‘You’re a good lad, Frank. Let me put the plates in the sink and I’ll be right behind you. The washing-up can wait for once. I’ll leave George asleep and give Donald a shout to listen out for him.’
Together they walked across the road, aware they were being watched by Ruby’s neighbour, Miss Hunter, who was wiping the wide ledge of her bay window with a cloth.
‘Good morning, Miss Hunter. You’ve started your housework bright and early,’ Stella said in a clipped tone.
‘I have a lot to be getting on with after spending yesterday in prayer. It’s a shame not everyone can do the same.’ Miss Hunter glanced towards the door of number thirteen. ‘I can’t say the same for all in this street.’
‘Now is not the time for such thoughts. Mrs Caselton’s mother passed away in the early hours of this morning, so perhaps don’t share your views with her today?’ As Stella spoke, an ashen-faced Ruby opened the door.
‘I will add Mrs Tomkins to my prayers,’ the elderly spinster replied, without an ounce of compassion passing her thin face.
‘Thank you, Miss Hunter, but we don’t need your prayers,’ Ruby said stiffly as she let Stella and Frank into the house and closed the door, not waiting to hear Miss Hunter’s reply. Her mother wouldn’t have thanked her for accepting prayers on her behalf. Milly Tomkins had fallen out with the Almighty after losing her husband at an early age. In her book, a church was just a place to marry or say goodbye to loved ones. There was no need for religion to be mentioned.
Stella gave Ruby a quick hug and placed her basket onto the table in the living room. ‘I’ve put some bits and bobs in there to keep you and George going. I know you’ll be too busy to get to the grocer.’
‘Thank you, let me give you the money,’ Ruby said, reaching for the purse she’d left on the mantelpiece.
‘No! If I can’t bring a few things over to help you out, what kind of neighbour am I? I know you’d do the same for me or mine if the boot was on the other foot.’
‘I would, but I hope that day never comes. I’d hate to think of your family suffering like mine,’ Ruby said, taking the basket into the kitchen to unpack. There was enough to see her and George through a few days until life got back to normal, if it ever would. Stella’s generosity lifted her heart; whatever would she do without good friends? It was a huge comfort to her, but then she suddenly started to tremble so much that she had to grip the side of the sink to stop herself sinking to her knees.
‘My goodness, Ruby! Frank, quick, help me get Ruby to a seat. The poor girl has had a bit of a turn,’ Stella exclaimed as she caught Ruby before she sank to the floor completely.
Frank scooped Ruby up in his arms and carried her through to the front room, depositing her in one of the hard horsehair armchairs. Stella brought in a cup of water and held it to her lips. ‘Here you go, love. With everything that’s gone on, it’s no wonder you’ve come over all queer. I bet you’ve not even eaten, have you?’ she fussed. ‘Frank, get some breakfast going while I fetch a blanket to tuck round this young lady. No arguing,’ she added as Ruby started to protest. ‘I know it’s warm enough outside, but you need a bit of cosseting. When I think of what you’ve been through, why, I could cry. If putting some food in your belly and keeping you warm is what it takes to get you back on your feet, then you can shut up and let me take charge.’
Ruby mumbled her thanks, leant back in the armchair and closed her eyes. Apart from the cup of tea she’d let go cold while sitting at the hospital, nothing had touched her lips since early yesterday. Frank and Stella had tried to ply her with a hot drink when she’d arrived home in the early hours, but she couldn’t stomach the thought of anything. No wonder she didn’t feel quite the ticket at the moment. Lying awake for the few hours she was in bed, she couldn’t sleep for thinking of the list of what had to be done today. Almost everything required money, and she hardly had a penny to her name. Rather than curse Eddie, as she knew it would get her nowhere, she wondered why he’d let her down at such a time. When she needed him by her side being strong, he’d instead left her to flounder alone. Was the lure of drinking and gambling so strong that he had left her alone with a young child? She fought a shuddering sob as it ripped through her. She would not be a victim at the hands of her husband.
‘Here you go, lovey. Let’s tuck this round you and once we’ve had a cup of tea, we will do what we can to help you,’ Stella said as she sat in the other chair.
Ruby nodded in agreement. Grateful though she was, she had no idea how Stella could possibly help her. ‘Thank you. I hope George hasn’t been a bother? I dread to think how I’m going to tell him that not only has his nanny died, but his daddy will not be coming home.’
‘Are you sure Eddie hasn’t just gone off somewhere drinking and will roll home again before too long? I recall you mentioning that’s happened before.’
‘No, he’s gone for good this time. Most of his clothes have disappeared from the chest of drawers, along with the shaving kit and the watch he only wore with his suit, and that’s gone too.’
Stella shook her head. She was thankful that her Wilf was a good family man and would never do such a thing. Even in times
