Ruby gave her daughter a quick kiss on the cheek, ignoring the comment about Herbie Wilcox, who was now her manager. ‘God help any man who marries you,’ she muttered before she headed off.
Pat hurried upstairs and looked out of the front bedroom window to watch her mother walk to the end of the road and turn right to head down Manor Road towards the marshes and the munitions factory. ‘Good, she’s gone. I thought she’d never go,’ she muttered aloud.
Hurrying back downstairs, she opened the front door and rushed out to the gate. Waving to a figure standing at the top end of the road, she left the door ajar and went back inside to put the kettle on the hob.
‘Anyone home?’ a deep voice called.
‘Come in, Daddy, you don’t have to wait on the doorstep,’ she grinned as Eddie Caselton walked into number thirteen.
Ruby stepped out at a brisk pace. She hoped Herbie had waited for her. It had become the norm for him to wait in his motor car further down Manor Road so they could chat on the way to work. She’d promised to give him her answer today, and whatever she decided would cause ripples in her life and possibly alienate loved ones.
Up ahead, she spotted him leaning against the car, smoking a cigarette. She waved and walked faster as he stubbed it out, walking a few steps to meet her. ‘I’m so sorry. I hope you haven’t been waiting long?’ she said as he pulled her close and kissed her cheek.
‘It felt like a lifetime,’ he smiled, opening the door for her.
Ruby enjoyed the attention of this handsome man. It had been so long since she’d received attention from the one man who meant something to her – Eddie. ‘Pat was dragging her heels as usual,’ she sighed as the car headed out of Erith towards Dartford. Although the marshes were close to Erith, there was not a road passable by car.
‘I take it you’ve not told her about us yet?’
‘Not in so many words, but she knows you take me to work in your car. She’s no idiot, Herbie.’
‘Then tell her I love you and want us to live together, and that you will seek a divorce from Eddie.’
‘Give me more time,’ she whispered. ‘Aren’t you happy the way things are?’
Herbie swore as a child stepped into the road, causing him to swerve. ‘No, it’s not enough for me. I’ve told my boys I have a lady friend, and they want to meet you. I know people are gossiping about us at work. I just want to make an honest woman of you, and for us to live together as man and wife. I’m not one for skulking about and snatching a few stolen hours here and there. I know we agreed you would make your decision by this evening when we meet – but surely you know by now?’
Ruby felt her stomach flip with anxiety. She’d forgotten about meeting Herbie later. Did this mean she didn’t care for him? ‘I’m sorry, but I’m taking Pat to the picture house this evening. She’s been more than difficult lately, and I really need to keep her happy if I’m to drop a bombshell about us.’
Herbie shook his head in desperation. ‘I do wonder sometimes if you really love me, or if I’m just a convenient person to have around?’
Ruby was taken aback by his outburst. ‘I’m sorry you feel that way. I truly have affection for you . . .’
‘But you still carry a torch for Eddie?’ he interrupted.
She was annoyed at the interruption. ‘I was about to say that I have enjoyed our courtship, but that we are not love’s young dream. We both have children to consider – and I believe we both hold a torch for our past loves,’ she added, knowing Herbie still had fond thoughts for his deceased wife.
He gave a sarcastic laugh. ‘My dear, the difference is that you are carrying a torch for someone who is still alive.’
Ruby was thoughtful as they travelled in silence. Herbie had hit the nail on the head. She did still love Eddie, and in the years since she’d seen him, he’d never been far from her thoughts. However, she enjoyed Herbie’s company. Even if their relationship didn’t have the passion of her first love, she found the comfort and the companionship she had with him consoled her now that she’d lost Eddie.
They’d fallen into a pattern over several years of travelling together for work and the occasional trip, but she had no wish to introduce her daughter to a man friend if the romance did not work out. If Pat, who seemed old for her years, suspected anything, she’d never said. There was the occasional jibe about Herbie being her boyfriend, but it was more a childish joke then anything concrete. Pat knew only that Ruby’s boss would drop her home after work on the odd occasion she worked late. That was, until two days ago, when Ruby had told Pat over their evening meal that Herbie was a little more than just her boss and wanted them to become a couple.
Pat had been outraged. ‘But you are still married to my dad,’ she threw back at Ruby. ‘He has no right to want to go courting with you.’
‘I’m only married in name, love. Me and your dad have not even spoken for over three years.’ She didn’t tell Pat that Eddie had written to say he was coming out of prison and wanted to see her. She’d torn up the letter and thrown it onto the fire. Even then, there were times in the months that followed when she’d wondered if she had done the right thing. A small part of her longed for the Eddie she knew.
Pat had said little more, although Ruby was aware the child was not happy. Ruby knew that Herbie
