‘Are you not well?’ he asked, looking at his mum wrapped in a blanket.
‘Mummy was just a little chilly,’ Stella explained, saving Ruby from answering. ‘Now, Donald, why the long face?’
‘I thought our Frank was going to take me with him to work today to show me what happens in the clerk’s office. I’ve got an essay to write for school about my family and the work they do.’
Frank slapped his hand to his forehead. ‘Blast, I meant to send word in that I’m taking the day off to help with a problem in the family,’ he said, giving Ruby a shy look. ‘You are like family to us. Donald, would you take a note to the office for me? I’m sure Mr Porter will allow you to stay and watch for a while,’ he added, bringing a smile to his younger brother’s face.
‘But first, you go over home and wash your face. Oh, and you can put on your best coat as well. I don’t want anyone thinking my son dresses like a ragamuffin,’ Stella admonished him, although she was smiling too. Donald was a bright lad, and she hoped he’d do well in life. For him to follow Frank into the office of the coal merchant would be a good move, although her husband still dearly wished for one of their lads to join him as a lighterman on the river.
‘I’ll come over with you and sort out the note,’ Frank said, not adding that he wanted to use the nice paper he saved for letters, rather than tear a page from his notebook.
Ruby watched the interaction between mother and son, as something buzzed around inside her head.
Stella noticed the puzzled look on Ruby’s face. ‘Is there something bothering you, lovey?’
Ruby frowned and tried to clear her thoughts. ‘It was something you’ve just said to Donald . . . Oh well,’ she shrugged her shoulders. ‘If it’s important, it’ll come to me.’
‘What are you going to do about your job?’ Stella asked. ‘Marge will be expecting you by now. Would you like me to pop round to the cafe and let her know what’s happened?’ She nodded towards George, not wishing to mention his nan having died.
Ruby gasped. ‘Oh my goodness, I’d completely forgotten what day it was. I must get round to the cafe right now,’ she said, standing up suddenly and letting the blanket fall to the floor. Feeling dizzy, she gasped and clutched the nearby mantelpiece for support.
‘Oh no, you don’t,’ Stella glared, forcing her back into the armchair. ‘You are poorly, and you’ve had more than a shock after . . .’
‘After what, Mummy?’ George asked, his worried face looking between Ruby and Stella.
Stella took command. ‘I’m going to the cafe and I will tell Marge you won’t be in for a few days. I’m sure she’ll understand. Frank, you get that note written then wash the crocks up, and Donald, you hurry along and wash your face, tidy yourself and get off to the coalyard. You sit that lad of yours down, lovey, and tell him what’s been happening,’ she finished, giving Ruby a sympathetic look.
Ruby thanked Stella and beckoned to George to snuggle up under the blanket with her. As her friends set about their tasks, she gave her son a gentle squeeze before she cleared her throat. It was bad enough having to tell the lad his nanny had died, but to say his dad had scarpered with all their money was not going to be pleasant.
‘Has something happened?’ he asked.
‘You know how your nan was poorly with her dodgy ticker?’
‘And the men took her to the cottage hospital on a barrow?’ he said with a smile. ‘Then I ran home to let you know . . .’
‘Yes, you did very well. I’m proud of you for being so brave and not getting upset.’
‘I did have a little cry when I was in bed last night at Stella’s house. I am only five,’ he pointed out solemnly.
For all the seriousness of their situation, Ruby felt herself smile. ‘I know, my sweet, and you are allowed to cry. It isn’t a crime.’
‘Daddy told me he would be annoyed if he ever sees me cry,’ he replied. ‘I didn’t want him tanning my backside like Freddie Martin down the road’s dad does.’
‘Your daddy would never strike you, and he won’t be telling you off again,’ she said, holding him closer still while surreptitiously wiping her eyes on the blanket. She had wanted to continue telling him about Milly’s death, but perhaps George had given her an opportunity to explain about Eddie doing a vanishing act. She wouldn’t have to let him know about the missing money and her problems. ‘Daddy has gone away, and I doubt we will see him again,’ she said, choosing her words with care.
‘Did I do something to make him go away?’ he asked with trembling lips.
‘No, my love. Your daddy loves you very much. His leaving has nothing to do with you.’
George thought for a few seconds. ‘Perhaps he ran away with a floozy?’
Ruby couldn’t help but laugh. ‘Whatever made you think that?’
‘Nanny said he probably had a fancy woman, and when I asked what that was, she said it was the same as a floozy. She wouldn’t tell me any more. She said I had small ears, and people with small ears shouldn’t know such things.’
Ruby felt tears sting her eyes. She could imagine her mother parting with her pearls of wisdom about Eddie and his wrongdoings.
‘I doubt your daddy had a floozy; Nanny would have been joking. She was probably pulling your leg.’
‘I don’t think she was, as she said a rude word after that. Shall I tell you what she said?’
‘No, thank you. Georgie, about Nanny Milly. She was very ill, you know . . .’
‘Is she brown bread? One of the men pushing her on the barrow said
