by Linda Calvey
You can’t go out with him though, Ruby, she thought to herself, because you’re a crook and you can’t be with someone straight, however lovely. The realisation made her sad, but it was a fact. She couldn’t bring a ‘normal’ into her life, it was too much of a risk, there was too much at stake and he’d never understand her lifestyle. She tried to put him from her mind, hard as it was, yet those blue eyes that seemed to have seen her, seen who she really was under the designer clothes and flash sunglasses, just kept creeping back.
CHAPTER 23
She heard him before she saw him. The purr of the car’s engine signalled his arrival, exactly when he said he’d be there. As the week had progressed, and she’d heard nothing more from Archie, she’d decided that despite his sincerity, it was probably the last she’d see of him. Men always made promises, but did they keep them?
She’d managed to put his good looks out of her mind, concentrating on spending time with George and enjoying what was left of their holiday, though she was glad to be returning so she could support Maureen and attend her mother’s funeral.
She’d been on the point of calling a cab to get to the airport when the Porsche arrived. As Archie stepped out, he smiled and the sight of him, so gentle, so like her own dad in many ways, made her heart leap inside her. Perhaps some men do mean what they say? she thought as she watched him.
‘Hello Ruby, I made it,’ Archie said, opening his car door for her. He smiled as if he knew she’d suspected he wouldn’t show up. ‘I put a car seat in the back for George. Hope that’s OK?’ he said, making Ruby blush as she nodded her head. His thoughtfulness had caught her off-guard.
‘Thank you,’ was all Ruby could say. This man seemed to know what she was thinking even as she thought it.
They arrived at the airport early and it was then that Archie turned to Ruby as they sat in the car.
‘Listen, I know I come across as a bit of a ladies’ man at times, I overdo it, but I mean it when I say that I like ya, Ruby, and I want to call on ya when we get back to England.’
Ruby sighed even as a small thrill of pleasure sounded through her. ‘Archie, look, I can’t be with ya. Our lives are . . . well, it’s hard to explain, but they’re too different . . .’
She was surprised to see Archie smile.
‘Are they? I don’t think so, Ruby Murphy . . .’
‘How did ya know my name?’ she felt startled. Was he some kind of stalker?
Her expression made Archie laugh out loud. ‘I’m not a stalker, if that’s what you’re thinkin’. Listen, I know Charlie Beaumont. I know that’s his villa I took ya to the other day. I was even hopin’ to put some work your bruvver’s way when we get back. In fact, I’d already had a word with Charlie before meetin’ ya. It didn’t take much to work out who you were.’
Ruby was taken aback, but only momentarily. ‘So who are you?’ she said simply.
‘My dad is Lloyd Willson. He’s a blagger. You know what one of those is, don’t ya?’
Ruby nodded. They looked at each other, both revealed who they were, both part of a dangerous criminal underworld.
‘Go on,’ added Ruby.
Archie shrugged. ‘It ain’t an unusual story. Dad was a blagger in London. He pulled off some big jobs, high profile ones, if ya know what I mean and he did time for it. That’s where he met Charlie, in prison. We were grown up by then but it was hard with Dad bein’ put away.’
‘And there I was thinkin’ you was straight!’ Ruby said, and they both started to laugh.
Archie took Ruby’s hand and held it to his lips. He kissed it so lightly she barely felt it but it sent a shiver down her back. He didn’t treat her like all the other blokes she’d known. He talked to her as an equal. He didn’t look at her as some dolly bird to shag and then boast about. He treated her like a human being, and it was a heady feeling.
‘I’ll call on ya when you get home. Until then, Ruby Murphy . . .’
‘All right. Until then, Archie Willson . . .’
As Ruby boarded the flight, carrying little George, she couldn’t stop a smile spreading across her face.
The flight landed on time at Stansted Airport. Even though she’d enjoyed being away, she was relieved to be back on home soil. Maureen’s Merc drew up silently in the VIP parking bay. Both women were dressed entirely in black.
‘I’m so sorry. How are ya?’ Ruby said, hugging the older woman, breathing in her expensive perfume.
‘Don’t you worry about me. Look, Ruby, I’m sorry but we went ahead with the funeral. I didn’t want any fuss, just me and Charlie and a few friends. I didn’t want ya to come back from your trip and ’ave to go to a funeral. You’ve been to far too many.’
‘As ’ave you,’ Ruby replied, tears in her eyes.
‘I took the liberty of ordering flowers in your, Bobby’s and George’s names from the same place as your mum had for her funeral. She died quickly, and she didn’t feel any pain, so I’m grateful for that at least.’
‘That was thoughtful of ya. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there though.’ Ruby sat in the front passenger seat as Maureen drove them home, little George already snoozing in the back.
‘Don’t worry, darlin’, I told ya to stay. Is the villa sorted?’ Maureen asked.
‘It is,’ Ruby replied. Charlie had phoned her the day before to say he’d put her cash deposit down and it should be hers within weeks.
There was a slight pause in the conversation, then Maureen spoke. ‘A little bird tells me you met a certain Archie Willson?’ Maureen glanced quickly over at Ruby, who found herself blushing.
‘How did you know that?’ she burst out indignantly, making Maureen laugh.
‘You crack me up, Ruby. One of our friends saw you and Archie havin’ lunch. I’m told Alfie was there too, but it wasn’t him who was leanin’ in to talk to ya . . . He’s a very attractive boy . . .’
‘You know him? Of course you do. He said his dad Lloyd had done time with Charlie,’ Ruby said. ‘But I’m not goin’ out with him. I ain’t seein’ anyone while I’ve got baby George to bring up.’
‘Oh well, that’s a shame . . . It won’t be long before he’s snapped up, girl. I say go for it.’ Maureen added pointedly, ‘His father Lloyd is a big-time villain. Did he tell you that?’
‘He did,’ said Ruby. ‘He also told me about his dad bringing up him and Alfie after their mum died.’
Maureen nodded. ‘It was tragic, she was so young. Breast cancer. It takes the best of ’em. Charlie will tell you more about him. He’ll fill you in. Archie’s a catch so mind ya don’t lose him before some other woman bats her eyelashes in his direction.’
Ruby changed the subject but thought about the conversation all the way home. Charlie was waiting for them, announcing he’d booked a table at their favourite restaurant. Over a meal of tapas and Spanish wine, the conversation turned to the Willson twins.
‘Oh yeah, I know their father, Lloyd, all right. He was doin’ time for a big job, robbed a well-known bank and stole hundreds of thousands,’ Charlie started to say.
‘That’s not exactly the best recommendation for a boyfriend!’ Ruby laughed but she looked worried.
‘Listen, girl, it’s better he comes from our world. A straight goer ain’t goin’ to fit in. His dad is one hundred per cent. He’s the real deal. He’s a gent, and he’s got ambition, if you know what I mean. I’m sure his sons are the same. He did right by them when their mother died and he’s earned our respect for bringin’ them up.
‘Listen, Ruby, Archie’s got money and he’s goin’ places – in the underworld.’ Charlie took hold of Ruby’s hand and looked into her eyes. ‘But what do you think of him?’
Ruby blushed – it felt like she was always blushing these days.
‘I liked him,’ she said simply.
‘Well then, darlin’, it’s about time you got yourself a boyfriend and had a little fun. Life ain’t just deals and George, though they’re important. You’ve got to l
ive a little too.’
Maureen nodded over at her husband. She’d clearly briefed him to say the right things. ‘It’s true, Ruby. We all want ya to be ’appy. You deserve some love. You’ve been through so much. Why don’t ya just meet him and enjoy his company? It can’t do any harm, can it?’
Ruby blinked. Why did she suddenly feel tearful? The thought of being looked after, being treated and taken out seemed overwhelmingly appealing. She considered herself an independent woman. She didn’t need a man to complete her – yet she couldn’t deny there was something about Archie, something that made her feel safe and excited at the same time.
CHAPTER 24
Perhaps it was that conversation, over good food with beloved friends, that made her agree to Archie coming to dinner. She’d regretted letting him have her number because he’d rung her every evening, making her laugh, drawing her ever closer to him. She’d also regretted saying he could come over because thinking of him made her feel so flustered and jittery. She wanted control in her life after so much had gone wrong, but these feelings for Archie were the total opposite of that. He made her feel like abandoning everything she’d worked for and sinking into his arms instead. It was a feeling she didn’t trust at all.
He arrived straight from the airport, carrying a huge bunch of white lilies and a smile as wide as the open sea. Stepping out of his shiny red Porsche, his face lit up as soon as he saw Ruby in the doorway. She’d dressed carefully for the meal in a black silk shift, a single diamond necklace and low heels. She wore her hair down as always, but had dressed up her make-up, wearing startling scarlet red lipstick.
As Archie walked up her driveway, her heart swooped down to her belly, and every nerve ending in her body felt alive. She knew herself as a woman who regularly faced up to some of the underworld’s most devious, hardened crooks yet she felt at a loss in front of this man.
She had spent hours cooking a roast dinner with all the trimmings, knowing she wanted to impress him but at the same time warning herself to keep her cool. It was all very confusing, but it was too late now. He was here – and she had to get on with it.
‘Delicious, Ruby, thank you,’ Archie said as they ate.
Bobby smiled between the two of them. George made happy noises as he chewed on a Yorkshire pudding. As soon as he’d finished eating, Bobby got up and, picking up George, announced he was going out for a walk.
‘I think that’s a subtle hint,’ Archie laughed, making Ruby giggle.
‘Very subtle,’ she agreed, raising an eyebrow.
They heard the door shut and there was suddenly silence in the house. It wasn’t an uncomfortable silence, more an expectant one.
Archie got up off his chair and moved round to Ruby’s side of the table. He picked up her hand and held it as if it were a crystal glass, precious and fragile.
He raised it to his lips and planted the softest kiss on her skin. Ruby shivered, feeling flustered and out of her depth.
Archie seemed to sense Ruby’s discomfort. He slowly lowered her hand and returned to his chair, giving her the space she needed.
His voice was huskier when he spoke. ‘When your bruvver gets back, I want to speak to him about puttin’ work his way.’
‘Oh we’re back to business, are we?’ Ruby’s eyebrow was arched this time. She started to collect up the plates but Archie stopped her.
‘I’ll do this, you sit and relax. Sorry, I’ll talk business with Bobby later,’ he called now from the kitchen where he began stacking the dishwasher.
‘Actually, it’s me ya need to speak to when it comes to makin’ a deal,’ Ruby said in the doorway. ‘Bobby does the work, I make the deals, that’s the arrangement.’
Archie stopped what he was doing and looked back at her. She could tell he was impressed.
‘You are most definitely not just a pretty face,’ he murmured, stepping towards her. The air seemed to still as Ruby looked into his eyes, and he got closer and closer. Archie put up his hand to stroke her face.
The door opened and Bobby walked in with George toddling beside him.
‘Oh, sorry. Didn’t mean to interrupt,’ he said sheepishly.
Quick as a flame igniting, Archie dropped his hand and stepped back.
Ruby exhaled. Bobby looked between the pair of them as if there was electricity in the room.
‘You weren’t interruptin’,’ Ruby stammered, making Archie smile.
‘I was just tellin’ Ruby I want to put some work your way but she tells me I make the deals with her,’ he said.
Bobby grinned. ‘Yes, it’s Ruby who does the deals. That’s who the mastermind is.’
‘There’s a safe in a pub not far from ’ere. I want it emptied, and I’ve been told your brother Bobby is the man for the job.’
Ruby nodded.
‘Can ya do it?’
‘That all depends . . . if the price is right, and I check it out first,’ Ruby murmured. ‘Isn’t that right, Bobby?’
‘My Ruby likes to make sure everythin’ is kosher first. She won’t agree to a deal unless she can check it out first,’ he agreed.
Archie nodded.
‘All right. I’ll give ya the address. So what are your terms?’ He directed this to Ruby.
‘Half of whatever’s in that safe,’ she said, crossing her arms and staring straight back at him.
Archie rubbed his chin. He looked over at her. ‘It’s a deal, Ruby Murphy. How could I refuse ya?’
He held his hand out, this time to shake. She took it, feeling his skin against hers and she couldn’t help herself, she shivered. If Archie noticed he didn’t say anything. Instead, almost as an afterthought, he put his hands in his jacket pocket and drew out a distinctive blue Tiffany box.
‘For you,’ he winked, giving it to her and walking off to his car before Ruby could answer. Once the low throaty hum of the car had vanished, she opened it slowly. Inside was a bracelet strung with a neat row of diamonds. She held it, mesmerised, as the rocks glittered in the sunlight. Was this a promise of things to come?
CHAPTER 25
‘You know Archie wants you, don’t ya?’ Bobby said as they sipped their drinks in the Bermondsey pub they were casing.
Before Ruby could answer, the landlord, a man in his forties who was propping up the bar, laughed loudly. Heads turned to track the sound.
Ruby fidgeted. ‘What do you think of him? Would it be terrible if I did go out with him?’
Bobby took a swig of his pint.
‘Listen, Rube, I want ya to be happy. He seems a diamond geezer, and he’s respected by Charlie. At the end of the day, it’s your choice, sis.’
It was Ruby’s turn to sip her white wine.
She looked around. ‘We’ve got a job to do, and right now that’s more important than whether I fall for Archie Willson,’ she said, batting his words away.
Bobby arched his brow. ‘Not avoiding the subject, are we? All right, Rube. Let’s ’ave a proper look at this place.’
‘You know this job is so that Archie can see if he can trust us. We’ve not done a pub break-in for ages, but soon we’ll be doin’ bigger jobs than ever before. Charlie wants us to go big-time now he knows we do what we say we’ll do,’ Ruby said, her manner now businesslike.
Bobby nodded.
‘As your reputation grows, we’re going to have to stop casing joints ourselves. It won’t be good to be seen somewhere that gets done over a few days later. People will put two and two together—’
‘And make four,’ finished Bobby.
Ruby had ordered the drinks at the bar, and the landlord had openly eyed her up. They were becoming too visible, their reputation growing too steadily in the underworld, to risk casing joints for much longer.
‘Let’s do this and get home. George is only in nursery for the afternoon so we don’t ’ave loads of time. I’ll pop to the ladies’ and see if I can get an idea of the layout,’ Ruby said.
‘Be careful, Rube,’ said Bobby amiably, keeping one eye on her as she
walked off to the toilets.
Ruby was in luck. The ladies’ was directly opposite a door that, when opened, led upstairs to the private flat above the pub.
Looking over her shoulder to reassure herself she couldn’t be seen, she slipped through the door and walked as slowly and quietly as she could up each step. Pausing at the top, she waited for a moment. There was no sound from any of the rooms. Ruby peered round the doorway into the first room, which seemed to be the landlord’s bedroom. It was messy with men’s clothes hung over the end of the bed, and a stale smell of sweat. Needs an airing, she thought, wrinkling her nose.
On she crept, to the next room, which was an even messier bathroom. It was obvious the landlord lived alone. Towels were strewn over the side of the bath and there was a line of scum around its rim; toothpaste was splattered over the sink. She moved on again. This time, she found her target. The door creaked as it opened. Better warn Bobby, she thought. The door led to a small office with a desk piled high with papers, shelves which had folders and files placed in a higgledy-piggledy mess on top, and a large safe in the corner. Bingo! Ruby smiled to herself. The noise from a door flying open downstairs made Ruby freeze. She could hear someone on the stairs. She edged behind the door and waited.
There was another creak and the sound of distant footsteps, but they were now walking away. Ruby breathed out. Time to get out of here. She tiptoed to the staircase. She couldn’t see if anyone was at the bottom as it wound round to reach the upper floor. She listened again, straining to hear but there was nothing to alert her and so she started to descend. Just as she pushed open the door at the bottom that led out to the pub, she was stopped by the landlord.
‘And where are you goin’, young lady?’ he drawled, grinning at her like a hunter who’d found a rabbit in his trap.
Ruby had to think fast.
‘Oh, silly me,’ she giggled. ‘I was lookin’ for the ladies’. I’m so sorry, I must’ve taken the wrong door.’ Was it convincing enough? If the landlord guessed she’d been upstairs then the whole operation might be blown. He’d be suspicious and could even move the cash out to somewhere more secure. She had to pull this off. Their first job for Archie had to go off without a hitch.
