A Mother Forever

the year. He was a member of W. H. Smith’s circulating library and had suggested that Eddie join too, so Ruby and George would have the benefit of reading new books. The idea had worried Ruby. Apart from Eddie not being much of a reader, she was not sure about caring for a book – what happened if the book was damaged or lost? How much would it all cost? However, she remembered a second-hand shop in Woolwich that had rows upon rows of books that were lined up on the pavement in front of the shop window on fine days. She had planned to use a few coppers from her savings to start George’s own collection. Her son needed to be well-read if he was to succeed in life. Fat chance of that now, with the lad’s dad having pinched much of her savings.

Thinking of her husband now as he toiled in the garden, she did wonder if it was too late for him to change his ways. Ever an optimist, she would give him time to prove himself. She knew how women were looked down on by neighbours when their husbands left or were kicked out of the house for their wrongdoings. She knew she could hold her head high, but it wouldn’t be fair for George, as kids could be cruel once they latched on to what was going on. Besides, Eddie was the only man she’d ever loved, and in her book that was something worth fighting for.

Deep in thought, it took a couple of moments for her to hear the banging at her front door. Surely Milly hadn’t forgotten her key? No, this was more insistent, and in between the hammering with the brass door knocker she could hear a frantic pounding on the wood and a voice calling her name. It was George.

Hurrying to open the door, she was faced with her son, red-faced and sobbing loudly. He clung to her skirts and mumbled incoherently.

‘Whatever is wrong, my love? Where’s Nanny?’ she asked, looking out into the street as she stood on the doorstep.

‘She . . . she . . . she had a funny turn and fell in the middle of the road in front of the pub by the river. A couple of workmen came out to help her. They put her in a wheelbarrow . . .’

6

With her head still full of Eddie and his drunken ways, Ruby’s first thought was that Milly too was drunk. Had her mum taken George into a public house – and on a Sunday? The pubs down by the river weren’t as refined as the Prince of Wales and were no place for a child. Come to that, only a certain type of woman frequented those pubs. Kneeling down so she was face to face with George, she kissed his forehead and gave him a reassuring smile. ‘What happened to Nanny? Where did the men take her?’

‘They put her in a wheelbarrow. I followed them in case they were stealing her. They went into the hospital up the road,’ he sniffed.

The cottage hospital, Ruby thought. Then her mum must be poorly. Feeling ashamed of her previous thoughts, she wiped George’s face with a handkerchief. ‘What did the men say, my darling?’

‘The men said to tell you they thought she was a goner and she’s going to pop her clogs. What’s a goner?’

Ruby felt her heart plummet. Her mum could be a right moaner at times, but Ruby didn’t want to lose her. Ignoring his question, she stroked his cheek. ‘Stay right there while I get my coat and call your dad,’ she said as she hurried through the house and called loudly to Eddie to come indoors, and to hurry up about it. She just caught a glimpse of Miss Hunter tutting over the fence as she headed back inside to grab her bag, pull on her better coat and hat, then slip her feet into her best shoes. Goodness knows who she would be speaking to in the hospital and she didn’t wish to let her mother down by appearing scruffy.

‘What’s all the fuss about?’ Eddie asked, walking in without his shirt and scratching his chest.

‘Mum’s been taken into the cottage hospital. George came home on his own. The poor mite is so distressed. I’ve left him on the doorstep, so he doesn’t hear me speak to you about it. Eddie, I have a horrid feeling in my bones that Mum’s not long for this world,’ she said, pressing her handkerchief to her mouth.

‘Don’t be daft. She only puts on all those complaints. She’s got years in her yet.’

Ruby shook her head. ‘That’s neither here nor there. I want you to wipe a flannel over your face and pull on your best shirt – and hurry,’ she snapped, as he stood in front of her looking puzzled.

‘You don’t mean I’ve got to come with you?’

‘It may be the last time we see her alive, and I want her to go to her maker thinking we are a united family. She doesn’t want to be fading away listening to what you’ve been up to. I don’t want the nurses and doctors knowing, either. What happens at home should stay there.’

Eddie glared at Ruby. ‘Then you stop your nagging. Even the old girl next door asked me about my job. She must have been listening to you, as I’ve not been talking to her.’

‘She’s just a lonely, nosy old woman,’ Ruby said, shaking her head and pushing him towards the kitchen sink so he could wash. ‘If she knows anything, it’s because she’s had her ear to the wall, or she’s got it from elsewhere. If you didn’t get up to no good, you’d not have cause for concern. Now, I’ll be out the front with George. Hurry yourself or we’ll be too late,’ she hissed, leaving him to mutter to himself as he washed his face.

Entering the cottage hospital by the front door, Ruby was again impressed by the high ceilings and