by Linda Calvey
Ruby nodded, smiling broadly this time. ‘Yes, I’ve definitely heard of those.’
Ruby could hardly believe that she, a girl from Canning Town, was sitting in an office that sent beautiful things like real designer handbags, luxurious clothes and jewellery to the poshest shops in London, and the world. She looked down at the fake Gucci bag her mum had bought her, knowing it would’ve taken a big chunk out of the weekly budget. One day, I’ll buy real Gucci bags for Mum and designer clobber for everyone, she thought fervently to herself. One day . . .
Work went well and at 5 p.m. Ruby caught the bus back to the East End, walking in just in time for tea.
‘It’s liver and spuds, sorry, darlin’,’ Cathy said as she walked in, her face alight at seeing her daughter.
‘That’s all right, Mum, I’m starvin’, I’d eat anythin’ right now.’
‘Tell us everythin’ but wash yer ’ands first and sit at the table, we’re waitin’ for ya,’ her mum bustled, touching her daughter’s arm to show her she’d been thinking of her throughout the day.
Louie was already home, eager to hear about his daughter’s first day of work, and Bobby had slouched in early too. He was fast becoming a valued member of the locksmith apprentices. He seemed to have a light touch, and almost instinctive way of unlocking even the most complex locks. The firm had already indicated that they would make him an employee when his training was finished.
‘Well, go on, sis, spit it out,’ Bobby encouraged.
They all looked at her expectantly, making her burst out laughing. ‘It was great, really it was. They buy designer clothes and expensive watches from companies abroad and ship them over to London and sell them at Harrods. You wouldn’t believe the invoices I’ve seen today, some of those things cost a fortune, more than we’ll all make in a lifetime,’ Ruby said swallowing her first mouthful.
‘My goodness, that sounds somethin’ doesn’t it, Louie?’ Cathy sighed again, a wistful smile growing on her face. ‘Sounds a bit special, that job. Good for you, darlin’, for landin’ it.’
‘Don’t forget that they’re lucky to ’ave ya,’ added her dad, always eager to see the best in her, which she loved him for.
‘Don’t forget to bring some of that posh clobber home!’ Bobby chipped in. ‘It’s the only way we’ll ever see that kind of flash gear! I bet they won’t miss a few Chanel handbags. Go on, Rube, nick a few bits for us.’
Cathy instantly snapped, ‘You won’t “nick” anythin’, either of you. I don’t want to hear you say that!’
Louie looked stern too. ‘It ain’t a joke, Bobby. We’ve got what we’ve got. If others ’ave the money to throw away on a handbag then that’s their business.’
‘Sorry, Dad,’ Bobby said but he was still grinning at Ruby.
‘I won’t need to steal a damn thing. One day, I’ll be able to buy it for myself. I’ll be the head of a business like the one I work for.’
Cathy gave Ruby a small slap on her arm for swearing, but a smile played around her mouth at her daughter’s ambitions.
Ruby couldn’t help herself. She felt a mixture of elation and pride in stepping out of her small world to go up west each day. It felt like a huge adventure. It would have been grand no matter what, but these days it held an even greater appeal. The family was still under suspicion for grassing on Sarah’s dad. Several times, local kids had shouted threats at Ruby in the street, making her put her head down and run to her destination. Louie and Bobby had to stop going to the pub after work on Fridays, and Cathy was worried she might lose her job with some of her regulars, who’d bought their ‘baccy’ for years from her, now avoiding the shop.
Bringing herself back to the conversation, Ruby continued her tale. ‘And the girls were all nice to me. Some of them invited me out on Friday for a drink after work. Can I go, Mum?’
‘Course you can, darlin’,’ Louie cut in after seeing his wife’s frown, ‘but promise us you won’t stay too long. Just be friendly, ’ave one drink, and come ’ome.’
‘Thanks, Dad,’ Ruby said, loving their protectiveness. It didn’t feel stifling. She knew how lucky she was to have their care and concern.
CHAPTER 6
Four weeks in and Ruby was loving work. The computers weren’t half as difficult as she’d feared, and though the girls were much posher, they’d all been kind to Ruby. But each evening instead of looking forward to getting home, she dreaded running the gauntlet of locals eager to see the back of any Murphy. The slurs against her and her family weighed heavily on Ruby’s young shoulders and she knew she had to do something about the situation. She gathered all her courage and went to knock at Sarah’s door again. This time, her friend opened it.
‘You’re not welcome ’ere,’ Sarah said sharply.
‘I know I’m not, but you ’ave to believe me when I say it wasn’t me, or any of my family. We would never grass. You’ve known us for ever. You can’t believe we’d do this to ya. Look, please meet me tomorrow. I’ve had my first pay check and I’ll treat ya to pie ’n’ mash . . .’
This was Sarah’s favourite treat. She saw her friend mull it over, hoping against hope that Sarah would give in.
‘All right. I’ll meet ya at Kelly’s tomorrow lunchtime,’ was all she said before slamming the door shut. Despite this, Ruby could’ve shouted with happiness at the prospect of seeing her again.
The next day, Ruby had a quick mooch around Roman Road Market in Bow, before heading to Kelly’s, their favourite pie ’n’ mash shop. Sarah was inside already, waiting for her, so Ruby ordered the full works for both of them, including hot eels that quivered on their plates. There was an awkward silence as she sat down opposite Sarah. Neither said a word.
It was Ruby who broke the silence. ‘Look, it wasn’t us. I swear it on my mum’s life. Whatever people are sayin’, it weren’t us. You’re my best friend, I’d never grass on ya.’
Sarah nodded. Eventually she replied, ‘Oh, Ruby, I know it couldn’t be you, but I were just so upset and everyone was sayin’ stuff and . . .’
Ruby sighed. The weight pressing down on her lifted. She smiled at her friend, noting she looked thinner these days, a bit unkempt.
‘It’s OK. I understand. How’s things at home?’ Ruby said as their food was placed in front of them. She watched as Sarah ploughed into the food ravenously, looking like she hadn’t had a square meal for a while.
‘Not great,’ replied Sarah through a mouthful of food. ‘With Dad gone, and my brother bein’ a lazy tosser, it’s down to me and Mum to bring in the cash. Mum’s had to go back to shopliftin’ and I’m doin’ a bit of this and that. You know, bit of thievin’, bit of dippin’ . . .’
Ruby tried to smile back at her friend but she couldn’t. She was worried Sarah would go the same way as her parents. Her mum Julie had been in and out of prison for years before meeting Sarah’s dad, Mike. She’d been nicked flogging stolen designer baby clothes to an undercover copper and ended up in Holloway. And Sarah’s brother Alan, he’d been in trouble since he was knee-high to a grasshopper.
Sarah continued to chew as she spoke, her large gold hoop earrings swaying as she ate. Her hair was pulled up into a scrunchie but it looked unwashed and she wasn’t wearing her customary make-up.
‘Yeah, so we’re skint. Mum’ll end up banged up again, and Alan’s useless. So, what’s new, Rube? I’ve ’eard you’re workin’ up the West End now?’
‘Yes, and I’m hopin’ this is the start of better things, Sar. You should see ’em. All posh, sitting at their computers, orderin’ Gucci, Chanel, you name it. And I’m part of it. I want to make a go of it, I want to do well. Maybe I could keep an eye out for ya, let ya know if they have a job goin’. Imagine the two of us workin’ in the West End,’ Ruby said, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
Sarah looked up from her plate and as their eyes met, she hesitated for a moment, then said, ‘That’s not likely for me. You’ve got everythin’, Rube, and if anyone can make a go of it straight, then it
’s you.’
‘What d’ya mean, Sar? If I can do it, you can.’
‘But I can’t. Listen, there’s somethin’ ya don’t know about me, and I ain’t told no one about this. I was born in Holloway. I’m a prison baby; I even had a bloody prison number. If that ain’t a bad enough start, my dad’s banged up for blaggin’. Your posh bint’s not goin’ to offer a job to the likes of me. I ain’t got no chance, Rube. Don’t matter what I do, there’s no out for the likes of me.’
Ruby cradled her Coke, not sure what to say. She’d known Sarah all her life, but this was new. She watched her friend pick at her food, sucking fish off the bones, and not making eye contact. ‘I’m sorry, Sar,’ she said quietly. ‘I can’t imagine what that was like.’
‘No, I know you can’t,’ Sarah replied. ‘I was always jealous of ya. Ruby Murphy with her nice family, straight as a die. You had everythin’, ya still do.’ She finished, looking down at her plate, which was now empty of mashed potato, pie and green liquor. Ruby, in contrast, had hardly eaten a thing.
‘What d’you mean, Sar? We don’t ’ave nuthin’, except each other.’
‘That’s what I mean, ya silly moo. You’ve got a family, you’re loved. No one’s never loved me, no one, Rube . . . What chance did I ever ’ave in life?’
Ruby didn’t know what to say to that. Instead she took Sarah’s hand, offering the only comfort she could. She’d come hoping to clear the air between them, maybe even ask Sarah to tell people it wasn’t them that grassed, but she couldn’t add any more weight to her friend’s shoulders. She felt powerless to help her and worried that soon Mike wouldn’t be the only Riley in prison. Life was so unfair. She could already see that you had to fight for what you wanted, but some people were dealt a hand that meant no amount of fighting would ever be enough. She hoped Sarah wasn’t one of those people.
Ruby got to the office early as usual. She was often one of the first in and last to leave. She wanted to make her mark.
About an hour after she’d sat down at her desk, Ruby noticed a bit of commotion at the front of the office. She craned her neck and spotted an elegant woman in her forties strolling along with Mrs Jones, the office manager. The woman had immaculate taste, and was dressed in Chanel. Trailing behind the pair could be none other than her teenage daughter. She was a blonde, picture-perfect replica of her mother, wearing a smart dress and matching kitten heels.
‘It’s the boss’s wife,’ whispered the girl sitting next to her. ‘Better look sharp.’
Ruby tried not to stare and turned her attention back to her screen, but a few moments later the trio stopped at her desk.
‘And this is our newest addition. Ruby has been a godsend. Never had a girl take to the work the way she has. Won’t be long till she’s managing her own accounts,’ Mrs Jones said.
Ruby was struck speechless by the high praise, but before she could muster a response Mrs Jones had moved on.
The girl lingered behind the others and smiled at Ruby.
‘Hello, I’m Felicity. I can see you’re going to be running this place soon,’ she said, conspiratorially winking at Ruby as if they’d known each other for ages.
‘Thanks. I just want to do well,’ Ruby spluttered. She was feeling rather in awe of Felicity, with her public school vowels and her swish clothes.
‘It seems you’re well on your way already. We should go for a drink one night—’
‘Felicity, do keep up,’ called her mother.
‘See you.’ The girl winked again and sashayed off.
Ruby looked after her. Whatever that girl had, she wanted; that confidence, that natural ease, all of it. Felicity swung her designer bag around, looking a bit bored and grinning over at Ruby as if they were already best friends.
One day I’ll be like her, Ruby vowed to herself, feeling like a small chink in that world had opened up to her. It was the beginning of something, she could sense it.
‘They think they’re the bees knees, lording it over us. And look at those shoes, and that handbag. They’re probably worth more than you or I earn in a year.’ Mrs Jones had sidled up to Ruby, having seen Felicity and her mother out.
‘I think it’s lovely they’ve got nice things. If you don’t mind, I’d like to get on.’
There was something in Ruby’s voice, some edge of steel, that the office manager picked up on immediately. She gave Ruby an almost curious glance before walking over to a neighbouring desk, immediately spotting a mistake and haranguing the poor girl as she typed. Ruby put her head down, pretending to work, but she knew that she wanted to be like them, to have what they had, to be someone who walked into a room and made people look, just like the boss’s wife and daughter did. The realisation crystallised in Ruby’s mind, whirring away as she painstakingly copied the work she’d been set. This was a new world for Ruby. She had been more used to avoiding her brother’s toe-rag friends, or hanging out with her own friends, who were all mixed up with dodgy men and dodgy business. These new people seemed breathtakingly sophisticated and glamorous. Ruby even went out each Friday evening with the girls from work, staying in the West End and going clubbing, though she refused to drink alcohol, preferring a clear head and slipping off early to get home to her family. The values instilled in her from childhood held strong.
Come that Friday, she looked for Felicity to see if they really would go for a drink, but she hadn’t yet reappeared. So Ruby headed to drinks with the girls, imagining what it would be like to slip her feet into Italian heels, or feel the reassuringly expensive weight of a Gucci bag on her arm.
CHAPTER 7
It was Ruby’s first Friday night in for ages. She’d decided to give the girls’ night out a miss that week. She was flicking through Cosmopolitan, which one of the girls from the office had lent her, when there was a loud knock at the door.
‘Expectin’ someone?’ Cathy called from upstairs where she was folding sheets.
Louie shrugged, looking over at his daughter, sitting in the cramped lounge. ‘Don’t think so?’ Ruby said, getting up and opening the front door.
Why was it always her that seemed to end up being face-to-face with Bobby’s cocky pal Freddie? Instantly, she sighed and crossed her arms, standing like a sentry in front of the doormat. ‘No need to knock, Freddie, no one else does, they just let themselves in.’ She delighted in confusing him. He seemed to bring out the devil in her. It was common practice to leave your front and back doors open, especially if you were as poor as the Murphy family – there was nothing of value to steal. She knew that Freddie wouldn’t have dared let himself in because he was slightly afraid of decent, upright people like her mum and dad, and possibly even Ruby herself. She watched him regain his composure and flash his gold teeth at her, making her wrinkle her nose in distaste.
Ruby eyed him up. What on earth was a weasel like Freddie Harris doing on her doorstep on a Friday evening? Bobby rarely went to the pub any more, let alone with Freddie, so there was no reason for him to call by. She raised her eyebrows in anticipation. Freddie wilted a little under her scrutiny, then regained his confidence and lent against the door-post.
‘What d’you want this time, Freddie?’ Ruby sighed.
‘Not pleased to see me, Ruby Green Eyes?’ he leered, leaning in towards her.
‘I wouldn’t come any closer if I were you, or you’ll ’ave my dad to deal with.’
‘Don’t get your knickers in a twist, I’ve come for Bob,’ Freddie snapped, his hands now in the pockets of his low-slung jeans, the gold chains rattling as he moved. He kept looking over his shoulder, as if something was there.
‘Bobby! You’ve got a visitor,’ Ruby shouted over her shoulder, refusing to move. She wasn’t going to let him take one step inside her home. She didn’t trust him.
‘So, what d’you want my brother for, then?’ Ruby asked. She wouldn’t normally care what Freddie and Bobby got up to but today was different. The two men hadn’t hung out for ages, so why was Freddie sniffing round her doorstep? She
wanted to know the answer, and she was damned sure she’d stay right where she was until she got it. It was clear as daylight that something was up.
‘Nuthin’ to worry your pretty head over,’ smirked Freddie as Bobby pushed past her, poking his head out the doorway.
‘What’s up, Freddie?’ Bobby said, grinning.
‘Well, er, it’s difficult to say, mate. Can we ’ave a little privacy?’ Freddie replied, staring overtly at Ruby.
‘There’s nuthin’ you can’t say in front of my sister. So, what’s it all about, Fred?’
Ruby couldn’t resist a victorious smile as she stared back at Freddie, who was now shaking his head, a dangerous grin on his face.
‘All right, all right, I see I’ve got to come out with it,’ the dodgy bloke answered.
‘And get on with it,’ Ruby muttered under her breath. She had just started reading an article about dating and was finding it fascinating. So far she hadn’t had much interest in the fellas around their way, but that could change.
‘I’ve got a bit of work for ya, Bob, if ya want it? A couple of the big boys need a favour, a safe that needs your kind of . . . persuasion.’ Bobby looked momentarily confused, but Ruby knew instantly what Freddie was alluding to.
‘You want my brother to do crooked work for you?’ she clarified, her eyes widened.
‘We’d make it worth your while,’ Freddie continued, ignoring Ruby completely.
Before Ruby could hit back, Bobby opened his mouth and set his mate straight. ‘We’re honest people, Freddie. I can’t do no crooked jobs, sorry but you’ll ’ave to tell your big boys no can do.’
With that, Bobby retreated back inside the house, leaving Ruby on the doorstep. Freddie had looked momentarily defeated but as he sloped off towards Star Park across the road, he looked back at her with a wolfish grin.
