East End Angel (33 page)

He grinned. ‘Trust you to stick up for your sister.’

She held her nose. ‘What’s that stink?’

He laughed. ‘Pig shit, love. Horse dung don’t hold a candle to it. Come and see me shed.’

Syd wasn’t inclined to ask more about Ruby. If he knew his wife, she would now be giving their youngest daughter the third degree. Not that an explanation wasn’t justified. When a dearly loved daughter just ups and marries a bloke you barely know, it leaves a nasty taste. But he and Amy had come to accept the deed was done. And Amy, God bless her, even whilst hurt and bewildered, would be in seventh heaven at this very moment.

‘Come inside and have a sit-down.’

‘It’s better than the Anderson,’ she smiled as she looked round at the forks, spades and rakes hanging from the beams. ‘And a lot tidier than our yard used to be.’

‘I’m a reformed character, love. Help yourself to that stool.’

‘Is this what they use for milking? You ain’t got a cow here, have you?’

They laughed and Syd nodded. ‘The thought has crossed my mind.’

‘Dad, would you ever come back to the island?’

Syd rolled himself another cigarette. ‘Would you leave all this, love, if you was us?’

‘No, don’t think I would – if I was you.’

‘What’s it like up there with all them V2s?’

‘We thought it was over with the V1s.’

‘Your mother worries, you know. Thinks you’d all be safer with us.’

‘Mum says you like your job,’ his daughter said, changing the subject.

Syd knew that Jim wanted to go back to the council after the war. And they had a nice little home at Pride Place. No, he couldn’t see Pearl and Jim moving here, but what about Ruby?

‘Been there over two years now,’ he nodded.

‘I thought you was a dyed-in-the-wool boilermaker.’

‘You ain’t never too old to change, ducks.’ He patted her hand. ‘Come on now, tell me about Jim.’

She smiled and her green eyes shined. ‘Last time he wrote he said he was still in Italy.’

‘The poor sod is probably exhausted after the desert.’

‘I can’t wait till he sees Cynth. Must get fed up with me saying how much we miss him.’

‘That’s all a man needs to hear.’

‘Do you think the war will be over soon?’

‘Next year, I reckon. It’s my belief the V2s are Hitler’s last gasp.’

She shivered. ‘Oh, Dad, I hope you’re right.’

He took one last gulp of smoke. ‘It’s getting parky. Let’s go home.’ He put away the stool and slid the bolt on the shed, then rested his arm on his daughter’s slim shoulders.

She was still his Pearl, a bit older and wiser, but she’d always be that lippy little mare who he admired for standing up for herself and her sister. She had spirit, did Pearl. It was a bloody good job she had, after all that happened since ’thirty-nine. He wished he could be there for his daughters at Roper’s Way, but it wasn’t meant to be.

‘You are a little darling,’ said Amy as she lifted her granddaughter from the bath that night. ‘Look at you, all arms and skinny legs, like a little deer.’

Pearl laughed as she wrapped a fluffy white towel round her daughter. ‘Mum, she ain’t never seen a deer.’

‘Oh, if she was here long enough, she’d see plenty. They come over from the woods, eating up all Dad’s allotment.’

Pearl laughed. ‘Come to that, Cynth’s never seen a white bath before. Or had hot water come from the taps and a real basin to wash in.’

‘If you and Jim was to move here,’ replied Amy, ‘you’d get a place with a bathroom. That’s what I keep telling your sister. Move down here, out of the way of them V2s. Your father could put a word in for her husband at the aerodrome.’

‘Mum, the V2s won’t last for ever.’

‘No, but I worry about Ruby. She was saying how frightened she is of them. And I can’t help feeling it was our fault she got married in haste.’

‘It was nothing to do with you.’

‘So she says. But leaving you both like that—’

‘Mum, you didn’t have a choice,’ Pearl told her again after enduring the same conversation several times since arriving. ‘Now, can we just enjoy being with you?’

‘Course,’ Amy smiled repentantly. ‘And who knows, one day I might persuade you both to live down here.’ She turned to Cynthia. ‘Now let’s get you dressed and snug under the sheets. Granny has made up a snug bed for you next to your mum and Aunty Ruby. Pearl, go and get a few extra blankets from the glory hole in the hall in case it’s very cold.’

Pearl went to fetch the bedding from the spacious cupboard under the stairs. When she returned Syd was reading to Cynth.

She sat on the bed, transported back to their bedroom at Roper’s Way. It had been half the size of this, with only a small window to let in the light. But it hadn’t mattered to two happy little girls who’d watched their dad hold the book so carefully in his big, workmanlike hands.

*    *    *

When Cynth was asleep they all sat round the fire and Pearl could see that Ruby had put aside her quarrel with Ricky as she told their parents about his search for work. When Ruby suddenly revealed she was expecting, Amy jumped up from her chair.

‘A baby!’ she cried hugging her daughter. ‘So this is why you came.’

‘I wanted you to be the first to know,’ said Ruby glancing at Pearl, ‘to make up for not saying about the wedding.’

‘Of course it has,’ said Amy, delighted.

But Syd only nodded. ‘Congratulations, love.’

‘I wish Ricky could be here too.’

Pearl knew that her sister was already regretting her quick escape. She wanted the fairy tale to be true; that Ricky would be the man she imagined him to be.

Amy looked eagerly at her daughter. ‘I’m sure it wouldn’t take Ricky long to see that Abingley is a lovely place to live.’

‘Yes, but he needs a job. There can’t be many going round here.’

‘Your father might be able to help.’

‘If I put in a good word at the aerodrome, would you and Ricky consider it?’ asked Syd.

‘I’m sure we would,’ Ruby nodded, to Pearl’s concern. Once again, Ruby was only thinking of what she wanted.

‘I’m sure he only wants the best for his wife and child,’ said their father quietly.

Pearl saw Ruby’s expression change as they both remembered how Ricky felt about the baby.

‘This calls for a celebration,’ said Syd, going to the sideboard. ‘Let’s wet the baby’s head.’

At this Ruby looked pale. ‘I don’t feel like a drink.’

‘Are you all right, ducks?’ asked Amy.

‘I’ve got to go to the lav.’

When she’d gone, Pearl enjoyed a sherry with her father and mother.

‘To the baby,’ he said, grinning.

‘So Ruby’s happy, is she, love?’ Amy asked Pearl uncertainly.

‘Yes, course,’ Pearl nodded.

‘Do you really think she’d move here?’

‘Don’t know, Mum.’ Pearl didn’t want to give them false hope. She didn’t know what would happen when she and Ruby got back to the Smoke. Ruby was already forgetting how cruel Ricky had been. Pearl shuddered at the thought of seeing him again. At least she had a few days to think what to do for the best.

Her mother’s cheeks were red with the sherry. ‘They might move, if you and Jim did, Pearl. We could all be one happy family.’

Pearl looked away. She knew that could never be.

‘Amy, don’t let’s forget what’s been said today,’ Syd interrupted before Pearl could reply. ‘Our girls have got their own lives to lead and their husbands to think of.’

But Pearl knew by the look in her mother’s eye that this wasn’t the end of the matter.

When Pearl woke the next morning, Ruby brought her a cup of tea. She was wearing their mother’s dressing gown and slippers.

‘What time is it?’ Pearl sat up.

‘Half-past seven.’ Ruby glanced across at Cynthia, asleep on the Put-u-up and whispered, ‘I didn’t sleep very well. I was thinking of Ricky and wondering if he was all right.’

Pearl felt her stomach drop. ‘Have you forgotten what he wanted you to do?’

‘Course not.’ Ruby sat on the bed. ‘Perhaps he didn’t mean it.’

‘You told me he did.’

‘Yes, but anyone can change their mind.’

‘Does that mean you’ve made up your mind to go back?’

‘No.’ Ruby looked away. ‘I’m still feeling sick. I know that upsets him. And I’d like him to miss me, as we said.’

Pearl knew that Ricky wasn’t capable of any decent feelings. She was more frightened than ever for Ruby. ‘Do you like it here?’ she asked as she sipped her tea.

‘Yes, it seems very nice.’

‘Can you see yourself living in the country?’

Ruby smiled and nodded. ‘Perhaps, if Ricky liked it too.’ She sat on the edge of the bed. ‘I’ve decided to phone him as I’ve got the number of the Disabled Servicemen’s Centre. I’m going to ask him to come down and see Abingley for himself; tell him that Dad might be able to get him a job. I’m sure that will make a difference.’

Pearl nearly dropped her cup. ‘Ruby—’

‘Anyway,’ sniffed Ruby, tossing her head, ‘it’s about time we got dressed. Mum said we can borrow Patty’s pushchair and walk into town.’

Pearl was left with a feeling of desperation. Ruby had chosen to ignore all the warning signs with Ricky. She had conveniently forgotten his violent behaviour and threats, and was now imagining a life of peace and tranquillity in the country.

Later that day, as they walked round the market, they saw many well-dressed people shopping at the stalls. The farmers looked prosperous, with their cloth caps and corduroy trousers, and Ruby became excited when she saw a notice hung on one of the empty animal stalls.

‘See what it says? A stockman is wanted to help the auctioneer on market day.’

‘You’re not thinking of Ricky, are you?’ Pearl couldn’t see Ricky in boots and an overall.

‘Well, it’s a job,’ Ruby pouted.

‘You’re right, love,’ said Amy eagerly. ‘It would be a start.’

‘I’ll tell Ricky when I phone him.’

‘There’s a telephone box on the way home,’ said Amy, ‘but before we go, let’s see the rest of the town.’

Although Pearl was filled with misgivings, she couldn’t voice an opinion. She tried to enjoy their walk meanwhile, as the air was fresh and clean, and a river, which wasn’t dirty like the Thames, ran under a grey stone bridge. Narrow brooks ran off it and ducks and swans bobbed on its surface. All the houses looked quaint and were well-tended, which reminded her of Brawton. Even the pub, called the Crossed Keys, was like the Brown Bear. The thought brought back bittersweet memories.

‘Good morning, Amy.’ A woman in a smart check coat and hat with a feather in its rim, stopped them.

‘Morning, Frances.’ Amy gave a big smile. ‘I’d like you to meet my two daughters, Pearl and Ruby, and my granddaughter, Cynthia.’

‘I’m pleased to meet you. What a lovely little girl.’

Pearl smiled. ‘Thank you.’

When she’d gone, Amy whispered, ‘Frances Butterworth is the secretary of the Churchwomen’s Guild. She’s a very well-to-do lady and has taken me under her wing.’

‘She seems very friendly,’ said Pearl, as Amy pulled back her shoulders and touched her hair into place.

‘Come along, girls, I’m going to take you for a treat.’

Amy led them to the rows of shops in the market square. Some of them sold souvenirs and paintings of the town and the animals that were kept in pens on market day. At the end of the row was a tea shop.

Inside, they sat at a window table. Amy ordered real cream cakes with cream from one of the farms. Pearl noticed that Ruby couldn’t take her eyes off the white tablecloth with roses embroidered on it and the dainty china and leaded light windows.

‘Mum, this is really quaint,’ said Ruby, all eyes.

‘Yes, it is, love.’ Amy poured the tea. ‘I meet my friends from church here once in a while. It’s better than a draughty old church hall that we had to put up with on the island.’

Pearl was helping Cynthia to eat her sponge when she heard this. It didn’t sound like her mum. All her life Amy had been an islander. But was she trying to impress Ruby?

‘And they’ve got very good schools,’ continued Amy, nodding at a little girl dressed in a blue uniform, white socks and beret. She was sitting at the next table with her mother. ‘Talks properly too,’ whispered Amy, nudging Ruby’s arm. ‘All her pleases and thank yous and not gulping her food down.’

Ruby stared at the little girl.

‘There’s a school in this road called St Boniface,’ said their mother. ‘It’s run by the nuns, but they take non-Catholic children, if you allow your child to learn the catechism. It’s to get more Catholics, you see, but you wouldn’t mind that in exchange for a good education.’

‘No, I wouldn’t at all,’ agreed Ruby eagerly as her attention strayed back to the little girl.

Amy went on to describe the new flats and houses being allocated to evacuees. ‘If your name was to go down now,’ said Amy as they finished their tea, ‘you’d have a place by next year. Frances had friends who fell on hard times and she put a word for them. She would do that for me if I asked.’