by Linda Calvey
He looked her up and down as if she was something delicious to eat. Ruby pouted. ‘Do you know where I need to go?’ She made her eyes as wide as possible, her face as blank as a Barbie doll.
‘Course I do, darlin’, you’re in my pub,’ he smarmed. Ruby knew instantly she’d fooled him. He leaned against the door-frame almost trapping her where she stood. She moved quickly, turning her body sideways and extracting herself from his presence. ‘Oh, there it is. I am daft. I’m so sorry to bother ya,’ she twittered, moving away and throwing him a smile as she went. ‘Thank you.’
Once inside the ladies’, Ruby leaned against the sink, staring into the mirror and exhaled slowly. ‘That was close, Ruby Murphy,’ she muttered to the young woman who stared back at her.
‘You waitin’, love?’ a woman barely out of her teens said as the door banged open.
‘No, sorry, just leavin’,’ Ruby replied, and pulling her gaze away from the mirror, she walked out and over to Bobby, who by now was looking worried.
‘Rube, where the hell ’ave ya been?’ he hissed.
‘Sorry, Bobby. I didn’t mean to worry you. I did manage to get upstairs, though,’ she smiled, enjoying Bobby’s reaction.
His face changed from worry to amusement. ‘Trust you, Rube. Always up for takin’ a risk.’
‘Bloody hell, I almost didn’t get out of that one!’ Bobby panted when he marched in through the front door, heading straight to where he knew Ruby would be waiting.
It was the early hours of the morning, the sky still black as coal, when Bobby arrived back from raiding the safe for Archie.
‘What is it? Are you all right?’ Ruby stood up abruptly, almost spilling her cold coffee. Minutes earlier she had been yawning with exhaustion but now she was wide awake, senses on high alert.
Her brother threw his black holdall onto the elegant dining table, ripping off his black jacket and gloves.
‘I’m fine, Rube. Didn’t mean to startle ya, but there was a . . . hitch . . .’
‘Was it Archie? Did he do us over? Oh my God, ’ave I been stupid and let him charm his way in?’ She was wild-eyed now, the tiredness suddenly dropping on her like a great weight.
‘Nah, nuthin’ like that, at least I don’t think so. Look, if Charlie says Archie is kosher then he’s kosher,’ Bobby answered, dragging his hands through his dishevelled hair.
‘So, what went wrong, then?’ Ruby asked, sitting down again.
‘The bloke was still in there!’
‘You what? But Archie said he’d be out all night.’ Ruby frowned.
Bobby, seeing the expression on her face, shook his head. ‘It ain’t what you’re thinkin’. I don’t think Archie mugged us off. I think the bloke who owns the pub probably went out but pulled a bird and came home early.’
‘Oh Christ,’ Ruby whispered, feeling the sudden urge to laugh.
Bobby saw the amusement she tried to hide, and continued, ‘As I crept up the stairs, keepin’ my feet right on the edge of each step to stop them creakin’, I could ’ear him. He was screwin’ her’
Ruby looked down at her manicured nails, currently painted bright red.
‘So they were . . . screwin’ . . . in his bed. Go on,’ Ruby said with distaste. She hated the casual way men talked about sex, as something funny or dirty. She might still be a virgin but she had an inkling from the love that her parents always showed each other, and the love Grandad Jim felt for Granny Ruby all those years after her death, that it could be something much more special, more meaningful, than mere ‘screwing’.
‘I carried on goin’ up the stairs, what else could I do? You’d told me which door was the one for the office. The only tricky part was gettin’ past the bedroom door, which was open! I had to watch them at it till there was a moment I could get past and into the office.’ Bobby snorted now with hilarity. ‘God, I don’t think I’ll ever forget the sight of his arse goin’ up and down!’
‘But did you get the money?’ Ruby interrupted him.
Bobby wiped his eyes and nodded. ‘All of it. The landlord won’t realise until he checks it for the wages, and then all hell will break loose!’
‘Good. So our side of the bargain was kept. Now we wait and see what Archie has to say for himself.’ Her eyes narrowed. Bobby hadn’t come that close to being caught in a long time. If there was any whiff of Archie lying to them, she’d know.
When Archie arrived, Ruby gave him a frosty greeting, making the gangster arch his eyebrows in response.
‘’Ave I upset ya, Ruby?’ he said as they walked into her sun-filled kitchen. Even though it was early autumn, the light flooded the pleasant space. Bobby sat at the table with little George, watching as Ruby dealt with Archie.
‘Bobby was almost caught last night. Your information was wrong. Bobby got inside the pub to find the landlord still in there. He tells me we can trust you but if you were muggin’ us off . . .’
Archie looked stunned. ‘What d’ya mean? I had it on good authority he was out with the boys last night.’
Ruby stood facing the man she had been in danger of falling for, her long red nails on her hips, eyes flashing with anger.
She studied his face. His puzzlement looked genuine.
‘My Bobby had to creep into the office while the landlord was . . . busy . . . with a girl he’d pulled.’
‘Bloody hell,’ exclaimed Archie, whistling through his teeth. ‘Jesus Christ, what ’appened Bob?’
‘Mind your language, please, in front of my George,’ Ruby said, her voice thawing just a little.
‘Sorry, Ruby. Bobby, I ’ave to know what ’appened. Did you get out OK? Were ya seen? I’ll make this right, I promise ya.’
‘It’s fine, Archie, me and your mate disabled the alarm. He stayed outside to keep watch while I went in. It was all goin’ swimmingly when I ’eard a noise.’ Bobby grinned. ‘The geezer was gruntin’. I thought, “Oi, oi, what’s this?” and then I heard a woman goin’, “Oh, oh, oh” . . .’
Archie looked at Bobby’s face, which was alight with humour, and over at Ruby’s stony expression, her arms now folded, and burst into laughter.
‘Sorry, Ruby, I can’t ’elp it. Bobby, mate, you’re a diamond.’
Ruby sighed. She was still angry at Archie so she refused to smile at him, but she had to admit, they’d still pulled off the robbery. Bobby’s holdall was stuffed with cash, which she’d counted and halved, as per their agreement.
‘The cash is all there,’ she said spikily. ‘Fifty-fifty split as we agreed.’
Archie smiled over at her. ‘Nah, don’t worry, you keep it all. It sounds like Bobby needed danger money for that job!’ At which point both men doubled up with laughter.
‘I never did it for the money, Ruby,’ Archie said. ‘All I wanted was to hear that geezer screamin’, and he will be when he realises. I wanted revenge, not cash. He did my dad over years ago, before he knew what was what, and I’ve waited a long time to mug him off.’
Ruby stared at him. She didn’t judge him. She knew how she’d felt when Freddie Harris mugged them off, and knew that she was just as capable of wreaking revenge, though she wished then and there she’d never have to.
The next morning Bobby whistled a jaunty tune as George spooned his Weetabix into his mouth, making happy hungry noises as he ate. Ruby smiled over at them. Today, the world felt good. They’d had a lucrative night, and her brother had got back safe and sound. There was plenty to be grateful for.
The sound of the letterbox being opened heralded the arrival of the postman. There was a thud as the post hit the carpet.
‘I’ll get that,’ Ruby said, carrying her cup of coffee to the front door. There was an array of bills, but one letter stood out. It was scrawled with her name, the handwriting like that of a child’s.
She frowned. Who could this be?
She opened it, scanning the single page and saw her friend’s name at the end. ‘Oh Sarah, what’s ’appened now?’ she muttered to h
erself, knowing this couldn’t be good news.
Ruby read the lines as best she could, though the words were barely legible. Sarah was banged up in Holloway Prison – just like her mother had been so often over the years. She’d got six months for shoplifting and needed a tracksuit and essential supplies. Seemed her mum and friends couldn’t be relied on, so could Ruby help?
Inside the envelope was a VO, a Visiting Order, and so, without hesitation, Ruby rang the number and booked her visit.
Within a week, she was standing in the queue, grateful for her decision to leave George with Maureen for the day as she watched the line of families waiting to see loved ones. The woman in front of her was a downtrodden looking lady with scruffy clothes that could do with a clean, and two young children who were asking how much longer they had to wait before seeing their mum. Ruby felt desperately sorry for them. She was dressed modestly, though in stark contrast to the other visitors, in beautiful clothes, all black and without flashy labels showing, but worth more than these people might ever spend on themselves in a lifetime. Never had she seen so starkly how far she’d come – and how high the stakes were. Her life was a risky one. Her deals were getting larger and larger, with more and more money changing hands. She shivered, hating the austere gloom of the place.
‘Takes ages to get in, babe, and the way they search us, you’d think we was all criminals,’ the woman turned and said to her.
Ruby laughed but it felt hollow. This was the distinctly unglamorous side to their business – the risk of ending up in here. The thought made her sweat under her expensive clothing.
‘You look a bit posh to be in ’ere,’ the woman said, her grandchildren both hanging off her worn cardigan.
Ruby didn’t reply. She felt rattled and, in truth, was dreading seeing her friend brought so low.
Once she’d been searched, Ruby was directed to a table. She sat down and waited. Within minutes, Sarah was led into the room. Her face lit up at the sight of her childhood friend. Ruby, in turn, had to hide her shock at the sight of her. Her hair was greasy, her skin grey and she looked skinnier than Ruby remembered.
‘I’ll get us some drinks,’ Ruby offered, returning with two polystyrene cups with coffee for herself and hot chocolate for Sarah. Ruby sat silently sipping the vile liquid as her friend talked.
‘I really thought he was a good ’un. Typical me to meet the dodgiest guy around then believe all his lies. He screwed me right over, Rube. He told me I could make some easy cash for us both, and like the silly cow I am, I believed him.
‘He got me nickin’ clothes to order, nice stuff from the big sports store up town. He wouldn’t give me no brown until I did the work.’
‘Don’t tell me you’ve got into that mucky drug stuff. What’s goin’ on? You never did anythin’ worse than ’ave a drink, and now this bloke has got you into heroin!’ hissed Ruby. She was furious at her mate for sinking so low.
‘Oh don’t worry, I can’t get hold of the stuff in ’ere, so I been cluckin’ badly. I can get benzos but they don’t really do the trick.’
‘Oh Sarah . . .’ Ruby now felt just sadness for her friend. She’d never really had a break in life.
‘It ain’t my fault. I just get in with the wrong people,’ Sarah ended, sniffing and looking around the room. ‘It’s not too bad in ’ere. They let me ’ave my fags, and a few of the girls are OK . . .’ Her voice trailed off. ‘Don’t forget me Ruby, will ya?’ she pleaded, fidgeting with her sleeve.
Ruby smiled tenderly at the girl she’d known. There but for the grace of God, thought Ruby, knowing her life could so easily have gone the same way.
‘I’ll never forget my roots. I’m ’ere for you. I know your family ain’t good to you, but you’ve got me, at least. When you get out we’ll go and ’ave pie ’n’ mash again. D’ya remember how we enjoyed that?’
Sarah nodded, her eyes filled with tears now.
By the end of the visiting time, Ruby waved her friend off, impatient to be out of that forbidding place. Stepping outside at last, she felt the sun on her face, the air on her skin, relief flooding her, but there was something else she realised now, a dark shadow that had slipped in beside her, warning her. Ruby shivered as she walked to her car despite the sun’s warmth.
CHAPTER 26
‘Say that again, Bobby. You did what?’ Ruby glared at her brother, who was refusing to meet her fierce gaze.
‘Rube, I’m sure no harm will come from doin’ a job for Freddie . . .’ he said weakly, still unable to look her in the eye.
‘Bobby, how could you even say to him I’d consider it? I swore we’d never work for that weasel Freddie Harris ever again,’ Ruby spat. She was furious with Bobby for giving Freddie the time of day, let alone asking her to speak to him about doing a job.
‘Look, Rube, you know how it is. We had a few beers and Freddie came over and said he’d offer us one hundred grand to do a job. He told me it’s a hundred per cent. He goes out with the girl in the office and she says there’ll be three hundred grand kept in the safe for one night only. The company specialises in rare diamonds, have done a big deal, and it’s our opportunity—’
‘The only opportunity that Freddie would offer us is doin’ his dirty work for him,’ Ruby cut in. ‘I don’t trust him, Bobby, you know that. I don’t like him either. He’s only out for himself, and I thought we’d left him and his dodgy deals behind. You’re askin’ me to deal with the least trustworthy crook in London, one who’s mugged us off before.’
‘Just hear him out, Rube. It’s big money if we can pull it off.’
Ruby gritted her teeth and nodded.
She could just picture Freddie swaggering over to Bobby in the pub after watching his beloved Hammers at their home ground. Her brother, who had been named after Bobby Moore, the captain of the England World Cup winning squad and a West Ham player, would’ve been celebrating their win when the weasel sidled up to him. In her mind’s eye, she could see Freddie buying Bobby a pint, getting chummy with him, waiting until his guard was down to strike. Her musings were interrupted by a knock on the door. ‘I’m guessin’ that’ll be Freddie,’ Ruby said archly as Bobby went to answer the door.
She was right.
‘Ruby Green Eyes, it’s been too long.’ Freddie was as oily as ever as he stood in her hallway. He wore a designer tracksuit with gold chains around his skinny neck.
‘Spit it out, Freddie,’ Ruby replied, her eyes narrowing.
‘Listen, Ruby, I know there’s bad blood between us but this is my way of makin’ things up to ya, my way of sayin’ sorry, if you like. There’s a job, a big job, and I need Bob to do it.’
‘Go on,’ Ruby replied.
‘He’s probably filled you in but I’ve been shaggin’ the girl in the office for months now, ’scuse my French, and she tells me she’s seen the contracts. The money’s comin’ in next week, and all we need is someone to charm the safe open so we can relieve them of it.’
Ruby didn’t take her eyes off Freddie’s face.
‘Look, it’s the best offer you’ll ’ave all year. There’s three hundred thousand in there, split three ways with you, Smithy and me. It’s a winner.’
She paused as she thought. The money was appealing, very appealing. With a hundred grand in their pockets they’d have even more financial security.
She was still reluctant, and her first instinct was to call Archie. He was going to and fro from Spain, but they spoke most evenings, and they were becoming closer each day that passed. He’d taken her out for meals at some of the best restaurants in London, The Ivy, Nobu and The Savoy. Ruby had started to confide in him about work, to ask for his opinion, even though it was always her judgement that she relied on most. Archie was meeting an important contact that day so she knew she couldn’t speak to him.
Freddie coughed. ‘Sorry to rush ya but I need a decision. Bob’s the best but there are other key-men I can ask. I wanted to put the deal to you first, as a sign of goodwill, to make up for
things. So, what d’ya say?’
‘All right, we’ll do it. Shake hands on a hundred grand today and Bobby will be there,’ Ruby said at last.
‘You made the right choice, Ruby Green Eyes. There’s one thing, though: you can’t risk them being suspicious if you turn up at a diamond warehouse. Sorry, Ruby, but you’ll ’ave to trust I know what I’m doin’. I’m sendin’ Smithy, my best man, in with Bob. He knows the ropes and he’s been in there with me when I’ve picked up Lisa.’
‘Lisa?’ Ruby asked.
‘The girl I mentioned. She’s not important. Anyway, wait for my message. It’s next Wednesday.’
Freddie turned and left just as Charlie was getting out of his BMW. ‘Freddie Harris, you’re the last person I’d expect to be ’ere – and to get out alive. Seen Ruby, ’ave ya?’ Charlie smirked. He walked inside and immediately turned to Ruby.
‘What the hell was that weasel doin’ ’ere?’
Ruby frowned. ‘I’ve just agreed to do a job for him, and I’m startin’ to regret it, however much he wants to pay us . . . I’ll just call him and cancel.’
It was Charlie’s turn to frown.
‘You can’t do that, Ruby. As you once said to me: a deal’s a deal. You’ve shaken ’ands on it?’
Bobby nodded.
‘Well then, it’s a cert. You can’t go back on your word. I just hope, for your sake, he’s talkin’ sense.’
With a sinking feeling in her stomach, she knew Charlie was right. They would look like right mugs if Freddie spread the word they’d reneged on a deal. These things got round.
‘I promise you this, Ruby, if he does try and ’ave you both over, then I’ll deal with him myself. You and Bobby, and little George of course, are family to us now. And we look after our own.’
Ruby smiled at the man who’d come to mean so much to her. He’d taken her under his wing, introduced her to people who wanted to pay good money for Bobby’s skills without fear of being mugged off because they were under his protection. She had no choice – she had to trust him.
