Ruby gave a big sigh. As much as she’d prefer her mum to move out, she knew it wasn’t possible. Why was life always so difficult for her? ‘Now, there’s no need to go on so. Between the pair of you I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. I think we need to all sit down and talk things through. I do have other news, but it can keep for the time being. Mum, put the kettle on and warm up the bowl of faggots I brought home for our tea. We can eat and talk at the same time,’ she said, giving her husband a warning look, as she knew he’d creep off out rather than face her to talk about their money problems. While he was hungry and eager to eat, she held him captive.
Ruby waited until the family were tucking into their meal of hot faggots, with a pile of fresh bread in front of them to wipe up the hot succulent gravy, to make her announcement. ‘I’ve found myself a job,’ she said before popping a piece of crusty bread into her mouth.
‘That’s my girl,’ Eddie replied. ‘If you want us to stay here, we need more money coming in. I still think it’s not the road for us to live on,’ he added, not wanting Ruby to know she had fully won the argument. He nodded at Milly. ‘You could do us all a favour and think about bringing a few bob in too, like Ruby here. Cleaning, are you, or is it bar work?’ he asked her, without looking up from his plate.
‘I’m going to be working in a cafe in the high street. It’s steady work and regular hours,’ she said, thinking back to when, along with Stella, she’d returned to the cafe for a cup of tea to settle their nerves after visiting the funeral establishment. They’d walked in just as Marge had sworn loudly after dropping a tray of dirty crockery. Bending down to sort out the mess, she’d cut her finger on a smashed plate. While Stella sat her down and cleaned her wound, Ruby had set to clearing up the mess. She’d found a mop and bucket in a back room and given the floor a quick wipe over, warning customers to mind the wet floor before getting behind the counter and serving the queue of people, who were starting to grumble.
‘You don’t want a job, do you?’ Marge had asked as she’d joined Ruby, once her finger had stopped bleeding and had been dressed by Stella with a clean strip of rag.
‘She’s not been well,’ Stella said, giving Ruby a stern look in case she accepted the offer.
‘I can see she’s all skin and bones.’ Marge gave Ruby a look up and down. ‘I’d not run you into the ground like an old workhorse,’ she smiled. ‘You can tell me if you aren’t feeling good and I’d not expect you to be on your feet all day. It’s just that with my old man not around as much these days – he runs our other place in Bexleyheath – I could do with a bit of help serving and washing up, and perhaps making a few pies when we get short. You could sit down to do that,’ she added hopefully, watching Ruby to see how she was taking her offer. ‘If there’s anything left over at the end of the day, you can take it home with you . . .’
Ruby was interested. It could be the answer to something that had been worrying her. In the few weeks she’d lived at number thirteen, she had come to love the solidly built house. She had a friend in Stella from across the road, and already other neighbours had stopped to enquire after her health and leave a few eggs, or vegetables from their back gardens. Although this was her first trip into the town, she knew Erith was the place for her and she didn’t want to leave if she could help it. However, there was the worry of keeping up with the rent – one of the reasons they’d had to move frequently when living in rooms in Woolwich and the surrounding area.
‘I have a little boy to care for and it depends on the pay, but don’t get me wrong, I need to find work . . .’ she said, trying to keep her excitement hidden. It always helped to barter a little, and Marge might be paying a pittance. She couldn’t work for nothing. Taking home stale bread and cake would not be so enticing if she was still short of money come payday.
Marge cocked her head to one side. ‘I take it your lad goes to school?’
Ruby beamed. ‘Yes, come September he starts at the school in Slades Green. Stella had a word with them for me while I was ill.’
‘It was the least I could do,’ Stella said. ‘My lads all enjoyed their time there. Even though there’s a school closer, young George will be hard pressed to get a better education this side of Kent.’
‘He’s already learnt some of his numbers and letters,’ Ruby said proudly. ‘Granted he’s my own flesh and blood, but I know he’s a bright kid, and with luck George will have a good future.’
‘I’ll second that,’ Stella agreed. ‘My youngest told me the lad’s as bright as a button picking up things. George follows him everywhere – like his little shadow, he is.’
‘That’s nice, ducks. Have you only got the one?’
Stella watched Ruby’s face and noticed a shadow pass fleetingly over. Would she say anything about her recent loss?
Ruby thought for a second. She knew it was best not to have secrets from someone she could be working with and who might soon be paying her wages. However, would Marge still employ her if she knew why she’d been so poorly only weeks before, and was just venturing out? In for a penny,
