he died three years ago.’

  Johnnie stared at her solemnly. ‘Did you find her?’

  ‘Why do you want to know?’ Ruby asked. ‘Why all these questions?’

  ‘Please Ruby, just tell me how you came to be here.’

  Ruby relaxed a little. He seemed very genuine. Could he have known of Pete? ‘My brother had a picture framed at the Cuthbertson Studio. His girlfriend wrote on the back. She signed herself as J, but we know from Pete’s diary she was Joanie. I thought, well, no I hoped, she could shed some light on why he took his own life.’

  Johnnie stared at the house. ‘Yes, I think Joanie could.’

  Ruby sat bolt upright. ‘Do you know her? Did you know Pete?’

  ‘Bear with me a little longer. Did you recognize the house over there?’

  Ruby took a sharp breath. ‘Yes, I went there once when I was—’

  ‘When you were almost fifteen.’ Johnnie gazed at her steadily with his sad, intense expression. ‘It was a Sunday and Pete made a big fuss of his little sister. You shared tea and scones and Pete showed you round the house.’

  Ruby took a startled breath. ‘How do you know that?’

  ‘I was there too.’

  ‘You were? But why didn’t Pete introduce us? Did you live here with him? Did you know him well?’ Ruby asked, more confused than ever.

  ‘Yes, I knew him,’ Johnnie said quietly. ‘I recognized you at Larry’s party. You see, Pete often spoke about you. He told me you were beautiful and he certainly didn’t exaggerate. When you told me that your brother’s name was Pete, I knew there was only one Ruby – you.’

  ‘But why didn’t you say at Larry’s party?’ Ruby demanded.

  ‘Your friend came along. She was quite drunk and so I decided it wasn’t the right time.’

  ‘So what made you decide on now?’

  ‘I’m going away, Ruby. I wanted to tell you before I went.’

  ‘Tell me what?’ She was angry but she was also excited. At last she had found someone who knew Pete and had even been in this house when she’d visited.

  ‘Ruby, please don’t be upset. You see, I’m the Joanie you’ve been looking for.’

  Ruby felt a punch to her stomach. ‘What kind of joke is that?’

  ‘It’s no joke.’ He gently put out his hand. ‘It was me who wrote on the back of that picture. For Pete, my love, my world. Forever yours, J. 1951.’ His dark eyes didn’t flinch as Ruby drew in a breath. ‘Pete’s idol was Winston Churchill as I’m sure you know,’ he continued. ‘The dog and hat was a private joke between us. I loved your brother very much. And he loved me. But we were always scared about being found out. I’m sure you’re aware that a relationship like ours is illegal.’

  Ruby sat in shocked silence. She looked at this handsome man beside her and knew instinctively he was telling her the truth. He couldn’t guess at the wording on the back of the picture either. Nor that Pete’s hero was Winston Churchill.

  ‘We knew each other for five years,’ Johnnie explained in a subdued voice. ‘We met through Ronnie Raymond, our mutual boss.’ He looked down at his well-manicured hands. ‘Ronnie encouraged us to be ourselves, as if he sympathized with and approved of our relationship. We were fooled of course and went on our merry way, until the day dawned when we both realized that he knew everything about us. From dates and times, to photos and personal information. He told us that he had enough evidence to send us to prison for many years. That was how he blackmailed us into his dirty work.’

  ‘W-what sort of work?’ she stammered.

  ‘We looked after Mr Raymond’s clients.’

  ‘What does that mean?’

  He looked up, his eyes full of unshed tears. ‘I think you can guess.’

  ‘Pete drove Mr Raymond around,’ she insisted.

  Johnnie smiled sadly. ‘Yes, but that was a very small part of his work.’

  Ruby felt like hitting him. How dare he insult Pete like this? Tears filled her eyes. She was so angry she could scream.

  ‘I’m sorry, Ruby. I really am. But the reason we never told anyone was because of the way you’re feeling now. And yet we were just two people who had fallen in love. We couldn’t help being the same sex. I thought you might understand. After seeing you so friendly with Larry and Stuart, I was hoping you would.’

  ‘You’re talking about my brother.’

  ‘Yes, and I loved him and miss him too. More than you could ever imagine. You can’t imagine what it feels like to be in love and never be able to express it in public.’

  Ruby felt so many conflicting emotions she couldn’t reply. Pete had loved this man? Her Pete? Her beautiful, perfect brother?

  ‘Pete and I were forced to work for Ronnie Raymond,’ Johnnie said after a while. ‘He would fix us up with people, often wealthy ones like Lady Granger who you saw me with at the party.’


  Ruby swallowed. ‘So you’re still seeing her?’

  ‘Not like that, no. She is a genuinely nice lady and has become a friend, perhaps the only one left from those days who doesn’t expect anything from me, other than my company. She knew Pete and liked him very much. She kept our secret.’ Johnnie took a deep breath. ‘You see, Ronnie was an opportunist. He got people to like him and trust him and found out their grubby little secrets. Then he’d make you do what he wanted or vengeance would be his.’

  Suddenly Ruby thought of Anna. She had done exactly the same, humiliating and controlling people in any way she could. Pete had fallen into the same trap as Anna had set for her.

  ‘Ronnie extorted sums of money that would make your hair curl,’ Johnnie said bitterly. ‘He deliberately gave us the use of this house, allowing us to think we had a modicum of privacy. But the house was not only wired, it had secret cameras too. He didn’t leave anything to chance. That was how he made his millions.’

  ‘Did you know this when Pete brought me here?’

  ‘No, not at that time. Pete was so happy, he wanted to share our secret with you. He was convinced that, even though you were very young, you would understand.’ Johnnie sighed and looked away. ‘But when it came to the time, he got cold feet. I was waiting in a room at the top of the house. Waiting with my heart in my mouth for Pete to explain the facts to you. But he just couldn’t do it. You were so young and innocent. And he was ashamed. And so you left that day, never knowing that I had been standing only a floor above you.’

  Ruby cleared her throat. ‘I knew there was someone else there. I felt it.’

  ‘I only wish I had known that. Perhaps if I’d come forward first? But Pete always reminded me that we were criminals in the eyes of the law. I didn’t want to lose him and so I just waited – and hoped he would call me down to meet you.’

  Ruby sat trying to put all the pieces together. Her adored brother, who she had thought was a ladies’ man, was nothing of the sort. But why hadn’t she guessed before? He never had any permanent girlfriends. He was always telling them about his work, but never any real details. He spoke of Mr R as though he was just his wealthy boss. Described all the glamorous parts that he knew would impress her. And then her mouth opened slightly. ‘Your name,’ she whispered, ‘Johnnie. It is like Joanie.’