‘It was the daughter of the person I used to lodge with when I worked in the brickfields. She used to work down the munitions factory, and spotted you. She told her mum and dad. I’d corresponded with them for quite a while, wanting to know what was going on in the old town, and they promised not to let you know where I was.’
Ruby shook her head. ‘What a bloody mess,’ she said. ‘I should turn my back on you and walk away once and for all.’
‘But you won’t, will you?’ he pleaded, knowing that now he’d seen her he couldn’t let her walk out of his life. ‘Because you love me.’
Ruby trembled. Being this close to Eddie, she could feel the magnetism between them. ‘You’ve pushed my love too far at times.’
Eddie said, ‘You know me and my temper. When I’d been brought back to Blighty and discharged because of my injuries – they were nothing serious,’ he added, noticing her startled look, ‘I moved back over Erith way. I got a job down the brickyard during the summer, and even took up with my old lodgings for a while.’
‘You mean you were less than a mile away, all the time I was worrying?’
‘Like before, I couldn’t keep away from you, but I was too much of a coward to make my presence known.’
‘So how the hell did you end up in here?’ she asked, her head still full of questions.
‘I got into a fight, and the other bloke almost died. It wasn’t my fault – he had started laying into somebody I worked with.’
‘But it’s never your fault, is it, Eddie? There’s always excuses. Well, I’ve had enough of it. I don’t want to live wondering what’s going to happen to you, and if there will be trouble again. I’ve got a lovely life now. I’ve got a job, I’m a grandmother, our Pat is a beautiful girl . . . I don’t need you in my life, Eddie. You broke my heart far too often, and now it’s me that’s going to say goodbye. I’ll always love you, Eddie, but I can’t live this way any longer.’ Ruby stood up and walked from the room as he called out to her.
If she’d looked back, she would have seen the tears in her husband’s eyes and his arms reaching out to her beseechingly, and she would have changed her mind. Instead, she walked away from Eddie Caselton for the last time.
19
18th February 1924
‘It’s not fair, it’s really not fair. George has one, and he talks about it all the time,’ Pat pouted.
‘Come on, Pat, you know that’s not true. George mentioned his wireless set once in his letter, and when he last brought Sarah to visit I never heard the word mentioned once. It’s probably a fancy of Irene’s – you know what she’s like when she gets something like that into her head. Why don’t you use your gramophone player Frank and Stephen bought for you for Christmas? Not many girls of your age have one. You should be grateful.’
‘If my dad lived here, he would buy me one,’ Pat said, giving her mum a sharp look.
Ruby rolled her eyes; this was Pat’s stock answer. Anytime she didn’t get her own way, she mentioned Eddie. Not that the girl had ever met him.
‘I’ll be glad when you’re old enough to start work. You’ll be thirteen next week and it’s time you acted your age. This time next year you’ll be looking for employment.’
Pat thought for a moment. ‘If I put more hours in at the bookshop, do you think the new owner would pay me more money? That way I could save up for my own wireless.’
‘Don’t pester the poor man. He pays you more than the going rate for helping out when you aren’t at school because Frank asked him to keep you on. Now come along, what are you doing? I’m going to be late for work if you stand about here pestering me. Are you walking down the road with me or not, and what are you going to do after school?’
‘I might take a walk down the farm to see if they need a hand with anything.’
Ruby shook her head. Pat had been obsessed with farming ever since she’d saved up to buy a calf as a little girl. Thankfully, by the time she had enough money she’d changed her mind. ‘Can you be back in time for your tea? I thought we might go down the picture house tonight. There’s a film I’d like to see.’
Pat grinned. ‘Can we go and see The Monkey’s Paw? Daphne at school said it was great fun.’
‘I’m not paying good money to be frightened out of my skin,’ Ruby tutted. ‘We’re going to see Bonnie Prince Charlie. That handsome Ivor Novello is in it,’ she said, giving an exaggerated sigh just to embarrass her daughter.
‘Oh, Mum, why can’t you act your age?’
Ruby chuckled. ‘Are you coming or not? Only I don’t want to be late. It doesn’t set a good example to the workers.’
‘I’m not ready. I’ll see you tonight for tea. Please do think about The Monkey’s Paw – you can always put your hands in front of your face at the really scary parts.’
Ruby looked at herself in the large mirror hanging over the mantelpiece. Her hat was straight and her hair tidy. ‘Remember to close the door properly when you go out. Last time you left it open and next door’s cat got in.’
Pat gave an exaggerated sigh. ‘Oh, Mum, just go, or you’ll be in
