Trying to imagine life without Herbie, she knew it would feel empty, what with so many of her friends having moved away. Doreen and Jean no longer worked at Gilbert’s; Cissie had given birth to two more children in quick succession, and now that her life was full with her new husband and babies, she and Ruby no longer had much in common. This saddened Ruby, but she accepted it; with the passing of the war, so many people’s lives had moved on.
Just before Christmas, Frank and Stephen had sat her down and explained with much kindness that they had decided to move to the coast. They’d insisted she must visit them often in their new home in Eastbourne, where they had purchased another bookshop. As Frank had said, they would have a fresh start, away from gossips and people who knew their business – and the sea would be within walking distance. He never spoke of what he’d seen while away at war, but now his face was lined and his hair prematurely grey. He and Stephen needed to feel as though they were set up and ready for their old age. Ruby was heartbroken, but couldn’t tell them so; instead, she had joked that as she wasn’t much younger than Frank, old age seemed a rather feeble excuse. It was then that Stephen had explained he was ill, and the sea air had been prescribed by his doctor for the chest problems that had haunted him all his life.
In some ways, Ruby felt as though she’d been abandoned; apart from Pat, everyone she knew had moved away from Erith. No wonder, then, that she clung to Herbie even though she wasn’t necessarily ready to make a commitment. She was loath to lose his friendship.
As the motor car pulled into the grounds of the factory, Ruby took a deep breath. It was only fair to tell Herbie of her decision. As she opened her mouth to speak, a man came running from the office block, waving his arms for Herbie’s attention.
‘I wanted to say . . .’ Ruby began.
‘What’s wrong, Dick?’ Herbie asked as he rolled down the window, ignoring Ruby’s words.
‘Sorry, boss, we’ve got a problem with the clocking-in machine. I wanted to catch you before you went off on your inspection of the sheds.’
Herbie got out of the vehicle and, with a quick backward wave to Ruby, started to walk away.
‘Herbie, I want to tell you . . .’ Ruby faltered, not sure if she should continue talking to his back.
‘I’ll see you when I reach your shed,’ he called back.
‘I was going to say yes . . .’ she all but whispered as she watched him walk away. Ruby turned and went to shed number six to start her work.
‘So, how’s my girl?’ Eddie asked as he took a gulp of the hot tea she’d placed in front of him.
Pat beamed at her dad. This was the third time she’d seen him since he’d left prison. ‘I’m worried. That’s why I sent you the postcard,’ she said, offering him a biscuit. ‘I made these myself.’
Eddie shook his head and smiled. It surprised him how old Pat seemed. She was so like her mum, and at only twelve years of age she spoke like an adult. ‘Your postcard said you’re worried that your mum has a man friend?’
Pat leant her elbows on the table and cupped her chin in her hands. ‘If we don’t stop this, I have a feeling she will marry him, and then you’ll never be able to move back home and be a proper dad to me. We have to do something now,’ she said in earnest. ‘Don’t you want to be a part of this family again?’ she asked crossly as he laughed at her words.
‘My love, I’ve tried to be a part of this family over so many years – but between me and your mum, we keep messing up. Since I’ve been out of prison and in a proper job, I’ve written and begged her to meet me. But she ignored my letters,’ he said. He didn’t mention that Ruby had replied just the once to say she still loved him and always would, but feared he would never change his ways and so would not read any more of his letters.
‘She throws them onto the fire. That’s how I found your address, when one hadn’t burnt through properly.’
‘I’m pleased you did. At least we can keep in touch. But you shouldn’t be playing with fire.’
Pat rolled her eyes. ‘I don’t believe you understand how serious this is, Dad.’
But I do, Eddie thought to himself as he humoured his daughter. If what Pat said was true – and he had no doubt she was telling the truth – then he was about to lose Ruby forever. Since he’d last written to his wife, he’d secured a good job as a milkman and had moved into lodgings, the very same ones where he’d stayed before he’d joined up. All he needed was for Ruby to understand that he meant what he’d promised.
‘I’ll need to get back to work soon, love. I’ve parked the milk cart up at the top of the road and I don’t want my horse breaking loose and talking off with the milk, as my customers won’t be at all pleased,’ he grinned. Seeing her glum face, he added, ‘I do appreciate how worried you are, love, and I intend to do something about it very soon.’ His thoughts turned to the money he’d put aside; that surely would show Ruby he’d changed his ways. ‘Now, why don’t you show me what you’ve been up to at school? This time next year you’ll
